Burgers, Fries & Family

BY GABBY PEYTON

How The Varsity in Edmonton Thrives Through Supplier Relationships and Groupex Rebates

At The Varsity in Edmonton, it’s not unusual to see toddlers tossing Cheerios under the table, a soccer team celebrating over milkshakes, or retirees catching up over soup and salad. That’s by design. Co-owner Brandi Craner describes the restaurant as “everything to everyone,” a space where guests can treat it like their living room—or enjoy the adults-only lounge if they’re after a kid-free date night.

In an era where many family-friendly casual restaurants have disappeared, The Varsity has carved out a niche as a warm, judgment-free local gathering place—where burgers, fries, and flexibility are always on the menu, and where strong supplier relationships and Groupex Canada rebates help keep the business sustainable behind the scenes.

Before co-founding The Varsity, Craner spent years in restaurant operations, eventually becoming a General Manager for a major brand. She managed large teams and learned the ins and outs of high-volume service—overseeing everything from staffing and scheduling to supplier negotiations and guest experience. It was a fast-paced, all-consuming role. “Restaurants are a 25/7 business,” she says with a laugh. “There just aren’t enough hours in the year to do it all—especially when you’re raising a family.”

That reality eventually pushed her to step away from the floor and into a more traditional nine-to-five role. But as a parent, she quickly recognized something missing from the dining landscape. “So many of the family-style dining experiences in my community had been replaced by pub-style restaurants that turn into 18-plus venues later at night,” she recalls. “We didn’t want to feel like a burden bringing our kids to dinner.”

That realization led to action.

A conversation with friends became a concept. A lease turned into an oppor­tunity. “It was the perfect storm,” she says. The Varsity opened its doors three years ago and continues to thrive, fuelled by community and uncompromising on food quality, even through one of the most challenging periods for independent restaurants in recent memory.

The Varsity’s strength lies in its rare balance of hospitality and operational discipline. Designed as a flexible, inclusive space for families, sports teams, couples, and community groups, the restaurant also runs on clear values and smart controls. “We’re family-friendly externally and internally,” says Craner. “If your child is sick, go take care of them. That’s our culture. We’ll figure the rest out.”

She applies the same philosophy to numbers. “Labour and inventory—those are the biggies,” she says. “You can’t ignore them just because they’re hard. Money doesn’t magically go into your back pocket at the end of the day—it goes out the back door if you’re not careful.”

ENGAGING SUPPLIERS AS SILENT PARTNERS.

That focus on stability extends to The Varsity’s supplier strategy. Craner credits much of the restaurant’s resilience to an unwavering focus on quality and long-standing, trusted relationships—especially with Gordon Food Service (GFS), a Groupex Canada partner. “Our GFS sales rep is like family,” she explains. “If we find something cheaper or have a quality issue, we reach out—and he always finds a solution, whether it’s price-match­ing or sourcing better alternatives.”

For independent operators like The Varsity, that kind of personalized support can be the difference between staying on track or scrambling to recover. “We’re a small, mom-and-pop shop. We can’t afford to be down,” Craner says. “We ran out of fries and burgers once during a rush— how can we run out of French fries and burgers? That’s our mainstay. Our suppli­ers jumped into action. McCain rerouted product from Calgary. Our patty supplier did an extra run. That kind of support is everything.”

HOW THE VARSITY TURNS REBATES INTO REAL MARGIN.

While suppliers keep the kitchen running, Groupex Canada helps bolster the bottom line. Through Groupex, operators earn rebates simply by purchasing from ap­proved suppliers they already use—making the program both practical and easy to integrate into daily operations.

For The Varsity, the rebate program is simple, effective, and deeply embedded in menu planning. “For our small estab­lishment, we need to find our nickels and dimes wherever we can and work on those rebate programs,” says Craner, admitting she routinely checks the Groupex partner list when updating or developing new seasonal items, looking for eligible products—such as sauces or spices—that can help stretch every dollar.

Thanks to strong sales, the rebates add up quickly. “The rebates are signifi­cant because our sales are significant. The more we buy, the larger the rebate,” Craner notes. “You just buy what you need, and you get a cheque—it’s pretty basic. “I look through the Groupex list of partners, make sure they’re on my menu and my order guide, and 30 days later—Bob’s your uncle—I have a cheque.”

That simplicity, paired with measur­able return, is why Groupex has become a core part of The Varsity’s approach to margin management.

IN IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

The Varsity isn’t chasing trends or trying to become the next buzzy concept. It’s doing something better—building a place that evolves with its guests, adapts to its neighbourhood, and treats staff and sup­pliers like extended family. “We’re not try­ing to be the next big thing,” Craner says. “We’re just trying to be the best place for you to come, sit, eat, and be yourself.”

That philosophy also shapes the menu: stay consistent with beloved staples, and refresh often enough to keep guests coming back. “We’ve got mainstays like the mushroom burger, but we rotate in new flavours—fish burgers, seasonal perogies—to keep it fresh.”

With trusted suppliers, Groupex Canada in their corner, and a business model rooted in purpose and practicality, The Varsity is proving that relationships are the real secret to staying power in Canadian hospitality.

Groupex is a Canadian foodservice buying group that helps operators reduce costs through access to volume pricing and rebates on essential supplies.

As a 100% Canadian-owned Buying Group, Groupex negotiates with 300+ suppliers to secure exclusive rebate programs on food, beverage, equipment, cleaning supplies, technology, and financial services.

Visit Groupex and learn more at: groupex.com