For longtime Spruce Grove franchisees David and Danielle Musey, success comes from embracing what makes a small town special: loyalty, connection, and showing up for the community again and again. Since opening their Chopped Leaf location in 2013, the pair have made their restaurant part of local life by supporting the community and building real relationships that matter.

Marketing That Works: Showing Up for the Community

Their marketing approach is simple: support the people and events that make Spruce Grove and Stony Plain feel like home. Over the years, they’ve become known for participating in some of the area’s most well-loved community events, including:

· Rotary Run, where organizers now reach out to them directly

· Supporting First Responders and Firefighters, providing soup and food for the annual Muscular Dystrophy rooftop camp-out and discounted meals to support crews fighting wildfires

· Sponsoring Alberta’s largest ringette tournament, which hosts more than 1,200 players and families, providing coupons and discount offers when participants come to the restaurant

· Contributing to the twice-yearly Autism ball hockey tournaments by sponsoring the Most Valuable Player award and providing silent auction prizes

· Partnering with a local pumpkin farmer, exchanging food for 20 of her best pumpkins, which they displayed in-store — sparking conversations and promoting each other’s businesses.

These efforts aren’t just sponsorships — they’re touchpoints that have woven Chopped Leaf into the rhythm of their community. And in a small town, that consistency builds trust and long-term loyalty.

Growing Business Through Real Relationships

Over time, David and Danielle learned that genuine relationships -not cold calls- drive the strongest results in a small town. Dropping off food to large companies or making unsolicited calls rarely led to repeat business.

Instead, what has worked is getting to know the local business owners and professionals who visit their restaurant regularly. By building rapport and offering thoughtful gestures—like a complimentary meal, a staff discount, or a tailored catering offer—they’ve created long-term connections that naturally translate into catering orders and ongoing support.

For them, success comes from being part of daily life in Spruce Grove: recognizing familiar faces, offering great service, and letting trust build the business.