After seeking out creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) last July, the establishments operated by Joseph Richard Hospitality Group will now be put up for sale, according to filings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

Founded by André Joseph Bourque and Ryan Richard Moreno, Joseph Richard Group sought out creditor protection in July 2023 after COVID-induced challenges resulted in financial difficulties for the company. At the time of the filing, Joseph Richard Group owed an estimated $34.4M to Canadian Western Bank (CWB) and $2.3M to the Bank of Montreal (BMO).

Companies seek out creditor protection in order to allow them to restructure their business with the hopes of continuing to operate and Joseph Richard Group has spent the time since the filing meeting with its creditors towards reaching what's called a "plan of compromise and arrangement" regarding its debts.

According to case documents from earlier this month, however, the plan that was filed by Joseph Richard Group in December 2023 was deemed "not achievable" by CWB and the Canada Revenue Agency, to which Joseph Richard Group also owed money.

Joseph Richard Group and the Monitor then submitted a proposed sales process for the hospitality company's various businesses earlier this month, with the proposal approved by the court on May 9. The company's businesses, all of which it operates on leased properties or under management agreements, include:

  1. The Henry, at 5708 176 Street in Surrey
  2. S&L Kitchen & Bar South Surrey, at 16051 24 Avenue in Surrey
  3. S&L Kitchen & Bar Langley, at 8399 200 Street in Langley
  4. S&L Kitchen & Bar Abbotsford, at 2070 Sumas Way #200 in Abbotsford
  5. Oak & Thorne, at 20173 88 Avenue in Langley
  6. Whiskey Charlie, at 18799 Airport Way #1007 in Pitt Meadows
  7. Blank Canvas Catering, a catering and private dining company
  8. Tavern On The Green, a pub within the Ledgeview Golf Course in Abbotsford
  9. The Italian Osteria & Cheesebar, at 20330 88 Avenue in Langley
  10. Townhall Abbotsford, at 33720 South Fraser Way in Abbotsford
  11. Townhall Chilliwack, at 6640 Vedder Road in Chilliwack
  12. Townhall Maple Ridge, at 20690 Lougheed Highway in Maple Ridge
  13. Townhall Langley, at 19640 64 Avenue in Langley
  14. Steveston Café and Hotel, at 12111 Third Avenue in Richmond
  15. Steveston Liquor Store, at 12111 Third Avenue in Richmond
  16. The Buck & Ear, at 12111 Third Avenue in Richmond
  17. The Glass House Estate Winery (Lease ends on or before October 31), at 23449 0 Avenue in Langley
  18. The Queen's Liquor Store, at 1110 Ewen Avenue in New Westminster
  19. Clover Station Liquor Store, at 5858 176 Street in Surrey
The approved sales process will begin on June 20, which is the deadline for the marketing package to be finalized. Offers will then be solicited and explored before the final bid submission deadline of August 1, with any sale — of an individual business, multiple businesses, or all of the businesses requiring the approval of the Supreme Court.

In March, the Roosters Building at 19040 Lougheed Highway in Pitt Meadows that Joseph Richard Group owned was sold for $3.2M, after being listed by Colliers, as part of the company's restructuring. Prior to that, the company also permanently closely Livelyhood, at 3224 St Johns Street in Port Moody, which the Monitor described as "unprofitable."

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