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.

DALLAS, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TGI Fridays™, the iconic global restaurant and bar brand, today announced the signing of a landmark development agreement with Devolli Group, one of the Balkans' leading diversified business groups, marking the brand's first-ever expansion into Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia.

The agreement represents a significant milestone in TGI Fridays' international growth strategy and reinforces the brand's global momentum as it continues to scale through its franchise-first development model. As part of the partnership, Devolli Group will develop 10 TGI Fridays™ restaurants across the three markets and has secured exclusive rights to sub-franchise the brand throughout the territory, creating a platform for long-term expansion across Southeast Europe. The partnership lays the foundation for long-term growth across the Balkans, bringing TGI Fridays'™ bar-forward atmosphere, bold and craveable menu, and high-energy dining experience to guests across Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia.

This development agreement is the latest milestone in TGI Fridays'™ ambitious 1-2-3 Strategic Vision to operate more than 1,000 restaurants worldwide by 2030. Over the past nine months alone, TGI Fridays™ has accelerated its international expansion by signing new development agreements in Kenya and the Maldives, while extending strategic partnerships to drive continued growth across Peru, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. Collectively, these agreements have added more than 150 restaurants to the brand's global development pipeline, reinforcing the strength of TGI Fridays'™ international franchise network and demonstrating the continued global demand for one of the world's most iconic casual dining brands.

For more than 60 years, TGI Fridays™ has been bringing people together through great food, handcrafted drinks and unforgettable celebrations. The Balkans, with its rich tradition of hospitality, vibrant social culture and strong sense of community, represents a natural next chapter for the brand's international growth.

As one of Europe's fastest-growing tourism and hospitality regions, fueled by increasing international investment, modern retail developments and evolving consumer demand, the Balkans presents an exciting opportunity to introduce the iconic TGI Fridays™ experience to a new generation of guests across Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. Beyond expanding consumer choice, the partnership is expected to create new employment opportunities, invest in local hospitality talent and contribute to the continued growth of the region's foodservice, tourism and visitor economy while bringing the unmistakable Fridays spirit to one of Europe's most dynamic emerging markets.

"The Balkans represent one of Europe's most exciting growth opportunities, combining entrepreneurial energy, a thriving hospitality sector and a culture that values gathering around the table. Those qualities align perfectly with what TGI Fridays™ has stood for since day one," said Phil Broad, Global President, TGI Fridays™. "Devolli Group is the right partner to introduce TGI Fridays™ to the Balkans. Their market expertise, operational excellence and long-term vision give us tremendous confidence in what we can build together. This partnership not only expands our international footprint, but also advances our 1-2-3 Strategic Vision as we continue bringing the Fridays experience to new guests around the world."

Blerim Devolli, President of Devolli Group, added:

"We are proud to bring TGI Fridays, one of the world's most recognized American casual dining restaurant brands, to Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. This partnership reflects our commitment to investing in world-class brands and delivering exceptional hospitality experiences across the region. We look forward to building a strong, long-term business that creates new opportunities, develops local talent, and brings a globally recognized dining experience to our customers and communities."

The addition of the Balkans further strengthens TGI Fridays'™ European footprint, complementing its established operations in Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom. The agreement reflects the continued momentum of TGI Fridays'™ franchise-first growth strategy, expanding into high-potential markets through experienced local partners. Guided by its "1-2-3 Strategic Vision," the brand remains focused on accelerating global expansion while delivering the iconic Fridays experience with consistency, quality and local relevance.

As TGI Fridays™ enters the Balkans for the first time, the partnership with Devolli Group marks more than expansion into a new region, it begins a long-term commitment to investing in local communities, creating opportunities and bringing the unmistakable Fridays spirit to a new generation of guests across Southeast Europe. Because wherever TGI Fridays goes, every day should feel a little more like Friday.

For more information: www.tgifridays.com/franchise/

SUMMERLAND, B.C. – September 2, 2026 – Chopped Leaf is donating $20,000 to the Canadian Red Cross B.C. Wildfire Appeal following a weeklong fundraising campaign that saw customers across Canada and the U.S. come together to support communities affected by wildfires. The campaign was especially meaningful for the brand’s B.C. franchisees, employees and customers, many of whom have been directly affected by the fires.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult few weeks, and there are still so many people who are dealing with uncertainty about their homes, their businesses and what comes next,” said Lara Scarfo, Chopped Leaf franchisee in Summerland. “Coming back to the restaurant and getting ready to reopen feels like an important step toward normal, but we know many people are still in a very different place. I’m so grateful to everyone who bought a Chopped Water and helped us raise this money. Sometimes, a small gesture can make a meaningful difference.”

Scarfo knows that uncertainty firsthand. Summerland was evacuated as wildfires threatened the community, temporarily forcing her from her home. Now back in Summerland, she has reopened her restaurant as the community begins to recover.

“We saw an opportunity to turn something as simple as buying a Chopped Water into meaningful support,” said Nick Veloce, President & COO, Chopped Leaf. “As a Canadian brand that started in Kelowna, supporting our B.C. communities is especially close to our hearts. Chopped Water gave our guests an easy way to make a difference and seeing that support come together across our restaurants has been incredibly meaningful. We’re grateful that we can turn that generosity into $20,000 for wildfire relief.”

From August 17–23, Chopped Leaf donated 100% of proceeds from Chopped Water sales at its more than 120 restaurants to wildfire relief efforts. The donation will support the Canadian Red Cross and its wildfire relief efforts, helping communities and individuals affected by the fires.

VANCOUVER, B.C. - SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 - After more than a decade of serving the Vancouver community, Fable Kitchen on West 4th Avenue will close its doors on September 20, 2026, marking the end of its 14-year chapter in Kitsilano.

While Fable Kitchen’s West 4th Avenue location is closing, Fable Bar & Grill at 755 Richards Street in downtown Vancouver remains open and continues to welcome guests.

Fable Kitchen has been part of the Kitsilano community since 2012, welcoming generations of diners and becoming a familiar neighbourhood destination. The restaurant has also been recognized with a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, highlighting its quality and value. The closure follows the recent closure of its sister restaurant, Fable Diner, which served its final guests on August 23.

For owner Ron MacGillivray, the decision to close the West 4th location has been incredibly difficult. Rising operating costs, including labour, food, rent and utilities, combined with the financial and emotional strain of the Broadway Subway construction and the expenses associated with Fable Diner, have made continuing at the current location increasingly difficult.

“This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” says Ron, owner of Fable Kitchen, “We’ve put so much heart, time and energy into these restaurants, and our staff and guests have become like family. But the costs of doing business have continued to rise, and the economic conditions surrounding the current location have made it increasingly difficult to continue.”

While Fable Kitchen’s West 4th location is closing, Fable Bar & Grill on Richards Street remains open, and the Fable brand is not going away. Ron and the team are also actively exploring new ways to bring Fable to the community, including a food truck and future collaborations, with the goal of continuing the brand in new and more sustainable formats.

“This isn’t the end of Fable,” says Ron. “We’re not walking away from the brand or the community we’ve built. We’re looking at different ways to keep Fable going, including a food truck and collaborations, and we’re excited about what could come next. The reality is that the current economic conditions make it very difficult to operate at this particular location, and we need to find a model that allows us to move forward.”

Fable Kitchen will continue welcoming guests on West 4th until September 20, giving longtime customers one final opportunity to enjoy the restaurant, support its team and celebrate 14 years in Kitsilano.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has walked through our doors since 2012,” says Ron. “Kitsilano has been such an important part of our story, and we wouldn’t have made it this far without the support of our guests and the community. If you’ve been meaning to come in one more time, now is the time. We would love to see you.”

Fable Kitchen will remain open at its West 4th Avenue location until September 20, 2026. Guests are encouraged to visit, enjoy a meal and support the restaurant and its team before the final day.

Fable Bar & Grill, located at 755 Richards Street in Vancouver, remains open and continues to serve guests.

Fable is also continuing to explore opportunities for the brand beyond September 20, including a food truck and collaborations.