Access to capital and expertise has helped the brand refresh its systems and support infrastructure, giving franchisees more tools to succeed.
A Story of Community and Opportunity
Among the many openings in recent years, the West Kelowna location illustrates the human side of franchising. The restaurant is owned by Kateryna and Artem, a Ukrainian refugee couple who came to Canada with limited experience but a strong work ethic. “The story of these franchisees and this location starts even a few years ago when Kateryna and Artem came to Canada and one of our local franchisees hired them to be the team of managers for the location he was purchasing in Airdrie Alberta,” Kaytor recounts. “They had limited experience but had an outstanding work ethic, side by side with our training team and thanks to the hard work they put in it was a success story from the beginning. I think it’s a testament to the strength of the franchise model and hands on support we offer, if you are willing to work hard and pay attention to the training, success is inevitable.”
The journey was not without obstacles. “I would say the biggest challenge was the delay in getting occupancy due to water supply issues in West Kelowna,” Kaytor says. “Our team alongside the franchise owners explored all options including the possibility of installing a temporary water system to be trucked in daily in order to capture at least some of the summer months for business. I would say that ongoing communication between our team, the landlord and the Westbank First Nations was paramount in achieving our ultimate goal which was an occupancy and business permit.”
Expansion Horizons
Smitty’s continues to see opportunities for growth, both in Canada and abroad. “We continue to grow in all markets across Canada with some heavy focus in the Ontario market and currently exploring US expansion,” says Kaytor. The chain’s ability to balance innovation with heritage is a key part of its strategy.
“Again, I would give credit to our outstanding partners both franchise owners but also vendor partners. With the ongoing feedback we get from our test market locations, the development and operations team we have at the office and the strong vendor partnerships we have we are constantly being shown opportunities and products that help us innovate while we stick to our roots of Canadian Heritage, generational guest experiences and new opportunities to be today’s choice for families, special events, sporting events, date night and anything else Canadians are looking for from their local Smitty’s.”
The Central Role of Franchisees
Franchise owners have been the backbone of Smitty’s success since its earliest days. Their entrepreneurial energy has kept the brand relevant and responsive. “I would say, the entrepreneurial spirit of our franchisees over the past 65 years is probably the single biggest contributor to the success of the Smitty’s brand for so long,” Kaytor reflects. “Working with our test store group we continue to strengthen our relationship and improve our offering together, while relying on long standing vendor relationships and establishing new ones to continue to drive food and beverage innovation as well as explore new technologies that help our teams deliver on memorable experiences every day.”
Looking Ahead
As Smitty’s celebrates its 65th anniversary, the company is reflecting on its place in Canadian dining culture. For Kaytor, the brand’s legacy lies in the memories created around its tables. “Looking back on the past 65 years, speaking with franchise owners and long standing guests that span 2 and 3 generations, the thing that sticks out the most is the memories of meals shared at a Smitty’s whether its Tuesday night, your birthday, Mother’s or Father’s day, whatever the occasion I hope that for many more generations we continue to be part of the fabric of the communities we serve.”
From pancakes in 1960 to a broad menu serving families today, Smitty’s has enriched Canadian dining for generations. Its combination of tradition, adaptability, and strong franchise partnerships positions it well for continued growth as it enters its next chapter.
To Find a Smitty’s near you, please visit www.smittys.ca
