Canadian Operators Plan Merger

Cara Operations Ltd., Canada’s oldest and largest full-service restaurant company, has inked an agreement to acquire Groupe St-Hubert, the Laval, Quebec-based full-service operator and food manufacturer for $414 million.

St-Hubert is Canada’s fourth-largest full-service operator. Its businesses include 80 full-service restaurants and 37 express locations. Nearly 90% are operated by franchisees and 92% of its locations are in Québec.

Founded in 1883, Cara’s nine brands include Swiss Chalet, the casual-dining chain, and Harvey’s the burger outlet. It has 1,010 locations, including 973 in Canada. Nearly two-thirds of Cara’s locations are in its home base of Ontario. Acquiring Group St-Hubert’s 117 restaurants would give Cara a footprint and offices in Quebec Province as well as two food manufacturing plants and two distribution centers. Cara will maintain St-Hubert’s existing offices in Laval.