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![]() | Smitty'sAll Your Favourites, All Day Long |

Business Type
FranchiseMin Liquid Capital
$150,000Number of Units
121In Business Since
1960* For Current Info See:
Franchise Disclosure Document

Overview
When you purchase a Smitty’sTM Franchise
you are buying several decades of brand development, consumer
recognition and guest loyalty. In addition, we have documented in
detail our operating systems and programs within nine manuals.
The Smitty’sTM system has been further documented with our "Presentation and Portion Standards Manual" where all menu items are pictured in photographs and the recipes are shown with all of the ingredients, portioning, cooking, assembly and plating points.
Our franchising department is continually searching for new locations. Smitty’sTM Canada Limited insists on approving all proposed sites. The Franchise Fee includes our professional experience in locating and evaluating each potential site.
Our evaluation includes, but is not limited to, existing competition, traffic patterns, sales generators such as shopping centres or hotel/motels, site accessibility and demographics. We draw on many years of experience in the selection process and knowledge in lease negotiations to provide assistance for you and your lawyer.
The Smitty’sTM system has been further documented with our "Presentation and Portion Standards Manual" where all menu items are pictured in photographs and the recipes are shown with all of the ingredients, portioning, cooking, assembly and plating points.
Our franchising department is continually searching for new locations. Smitty’sTM Canada Limited insists on approving all proposed sites. The Franchise Fee includes our professional experience in locating and evaluating each potential site.
Our evaluation includes, but is not limited to, existing competition, traffic patterns, sales generators such as shopping centres or hotel/motels, site accessibility and demographics. We draw on many years of experience in the selection process and knowledge in lease negotiations to provide assistance for you and your lawyer.
Products & Services

Smitty's is Canada's largest family restaurant chain with more than 115
restaurants. It is the only truly national one, operating from coast to
coast. The Smitty's concept is particularly popular among families with
small children, seniors, and travellers. Almost all of our operations
are fully licensed and a majority of them have separate lounges to
accommodate a different group of customers.
Smitty's has always met our customers' needs - from the first patrons in the 60's, to their children and grandchildren throughout the 70's, 80's, and 90's and into this new millennium. Our Franchisees have been directly involved in and dedicated to the execution of our ongoing strategy. Their enthusiasm has been vital to our growth and a vital part of our success.
In 1960, the first Smitty's restaurant opened in Calgary, Alberta. On the opening day, customers lined up and waited for more than two hours to get in through the door. Smitty's had been an instant hit! For more than 40 years after, Smitty's continued to build on the success of the first day because of the strength of a sound concept and the ability to adapt to market trends.
Our award-winning menu will introduce you to our diverse product line, from Smitty's famous buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and omelettes to salads, sandwich, steaks, and pastas. Smitty's menu offers something for each member of the family, and is frequently updated to keep customers coming back.
Smitty's has always met our customers' needs - from the first patrons in the 60's, to their children and grandchildren throughout the 70's, 80's, and 90's and into this new millennium. Our Franchisees have been directly involved in and dedicated to the execution of our ongoing strategy. Their enthusiasm has been vital to our growth and a vital part of our success.
In 1960, the first Smitty's restaurant opened in Calgary, Alberta. On the opening day, customers lined up and waited for more than two hours to get in through the door. Smitty's had been an instant hit! For more than 40 years after, Smitty's continued to build on the success of the first day because of the strength of a sound concept and the ability to adapt to market trends.
Our award-winning menu will introduce you to our diverse product line, from Smitty's famous buttermilk pancakes, waffles, and omelettes to salads, sandwich, steaks, and pastas. Smitty's menu offers something for each member of the family, and is frequently updated to keep customers coming back.
Training & Support

Smitty’sTM has a 3-week training program at the corporate training facility in Calgary for you and your head cook. This time frame may be more or less depending on your experience. You will be provided with a copy of our detailed Smitty’sTM Operating Manual and an Employee Handbook. Our corporate chef will personally train your head cook in all areas including, recipes and portion control, food preparation, quality control, purchasing and inventory control, scheduling and proper cleaning methods.
We will train yourself or your manager in all aspects of running a Smitty’sTM restaurant including customer service, hiring and training of staff, scheduling and cash management. The managers training will also include kitchen and lounge duties. Our accounting department will review accounting procedures with you, and will supply you with a Smitty’sTM Accounting and Administration Manual.
The main function of the franchisor is to assist the franchise system. Smitty’sTM offers full support in all areas of accounting, menu development (through our menu planning committee), marketing (through our marketing committee) and human resources.
The Smitty’sTM brand is present throughout Canada, resulting in substantial customer awareness. Smitty’sTM does not currently collect national advertising funds from any franchisees. We do lever our supplier connections to ensure that our customers know we use the finest quality items that are well known to Canadian consumers. Our suppliers offer marketing support to assist Smitty’sTM in sales promotions at the national level. Cooperative promotions using brand names are a proven success for Smitty’sTM.
Our Franchisee Marketing Committee meets regularly to discuss marketing initiatives. Any of the costs associated with the marketing initiatives that the committee chooses to move forward on are split proportionately between the franchisees.
Why Smitty's?

Smitty’sTM pancake
and waffle flours are prepared from our secret recipes, the formula for
which is closely guarded. Our spray-dry formula contains all the
ingredients including, buttermilk, eggs, oil and butter. Just add water
and the mixes are ready for the grill.
Smitty’sTM breakfast selections have been tremendously popular with Canadians for over 40 years and show no signs of slowing down. Numerous other items including sauces, seasonings, syrups and prepared ready-to-use products are manufactured for Smitty’sTM to exacting specifications. All are designed to provide top quality, easy use and customer appeal.
Smitty’sTM is committed to offering the highest quality, the freshest foods and a "just like home experience" in all Smitty’sTM restaurants.
We supply our famous Smitty’sTM pancake and waffle mix to all our franchisees and provide standardized pricing from coast to coast, through our national distributor. Because Smitty’sTM is committed to offering the highest quality foods and keeping the foods at a consistent level throughout the franchise, we provide private labeled coffee, syrups, french fries, hashbrowns and high volume meats such as bacon, sausage, chicken, and burgers.
As a Smitty’sTM franchisee, you will benefit from the buying power of our corporation. Our suppliers consistently produce superior quality products that are available to you at costs lower than those available to independent restaurateurs.
Smitty’sTM breakfast selections have been tremendously popular with Canadians for over 40 years and show no signs of slowing down. Numerous other items including sauces, seasonings, syrups and prepared ready-to-use products are manufactured for Smitty’sTM to exacting specifications. All are designed to provide top quality, easy use and customer appeal.
Smitty’sTM is committed to offering the highest quality, the freshest foods and a "just like home experience" in all Smitty’sTM restaurants.
We supply our famous Smitty’sTM pancake and waffle mix to all our franchisees and provide standardized pricing from coast to coast, through our national distributor. Because Smitty’sTM is committed to offering the highest quality foods and keeping the foods at a consistent level throughout the franchise, we provide private labeled coffee, syrups, french fries, hashbrowns and high volume meats such as bacon, sausage, chicken, and burgers.
As a Smitty’sTM franchisee, you will benefit from the buying power of our corporation. Our suppliers consistently produce superior quality products that are available to you at costs lower than those available to independent restaurateurs.
Are You a Good Fit for Smitty's?
The cost of purchasing a Smitty’sTM will
vary from project to project but generally, complete development,
training, and pre-opening costs, will amount to approximately $350,000
to $600,000.
Approximately $100,000 to $150,000 of unencumbered cash is required to open a Smitty’sTM franchise.
Approximately $100,000 to $150,000 of unencumbered cash is required to open a Smitty’sTM franchise.