Northland Properties takes full control of Denny’s brand in Canada, along with equity stake in U.S. parent

The acquisition comes as Denny’s has been restructuring its U.S. footprint, including plans to close up to 150 underperforming restaurants. Photo by Keith Srakocic/AP Photo/Postmedia files

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Northland Properties has acquired the Canadian trademarks and intellectual property for the Denny’s restaurant chain, ending its long-standing master franchise arrangement and giving the Vancouver-based hospitality group full control of the brand’s domestic operations.

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Denny’s has about 86 restaurants in Canada through a mix of corporately owned and franchised locations and is part of a global system of more than 1,400 outlets, according to company information.

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The Gaglardi family-owned firm, which has steered Denny’s in Canada for decades, will now oversee brand development, expansion strategy and positioning nationwide. Northland also took an ownership stake in Denny’s global parent as part of the transaction.

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In a press release announcing the deal, Northland chief executive Tom Gaglardi said, “Northland has been passionate about the Denny’s brand for decades, and this acquisition reflects our confidence in its future. By securing full rights in Canada, we have the flexibility to make decisions that best serve Canadian guests and ensure the brand continues to thrive in communities across the country.”

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Alan Howie, president and chief operating officer of Northland Restaurant Group, added in the release, “With full brand control in Canada, we can invest meaningfully in menu innovation, restaurant development, and our people, while preserving the heritage that Canadians know and love.”

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The structure mirrors that of other Canadian restaurant chains, where domestic operators hold brand control separately from United States parents. A&W Food Services of Canada, for example, owns the A&W brand rights in this country and operates independently of the U.S. business, a model that has allowed for market-specific decision-making and brand positioning.

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The acquisition expands Northland’s footprint in the restaurant sector beyond its existing portfolio. The company’s hospitality brands include Moxies, Chop Steakhouse & Bar, Shark Club sports bars, Rockford Bar & Grill and Bar One, alongside food-and-beverage operations tied to its hotel business.

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Its broader holdings include Sandman Hotel Group, The Sutton Place Hotels, resort properties such as Grouse Mountain and Revelstoke Mountain Resort, as well as the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars.

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The transaction comes at a difficult time for foodservice operators. Research from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab found roughly 7,000 restaurants closed in Canada last year and projects another 4,000 closures in 2026, pointing to ongoing financial strain tied to higher operating costs, labour pressures and more cautious consumer spending.

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While quick-service and value-oriented chains have generally proven more resilient than full-service restaurants during economic slowdowns, industry data from Restaurants Canada show operators across segments are facing tighter margins as households seek affordability and input costs remain elevated.