TORONTO — Odd Burger has signed an agreement with Sai-Ganesh Enterprises (SGE) to open 36 new restaurants in Alberta and B.C. over the next seven years. SGE will oversee franchise sales to individual owners, store construction and support for franchises in its territory. In addition, SGE plans to launch a corporate restaurant location in Western Canada that will be used for training new franchisees.
“SGE is always looking for truly new and unique opportunities in fast food, and Odd Burger is among the most exciting and modern concepts we have ever encountered,” says Utsang Desai, president of SGE. “As lifelong vegetarians, we have a passion for healthy eating and environmental stewardship, and Odd Burger also adds innovative technology that enhances efficiency, profitability and customer experience.”
“One challenge in franchising is providing an ideal level of support and service to locations that are distant to our corporate headquarters, but partnering with Utsang and the SGE team of local experts has eliminated that concern entirely,” says James McInnes, Odd Burger co-founder and CEO. “Area-development agreements are a logical way for us to grow and make an impact in new regions, so we’re eager to forge similar relationships with like-minded developers in Canada, the U.S. and internationally.”
Recently, Odd Burger announced loans of up to 90 per cent of the cost of opening a new location through the Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP), administered by CIBC, to reduce up-front capital requirements. Loans of up to $350,000 through the government-guaranteed program can be used for new store financing, renovations and more. Only Canadian franchisees are eligible for CIBC financing.
