CWB Franchise Finance, a division of CWB Financial Group, provided loan facilities that included mortgage, operating and development lines to the Gusto 54 Restaurant Group.

A part of Toronto’s restaurant scene for over 23 years, Gusto 54 delivers transporting guest experiences complete with delicious, relevant food, inspiring design, and passionate, soulful hospitality. Today, Gusto 54 owns and partners on seven unique concepts, with five new restaurants set to launch in the coming year both in Toronto and Los Angeles.

“This transaction highlights our broad restaurant lending capabilities beyond the world of franchised systems,” says Trish Halliwell, senior manager with CWB Franchise Finance. “We want to be able to service and grow with top operators in the Canadian restaurant space, and there are few restaurant companies as well regarded as Gusto 54. We are excited to partner on their latest development with construction of the Gusto 501 project, and provide capacity for further growth on both sides of the border for future concepts.”

CWB’s solution included facilities for new build real estate construction, consolidation of debt, and development lines for future projects in both Canada and the United States.

“We have big dreams and needed a lending partner who understood the industry, believed in our potential and was willing to keep up with our pace of growth and expansion,” says Juanita Dickson, president and CFO of Gusto 54. “CWB really demonstrated their capabilities in real estate lending in the restaurant sector, making the whole process efficient and rewarding. We’re thrilled that CWB was able to come up with solutions to help us continue to deliver transporting culinary experiences in both Canada and the U.S.