Max’s scales up presence in Canada

The country’s leading casual dining chain Max’s Group Inc. (MGI) is expanding its footprint in Canada with a new deal to set up shop in Winnipeg, the capital city of the province of Manitoba, by next year.

MGI disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday it had signed a deal with Alibin Group Inc. to bring Max’s Restaurant to Winnipeg.

“We welcome the opportunity to once again serve distinct flavors of home to our countrymen based in Canada,” said MGI president and chief executive Robert Trota. “Our tie-up with Alibin Group will anchor the success of this endeavor. They are equipped with the necessary knowledge and business acumen to foster our shared vision.”

Alibin Group is a privately held Canadian company, comprised of family shareholders and operators, which is into retailing business, food services, accounting, finance and private capital market, architectural and information technology. Winnipeg has been the home of the Alibins, a Filipino-Canadian family, since the early 1990s.

The deal is the fifth offshore store development agreement inked by MGI for 2017.

Max’s Restaurant currently operates five stores in Canada. It previously opened restaurants with the help of other partners in Vancouver, Toronto, Scarborough and Edmonton.

“Existing stores are doing well. Customers also include non-Filipino diners,” said MGI investor relations officer Paul Cheah.