Cactus Club Cafe
Canadian premium-casual restaurant chain founded in British Columbia.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Cactus Club Cafe is a Canadian-owned premium-casual restaurant chain that originated in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The brand combines full-service dining, an extensive beverage program, contemporary interiors, and a menu positioned above conventional casual dining. Its restaurants are designed for a range of occasions, including informal meals, business dining, social gatherings, and evening bar service. The company was founded in 1988 by Richard Jaffray and Scott Morison, two former employees of the Canadian restaurant chain Earls. Before establishing Cactus Club Cafe, the partners operated a restaurant called Café Cucamongas. They sold that business in 1988 and used the proceeds to establish the first Cactus Club location. The brand's early development was concentrated in British Columbia, where it built a reputation for polished service and upscale casual dining without adopting the formality of a traditional fine-dining restaurant. Cactus Club expanded outside British Columbia in 1996, entering Alberta during a financially difficult period. The chain nevertheless continued to grow, reaching 10 locations across British Columbia and Alberta by 1998. By 2008, it had 19 restaurants in those two provinces. Around its 25th anniversary, the company had approximately 27 locations and about 2,500 employees. Later descriptions of the chain placed its Canadian footprint at roughly 34 locations, with restaurants in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. A significant culinary development came in 2008, when Rob Feenie joined the company as executive chef and food concept architect. Feenie was the first Canadian winner of Iron Chef America. Recipes and menu items associated with his work were identified on Cactus Club menus with an “RF” mark, giving the chain a recognizable chef-led product-development element. The company also gained visibility through Matthew Stowe, a Cactus Club product-development chef who won the third season of Top Chef Canada in 2013. Ownership changed over time. In 2005, Jaffray bought out Morison's interest. Morison subsequently founded Browns Socialhouse, another Canadian premium-casual restaurant chain. A 2019 Supreme Court of British Columbia judgment described a complex shareholding structure in which Jaffray and Earls Holdings each held half of the voting shares, while additional economic interests were held by Jaffray, Earls-related entities, the Fuller family trust, Rockefuller, and Cacthold. In February 2022, the Fuller family acquired full control of Cactus Club Cafe from Jaffray. The chain remains primarily Canadian in identity and operations. In June 2025, it announced plans to expand into the United States, marking a new phase in the brand's geographic development. Cactus Club's competitive position rests on a combination of premium-casual pricing, chef-influenced menus, broad appeal across dayparts, distinctive restaurant design, and a service model intended to deliver a more elevated experience than standard casual dining.
History
Cactus Club Cafe began in 1988 in North Vancouver, British Columbia, under the direction of Richard Jaffray and Scott Morison. Both founders had previously worked for Earls, a Canadian restaurant company whose operating model helped shape the founders' understanding of premium-casual dining. Before launching Cactus Club, they operated Café Cucamongas. The sale of that restaurant provided capital for the new venture, which adopted the Cactus Club Cafe name and focused on an approachable but more polished alternative to ordinary casual restaurants. The early business was based in British Columbia. Its concept emphasized full-service hospitality, contemporary menu development, and restaurants suitable for both everyday dining and social occasions. In 1996, the company entered Alberta. The expansion occurred during a financially challenging period, but the chain continued to develop and reached 10 restaurants in British Columbia and Alberta by 1998. By 2008, it had 19 locations across the two provinces. Ownership evolved alongside the company's growth. In 2005, Jaffray bought out Morison's interest in the business. Morison later established Browns Socialhouse, a separate Canadian premium-casual restaurant chain with a related broad-market positioning. A 2019 Supreme Court of British Columbia judgment recorded the ownership structure at that time: Jaffray and Earls Holdings each held 50 percent of the voting shares, while economic interests were also held through entities and trusts associated with the Fuller family, Earls, Jaffray, Rockefuller, and Cacthold. Culinary development became more prominent in the late 2000s. In 2008, Rob Feenie joined Cactus Club Cafe as executive chef and food concept architect. Feenie had won Iron Chef America and became an important part of the company's effort to associate its menu with recognizable culinary expertise. Menu items created by Feenie were marked with “RF,” allowing guests to identify dishes connected to his development work. The chain also benefited from the public profile of Matthew Stowe, one of its product-development chefs, after he won the third season of Top Chef Canada in 2013. The restaurant network continued to expand across Canada. Around its 25th year, the company reported or was described as having approximately 27 locations and about 2,500 employees. Later descriptions placed the chain at approximately 34 Canadian locations, including restaurants in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. The brand remained Canadian-owned and concentrated on premium-casual restaurants rather than pursuing a mass-market quick-service model. In February 2022, the Fuller family acquired full control from Richard Jaffray, ending his ownership involvement as described in the available reference material. The change represented a significant ownership transition after decades of founder-led development. In June 2025, Cactus Club Cafe announced an intention to expand into the United States. That announcement established international expansion as a new strategic direction, although the available material does not specify the opening dates, locations, or final scale of the American operation.
- 2025
United States expansion announced
[1]The company announced plans to bring the brand into the United States.
- 2022
Fuller family takes full control
[1]The Fuller family acquired full control of Cactus Club Cafe from Richard Jaffray.
- 2013
Matthew Stowe wins Top Chef Canada
[1]Cactus Club product-development chef Matthew Stowe won the show's third season.
- 2008
Rob Feenie joins the company
[1]Rob Feenie became executive chef and food concept architect, contributing to menu and product development.
- 2005
Jaffray buys out Morison
[1]Co-founder Richard Jaffray acquired Scott Morison's interest in the company.
- 1998
Ten-location milestone
[1]Cactus Club Cafe reached 10 locations across British Columbia and Alberta.
- 1996
Expansion into Alberta
[1]The chain expanded beyond British Columbia into Alberta during a difficult financial period.
- 1988
Cactus Club Cafe is founded
[1]Richard Jaffray and Scott Morison founded Cactus Club Cafe after selling their earlier restaurant, Café Cucamongas.
Products and positioning
A polished, chef-influenced premium-casual restaurant brand offering contemporary food, beverages, and full-service hospitality in design-led locations.
Restaurant service · 1988
Premium-casual dining
Cactus Club Cafe's core offering is a full-service restaurant experience positioned between conventional casual dining and fine dining. Locations serve meals in a contemporary setting and are designed for multiple occasions, from informal lunches and dinners to business meetings, celebrations, and evening socializing.
Food · 1988
Contemporary food menu
The menu is built around contemporary premium-casual dishes, including shareable starters, salads, handheld items, composed entrées, seafood, steak-oriented dishes, and desserts. The available reference material does not establish a complete current item list, but describes the chain as a chef-influenced restaurant brand with broad menu appeal.
Beverages · 1988
Beverage and bar program
Restaurants include beverage service associated with full-service casual dining, including cocktails and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The bar component supports the brand's positioning as a destination for evening dining and social occasions.
Chef-developed dishes · 2008
Rob Feenie menu creations
After Rob Feenie joined the company in 2008, dishes associated with his work were identified on Cactus Club Cafe menus with an “RF” designation. The mark provided a visible link between the restaurant's menu and its executive chef and food concept architect.
Brand decisions
2025
Announce United States expansionStrategyBackground
After establishing a substantial Canadian restaurant network, the company identified the United States as a new geographic growth opportunity.
Action taken
Cactus Club Cafe announced plans to expand into the United States.
Aftermath
The announcement marked a proposed international expansion phase. Available material does not specify the launch locations, timing, or completed openings.
2022
Fuller family acquires full controlM&ABackground
Cactus Club Cafe had operated for decades under a founder-linked ownership structure involving Richard Jaffray and other shareholders.
Action taken
The Fuller family acquired full control of the chain from Richard Jaffray.
Aftermath
The transaction established the Fuller family as the brand's controlling owner. The available reference material does not provide transaction terms or a detailed post-acquisition operating plan.
2008
Bring in a high-profile culinary leaderStrategyBackground
The company sought to strengthen menu development and its premium-casual identity as the restaurant network expanded.
Action taken
Cactus Club Cafe appointed Rob Feenie as executive chef and food concept architect.
Aftermath
Feenie-associated dishes were marked with “RF” on menus, reinforcing the brand's chef-led product-development positioning.
1996
Expand into AlbertaStrategyBackground
The company was growing beyond its original British Columbia base, although the expansion took place during a financially challenging period.
Action taken
Cactus Club Cafe opened locations in Alberta and began developing a multi-province restaurant network.
Aftermath
The chain continued to grow and reached 10 locations in British Columbia and Alberta by 1998.
Sources2 sources
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