Charlottetown, PE October 24, 2016 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Grant Thornton LLP announced Friday that COWS is among the Top 10 Finalists for the national 2016 Private Business Growth Award. This distinguished award honours the integral role that Canada’s private businesses play in growing our country’s economy.
Celebrating 10 Canadian Private Business Growth Success Stories COWS is proud to be named one of the Top 10 private businesses, selected by an independent Jury of business leaders, for their successful, sustainable and holistic growth strategies. The other nominees, in alphabetical order are:  Agnora Inc., Collingwood, ON  Aspin Kemp & Associates, Montague, PE  BioScript Pharmacy, Moncton, NB  Everest Clinical Research Corporation, Markham, ON  Klick Inc., Toronto, ON  Nicola Wealth Management, Vancouver, BC  Reliance Foundry Co. Ltd, Surrey, BC  Skyline Group of Companies, Guelph, ON  StarTech.com, London, ON
COWS first opened in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island in 1983 making and serving just one flavour of ice cream. Today, there are 11 COWS stores across Canada with locations in Whistler, BC, Banff, AB, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Halifax NS and seven locations on Prince Edward Island. Two franchised locations are also now in operation in Beijing, China. The stores have also grown their offerings, which have now expanded to include a full retail line and over 35 flavours of ice cream, all made out of a head office location in Prince Edward Island.
COWS has not only grown their popular ice cream stores but they have also expanded to include additional brands. In addition to the COWS banner, the company has established COWS CREAMERY which produces award winning cheeses and butters that are sold across Canada and in the United States. Anne of Green Gables Chocolates is also a division of COWS, which makes premium handmade chocolates and has four retail locations in Prince Edward Island and one in Whistler, BC.
“We are extremely honoured to be a finalist for this award,” says President & CEO of COWS, Jackie McIntyre. “We are very lucky to have an amazing team of people at COWS, from our ice cream

scoopers to production employees to our head office staff. When we think about the growth that we have experienced, it really is because of each one of those individuals.”
Award Gala: All finalists will be awarded, along with the announcement of the official first place winner, at a gala at The Design Exchange on November 16, 2016 in Toronto. The evening will be hosted by Canadian business journalist, Deirdre McMurdy.
“The goal of this annual award is to showcase business success stories — when Canadian businesses strive to be innovative and embrace strategic thinking, they create jobs and build prosperity for communities across the country,” said Kevin Ladner, CPA, CA, CBV, CEO and Executive Partner, Grant Thornton LLP. “I commend these finalists for their outstanding growth and success.”
“This year’s finalists are on unique and engaging growth pathways,” says Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “We need to celebrate their accomplishments – collectively they are helping to drive our Canadian economy forward, paving the path for a prosperous future.”
In selecting the Top 10 Finalists, jury members used the following five criteria to assess strategic growth across various aspects of the nominees’ businesses:  Innovation: Developing new products and services, bringing old products to market in a new way, as well as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of internal processes.  Market development: How they go to market and expand into new domestic or international markets.  People and culture: Investing in their people by helping employees learn and develop as a critical part of overall growth.  Strategic leadership: How they interact with partners, stakeholders, their succession planning and community involvement.  Improvements in financial measures: Ensuring revenue growth and improvements in profitability.
This year’s accomplished jury includes:  The Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce  Phil Noble, Past CEO and Strategic Advisor to Firm Leadership, Grant Thornton LLP  Christiane Bergevin, President, Bergevin Capital  Peggy Cunningham, Professor and RA Jodrey Chair, Dalhousie University Business School  Malcolm Hunter, President, Deeley Group of Companies  Sean Stanleigh, Managing Editor, Globe Content Studio, the Globe and Mail  Paul Straus, President, Home Hardware Stores Limited
Recognizing, validating & celebrating private business success stories – paving the path for future growth!

About the Private Business Growth Award The Private Business Growth Award recognizes Canadian-owned, privately-held businesses that have been in business a minimum of three years, have $5 million or more in revenues and have demonstrated outstanding strategic growth. A partnership between The Canadian Chamber of
Commerce and Grant Thornton LLP, 2016 marks the fourth year this national business award has recognized and celebrated the successful growth of private businesses in Canada. A jury of high-profile Canadian business leaders selects 10 finalists and one winning company based on the following criteria: innovation, market development, people and culture, strategic leadership, and improvements in financial measures.

About COWS COWS was formed in 1983 in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Today, COWS has 11 stores across Canada as well as two franchised locations in Beijing, China. All retail and ice cream production continues to take place out of the COWS Head Office in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In addition to ice cream and clothing, COWS has expanded to offer COWS CREAMERY cheeses and butters. These award winning cheddars and super premium butters can be found in grocery stores and specialty food shops across Canada and into the United States. COWS also operates Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, which is based in Charlottetown, PE and produces handmade chocolates. Anne of Green Gables Chocolates operates four retail locations on Prince Edward Island in addition to their full production facility. A location has also recently opened in Whistler, BC. The COWS family of companies employs 55 full time staff and 210 seasonal employees across their operations.
For further information, to arrange an interview or photo, contact:
Whitney Hooper

Director of Sales and Marketing

COWS Inc.

(902) 628-3613

whitney@cows.ca

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