‘Exceeded expectations’: Holy Shakes opens first Manitoba shop in St. Vital Centre
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People are shaking it up in south-central Winnipeg.
Burgeoning Canadian dessert cafe chain Holy Shakes has set up its first Manitoba location in St. Vital Centre. The menu includes standard chocolate and strawberry milkshakes alongside extravagant versions called “Freakshakes” with cookies, cotton candy or even an entire slice of cheesecake on top.
Since opening on April 11, the eatery’s 20 employees have sold more than 10,000 milkshakes, said franchisee Kiran Pandher.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Holy Shakes has dubbed June 20 as “Milkshake Day” and its restaurants will offer milkshakes and select waffles and crepes for 50 per cent off.
“We didn’t know what people’s reactions would be,” she said. “(It’s) exceeded expectations.”
Located at 29F-1225 St. Mary’s Rd., Holy Shakes sits beside SportChek and Fit4Less. There’s no entrance from the mall, so visitors need to access the eatery from the parking lot.
Milkshakes aren’t the only thing on the menu. It includes Asian fusion fare such as naan tacos, butter chicken macaroni and cheese, and paneer burgers. There’s also cake, ice cream, waffles and crepes, plus an extensive beverage list that includes coffee, lemonade, smoothies and mojitos.
The food is certified halal, Pandher said.
The restaurant’s décor includes a framed print depicting a couple enjoying milkshakes in Paris and a neon sign that says, “stressed blessed & milkshakes obsessed.”
It’s the latest business venture for Pandher, who was born and raised in India. The 40-year-old owns a construction company and rental properties with her husband, Satwinder.
Pandher’s cousin, who owns a restaurant in Edmonton, inspired her to enter the foodservice industry. He connected her to 416 Hospitality Group, the company that owns Holy Shakes, and she knew it was a winning concept after she tried the food for herself.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Holy Shakes has set up its first Manitoba location in St. Vital Centre.
“I’m very picky,” she said. “If I am impressed, anybody can be impressed.”
Holy Shakes seats 28 people, and the food is available for delivery via Uber Eats. Customers can also order meals and desserts for takeout. The eatery is open every day from noon until midnight.
“Cravings can come at any time,” Pandher said. “We want to be something that stays open longer for the customers’ convenience.”
She’s pleased with the response so far. “Winnipeggers really welcomed us. The most rewarding thing is that people are coming back.”
Holy Shakes’ history begins in 2018, when friends Sumit Kohli and Neero Lingan started the first restaurant in Brampton, Ont. They began expanding into Western Canada a few years later.
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Since opening on April 11, the eatery’s 20 employees have sold more than 10,000 milkshakes.
Winnipeg was an attractive option for the chain’s eighth restaurant, said Syed Raza, director of franchise operations at 416 Hospitality Group. Like Pandher, he’s happy with the local response.
“The performance of the Winnipeg location so far has been absolutely amazing,” he said by phone from Edmonton this week, where he was opening the ninth Holy Shakes restaurant. “We have been encouraged by the volume of guests and returning customers.”
People interested in visiting the restaurant may want to mark June 20 on their calendars. Holy Shakes has dubbed it “Milkshake Day” and its restaurants will offer milkshakes and select waffles and crepes for 50 per cent off.
It’s not the last straw for Holy Shakes. 416 Hospitality Group plans to open 12 more locations in Canada in the next year, including a second restaurant in Winnipeg, Raza said.
“We are actively looking for locations in the Polo Park, Kenaston (Boulevard) and Regent (Avenue) areas,” he said.
aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
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