VANCOUVER, B.C., May 20, 2026 /CNW/ - Everything Canadians love about A&W is getting smashed! Canada's Original Burger Chain is officially launching the first-ever A&W Smash Burger nationwide on May 25th. We are searing our juicy grass-fed beef patties to bring you A&W's deliciously smashed answer to this popular burger style. For a limited time, Canadians can smash either a single or a double, loaded with melted cheddar cheese, tangy pickles, sliced onions and a secret sauce, all served on a toasted brioche bun.

A Canadian QSR First

A&W is proud to be the first Canadian QSR to introduce a smash burger to its menu nationwide. Recognizing that smash burgers are having a moment, A&W wanted to bring the hype to every corner of Canada so that no burger lover is left out.

"Hand-smashed burgers are rarely done at this scale because it takes quality ingredients and thoughtful execution," says Karan Suri, Senior Director, Innovation at A&W Canada. "Each hand-smashed, juicy, grass-fed beef patty is paired with real cheddar cheese, tangy pickles, and our signature sauce for a perfectly balanced bite. Pure burger bliss."

"There is something so special about the simplicity of a perfect smash burger! We are excited to be welcoming Canadians to try our delicious new obsession," says Susan Senecal, CEO of A&W Canada. "The same quality and care you know and love from A&W is now bringing you a fun and flavourful smash burger."

The Smashed A&W Pop-Up in Toronto

A&W is welcoming Torontonians to an exclusive first taste of their new smash burger. We felt inspired, and maybe even a little carried away, by "smashing" our grass-fed beef. So, the natural next step was to give an entire A&W Restaurant the same "smash" treatment. A whole new look, an even better sizzle. Join us for the reveal and claim your complimentary Double Smash Burger. First-come, first-served, only while supplies last, with one burger per person.

Date: Friday, May 22nd

Time: 12 pm-5 pm EDT

Location: 780 King Street West

Canadians can head to their local A&W or order a Double or Single Smash Burger through the mobile app beginning May 25th, for a limited time.

Richmond Hill, ON May 19, 2026 — Affinity Group is proud to announce a significant expansion of its Western Canada operations with the opening of a new office and culinary facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, alongside the expansion of its British Columbia office and culinary centre.

These investments reinforce Affinity Group’s position as a leading national foodservice broker, delivering strong regional expertise across Western Canada while supporting partners coast to coast.

Strengthening Western Canada Coverage

With established operations in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Burnaby, Affinity Group continues to build one of the most comprehensive foodservice support networks in the region. The new Winnipeg facility enhances service and accessibility in the Prairies, while the expanded BC office and culinary centre increases capacity to support the growing needs of operators and distributors in the West.

Together, these strategic investments ensure Affinity Group can deliver full sales coverage, deeper market insights, and stronger on-the-ground support across Western Canada.

Enhanced Culinary Capabilities

Affinity Group’s culinary centres are at the heart of its value proposition, providing hands-on expertise and solutions that drive business growth. Staffed by experienced corporate chefs, these centres offer:

• Menu development and innovation
• Product application and operator training
• Tailored solutions for evolving foodservice trends

The Winnipeg opening and BC expansion significantly enhance these capabilities, enabling Affinity Group to better serve partners with localized, chef-driven support.

Continued Investment in a National Platform

While these developments strengthen Western Canada, they are part of a broader commitment to building a coast-to-coast brokerage network that delivers consistent, high-quality service across all regions.

Affinity Group continues to invest in facilities, people, and resources to ensure operators, distributors, and manufacturers benefit from both regional strength and national reach.

11 May 2026 – The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, will be unveiled as part of a live awards ceremony in Milan, Italy in early October. The most influential annual gathering of the global bars community returns to Europe, as 50 Best continues its mission to spotlight fresh, dynamic and inspirational cocktail destinations from across the world.

The much-anticipated reveal of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and the coveted title of The World’s Best Bar, sponsored by Perrier, will take centre stage at a grand celebration featuring red‑carpet arrivals and a drinks reception. Marking the 18th edition of the renowned awards, the global drinks community will gather in Milan to celebrate the trailblazing bars and bartenders whose passion, dedication and skill continue to push cocktail culture to new heights worldwide.

The list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 will be shaped by the confidential votes of the gender-balanced Academy, comprising more than 800 industry professionals, journalists and cocktail experts, handpicked by the 29 Academy Chairs for their unrivalled insight and expertise. Professional services consultancy Deloitte independently oversees and verifies the results, ensuring a robust and credible process. Additional information on the voting methodology is included at the end of this press release.

Rikki Tidball, Managing Director of Events for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Milan provides a fitting backdrop for The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, a city renowned for its rich cocktail heritage and thriving bar scene. Home to some of the industry’s most respected and innovative talent, it sets the stage to bring together the international bars community to celebrate creativity, excellence and the achievements of the world’s finest bars and bartenders, while inspiring discovery among cocktail enthusiasts worldwide.”

In the lead‑up to the ceremony, 50 Best will not only announce the venues that have ranked between No.51 and No.100 but also the recipients of two special awards that recognise the outstanding achievements of one bar and one bartender over the past year:

● Michter’s Art of Hospitality. The Academy are each invited to nominate the venue where they experienced the single most outstanding display of hospitality during the voting period

● Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. The bars who rank on the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 are asked to identify one fellow professional who, over the course of the last 18 months, has done the most to advance the art and practice of bartending

Earlier this year, bars from all over the world, whether they feature in the list of The World’s 50 Best bars or not, were invited to submit themselves for two special awards, the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and the Best Bar Design Award. The winners will be revealed at the live awards ceremony in Milan. Last week, entries opened for the 50 Best Bars Scholarship, an initiative designed to support the next generation of industry talent. The scholarship offers one trailblazing young bartender the opportunity to broaden their horizons through two unique stages at Line, Athens and Tres Monos, Buenos Aires. The recipient of the 50 Best Bars Scholarship will also be announced during the ceremony in Milan.

Cocktail lovers across the world are invited to join the live countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026, sponsored by Perrier, through the 50 Best YouTube channel.

 Vancouver, BC (May 14, 2026) – Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver enters a new chapter with the launch of fully refreshed menus across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, including a new à la carte brunch offering. Rooted in classic French technique and shaped by Pacific Northwest ingredients, the update signals an evolution for the hotel’s signature restaurant.

At the heart of a Vancouver landmark, Notch8 brings its 87-year story to life through food and drink. Inspired by Château-style architecture and the golden age of railway travel, the experience blends heritage with a contemporary West Coast sensibility.

Under the direction of Executive Chef, Mike Reid, the culinary program emphasizes precision, seasonality, and regional sourcing, while paying homage to the chefs who helped define the hotel’s legacy, including former Executive Chef, Robert LeCrom.

That balance of past and present is reflected throughout the menu. Highlights include a Seafood Chowder built on crab bisque with prawns, salmon, and mussels, alongside Steelhead and Scallops Grenobloise, showcasing the exceptional quality of Pacific Northwest seafood. French tradition remains central, with timeless dishes such as Duck à l’Orange, Foie Gras & Fig Terrine, and Steak au Poivre, while a contemporary West Coast perspective is expressed through plates like Bison Cru and a reimagined Tuna Niçoise with seared ahi.

Menus across all dayparts balance refinement with approachability, from shareable plates like Mussels Frites and Baked Brie en Cocotte to nostalgic desserts, including a flambéed Baked Alaska and Gâteau Basque.

The bar program complements the offering with era-inspired cocktails – revisiting pre- and post-prohibition classics and celebrating decades of the hotel’s history through modern interpretations.

For a more immersive experience, the “À Toi!” tasting menu offers a curated, multi-course journey led by the kitchen.

“The chateau that inspired this building was always about grand hospitality,” says Executive Chef, Mike Reid. “This menu is our interpretation of that tradition, using the ingredients and flavours that define our region.”

The new menus are now available at Notch8 Restaurant & Bar, located within Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Reservations are available online.