Valentine is a Canadian chain of over 100 privately owned restaurant franchises operating in the province of Quebec, Canada. In September 2010 it became a subsidiary of MTY Food Group which purchased the brand rights for $9.3 million.[2]
History
The first restaurant opened in 1979 in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. A few years later, its founder, Jean-Pierre Robin, opened a second restaurant in Saint-Hyacinthe in order to meet the demand for its "famous hot-dogs". The chain's success increased and reached a turning point: the brothers opted for franchising as the company's mode of functioning for its future restaurants. As time passed, more franchises were sold and restaurants open throughout Quebec.[3] During the 1990s, the chain underwent a major renewal plan in which the restaurants' design changed along with the company's colours.
The company's fare is typical Canadian fast food, such as burgers, fries, sandwiches and poutine.[4][5] The company employs humour in its advertising.[6] It offers an app that records footsteps. After 10,000 steps, the user is eligible for a poutine.[7]
References
- MTY to Acquire 95-Unit Groupe Valentine 2010-08-17^
- MTY Food Group tightens grip on Quebec with Groupe Valentine purchase August 16, 2010^
- Notre histoire | Valentine.ca | retrieved 2017-11-15^
- Van Praet, Nicolas. MTY adds to Quebec fast-food holdings National Post, August 17, 2010, retrieved November 16, 2017^
- Menu | Hot dogs Valentine.ca, retrieved 2017-11-15^
- Sausages "raised freely" at Valentine's Infopresse, March 30, 2017, retrieved 6 November 2017^
- Shanny HALLÉ. Walk 10,000 steps for a poutine! Le Journal de Québec, March 10, 2017, retrieved 6 November 2017^