30 years after it was founded - Commensal updates its look and makes an important change in its business development

    BOISBRIAND, QC, April 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Commensal is taking advantage of
the official opening of its brand-new restaurant, situated at the Faubourg
Boisbriand, 3470 Avenue des Grandes Tourelles, to introduce its refined,
vibrant, lively new image and its new interior design. This important update
is the first step in a major overhaul started a year ago in anticipation of
increased development of the chain and its products, which will involve
investments of between $5 million and $10 million in coming years.
    Nutritious, ethical, organic, and conscientious, the Commensal brand
targets consumers who are convinced that their health starts with what they
eat. The new image, a perfect match with the Commensal philosophy, features
original ingredients with little processing, and always very natural. Bright,
invigorating, stimulating colours are harmonized around a strong signature
with a significant message: Commensal, Taste Life! In addition, to strengthen
and personalize this new image on the advertising level, Commensal has
recruited Josée Lavigueur. A very active woman who is well known in the
physical activity and health field in Quebec, Ms. Lavigueur will bring
credibility and visibility to Commensal's commercials.

    Boisbriand, home of the new Commensal restaurant concept

    All of the changes made to the brand are being introduced in the new
Boisbriand restaurant, which features a trendier, friendlier ambience. The
customer pathway has been completely rethought in terms of the self-serve (or
buffet) format that Commensal customers know and appreciate. Customers will
continue to be in charge of their comings and goings, but they will find more
in the restaurant. New functionalities and the addition of products and
services, including a wine bar (offering some organic wines) and filtered
water and carbonated water servers, are among the novelties. The architecture
and design firm LEMAYMICHAUD was chosen to design the new Commensal
restaurant.

    Grocery products

    In coming months, all of the Commensal packaged products available in the
prepared and frozen foods sections of supermarkets will also feature
components of the new brand. The new packaging will be highly visible to
consumers. The most important nutritional values will be found on top of the
packaging.

    Accelerating growth and development

    The Commensal brand, with solid recognition in Quebec, will reach new
peaks in the coming years, establishing itself as the reference in health
food. "People who want to eat healthy will know, beyond a doubt, that our
foods are good for them, that the brand has integrity, and that the
ingredients are authentic and delicious," noted Pierre Marc Tremblay,
president of Commensal. "Almost $10 million will be invested in the next three
years to develop the chain, notably with regard to the updating and
standardization of the existing restaurants with the new image, development of
new products, and expanding distribution." The company plans to increase the
number of restaurants both in and outside of Quebec over the coming years.
Other projects are under study in order to make Commensal products accessible
to as many consumers as possible. A research and development centre is also
being set up within Commensal's plant in Broisbriand, where a team of
nutrition experts will be working full time to develop new restaurant dishes
and food products while innovating with regard to ingredients with the goal of
helping to develop high-quality, healthy foods.

    About Commensal

    Commensal is a real pioneer in the vegetarian restaurant sector and
healthy prepared foods in Quebec. With its Ready-to-eat-well(TM) approach,
Commensal offers 7 restaurants (6 in Quebec and 1 in Ontario), a line of
products for food services, and almost 50 prepared foods sold under the
Commensal(TM) brand in some 800 points of sale in Quebec. Designed for the
pleasure of eating healthy, Commensal products, in addition to being
vegetarian, are cooked with selected ingredients with no artificial trans
fats, preservatives, or artificial colorants or flavours. The company uses
only GMO-free ingredients, thus meeting the criteria required by organic
certification. All Commensal soups, frozen foods, seasoned vege meals, and
spreads have been approved by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's
Health Check(TM) program. The packaging is made from 100% recycled paper. The
company, verified by Ecocert Canada, meets the needs of consumers concerned
with healthy nutrition.
    For more information on Commensal, visit www.commensal.comNOTE: A virtual visit to the new restaurant in Boisbriand and photographs
          are available at the following URL:
          http://www.commensal.com/en/qui/photo-gallery/default.idigit

For further information: Roch Galarneau, Directeur marketing, Commensal,
 [phone] (poste 246); Suzanne Ricard, Suzanne Ricard Communications
inc., [phone], [e-mail]