The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, Oct. 10, edition that MTY Food Group has concluded a strategic review without finding a buyer and plans to reshape the business, possibly shedding some of its 80 brands. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that MTY Food announced Friday the end of a review it commenced in November, when its stock was under pressure amid rising prices, industry competition and general economic volatility. Though MTY was open to selling itself as part of the process aimed at boosting shareholder value, it ultimately decided not to take on a buyer. It found few suitors would "offer the value and quality that MTY does." For the moment, MTY says it will focus on returning capital directly to shareholders by buying back its own shares for cancellation and paying an increased dividend. The increased quarterly dividend will jump to 50 cents per share from 37 cents per share as MTY will shift away from owning so many stores and move back to its old model, where all but 1 per cent were franchised. MTY has 6,966 locations across its network. In the process of moving almost completely to franchising, some MTY brands could depart the conglomerate.