Cadillac Fairview Corp has announced that the Toronto-Dominion Centre has achieved WELL Core Certified Platinum certification for all six office towers. Following its initial WELL Certification Gold in 2022, this elevation to Platinum status establishes the TD Centre as the largest commercial building complex in North America with Platinum-level WELL Core Certifications – both in terms of WELL Certified spaces as well as the number of WELL Core Certified Platinum buildings. With seven properties now WELL Core Certified at the Platinum level, including 16 York in Toronto, CF officially has the largest portfolio of platinum certifications in Canada, and is the first to earn WELL Core Certified Platinum certification for existing buildings in Canada. (Cadillac Fairview Corp. – www.cadillacfairview.com)…………
In late January, global franchise company, FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The Los Angeles-based FAT Brands plans to use the flings to de-leverage the balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders, and support continued growth of its brands. FAT Brands’ portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts encompasses more than 2,200 locations worldwide. Iconic brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Round Table Pizza, among others, are expected to remain operating as usual during the chapter 11 process. “We plan to use this process to connect with key stakeholders around a value-maximizing plan and will act prudently to remain steadfast in upholding and protecting stakeholder interests,” CEO Andy Wiederhorn. “Our focus in this process remains providing quality service to our customers and supporting our franchise partners and the over 45,000 corporate and franchise employees.” (FAT Brands Inc. – www.fatbrands.com)………..
Spendsafe Mastercard Reloadable Prepaid Card, a full-service financial education platform for youth, has announced a strategic partnership with Landmark Cinemas of Canada to bring real-world financial learning experiences directly to families across Canada. The partnership combines entertainment and education by connecting Spendsafe with Landmark moviegoers, creating an opportunity for kids and teens learn the value of earning, saving, and spending responsibly in an environment they love. This collaboration reflects Spendsafe and Landmark’s shared belief that experiences shape behaviour. “Landmark is dedicated to delivering exceptional guest experiences and connecting people through the power of storytelling and shared moments,” said Dave Cohen, President Landmark Cinemas Canada. “Spendsafe’s platform is designed with the same values at its core: connection, confidence, and growth. By embedding financial literacy into family entertainment, the partnership supports Landmark’s commitment to enriching communities while giving parents a modern, safe way to introduce money management to their children.” Spendsafe is Canada’s first and only Mastercard-backed financial education platform built specifically for youth. Designed for children and teens aged six to 18, Spendsafe combines a secure prepaid card, real-time AI coaching, and dynamic parent-child financial tools to create a fully integrated ecosystem for building lifelong money skills. (Spendsafe – www.sp[endsafe.com) & (Landmark Cinemas of Canada – www.landmarkcinemas.com)………..
Mattamy Homes and Truman, two leading family-owned builders, are teaming up to create a brand-new 253-acre master-planned community on the south edge of Chestermere Lake in the City of Chestermere in Alberta. The two builders will deliver approximately 1,900 homes in one of Alberta’s fastest growing cities, commercial retail conveniences, park spaces, more than ten acres of environmental reserve and two landscaped storm ponds. Located south of Chestermere Lake with Rainbow Rd as its western boundary and Township Rd 240 along the south, the future community offers convenient access to Calgary and major employment hubs. Mattamy’s Alberta Division and Truman will co‑manage the development, with Mattamy serving as the managing partner. Development approvals are expected for the Spring of 2027, with home construction anticipated to begin in the Summer of 2028. (Mattamy Homes – www.mattamyhomes.com) & (Truman – www.trumanhomes.com)………….
Orlando, Florida-based Darden Restaurants, Inc., a restaurant company with a portfolio of differentiated brands, announced that it has completed its exploration of strategic alternatives for Bahama Breeze, its Caribbean-themed restaurant and grill. Previously, the company announced that the Bahama Breeze brand, and its 28 locations, were no longer a strategic priority and that it would consider strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the brand or converting restaurants to other Darden brands. The company has now determined that it will permanently close 14 Bahama Breeze restaurants and plans to convert the remaining 14 locations into another Darden brand. The 14 restaurants designated for permanent closure are expected to continue operating through April 5, 2026. The company anticipates converting the remaining 14 locations over the next 12 to18 months. They are expected to continue to operate until any temporary closures are needed for the conversion. At this time, the company is not disclosing the specific Darden brands into which these locations will be converted. (Darden Restaurants Inc. – www.darden.com)………..
It seems that whenever there’s a storm or the temperature does one of its drastic drops here in Canada, I can count on hearing from some of my ‘Snowbird Friends’ in South Florida who feel that hearing about their recent sunburn or what a great time they are having around the pool will make my day. Sometimes too, they want to tell me about some new restaurant or bar they found.
Earlier this week I got a call to tell me that there’s a new deli that has opened in Fort Lauderdale that is serving real Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches……..not New York pastrami but real, honest-to-goodness marinated brisket and spices, just like we used to get at Wolfies.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I did a little research to find that a shop called Hollywood’s Smoked Meat has just opened in a plaza on North Federal Hwy at East Sunrise Blvd serving, as I have been assured by Snowbird customers who would know, real Montreal smoked meat!
Unfortunately, the deli has been open for a little over 15-days and already the internet experts, influencers and social media critics are getting their 15-minutes of fame and often negative comments. It seems that today, people that I would have given more credit to, actually use this unverified internet critiquing in their own decision making.
Damn it, I hope Hollywood’s Smoked Meat can withstand all the self-appointed critics and experts and is still there when I finally get there………….Have a great week………