Image Credit: TWITTER Two dragons are leaving the Dragons Den including Club Penguin co-creator Lane Merrifield of Kelowna. The co-creator of the online social network for kids is leaving the CBC television show to take a sabbatical and enjoy some time and travel adventures with his family, according to an announcement from CBC. Merrifield originally joined the dragons in 2018. The announcement came shortly after he sold FreshGrade, a digital portfolio and assessment platform used by teachers across Canada, for $30 million USD to a California company. “From building a safe digital world in Club Penguin to capturing their learning with FreshGrade, my ventures have always been inspired by my kids,” Lane said in the announcement. “Now as I exit my latest company and both my kids prepare to leave home for school in the fall, it’s time to enjoy this season with them. I’m thankful for my experience on the show and excited for the many adventures to come.”
Thursday April 22, 2021 The news is out: a new Dragon will enter the Den for Season 16 of
Dragons Den! Wes Hall, founder and executive chairman of Kingsdale Advisors and founder and chairman of The BlackNorth Initiative, brings a diverse range of expertise to the Den. Recently named to Maclean’s Power List ranking of the 50 most powerful people in Canada, Hall is an innovator and entrepreneur who is revered as one of Canada’s preeminent power brokers. Wes joins Arlene Dickinson, Michele Romanow, Manjit Minhas and Vincenzo Guzzo, as beloved longtime Dragon Jim Treliving and virtual game changer Lane Merrifield depart the Den. After 15 seasons and an incredible history of betting on winners, Jim plans to focus on his role as chairman of Boston Pizza International, in addition to remaining active with his other commitments as a business advisor, investor, entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist.
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COVID-19 continues to adversely affect Boston Pizza s business. Franchise Sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased by 30.6% versus one year ago.
Toronto Stock Exchange: BPF.UN
Highlights
As at December 31, 2020, approximately 370 Boston Pizza restaurants were providing take-out and delivery services, with approximately 100 of these restaurants also having their dining rooms and sports bars open with reduced seating capacity.
System-Wide Gross Sales
1 of $181.7 million for the Period and $773.5 million for the Year, representing decreases of 34.3% and 30.1%, respectively, versus the same periods one year ago.
Franchise Sales
2 from royalty pool restaurants of $146.6 million for the Period and $613.2 million for the Year, representing decreases of 30.6% and 28.2%, respectively, versus the same periods one year ago.