Third Wave Coffee (TWC) was established Bengaluru, India, in 2016. In 2024, the company had 114 outlets in different regions of India. Though TWC increased its revenue manifold due to rapid expansion, the operational efficiency remained poor compared to the competition. Most stores lost money, and investors were concerned about the firm’s future. The founders roped in a professional CEO, Rajat Luthra, a quick-service restaurants industry veteran, .....more

In October 2024, the chief operating officer (COO) of Nordique Hospitality (Nordique), a hotel chain in Quebec, Canada, was facing an issue with one of his hotel general managers (GMs). The GM had recently requested a transfer to another Nordique hotel, citing mental fatigue as a reason. However, the chief executive officer (CEO) of Nordique was not in favour of the transfer, and the COO himself had not handled the request well. The GM had since become .....more

An Indigenous chef and entrepreneur based in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, with deep ties to the land and a passion for storytelling through food, is at a pivotal moment in his career. He is considering two distinct entrepreneurial paths: expanding on his love of foraging through an education program or launching an Indigenous-inspired restaurant. Each option reflects different aspects of his identity, goals, and vision for the future. This case .....more

Founded in 2005, Juewei Food Co., Ltd. (Juewei) was a leading Chinese company specializing in the research, development, and production of marinated snack foods. Originating in Changsha, Hunan Province, Juewei initially achieved significant success through its aggressive large-scale offline store deployment strategy, which resulted in more than 10,000 stores established across China by 2019. This expansion strategy played a critical role in the company’s .....more

While Anthony Point was pursuing his MBA, a heart-to-heart with his father, Franck Point, revealed the pressing staffing challenges gripping Faubourg Bakery and Cafe in Vancouver. Franck had founded Faubourg in 2010, and the small French bakery and cafe chain had emerged as a beacon of French authenticity under his meticulous curation. Its immersive experience, from delectable food to enchanting ambiance, sought to whisk customers away to the heart .....more

Founded in 2009 in Montezuma, Costa Rica, the Anamaya Resort (Anamaya) had built a loyal following based on its commitment to sustainability, community, and transformative experiences through yoga and wellness. However, despite its strong brand identity and reputation, by 2025, founders and co-owners Geoff McCabe, Joseph Mikrut, and Kelsy Matheson faced growing competition from newer, tech-savvy entrants to the crowded Costa Rican yoga retreat market. .....more

It was late September 2024, just six months since Saxbys proudly opened its newest location on March 6 at Purdue University’s Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering in West Lafayette, Indiana. The fall semester was in full swing, and with students back on campus and foot traffic on the rise, Saxbys was entering a critical phase for brand visibility and growth. Nick Bayer, Saxbys’ founder and chief executive officer (CEO), recognized the importance of .....more

Teaching note (B) for product W44866.

In February 2025, President Trump’s threat of a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian products dominated Canadian news. Like management at many other Canadian businesses, Jill Conrod and Ciaro Moxey were trying to grasp the impact on their company, Novagevity. Novagevity produced Sperri, a meal replacement beverage that it sold to unwell and health conscious consumers, primarily in Canada. The company had just raised millions of dollars in support of a growth .....more

Miland and his wife Deepika were new franchisees, having acquired a franchise under Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) Inc in 2022. Four months into their new business, Rob, the master franchisee for the region, visited the restaurant to assess its operations and discuss goals for the business. During the visit, Rob imposed stringent demands related to operational hours, billboard, new equipment, and ownership transfer. The professional discussion quickly .....more