MTY offers to purchase Valentine

MONTREAL—MTY Food Group has made a bid for Groupe Valentine Inc., franchisor of Valentine, a Quebec fast food burger and sandwich chain with 95 locations.

Groupe Valentine Inc. started in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec 30 years ago by Jean-Pierre Robin and his brother Daniel.

MTY Group, headed up by president Stanley Ma, offered $9.3 million for Valentine in a deal expected to close this September. The deal, still subject to regulatory approval, also includes seven properties, including the head office and a distribution centre.

Valentine has system-wide annual sales of $30 million. MTY said purchasing Valentine “represents a strategic addition” to the company’s stable of restaurants.

MTY operates Cultures, Tiki Ming, Sukiyaki, Mrs. Vanelli's, Koya Japan, Thai Express, TCBY, Taco Time and Country Style, among others.