In July, we reached an important milestone in the history of the Fit Cake brand - we opened our first location in Canada. The first Canadian Fit Cake at 3367 Bloor Street West in Toronto has quickly become a local sensation, attracting crowds of locals looking for healthy alternatives to traditional sweets.
A dream start - queues and delighted customers
The first days of operation exceeded our expectations. As Rafal Kościuk, owner of the Fit Cake brand, recalls:
- A lot of people came and it was generally difficult to serve everyone because the queue was from the shop window to the exit. There were times before the opening and afterwards that people couldn't fit in the premises.
Customers came from remote parts of Canada, confirming our observations about the huge demand for gluten-free and sugar-free products in the Canadian market. This showed us how much our offering was needed in this region.
A story of Polish-Canadian passion
Behind the success are Elżbieta and Maks, a Polish-Canadian couple who decided to bring a Polish innovation overseas. The story of their Fit Cake adventure began with a chance conversation with a friend from Bialystok.
I wanted to start my own interesting business and invest in something healthy that is not yet on the Canadian market - says Elisabeth. - I would never have thought of a Fit Cake until a friend of mine coming from Bialystok gave me the idea!
Elisabeth and Max's motivation was not only business, but also personal.
- I have health problems and food intolerances. But we want to help not only ourselves, but also others who long for sweets but cannot afford them for health reasons - explains Elisabeth.
Challenges of international expansion
Opening a franchise in Canada presented numerous logistical and organisational challenges.
- Investment and organisation are more complicated than in Poland, where everything is available locally - Elisabeth admits. - We have to import some products, such as coffee, across the ocean.
Despite the difficulties, an ideal location was found - on one of Toronto's main streets, opposite large flat blocks, next to the largest gym in the area and a strategic bus terminal.
Media recognition from day one
The opening of our venue did not escape the attention of the media and influencers. Already on the day of the opening, the restaurant was visited by one of the twelve most important Google opinion makers in Canada, whose reviews have a reach of 80 million impressions. A Japanese man with the highest Google Guide status, author of 13,000 reviews across Canada, rated our establishment very highly, appreciating the quality of the cakes and service.
The Polish Press Agency in Canada and the local Polish-language media also took an interest in us and documented our opening.
Responding to the needs of a multicultural society
Our expansion into Canada is a response to the growing health awareness of the country's population.
- It is well known what America's reputation is - sugar rules. - notes Elisabeth. - Children are fed sweets full of processed sugars from an early age, leading to obesity and diabetes. But slowly, people are beginning to realise that sugar is not the only thing that makes a living.
Development vision
- The growth of Fit Cake in international markets is a huge step forward for us, but also proof that the idea of healthy living and sugar-free sweets has a universal appeal. - Rafał Kościuk comments.
- Canada is a country with a multicultural population and a growing awareness of healthy eating, so we believe our offering will fit perfectly with the needs of the population.
The first Canadian Fit Cake is not only a business success, but also a bridge between Poland and Canada through a shared passion for healthy living. The people of Toronto are already planning further visits, and we are thinking about further expansion in the North American market.
