Jason Bartsch (pictured here) and his wife Amy are the proud owners of a Boston Pizza franchise that will be opening later this year at the Watermark Beach Resort. Mike Campol has been hired as the restaurant’s general manager. (Richard McGuire photo)
One of the most iconic food franchise restaurants in the world in North America is coming to Osoyoos – and it will be owned and operated by a family name that has become synonymous with community spirit in this town.
Dr. Jason Bartsch, who runs the successful Sun Valley Dental Practice in Osoyoos, and his wife Amy are the proud new franchise owners of the Boston Pizza outlet that is set to open in the Watermark Beach Resort before the end of 2017.
“We’re excited for sure and we’re very proud to be bringing something that will benefit our community for many years to come,” said Bartsch, who opened his dental practice and has called Osoyoos home since 2003. “This is a restaurant business that is all about giving back to the community and supporting community-minded initiatives, while serving warm and wonderful food in a friendly atmosphere.”
The Bartsch family has been involved in numerous community groups and organizations since arriving in Osoyoos, including a longtime affiliation with the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association – where Jason has served in all key positions, including vice-president and president.
Bartsch and his wife are founders of the Osoyoos Beach Volleyball Association; he’s a Paul Harris Fellow with the Osoyoos Rotary Club and past vice-chair of the Economic Development Advisory Committee in Osoyoos.
Both Amy and Jason maintain their busy volunteer positions with coaching, officiating and administering minor hockey and minor baseball, while running the hugely popular beach volleyball league.
“We have always strived to make Osoyoos community-oriented, family-friendly and a home to anyone wishing to enjoy the beautiful South Okanagan,” he said.
He and his wife were approached by Boston Pizza International last November to consider the opportunity to become local franchisees for an Osoyoos restaurant and it has taken several months of negotiations to finalize the deal with franchise executives and management at the Watermark Beach Resort, said Bartsch.
Construction on the restaurant will begin Tuesday and he is hopeful the restaurant could be open for business in early December, however, that target “might not be realistic … and we’re shooting for the end of the year at the latest.”
Boston Pizza management had negotiated a deal to open a franchise in the Watermark, but were originally interested in another franchise owner from out of province, said Bartsch.
When that deal fell through, he and his wife were contacted, they discussed the opportunity thoroughly and decided to “go all in” several weeks later, he said.
“We want to make Boston Pizza work for our community,” he said. “Our vision is for Boston Pizza in Osoyoos is to make this restaurant as iconic as Home Hardware is to Osoyoos.
“We have tremendous respect for Frances Sologuk and her husband Larry and their continued commitment to this community over the years and we would love to be for restaurants, what Home Hardware is to retail in Osoyoos.”
Amy said they couldn’t ask for a better location for their new business venture.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better location or better neighbours or partners at the Watermark,” she said. “Our restaurant will fit in beautifully with the resort’s family friendly, first-class property.
“Boston Pizza will offer our guests a unique experience, from a quality menu, to an amazing patio overlooking Osoyoos Lake, to a spectacular audio-visual sports bar.”
Mike Campol, the current town councillor who has years of experience in the food and beverage industry, has been hired as the general manager of the restaurant.
“Mike’s tremendous experience in the industry made him our top choice for the restaurant’s manager,” said Jason. “He brings with him a wealth of experience in hospitality, food service and restaurant management, but most importantly, he brings with him passion for our community.”
Campol has more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry and his family is very confident they have hired the right person to run the restaurant, he said.
“Boston Pizza is one of the few corporate restaurant concepts that engages small communities,” said Campol. “They understand the world outside of major cities and encourage their franchisees to become a beneficial partner to the community and its residents. This concept is a great fit for a town focusing on growing its population with young families. What better place to enjoy a game or wind down after your own game in a family-friendly environment.”
One of the first objectives was to partner with the Osoyoos Coyotes Junior hockey club and they have already signed a deal to become the official team sponsor, said Jason.
“(Team owner) Randy Bedard and his group have built a winner here in our community and we are thrilled to be sponsors and partners with them moving forward,” he said. “We are so excited with some of the ideas that we are working on with Randy for the players and fans of the Coyotes as Boston Pizza will be the official sports bar of the team.”
Local builder Carl Buckendahl is in charge of construction.
“Having grown up in Osoyoos … I’m looking forward to visiting the restaurant after it’s open and enjoying it with my family and friends and it’s even more exciting to build it,” he said. “We are so fortunate there are a number of excellent, qualified trades right here in the South Okanagan and we will be using as many local trades as possible during the construction of the Boston Pizza to help keep money in our local community.”
The restaurant will be open year-round and will employ between 30 and 40 staff, the majority full-time, said Jason.
Boston Pizza will provide delivery service in and around Osoyoos by car and even by boat with a seasonal water delivery service during the busy summer months, he said.
There will be several unique things in the Osoyoos restaurant as it will serve only South Okanagan wine – a deal that had to be approved by head office, said Jason.
He and his wife have served “a long-term lease” over several years and are thrilled to be involved in this exciting business venture, he said.
Anyone interested in a job at the restaurant should contact Campol at [email protected].
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
Mike Campol and Amy Bartsch pose in front of a Boston Pizza while training in Vancouver. (Contributed photo)
