LaSalle, Ont., September 15, 2026 – Jimmy John’s, the quick-service restaurant banner known for its fresh sandwiches and quality ingredients, will open its doors in LaSalle, Ontario, on September 24. The location will be Jimmy John’s 19th in Canada, with continued expansion in the works, driven by Foodtastic, the Canadian company behind the brand’s growth across the country. The new store is located at 2301 Sandwich West Parkway in LaSalle, and no, the company did not lobby the local municipality for the oh-so-appropriate street name.

General Manager Kayla Miller (left) and Gregg Laframboise, franchisees of the new Jimmy John’s restaurant in LaSalle, Ont., stand outside the location ahead of its September 24 opening. Photo: Foodtastic

The first 100 guests to arrive when doors open at 11 a.m. on September 24 will each receive a free six-inch sandwich of their choice. From September 24 to October 9, guests can enjoy $5 Classic sandwiches. From October 10 to 24, customers who purchase any large sandwich will receive a free combo upgrade. 

“Foodtastic is proud to lead the growth of Jimmy John’s and bring the brand to new communities across the country,” said Mike Warren, director of operations at Jimmy John’s. “LaSalle is an important next step in that expansion, and the Heritage Plaza location is ideally situated to serve students, shoppers, residents and commuters looking for a fresh, fast and convenient meal.” 

The restaurant is located in the new Heritage Plaza development, next to Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets and minutes from St. Clair College. It is owned and operated by franchisees Gregg Laframboise and Aaron Hanaka.   

“We are looking forward to bringing Jimmy John’s to one of the area’s fastest-growing commercial destinations,” said Laframboise and Hanaka.  

Foodtastic acquired the rights to franchise and operate Jimmy John’s in Canada in 2024. For more information, follow Jimmy John’s on Instagram at instagram.com/jimmyjohns.ca or visit JimmyJohns.ca.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA (September 8, 2026) – Fujiya, B.C.’s original Japanese food destination, is celebrating its 50th anniversary — marking five decades of bringing Japanese food, flavours and culture to the everyday life of locals.The milestone is a recognition of Fujiya’s storied history and an opportunity to honour the legacy of founder Shig Hirai, whose warm greetings and personal relationships with customers helped establish the community-focused spirit that continues to define Fujiya today. It also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the customers, employees, suppliers and wider community who have been part of its story over the past half-century.

In appreciation, the family-owned business is inviting customers to join in the celebrations, collect limited-edition stickers, share memories, and enter to win prizes, including a trip for two to Japan.

Founded in Vancouver in 1977 by Shig and his wife Akemi, Fujiya opened at a time when Japanese food options were limited. As one of the city’s earliest Japanese grocery stores, it became a place where Japanese and Japanese-Canadian families could find familiar foods and ingredients, while also welcoming curious locals eager to discover a cuisine that was still relatively unfamiliar to Canadians. It was also one of the first spots to get Japanese takeout food, similar to convenience stores (konbinis) in Japan.

Now in its 50th year, Fujiya has grown alongside British Columbia’s appreciation for Japanese food and culture. Through changing tastes, trends and generations, the company has remained grounded in the Japanese concept of kurashi — the idea of finding beauty, balance and meaning in the everyday moments shared around food.

Megan Matsuda, Executive Vice President, says for many customers Fujiya has become more than a place to shop; it is a connection to food, culture, heritage and community. “Reaching 50 years is incredibly meaningful for our family, but this anniversary really belongs to everyone who has been part of Fujiya’s story,” says Matsuda. “Generations of customers have welcomed us into their everyday lives — from weeknight dinners and school lunches to celebrations and family traditions. As we mark this milestone, we want to say thank you and share the spirit of Fujiya with the community that made these 50 years possible.”

At all Fujiya locations, customers can collect limited-edition stickers for a chance to draw a lucky ticket and win Fujiya gift cards. Partial proceeds from every sticker sale will be donated to support local food banks. For the Journey Home contest, customers are invited to submit a favourite Fujiya memory, tradition, or meal for the chance to win a trip for two to Japan, or secondary prizes of gift cards and vouchers up to a value of $500. Official rules and regulations for the Journey Home Contest are at www.fujiya.ca/contest-terms.

Learn more at www.fujiya.ca/50years and www.fujiya.ca/journeyhome

Vancouver, B.C.,  September 8, 2026 — The 2026 Chinese Restaurant Awards (CRA) North America today unveiled its Top 50 Honourees, the finalists for this year's Elite 30 Canada Awards. The ranked Elite 30 Canada — recognizing the country's finest Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants — will be announced at the CRA's 17th Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver.

This is a milestone year for the Chinese Restaurant Awards. Following the launch of its Canada and Asia Guide in 2025, the CRA expands into the United States in 2026, extending a mission that began in Vancouver and now celebrates world-class Chinese and Taiwanese cuisine across North America and Asia.

"The Chinese Restaurant Awards have never been about ranking restaurants for the sake of ranking," says Rae Kung, Managing Director of the Chinese Restaurant Awards. "Our goal is to help diners discover truly exceptional Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants, while recognizing the people whose passion and craftsmanship continue to elevate the cuisine around the world."

Elite 30 Canada Awards

The Elite 30 Canada Awards are selected by the Canada Taste Advisors Panel, chaired by founding judge Lee Man. Expanded from 15 to 21 advisors this year, the diverse panel has enjoyed meals at restaurants that represent a variety of regional cuisines at cities across Canada.

"Our advisors have a great understanding of Chinese cuisine because they've spent a lifetime experiencing its flavours, the unique traditions, and regional nuances and complexities," says Lee Man.

The Awards place exceptional taste above all else. Advisors first evaluate the quality and execution of the food before considering consistency, hospitality, and the overall dining experience. This creates a guide designed first and foremost for diners.

This year, 12 of the Top 50 Honourees are first-time finalists, reflecting the continued evolution of Chinese and Taiwanese dining across Canada. Metro Vancouver leads with 31 Honourees, while the Greater Toronto Area has 15. Calgary has two Honourees, Montreal returns with Oncle Lee Kăo, and Ottawa is represented by Bite & Bite Shanghai Fried Bun.

As the Chinese Restaurant Awards continues to grow internationally, its purpose remains unchanged: to celebrate culinary excellence, give greater recognition to chefs and restaurateurs, and help diners discover the best Chinese and Taiwanese dining experiences.

Top 50 Honourees — Finalists for the Elite 30 Canada Awards   (alphabetic order)
*12 new restaurants are listed for the first time

aKin — Toronto ｜ Modern Asian, Tasting Menu

Bamboo Grove — Richmond ｜ Cantonese

Belle Isle — Toronto ｜ Chinese-inspired *new

Bite & Bite Shanghai Fried Bun — Ottawa ｜ Shanghainese *new

Car's Dessert — Richmond ｜ Hong Kong-Style Desserts

Cha Kee — Richmond｜ Hong Kong-Style Café

Chang'An Restaurant — Vancouver ｜ Shaanxi / Xi'an

Chef's Choice Seafood Restaurant — Vancouver ｜ Cantonese *new

Chinatown BBQ — Vancouver ｜ Cantonese BBQ

Day&Night Angus Beef · King Crab — Scarborough ｜ Cantonese *new

Din Tai Fung — Vancouver ｜ Taiwanese / Shanghainese Dim Sum

Dynasty Seafood Restaurant — Vancouver ｜ Cantonese, Dim Sum

Fishman Lobster Clubhouse — Scarborough ｜ Cantonese Seafood

Flavourful House — Richmond Hill ｜ Cantonese

Geng Shi Ji — Richmond ｜ Hunan

Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Cantonese / Shunde & Dim Sum

Gol's Lanzhou Noodle — North York ｜ Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles

Happy Family Restaurant — Vancouver ｜ Cantonese *new

HK BBQ Master — Richmond ｜ Cantonese BBQ

iDen & Quan Ju De Beijing Duck House — Vancouver ｜ Northern Chinese / Peking Duck

Jiangnan Wok — Richmond ｜ Jiangnan / Huaiyang

Jumbo Lobster Restaurant — Richmond Hill ｜ Cantonese Seafood

Kalvin's Szechuan Restaurant — Vancouver ｜ Taiwanese / Szechuan

Kingwell Roasted BBQ — Calgary ｜ Cantonese BBQ *new

Lady 3 Kitchen — Vancouver ｜ Hong Kong style  Rice Pot / Cantonese Home-style *new

Lai Wah Heen — Toronto ｜ Contemporary Cantonese / Dim Sum

Landmark Hotpot House — Vancouver ｜ Hong Kong-Style Hotpot

Lanxuan Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Cantonese and Dim Sum 

Long's Noodle — Richmond ｜ Shanghainese

Loon Fong Hot Pot — Richmond and Richmond Hill ｜ Hong Kong-Style Hotpot

Master Beef Hot Pot — Calgary ｜ Hot Pot (Alberta Beef Specialty)

Master Hung BBQ Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Cantonese BBQ / Cantonese *new

Max Noodle House — Richmond ｜ Cantonese Noodles & Congee

Memory Corner — Richmond and Burquitlam ｜ Taiwanese

Mimi Chinese — Toronto ｜ Modern Chinese 

Miss Qu Barbecue & Restaurant — Scarborough and Richmond Hill ｜ Sichuan / Chongqing Jianghu BBQ

MOTT 32 — Vancouver and Toronto｜ Modern Chinese & Dim Sum

Nian Yi Kuai Zi — Markham and Scarborough ｜ Sichuan

Northern Dumpling Kitchen — Richmond Hill ｜ Northern Chinese (Dumplings & Noodles) *new

Oncle Lee Kăo — Montreal ｜ Modern Chinese

Osmanthus Chinese Fusion Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Jiangnan / Shanghainese Fusion

R&D — Toronto ｜ Modern Canadian Asian

Sea Harbour Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Cantonese & Dim Sum

Southern Delicacy — Vancouver ｜ Cantonese *new

Sunnys Chinese — Toronto ｜ Modern Chinese *new

The Fish Man — Richmond ｜ Sichuan / Cantonese Seafood

The Jade Seafood Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Cantonese & Dim Sum

Wonton Hut — Markham ｜ Hong Kong-Style Wonton Noodle House

Xi'an Flavour — Richmond ｜ Shaanxi / Xi'an

Yuan's Garden Restaurant — Richmond ｜ Shanghainese / Nanjinese / Huaiyang *new

The 21 Canada Taste Advisors (Listed in alphabetic order)
Note: All ballots underwent a final conflict-of-interest review after voting closed. Advisors declared any relationships with restaurants under consideration and recused themselves from related votes. See “How the Awards are Decided” for more details.

Lee Man — Chair of Judging Panel

Bernice Chan, freelance journalist and cultural writer of South China Morning Post - Vancouver

Carmen Chan, Singtao A1 Chinese Radio Host and sake sommelier - Toronto 

Jennifer Kwan, Yelp Elite Reviewer - Toronto

Leslie Yip, VP Business Solutions of Singtao Media - Toronto

Ling Chu, Restaurant Critic - Fairchild Radio - Vancouver

Peter Hum, Restaurant Critic - Ottawa Citizen - Ottawa

Renée Suen, Restaurant Critic - Toronto

Influencers and frequent diners: 

Canmen (Sam Lung, Tat San Hui, Wingo Chan), Youtuber - Vancouver and Calgary

Dr. Peter Chan, Monarch Dental Centre - Vancouver 

Jacob Ung, Vice-President of Liver Canada’s BC Region  - Vancouver

Jenice Yu, CEO of eatFish.ca - Vancouver

John Ho, F&B logistic specialist - Toronto

Johnny Cheng, CPA accountant - Toronto

Leon Ng, Founder of LNG Studios - Vancouver

Patricia Lau, Content Creator  - Calgary - @miss.foodie 

Tony Kwan, Partner of PLLR Lawyers - Vancouver

Plus one Taste Advisor who chooses to stay anonymous.

The Elite 30 Canada Awards, the top 30 ranked restaurants drawn from Canada's Top 50 Honourees list, will be unveiled at Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. This year also marks the expansion of the Signature Dish Awards to cover all of Canada, presented as the 12 Signature Dish Awards. They will be presented alongside the US distinctions, including the Elite 12 United States and a slate of individual awards. These include the Premier Visionary Award, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Dim Sum Chef of the Year, and Master Chef of the Year, each conferred separately in the Canada and US regions.

For more information, the Awards Standards and introduction of the Taste Advisors, please visitwww.chineserestaurantawards.com.

TORONTO — A Canadian-first is coming to Toronto with the launch of Renso Pho-Potle, a new fast-casual restaurant concept that combines the bold, aromatic flavours of Vietnamese pho cuisine with a fully customizable, build-your-own dining experience.

Opening in October at 506 Queen Street West in Toronto, Renso Pho-Potle reimagines pho for a modern, urban crowd, combining speed, an individualized approach and bold flavours in a format designed for today’s diner. Pho is at the heart of the meal, but re-imagined. Renso Pho-Potle is introducing dry pho alongside traditional broth-based bowls, with a bold, flavour-forward take that respects the spirit of pho in a new format.

“We saw an opportunity to bring something new to Canada, taking a dish people already love and making it more accessible, customizable and fast,” says Linda Vu, founder of Renso Pho-Potle. “This is just the beginning. Our goal is to build Renso Pho-Potle into a concept that can grow in communities across the country.”

Renso Pho-Potle is the latest food and service innovation from Renso Group, one of North America’s leading providers of authentic Asian foods and food products, specializing in Vietnamese agriculture. The introduction of the “pho-potle” model to Toronto is a concept years in the making, starting with Renso preparing low-margin food products that are premium in a high-cost industry.

This newest take on fast-casual dining creates a tailored dining experience that is designed to be intuitive and approachable. The “pho-potle” approach puts the customer in complete control of their dish, choosing their broth, protein, rice and flavourful toppings for a truly unique and bespoke dish.

“We’ve worked carefully to honour the flavours that make pho so distinctive, while adapting them into a format that fits modern lifestyles,” says Chef Bich Nguyen.  “It’s about balancing the integrity of the ingredients while making the experience simple and engaging for guests.”

Adding to the unique element of Renso Pho-Potle is a gathering space in the restaurant for hosting events, pop-ups, tastings and community nights — including special event nights lead by Renso Pho-Potle chefs to educate people on pho.

For more information, please visit www.rensophopotle.ca.