End of Day Giving

One of the ways we give back is through our End of Day Giving initiative. At the end of each day, all unsold but perfectly fresh and delicious baked goods are donated to local charities, shelters, and community groups. This initiative ensures that quality food reaches those who need it most, while also helping to reduce food waste. Since the program began, we’ve donated millions of loaves, buns, pastries, and more to organizations across Canada.

Partnering with Second Harvest and Local Charities

We’re proud to work alongside Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, to redistribute our baked goods to food banks and other charities. Through this partnership, we’re able to extend our reach and make a greater impact on food security in Canadian communities. In addition to Second Harvest, our bakeries partner with numerous local charities, ensuring that donations go directly to those in need within their own neighborhoods.

Part of Your Community

Our support for local communities doesn’t stop with food donations. Many of our bakery owners and team members actively participate in fundraising efforts, sponsorships, and volunteering initiatives. Whether it’s supporting local sports teams, school programs, or community events, we are always looking for ways to make a difference beyond our bakery doors.

Baking a Better Future

The post Proud Partners in Canadian Communities appeared first on COBS Bread.

Why Second Harvest?  

Second Harvest is on a mission to rescue surplus food across the supply chain and redistribute it to charities, non-profits, and community organizations. With over 40 years of experience, they have become a leader in food rescue and redistribution, ensuring that fresh, healthy food reaches those who need it most it most across Canada. 

For COBS Bread, this partnership is a natural fit. Our bakeries are dedicated to minimizing food waste through initiatives like our End of Day Giving Program, where unsold bread and baked goods are donated to local charities. By joining forces with Second Harvest, we can expand our impact, helping even more communities across the country. 

Making a Difference Together 

Through this collaboration, we will: 

• Rescue More Food: COBS Bread locations will contribute surplus products to Second Harvest’s network of non-profits and charities.
• Support Local Communities: The partnership will directly benefit individuals and families facing food insecurity.
• Reduce Environmental Impact: Preventing good food from ending up in landfills helps lower greenhouse gas emissions.

How You Can Help 

Supporting this initiative is easy.  

1. Donating to Second Harvest: Donate online now!
2. Join COBS Bakeries for Doughnation Day: Buy a 6-pack of hot cross buns and $2 will be donated to Second Harvest from participating bakeries.
3. Reducing Food Waste at Home: Be mindful of your own food consumption and practice sustainable habits.

A Shared Commitment to a Better Future 

At COBS Bread, we believe that good food brings people together. With Second Harvest as our national charity partner, we’re excited to continue making a positive impact, one loaf at a time. 

Learn more about Second Harvest and how you can get involved at secondharvest.ca. 

Together, we can nourish communities and reduce food waste. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us! 

doughnate now!

The post COBS Bread Partners with Second Harvest: Spreading Joy and Reducing Food Waste appeared first on COBS Bread.

Premium Canadian Ingredients

We believe in supporting domestic farmers, millers, and producers by sourcing our ingredients right here in Canada whenever possible. Our flour, the backbone of every loaf, bun, and baguette, is made from 100% Canadian wheat, known globally for its superior quality. This not only ensures the best-tasting bread but also supports the hardworking farmers who are the foundation of our food system.

No Great Bake Without Great Butter

We proudly use Canadian-sourced butter and cheese in our delicious breads, pastries, and savoury treats. By choosing domestically produced dairy, we ensure that every bite of our products is rich in flavour, high in quality, and supports Canadian farmers. When you see Canadian butter and cheese in COBS Bread products, you can trust that they come from farms committed to sustainable agriculture, animal welfare, and the highest levels of food safety.

Sustainably Sweet

Sugar is a key ingredient in many of our baked goods, but not all sugar is created equal. At COBS Bread, we choose our sugar because of its dedication to sustainability and ethically sourced. Cane sugar from Fairtrade-certified farms, supporting fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmentally friendly farming techniques. By choosing ethically sourced sugar, we help ensure that farmers are treated fairly and that agricultural practices remain sustainable for generations to come.

Blueberry Bliss

COBS sources high-quality wild blueberries from Canada’s East Coast, where the rich soil and cool climate create ideal growing conditions. Farmers use sustainable methods such as natural pollination and integrated pest management to ensure environmental health and superior berry quality. Blueberries are hand-picked at peak ripeness to ensure freshness in every bite.

Committed to Cage-Free Eggs

At COBS Bread, we believe in making choices that are better for animals, our customers, and our communities. That’s why we are proud to use cage-free eggs in our products. Cage-free eggs come from hens that are raised in environments where they can express their natural behaviours, like perching, nesting, and roaming freely. By choosing cage-free eggs, we support higher animal welfare standards and provide our customers with baked goods made from more ethically sourced ingredients. Every bite of our egg-based products, like our Gourmet Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns, reflects our dedication to responsible sourcing.

Best in Every Bite

By choosing these Canadian-grown ingredients, we help strengthen our domestic economy, reduce our environmental impact, and ensure the best in every bite. Our commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing means that when you purchase a baked from scratch product from COBS, you’re also supporting Canadian agriculture, responsible farming practices, and a thriving food industry that benefits us all.

Find a Bakery

The post Simple, Natural, Canadian Goodness appeared first on COBS Bread.

Our fifth annual Doughnation Day is back on Saturday, April 5th, and we’re fundraising for over 100 great causes around the nation. Giving back has never tasted so good.

Q: What is Doughnation Day?

On Saturday, April 5th, COBS Bread will donate $2 from every 6-pack of hot cross buns sold to support local charities in your community.

Q: How can I help donate to my local charity?

A: Simply pick up a 6-pack of hot cross buns in bakery on April 5th OR tap your card to donate in bakery. All donations will go back to the same local charity.

Q: What flavours of hot cross buns do you sell?

We sell four delicious flavours; Traditional Fruit, Cranberry Orange, Raspberry White Chocolate, and Apple Cinnamon.

Q: I don’t like hot cross buns, can I still help and donate?

A: Yes! You can add a donation at the point of purchase, to the bakery’s local community charity, at your local COBS Bread Bakery. You can do this anytime you’re in one of our bakeries.

Q: Do you accept online donations?

A: Yes! Visit our pledge page to donate online today. All online proceeds goes to Second Harvest to fight food insecurity.

Q. Where can I find my nearest COBS Bread?

A: You can find one of our 180+ bakeries by typing in your location here. Offering traditional sandwich breads, artisanal loaves and smart indulgences, COBS Bread focuses on helping you bring high quality, healthy and delicious baked goods into your home.

Q: What happens to all your bread products at the end of the day?

A: We bake all of our products fresh every day and then we give fresh every night, so every bread (and treat) finds a home. At the end of every day, our bakeries donate the unsold goods to local charitable programs. Dedicated volunteers then visit our bakeries to pick up the unsold bread and baked goods which they distribute to local charities. With daily needs for food in every city, and growing food waste concerns, each of our locations proudly donates their unsold products.

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear Crumbs.

Giving back to your community on Doughnation Day is another reason to love COBS Bread hot cross buns.

The post Doughnation Day Q&A appeared first on COBS Bread.

This is our actual step-by-step process for setting up a food donation program. We’ve even included the templates our franchisees use for contacting charities, product donation agreements and arranging the logistics. 

Now, it’s all yours. 

Who this guide is for

This is for any small or medium-sized business who produces or sells food in Canada and wants to help combat food insecurity in their community and help keep food out of the landfill and get it into the hands of people who really need it.

Why donating food is important?

According to a recent survey, 52 per cent of Canadians have faced food security challenges in the past year.  

Food banks and other programs serving vulnerable Canadians are expected to serve 60 per cent more people per month in 2023 than last year. 

I love knowing that the products we have poured so much love into making are going to a good home every night.  

– Steff Steers, Franchisee of The Boardwalk, Fairway Plaza, and Blackstone in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario

Supporting Food Banks and More Through Our End of Day Program 

Since COBS Bread first opened in Canada in 2003, every bakery has committed to partnering and donating leftover baked-fresh daily products to local charitable organizations through COBS Bread’s End of Day Giving program. 

Over $560 million worth of product has been donated to over 500 charity recipients, including food banks, school breakfast programs, after school programs and youth charities. 

With $1,000 worth of product, on average, being donated each day by every franchise, this program is a cornerstone of our business, as well as one of the most important ways that we connect with our community. 

Do You Have Free Food You Don’t Want to Go to Waste? 

This five step guide will walk you through the following steps to setting up a food donation program.  

Assess What You Can Donate. And What You Can’t.

Before you start reaching out to local charities, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure food safety, quality, and suitability for donation

For example, at COBS Bread, we don’t donate the following:

• Products with meat
• Products with cheese, cream cheese icing, or custard
• Challah, Brioche, or Gourmet (bread with eggs)
• Damaged or burned products

Here are some key considerations to help you decide what you can and should donate:

Food safety and hygiene

The primary concern is to avoid donating any food that may pose a risk to the health of the recipients. This includes checking for signs of spoilage, expiration dates, proper storage conditions, and adherence to food safety regulations. Perishable items that have not been stored correctly or have passed their expiration dates should not be donated.

Quality and freshness

Donated food should be of good quality and still have a reasonable shelf life remaining. It should be representative of the standards expected by the recipients. Food that is stale, damaged, or significantly past its prime should not be donated.

Legal restrictions

Familiarity with local regulations regarding food donations is crucial. Some jurisdictions have specific rules and guidelines for donating food, including liability protections for donors. Understanding these legal requirements ensures compliance and protects both the donor and the recipient.

Learn more about each province’s Donation of Food Act or Good Samaritan Law.

• British Columbia: Food Donor Encouragement Act
• Alberta: Charitable Donation of Food Act
• Saskatchewan: Donation Of Food Act
• Manitoba: Food Donations Act
• Ontario: Donation of Food Act
• New Brunswick: Charitable Donation of Food Act
• Nova Scotia: Volunteer Services Act
• Newfoundland: An Act Respecting the Good Faith Donation and Distribution of Food
• Northwest Territories: Donation of Food Act
• Yukon: Donation of Food Act

Find your Charitable Match

We recommend that you start by making a list of charities in your community that you’d like to support. This includes authorized shelters, food banks, school lunch programs, community programs, and more.

If you are feeling blocked, check out Canada Helps. It is a great online resource where you can search for charities in your area.

When doing your research, keep these things in mind:

• How much product can the charity take at one time?
• What kind of on-site food storage do they have?
• Does the charity’s values align with yours?
• Are they able to arrange for someone to come and pick up the food? Many communities also have organizations that will help facilitate picking up your leftover products and help direct it to charities in need. Here are some of our favourites: Loop and Zero Food Waste Canada.

Some of our franchises donate regularly to more than one charity. For example, Donna in Calgary donates left-over product to an afterschool program on Mondays and Wednesdays, and a women’s shelter on the other days.

Reaching Out and Starting a Conversation

Now it’s time to contact your preferred charities to determine their interest and their exact needs.

This first correspondence should:

1. Introduce yourself and clearly state the type of food you are able to donate
   and quantities.
2. Enquire about their preferences and dietary requirements.
   For instance, if donating to a shelter or a community organization, it may be
   helpful to ask about any dietary restrictions, allergies, or preferences they
   have. This ensures that the donated food is suitable and can be utilized
   effectively.
3. End with a clear call-to-action and next steps.
   We find that asking for a phone conversation to be the most effective way to move this process forward and cut through the email back-and-forth. Suggesting an in-person visit is often valuable as well, so both parties can get to know one another better.
   Having these conversations with your selected organizations helps you learn more about their vision, values and how the food donations could benefit the community. This ensures that the organization aligns with your business’
   brand and values.

Ironing Out The Logistics

Once you and your charity are ready to move forward, the next step is to draft a Product Donation Agreement.

It’s important to include key elements to establish clear expectations and protect the interests of both parties.

You can download our printable template to help you get started and create your own, tailored Product Donation Agreement, but here are some essential components to consider including in your agreement:

1. Contact Information
   Include the full legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of both your organization and the charity.
2. Purpose
   Clearly state the purpose of the agreement, which is to establish a partnership for the regular pickup and donation of leftover food to the charity.
3. Scope of Donation
   Specify the types of food that will be donated, including any limitations or restrictions. This can include details such as whether the donation will consist of perishable or non-perishable items, the quantity of food to be donated, and any specific dietary considerations.
4. Quality and Safety Standards
   Outline the quality and safety standards that the donated food must meet. This may include provisions on food handling, storage, packaging, expiration dates, and compliance with relevant health and safety regulations. Emphasize the importance of providing safe and suitable food for consumption by the charity’s beneficiaries.
5. Donation Schedule
   Define the frequency and timing of food pickups. Specify the days, times, and location where the charity will collect the donated food from your premises. It’s important to establish a mutually agreeable schedule that accommodates both parties’ needs. At COBS Bread, the charity picks up the bread, however, your organization may choose to deliver it to the recipient.
6. Liability and Indemnification
   Clearly state the respective liabilities of each party. Specify that your organization will not be held responsible for any issues arising from the consumption of the donated food once it is in the possession of the charity. Additionally, include an indemnification clause that states the charity will hold your organization harmless against any claims or liabilities related to the donated food.
7. Communication and Coordination
   Outline the preferred methods of communication between both parties. Include details on whom to contact in case of any changes in pickup schedules, modifications to the agreement, or any other issues that may arise. Encourage regular communication to ensure smooth coordination.
8. Terminal Clause
   Include provisions outlining the circumstances under which either party may terminate the agreement. This could be due to changes in operational needs, non-compliance with food safety standards, or other reasons. Specify the notice period required for termination and any consequences that may arise from early termination.
9. Confidentiality
   If necessary, include a confidentiality clause to protect any sensitive information shared between the parties during the course of the agreement. This can help maintain the privacy and integrity of both organizations.
10. Signatures
    Provide space for authorized representatives from both organizations to sign and date the agreement, indicating their acceptance and commitment to its terms.

Let the Giving Begin

Congratulations! You have now partnered with charitable organizations and are ready to donate your leftover products to those in need.

Here are some best practices when it comes to the charity picking up the leftover product

• Know your pick-up time and location
• Volunteers can pick up after closing or, where needed, at the beginning of the next day
• Give the volunteers a set amount of time to load donations (at COBS Bread, we set this at 20 minutes).
• Volunteers must wear a hair net or head covering and disposable gloves, as required.
• Stores must be kept locked before and after pick-up
• Only authorized representatives can pick up donations
• Don’t forget to check ID!

Good luck! Happy Donating!

Download the printable version of this guide.

We’d love to hear from you. Let us know if you find this guide helpful and share with us your own success story! Please email us at marketing@cobsbread.com.

If you’re interested in becoming part of the fastest growing bakery concept in Canada, visit our Franchising Guide to learn more.

The post A step-by-step guide to setting up your food donation program appeared first on COBS Bread.

Where was COBS Bread originated from?

COBS Bread—one of the mysteries is in the name! Aaron Gillespie, our President, shares that it means “Celebration of Breads,” or “Canada’s Own Bread Store.” Both work for us! Nevertheless, COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight, an Australian bakery franchise established in 1980 by Roger and Lesley Gillespie, Aaron’s parents. Since expanding from a multi-generational family business, we have grown to over 800 bakeries around the world.

In 2003, we opened our first COBS Bread bakery in North Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, we have over 160 bakeries in Canada and the USA. However, we believe that there is always more room for people to enjoy fresh bread – our goal is to open 350 bakeries in 5 years!

“I just love my local COBS Bread bakery. I am there several times in a week and have never been disappointed with the delicious bread. The staff are always so cheerful and welcoming,” says Jim on Instagram.

Fastest Growing Bakery Concept In Canada

• 2003 – Opened our 1st bakery in North Vancouver, British Columbia
• 2009 – Opened our 50th bakery in Penticton, British Columbia
• 2015 – Expanded to the United States and opened our 1st bakery in Stamford, Connecticut
• 2019 – Opened our 100th bakery in Chestermere, Alberta
• 2022 – Opened our 150th bakery in Oshawa, Ontario
• 2023 – 160 bakeries across Canada. 2 bakeries in the USA.

What do COBS Bread franchisees have in common?

We have over 130 passionate franchisees in our network, with over 30 franchisees owning multiple bakeries. They come from all walks of life, but they all have the same passion for the brand and giving back to the community. Since 2003, our bakeries have donated nearly $2 million dollars to charities across Canada through a variety of charitable initiatives.

“We are passionate about the products that we make. We are passionate about giving back to the community. It makes me very proud to be a COBS Bread bakery owner,” says Kate, franchisee of Morningside Crossing.

What do our bakeries do with leftover products?

At COBS Bread, we bake fresh in-house every day. To make use of our leftover products at the end of the day, our franchisees partner and donate leftover products to local charities through our End of Day Giving program. This includes food banks, school breakfast programs, youth charities and more. To date, our bakeries have donated over $560 million worth of products to over 500 charity recipients in Canada.

“For over 10 years, COBS Bread has been a generous donour to the Compassion Society of Halton. We pick up leftover products every week – their delicious bread and treats are so well received and appreciated by over 90 families that we serve every day. Thank you, COBS Bread. We are so grateful for this generous act of community support over the years,” says representative from the Compassion Society of Halton.

“Join us in our commitment to keeping food out of the landfill and getting it into the hands of Canadians who need it the most,”  says Aaron Gillespie, COBS Bread President.

Scott’s End of Day Giving Story

Through our End of Day Giving program, Scott, our franchisee of Fort Saskatchewan, partners with a variety of community groups to donate leftover bread and baked treats to those in need. This includes Boys and Girls Club of Fort Saskatchewan, Lamont County Food Bank, and Fort Saskatchewan High School. “I love both aspects of owning a COBS Bread bakery – baking delicious products and donating leftover products to communities in need,” says Scott.

Scott has been donating leftover products to Fort Saskatchewan High School’s breakfast program to support lower income families. “The pastries are distributed through our Breakfast Program each Wednesday morning. Students look forward to the Wednesday morning to receive one of COBS Bread’s nutritious items,” says representative from Fort Saskatchewan High School.

Kevin’s End of Day Giving Story

Through our End of Day Giving program, Kevin, the franchisee of Lakeshore, partners with Kerr Street Mission to donate leftover bread and baked treats to communities in need. Located in Oakville, Kerr Street Mission is a local charity that is committed to helping people in difficulty and distress with one-on-one support and engagement. The charitable organization has been very prominent in the community and offers many valuable resources to support those in need. This includes, such as children’s programs, youth development opportunities, family care support and more.

Instead of partnering with a variety of organizations, Kevin decided to partner with only one group because he believes that there is a greater impact of doing so. This is because efforts are more concentrated, and the bakery is able to make a bigger difference in the community. “It is important to be a real part of the community that we operate in and help where we can,” says Kevin.

20 Years of Baking by the Numbers

30% female-owned franchises

2,810 COBS Bread employees across Canada & U.S. (corporate and bakery)

Over 11.2 million loaves of bread sold in 2022

Most popular bread loaves sold in Canada

1. White
2. Higher Fibre
3. Sourdough
4. Country Grain
5. Sunflower Flax Sourdough

Most popular baked treats

Cinnamon Bun (BC and AB)

Lemon Blueberry Scone (SK, MB, ON and NS)

Products exclusively use 100% Canadian-made flour

Sourced from P&H Milling in Lethbridge, Alberta

It’s been an exciting 20 years, and we look forward to what’s to come. Let’s toast to the next 20!

The post Celebrating COBS Bread’s 20th Anniversary appeared first on COBS Bread.

“My husband and I applied to becoming a COBS Bread franchisee in 2020, after seeking for franchising opportunities for a while. One of the reasons why we chose COBS Bread was because giving back to the community is extremely important to us,” says Sandra, the Union Square Bakery Owner.   

Union Square’s Community Day

Reviving a tradition that had to take a step back due to the pandemic, Sandra opened the COBS Bread Union Square with Community Day, where 100% of the sales are donated to a local organization. The Union Square team raised $6,220 which Sandra rounded up to $8,000 for Windsor Regional Hospital’s paediatric unit, to assist the hospital in purchasing a new mobile dental x-ray machine.  

Before bakery opening, the Union Square team started spreading the word about Community Day. The team was excited to be part of the meaningful initiative and to achieve their goal. Windsor Regional Hospital also sent out a press release and shared the initiative on social media, which increased community awareness.

“I have a deep appreciation for all that medical professionals do for us, which is why we decided to raise funds for the hospital. Medical equipment gets old very quickly, and the government can only provide limited funds for that. So, I contacted the hospital and asked them what type of equipment they need. We selected the dental x-ray machine because it has been 20 year since the hospital purchased one for children, and it is an achievable goal for our team,” says Sandra. 

Sandra’s Philosophy in Community Giving

Aside from Community Day, Sandra has been enjoying giving back to the community through other initiatives such as the End of Day Giving Program and Doughnation Campaign. “We are looking forward to crushing the road next year for Doughnation Campaign and continue our efforts to give back to the community through the End of Day Giving Program,” says Sandra.  

Does this resonate with you? Apply to become a COBS Bread franchisee today!  

The post New Franchisee Sandra Raised $8,000 for Windsor Regional Hospital appeared first on COBS Bread.

(Vancouver, BC) March 23, 2022 – COBS Bread’s annual fundraising and hot cross bun campaign is underway with a focus on encouraging customers to “doughnate” and help COBS Bread bakeries raise funds for charities across Canada. COBS Bread bakeries and customers doughnated over $290,000 to charities last year and anticipate providing more assistance to charities across the country this year.

In-bakery fundraising efforts all lead up to Doughnation Day on April 2nd, where $2 from the sale of every hot cross bun 6-pack will be donated to each bakery’s charity.

people in our bakeries [our franchisees and employees] have demonstrated year after year that they are so proud to give back to their communities,” says Brad Bissonnette, VP of Marketing and Franchise Recruitment with COBS Bread. “They exceeded last year’s goal and made a real difference to over 75 charities across Canada with this campaign. It also shows how much our customers care about their communities”

On average, each bakery raised $2,700 for their local charities during the Doughnation Day campaign (as per last year’s results) but there were two that raised over $20,000 for their respective bakeries in Nanaimo, BC and Kingston, ON.

“Being a part of your community means giving back to your community,” says Shelly Snure, franchisee of COBS Bread Terminal Park, whose bakery raised over $20,000 for Loaves and Fishes last year. “It’s awesome to see the bakery team get excited about this campaign, which also inspires our customers.”

COBS Bread hot cross buns are baked fresh from scratch every single day and are made in Traditional Fruit, Cranberry Orange, Apple Cinnamon and Triple Chocolate Chip varieties.

About COBS BREAD

At every one of COBS Bread’s 140+ locations across Canada are hand-crafted bread and flavourful treats, baked fresh every day. Offering traditional sandwich breads, artisanal loaves and smart indulgences, COBS Bread focuses on helping you bring high quality, healthy and delicious baked goods into your home. At the end of the day, all leftover product is donated to local charities.

COBS Bread is part of Bakers Delight Holdings Ltd, established in 1980 and operating as Bakers Delight in Australia and New Zealand and COBS Bread in Canada and the United States. Together, they have grown to become the world’s most successful bakery franchise with more than 700 bakery locations worldwide. For more information about COBS Bread, please visit www.www.cobsbread.com.

Media Inquiries 

Yvonne Anderson, Marketing & Communications Manager

Yvonne.anderson@cobsbread.com, 604-296-3522

The post Fundraising underway for over 75 charities across canada appeared first on COBS Bread.

You can pick up our expert-baked hot cross buns in 4 scrumptious flavours:

1. Traditional Fruit Hot Cross Bun: Filled with raisins, currants and mixed spice, they’re perfect for a breakfast treat. These pillowy hot cross buns are only available in the spring so get them while they’re hot! The recipe for COBS Bread’s “original” Hot Cross Bun traversed the ocean (without getting soggy) in 2003 from parent company Bakers Delight, located in Australia. In fact, the recipe has been in use by five generations of bakers. We think it’s got staying power.
2. Apple Cinnamon Hot Cross Bun: Our Apple Cinnamon Hot Cross Bun is a fresh take on a favourite tradition! Toasting these pillowy hot cross buns and adding a little butter is exactly how new traditions start. Made delicious by COBS circa 2017, this un-traditional hot cross bun is the modern flavour on the block all the kids are talking about, bursting with juicy red apples, and good ol’ cinnamon is just what the millennial ordered!
3. Cranberry Orange Hot Cross Bun: In 2014, our friendly COBS baker decided to put an unexpected twist on the hot cross bun by adding plump cranberries and a sweet orange zest. Long and behold, this twist is still a family fave in the house during hot cross bun season. Warm them up in the oven to fill your house with the smell of fresh baking. Go ahead, tell everyone you made these yourself!

4. NEW! Triple Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Bun: Hey Chocoholics! It’s 2022 and your favourite Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Bun just got even better! Three times better in fact. Indulge and satisfy your chocolate cravings with creamy dark, milk & white chocolate chips packed into our delicious hot cross bun. We’ve tripled the yum and this is our sweetest bun yet!

Hot cross buns are so versatile, enjoy them with high tea, or devour them in the parking lot. Enjoy them as is, or create unique recipes from them. We have both sweet and savoury taste buds covered with our Hot Cross Bun French Toast or our Baked Brie with Pancetta, Thyme and Honey served with Hot Cross Bun Crostini. Share with loved ones or love them all to yourself!

Are you a COBS Club member? Don’t miss out on our limited time offer: Earn double Breadcrumbs on ANY 6-pack of hot cross buns (mixed flavours included)!

Earn your way to a $5 reward with every hot cross bun you enjoy.

The post Hot cross bun 101; the low down on our expert-baked hot cross buns appeared first on COBS Bread.

We’re so happy to introduce Kate, the proud owner of our newest bakery located in Scarborough, Ontario. Kate is passionate, community focused and a real go-getter. She is the perfect addition to our COBS Bread family and we’re so excited to have her on our team. Keep reading to learn a little more about Kate, what led her to this journey and how she plans on giving back to her community.

What did you do before becoming a COBS Bread bakery owner?

Very interesting question indeed! I did a lot of different things. My initial education was in Property or Estate Management but my first real job was in Corporate Banking – this was in my country of birth, Nigeria. I immigrated to Canada in 2003 and started in career in health care, first as a registered nurse and then as a nurse practitioner. I decided in 2019 that I wanted to give entrepreneurship a go and I couldn’t think of a better partner than COBS Bread and here we are!!! I am about to open my first bakery and the first COBS in the Scarborough area!

When did you join the COBS Bread family? Why did you decide to go with COBS?

I officially joined the COBS Bread family as a trainee franchisee in March 2021.

I decided to open a COBS Bread Bakery for a number of reasons. First, I love COBS Bread!!! Second, I share all the values and ideals that has distinguished COBS Bread from others – freshness, passion, quality, and community. Third, who does not like fresh baked goods? I saw the COBS Bread business model as one that filled a real gap in the community and therefore, will be less vulnerable to economic uncertainty.

What are you looking forward to about your new bakery?

I am looking forward to baking wonderful loaves, and treats every day for our community. I am also looking forward to creating jobs and opportunity in the community but most importantly, I am looking forward to engaging with the community and giving back.

Before joining COBS, were you much of a baker?

No!!! I was not much of a baker at all!!! Let’s say I cooked much more than I baked.

How are you planning on getting involved in the community?

I am planning on being very actively involved with the community not just through our End of Day Giving program, but being visible at other community events and in local schools. We will be supporting appropriate local events by providing some of our delicious baked treats!  As the bakery operator, I have also adopted a strategy of hiring really local, with a goal of 60% of our staff being from within a 5 to 8km radius of the bakery and we are working closely with community agencies to support that effort!!!

What charity are you partnering with for Community Day?

We are partnering with Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of East Scarborough. BGC East Scarborough seeks to provide a holistic approach as it supports children, youth and families to pursue healthy lifestyles, personal competency, self-esteem, social and cultural integration and a sense of belonging.

I chose BGC East Scarborough because I know the important role played by community organizations in supporting families. As a new immigrant to Canada in 2003, I certainly benefited from programs and services offered in the community. In addition, as a nurse practitioner, I can attest to the benefits of organizations such as BGC East Scarborough in supporting families, youth and vulnerable populations in our city. They are an important part of what it takes to build healthy, diverse, and vibrant communities!!!

And a couple of questions, just for fun!

If you were a treat or loaf from COBS, which one would you be and why?

Sourdough loaf! Tough and crusty on the outside but full of flavor on the inside!

What’s in your favourite sandwich?

My favorite sandwich is an avocado and egg sandwich made with COBS Higher Fibre Loaf!

What’s your favourite baking pun or joke?

Bake it till you make it.

Join Kate and her team on September 8 for Community Day at COBS Bread Morningside Crossing! If you’re interested in opening your own COBS Bread bakery, inquire today.

The post Meet Kate, Your New Local Bakery Owner in Scarborough, Ontario appeared first on COBS Bread.