CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier today, Shark Club Sports Bar and Grill announced that they will be bidding a sad farewell to one of their two Calgary locations. The doors of Shark Club Deerfoot Meadows will be closing for the final time on Sunday 29^th September, and ceasing operations from Monday 30^th September.

For over 12 Years, the South Calgary team has prided itself on fostering a great experience for all, whether it’s been providing the perfect home base to watch a game or simply celebrating the big moments in life with friends.

“It’s been a tough decision to make and marks the end of an era for us in this locality,” says Chris Chang, Brand Leader and Vice President of Operations, at Shark Club. “We are so grateful to all of our regular patrons, visiting guests, and the local Deerfoot Meadows community for their support throughout the years.”

“We’d also like to take this moment to share our sincere gratitude to the many team members, both past and present, who have looked after all those who’ve chosen to eat or raise a toast with us. We hope that guests will have the chance to join us for one last time before we finish our final service on Sunday, August 29.”

Thankfully it’s not all bad news as the popular all-inclusive sporting restaurant brand’s Calgary North location will continue to operate, ensuring the local community still has the opportunity to enjoy all the comforts of true Canadian hospitality, while cheering on their favourite teams. For full information on the secondary location and its’ full opening hours details, please visit sharkclub.com

OTTAWA, Ontario, Aug. 14, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In fast-growing Canadian cities, skills shortages are the most common employment challenge facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to new research from The Conference Board of Canada. The analysis focused on Abbotsford-Mission, B.C., Halifax, N.S., Moncton, N.B., Oshawa, Ont., and Saskatoon, Sask., which saw rapid immigration population growth between 2016 and 2021 and is a summary of conversations with SME owners and senior leadership from nine sectors.

“While Canada relies heavily on immigration to address labour and skills shortages, newcomers often encounter significant barriers to entering the labour market,” stated Stefan Fournier, Executive Director, The Conference Board of Canada. “To effectively unlock the full potential of the immigrant talent pool and address these shortages, SMEs must proactively work to dismantle these barriers.”

The labour shortage faced by SMEs across Canada is not due to a lack of applicants but to a scarcity of candidates with the requisite skills. For newcomers, SMEs prioritize English and French proficiency. However, some immigrants struggle to develop the required language proficiency due to limited access to language classes and the tendency of SMEs to overlook language as a learnable on the job skill.

Furthermore, complicated immigration systems dissuade SMEs from turning to immigration to meet their labour needs. Negative experiences with immigration programs, including ambiguity about the processes and outcomes, underscore the need for collaboration between SMEs and SME-serving organizations. Such partnerships can improve SMEs’ access to information about immigration procedures and their ability to navigate the system effectively.

“Challenges around sourcing staff continue to occupy the minds of business owners in Canada,” says Pouya Zangeneh, Senior Vice President of Small Business at Scotiabank. “New Canadians, with their diverse skills and experience, provide a valuable pool of talent that can play a critical role in alleviating the skilled worker shortage that Canadian Small Businesses often face.”

Although SMEs have adopted inclusive hiring practices, these initiatives lack inclusive recruitment and onboarding strategies, further impeding employment opportunities for immigrants. Engaging with immigrant-serving organizations can help facilitate the attraction, retention, and successful integration of immigrant talent into local labour markets.

Additional hurdles compounding labour market challenges are affordable housing, public transit, and accessible childcare. While businesses may not be able to directly tackle the unique infrastructure challenges of small and mid-sized cities, adapting workplace policies to accommodate transit accessibility and childcare responsibilities could be significant in alleviating these obstacles.

Given Canada’s skills shortages and the pivotal role of immigration in filling workforce gaps, concerted efforts by SMEs and SME-serving organizations are needed to fully leverage Canada’s immigrant talent pool.

SUNRIDGE, AB, August 13, 2024 — Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar has come to Sunridge, AB, with a new location that officially opens on August 14^th, 2024, located at Sunridge Mall, 36 Street NE, Calgary. The newest Famoso is a dual-branded concept with the existing Ricky’s All Day Grill, where guests can enjoy all of their Ricky’s favourites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the addition of a Famoso Pizzeria providing even more delicious dining options for the residents of the Sunridge area.

The first Famoso opened in Edmonton in 2007 and is known for its authentic Neapolitan pizza, which has regularly won awards as a guest favourite. Famoso is passionate about authentic Italian pizza, using imported Italian bell ovens, fresh, premium ingredients, and traditional culinary techniques in pizza making that have gone unchanged for generations. Recently, Famoso has also introduced a new American-Italian 16” pizzas for larger groups and those with bigger appetites.

For guests yearning for a true and satisfying flavour, there are family inspired recipes that include favourites like home recipe pastas, Italian-style sandwiches, tapas, great signature salads, craft beers on tap, and of course, Italian-inspired desserts… traditional house-made Tiramisu, and cheesecake. With a menu great for dining in and easy delivery, Famoso is the perfect complement to the existing Ricky’s restaurant.

Ricky’s has been famous for breakfasts since 1962, with menu favourites like Egg Bennies and our signature Brekkie-Bowls. Ricky’s also has lunch and dinner options like fresh, never frozen Alberta beef burgers and mouth-watering sandwiches. And Ricky’s is bringing you the best of home cooking with comfort classics like our homestyle Turkey Dinner, Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs, and Traditional Lasagna.

Jackie Turner, long-time franchise owner of Ricky’s All Day Grill, is excited to add Famoso to the Sunridge, AB location. “With the addition of Famoso Pizzeria, we’ve got bigger and even more convenient dining options available to our guests who are looking to enjoy their favourite Italian flavour,” adding that “the stylish, casual pizzeria embodies the look of a neighbourhood pizzeria with delicious Italian menu, which is a perfect place for sharing with family and friends.”

With online ordering, and delivery services, guests can also enjoy their favourite Ricky’s breakfast or an authentic Famoso Neapolitan pizza, all in the comfort of their own homes.

Winnipeg, MB – August 7, 2024 – Chopped Leaf, the beloved Canadian fast-casual restaurant chain, is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Thursday, August 15^th, with 15% OFF on all salads, wraps and bowls at all 115 locations across Canada and the US.

"The Winnipeg community has really embraced the Chopped Leaf since we opened here," said local franchisee (and former Blue Bomber), Taylor Renaud. "Our product is amazing, our staff are the best, and we're really excited to celebrate the chain's 15th anniversary by thanking our customers on August 15th with 15% off!"

There are currently two Chopped Leaf’s in Manitoba – one in Winnipeg at 749 Sterling Lyon Parkway and one in Brandon at 601 18th Street.

“When The Chopped Leaf was founded in 2009, it was one of the few fast-casual restaurants that offered fast, healthier options. Over 15 years, our reach and customer base has grown and continues to grow. For consumers choosing to eat better, only Chopped Leaf delivers comforting, quality, fulfilling and flavorful greens for everyone,” said Genti Kongjika, Executive Vice-President, Chopped Leaf.

In July, the chain also introduced a new look and brand refresh, featuring a new logo and updated interior design, at the original Chopped Leaf store in Kelowna, BC.

“It’s critical for any restaurant brand to evolve and stay fresh,” adds Kongjika. “We’ve done this while keeping true to our roots and maintaining the essence that makes Chopped Leaf unique and beloved by Canadians, and a rewarding franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs.”

With over 115 restaurants across Canada and in the United States today, Chopped Leaf is renowned for its fresh and craveable salads, wraps & bowls that provide a feeling of overall goodness & fulfillment. The new look, which includes a revitalized interior design, logo and signage, will be gradually rolled out as Chopped Leaf continues to expand nationwide.

“Canadians describe Chopped Leaf as vibrant, down-to-earth, inspiring, empathetic and approachable,” said Karen Paradine, head of Marketing at Chopped Leaf. “Our new look and design highlight that salads and greens are more than just health food – they’re comfort food. We aim to dispel the notion that greens are not craveable or fulfilling.”

15^th Anniversary Celebration

As Chopped Leaf marks this milestone, it continues to innovate and inspire healthier eating habits across Canada. On Thursday, August 15^th, all Chopped Leaf locations will be celebrating the chain’s anniversary with 15% off the entire menu for the day.