CWB Franchise Finance (CWB), a division of CWB Financial Group, provided a term loan, mortgage and development line facility to Leopold’s Tavern Group of Companies (Leopold’s Tavern). Opening soon in Manitoba, the growing Canadian restaurant and pub brand currently operates across Saskatchewan and Alberta. The funds will be used to assist with development of new locations as well as renovations and updates of existing units, as required.

“After recently reaching a point of rapid expansion, the team at Leopold’s Tavern came to us for structured restaurant-specific financing after a referral from CWB’s Regina Branch where they’ve been a client for four years,” said Dimitri Mazur, account manager at CWB Franchise Finance’s restaurant division. “This is an excellent example of how CWB leverages the expertise across our teams to help our clients grow their businesses. We’ve been able to provide a development line that Leopold’s Tavern can draw down on for multiple projects over a two-year period, with approval and document completed upfront, while the local branch in Regina can continue to serve their day-to-day business banking needs.”

“Leopold’s Tavern is expanding, in both new and existing markets,” said Matt Pinch, the company’s president and chief financial officer. “This development line creates a trajectory for the various projects we have on the radar. CWB’s deep understanding of the restaurant industry and, more specifically, our model and growth needs, translates into both products and processes that make sense for us. Their team’s friendly, collaborative approach has been refreshing and we look forward to many more years of partnership.”

CWB Franchise Finance, a division of CWB Financial Group, specializes in financing for regional and national restaurants and hotels and is a lender to the Canadian restaurant and hospitality industries. Previously GE Capital Canada’s franchise financing arm, CWB Franchise Finance was acquired by CWB Financial Group in 2016 following a successful track record of more than 800 clients with upwards of 1,525 property locations over 14 years. To date, more than $3 billion has been invested in the Canadian hotel and restaurant space.