I dont think it will be an OB, it will be a compass group 8.00 for burger/chicken fingers and fries cafeteria type not too unlike the st b hospital which is foodwise not too unlike the old paddlewheel.
read the press release, sounds like toronto will be getting the OB, the rest will be compass group, i`m thinking something along the lines of what the old zellers used to have, grant park is a perfect example of a cheap diner in a general store.
THe Bay Changes the Face of Retail and Foodservice in Canada Through
an Exciting Partnership with Compass Group Canada and Oliver &
Bonacini RestaurantsHistoric Partnership to Transform The Bay Restaurants in 24 Stores
Across Canada TORONTO, Feb. 2 /CNW/ - The Bay has reached another milestone in its
evolution as a world-class department store: transforming its
restaurants and foodservice offerings into destinations that will
greatly enhance the overall shopping experience for customers. The Bay
has entered into an exciting new partnership with Compass Group Canada,
the country's leading foodservice and support services company, and
Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants, one of Canada's leading fine dining
restaurant and event management companies, to manage all restaurants
and foodservices at The Bay.
The partnership with Compass Group Canada and Oliver & Bonacini includes
the conversion and re-branding of the 24 Bay store restaurants all
across Canada. Compass Group Canada will be involved from
coast-to-coast, while Oliver & Bonacini Restaurants will concentrate
its talents on flagship locations across Canada including several
exciting initiatives at The Bay Queen Street flagship store in
Toronto. Queen Street plans include: renovating and reinventing the
historic Arcadian Court; creating a full-service, state-of-the-art
conference facility on the eighth floor; opening several foodservice
locations within the store including a sleek new concept restaurant at
the corner of Queen and Bay; and converting part of the lower level to
a food hall.
Progressive New VisionThe alliance will help make The Bay a fresh new destination point for
die-hard foodies while offering even more quality and convenience to
casual diners and shoppers. Compass Group Canada will provide The Bay
with access to advanced technology, processes, and innovative food
concepts that will help increase productivity, engage associates and
provide service excellence to customers across Canada. Oliver &
Bonacini will bring creative vision and strategic direction to the
creation of outstanding quality food and dining for The Bay customers.
"This is an exhilarating partnership for The Bay as we join forces with
two of the best foodservice and restaurant management companies in
Canada to forge a progressive new vision for dining and events at
Canada's oldest and largest department store," says Bonnie Brooks,
President and CEO, The Bay. "We are currently planning the rollout to
all our major stores, and we view it as an amazing opportunity to build
upon our foundation of delivering new and exciting brands to The Bay -
and taking dining and foodservice to an entirely new level for our
customers."
The New Face of Food at The Bay Many significant changes are in store at The Bay's flagship Queen Street
location in Toronto:
Enhancing a dynamic downtown corner with the addition of a bustling,
vibrant market café. Oliver & Bonacini will create a new restaurant on the main level of
the store at the corner of Queen and Bay. This will become a thriving
destination for all-day meals and snacks - from breakfast to busy lunch
and dinner rush hours. It will be a unique combination of seated à la
carte and al fresco dining and fresh prepared take away.
Adding a Lower Level Food Hall. Compass Group Canada will create a unique culinary experience in part of
the lower level that further builds on its reputation for delivering
world-class express and eat-in dining experiences. Whether customers
want a healthy and hearty sit down meal, or quality take-away, a wide
array of freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups, hot entrées and daily
chef's specials will be available.
Creating the most sought after private event venue in the city through the revitalization of the gracious and historic Arcadian Court,
as well as the addition of a full-service, state-of-the-art conference
facility on the eighth floor overlooking Old City Hall and Nathan
Philips Square. Oliver & Bonacini will assume operation of Arcadian
Court with the vision to create a mecca for social and business
entertaining - from weddings to exclusive business events, to gala
fundraisers.
The work at The Bay Queen Street will begin in April 2011 and will be
completed in stages. Phase One will include the construction of the
restaurant at Queen and Bay Streets, and Phase Two will see the
renovation of the lower level food hall. Phase Three, the renovation of
Arcadian Court, begins January 2012, with its re-opening date slated
for April 2012. For all other stores, work will be staggered,
beginning in April 2011.
Focus on Employees The partnership is good news for The Bay employees. All existing Bay
Foodservice employees will receive offers of employment from Compass
Group Canada, along with an invigorated work environment and
opportunities for employee development. Employment offers will be made
in a phased approach according to the transition schedule over the next
year.
Win-Win-Win"The Bay is continually reaching to new heights in improving our overall
operations and customer service," adds Ms. Brooks. "Compass Group
Canada, in partnership with the creative team at Oliver & Bonacini,
offers several important benefits to The Bay including exciting new
foodservice environments and concepts for our customers, while also
enhancing the workplace environment for our employees. This
partnership provides opportunities to achieve both short and long term
cost savings and operational efficiencies."
"We are honoured that our official foray into the Canadian retail sector
is with such a respected and established partner as The Bay," says
Saajid Khan, CEO, Compass Group Canada and ESS North America. "Compass
Group Canada and The Hudson's Bay Company share similar core values
including a commitment to quality, service and employee development."
"When Michael and I started our company in 1993 with the opening of
Jump, never would we have thought that one day we would be entering
into a partnership with two such esteemed organizations as Hudson's Bay
Company and Compass Group Canada," says Peter Oliver, Partner, Oliver &
Bonacini Restaurants. "This is a real honour for us. It is also a
tribute to our team, and we look forward to delivering on the
expectations of O&B in the partnership."
About The BayHudson's Bay Company was incorporated in 1670 by a British royal charter
under King Charles II. With an unrivalled 341-year history in Canada,
Hudson's Bay Company is renowned for its historical role in the
development of the nation. Today, The Bay is Canada's leading
department store and has established a reputation for quality, service,
and more than ever, for style. A world-class department store, The Bay
offers well edited assortments of exclusive and popular fashion,
beauty, home and accessory designers and brands. The stores are
continually evolving to provide customers with new and exclusive
merchandise, as well as customized services to set The Bay apart from
any other retailer in Canada. The Bay operates 92 stores in 8
provinces across Canada as well as
www.thebay.com, the company's online store.
About Compass Group CanadaCompass Group Canada is the country's leading foodservice and support
services company, with over $1.4 billion in revenues in 2010 and over
23,000 associates across the country. Operating sectors include:
Canteen Vending Services, Chartwells, Compass Group Leisure and
Entertainment, Crothall, Eurest, Eurest Services, ESS, Gourmet Cuisine,
Morrison, Levy Restaurants, Restaurant Associates, and The Hurley
Group. With 428,000 associates worldwide, its parent company, UK-based
Compass Group PLC had revenues of £14.5 billion in the year to
September 30, 2010.
About Oliver & Bonacini RestaurantsOliver & Bonacini is recognized as one of Canada's leading fine dining
restaurant companies, operating 11 unique and innovative restaurants in
Ontario. Operations include à la carte dining, quick service,
catering, group dining and special events. Unique concept restaurants
include Canoe, Jump, Auberge du Pommier, Biff'sBistro, Luma, and O&B Canteen. The company also operates a midrange
casual dining concept, Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill, with locations in
Toronto, Blue Mountain, Oakville and Waterloo. The company's private
dining and events division, Oliver & Bonacini Events, manages a number
of large scale event facilities, including Malaparte at TIFF Bell
Lightbox and City Ballroom at Toronto Board of Trade. Oliver &
Bonacini credits its success to the development of a strong corporate
culture, where excellence of food quality and service are valued above
all else.
