Jaffer Inc.: The Beginning of the Jaffer Group of Companies
The year 2005 marked the official beginning of what would become the Jaffer Group of Companies. Founded by Nizar Jaffer Somji, Jaffer Inc. was established as a unifying platform to bring together a growing collection of businesses under one shared purpose: to create meaningful value through innovation, integrity, and community impact.
From the outset, the Group’s guiding belief was clear: success is built on both people and performance. That principle evolved into the organization’s enduring tagline “Passion for People. Passion for Performance.” It captured the balance at the heart of Jaffer’s approach of combining care for those who power the work with an unrelenting drive for excellence in everything the Group does.
At its inception, Jaffer Inc. encompassed ventures in real estate, construction, data management, and staffing, each designed to complement one another and serve a broader vision of growth through collaboration. More than a corporate structure, Jaffer Inc. became a framework for opportunity — connecting diverse enterprises through shared values of adaptability, accountability, and entrepreneurship.
From those early beginnings in Edmonton, the Jaffer Group has grown into a dynamic collective of companies that continues to build, innovate, and contribute to the communities it serves. Yet its foundation remains rooted in the same philosophy that started it all: empowering people, pursuing performance, and creating possibilities that last.
“When we founded Jaffer Inc., the goal was never just to grow companies — it was to build something that mattered. After years of scaling a large organization, I wanted to get back to working closely with people again — to be hands-on, involved in operations, and connected to the day-to-day energy. In many ways, Jaffer Inc. became a second career and a chance to keep learning, to explore new industries, and to create meaningful impact. ‘Passion for People. Passion for Performance.’ has guided every step since, reminding us that true success happens when people and purpose move together.”
– Nizar Jaffer Somji, Founder & President, Jaffer Group of Companies
2005
Yellowhead Motor Inn
The First Step into Hospitality
In 2005, the Yellowhead Motor Inn became the Jaffer Group’s earliest major property acquisitions—and the company’s first venture into the hospitality industry. Located along Edmonton’s busy Yellowhead Trail, the long-standing inn was a recognizable local landmark serving travellers, tradespeople, and families for decades.
At the time of its purchase, the acquisition represented more than a real estate investment—it was a strategic entry point into a sector that would later become one of the Group’s strongest divisions: Jaffer Hospitality. The property’s scale, accessibility, and consistent demand through its 153 rooms provided the perfect foundation for developing operational expertise, building strong teams, and learning the nuances of hospitality management firsthand.
In the years that followed, the Yellowhead Motor Inn served as both a training ground and a model for future ventures. It helped shape the Group’s philosophy of revitalizing existing properties with care and purpose, emphasizing quality service, local employment, and long-term community presence.
What began with a single inn on Edmonton’s northwest edge laid the groundwork for a growing hospitality portfolio across Alberta—spanning multiple brands, markets, and communities, all rooted in the same hands-on spirit that started with the Yellowhead Motor Inn.
“Yellowhead Inn was unlike any other place — it brought together people from every walk of life. You’d meet everyone there: travelers, workers, families, community figures — all under one roof. It became more than a hotel; it was a crossroads of stories and experiences. Its early success helped shape the foundation for so much of what our company would go on to build.”
– Salima Mawani | Vice President, Operations
Yellowhead Husky
The Start of a New Retail Chapter
Alongside the Yellowhead Motor Inn stood another important part of Jaffer Group’s early growth—the Yellowhead Husky gas station. Acquired as part of the same property cluster, the site became the Group’s first venture into retail and fuel operations, eventually paving the way for what would evolve into the PetroJaffer network.
At its core, the Yellowhead Husky represented more than a fuel stop; it was an introduction to the retail service industry and the daily interactions that define community business. Managing the site offered hands-on insight into operations, supply logistics, and the value of consistent customer experience—lessons that would later shape the Group’s broader retail strategy.
Over time, the success of the Yellowhead location inspired further investment in service stations across Alberta. As these locations grew under the PetroJaffer banner, they carried forward the same approach first proven at Yellowhead: local ownership, dependable service, and a focus on community connection.
Accurate Data
The Beginning of a Broader Vision
The origins of the Jaffer Group trace back to 2005, when Accurate Data Services Inc., an IT and data management firm serving organizations and businesses across Alberta, was incorporated into the company.
Accurate Data Services provided practical, technology-based solutions at a time when many organizations were beginning to modernize their data and record systems. Its success reflected a simple but enduring approach—deliver reliable service, focus on client needs, and continually look for better ways to solve everyday business challenges.
That same year, Accurate Data Services became the first of what would grow into the Jaffer Group of Companies—a collection of complementary businesses spanning real estate development, hospitality, construction, staffing, and information management. What started as one company with a focus on technology laid the groundwork for a diverse group connected by shared values of adaptability, quality, and community contribution.
Accurate Data Services would later evolve into Consentia Inc., continuing its legacy in data transformation and information management. Nearly two decades later, the Group’s commitment to building meaningful, enduring enterprises remains rooted in the same principles that guided that first venture.
Coliseum Inn
Expanding the Foundations of Hospitality
In 2005, shortly after entering the hospitality sector with the purchase of the Yellowhead Motor Inn, the Jaffer Group expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of the Coliseum Inn, one of Edmonton’s most recognizable hotels. Located directly across from the former Northlands Coliseum, the 98 room property had long been a landmark for travellers, sports fans, and concertgoers visiting the city.
Originally established in 1983, the Coliseum Inn had already welcomed countless guests—from hockey legends to international touring artists. For the Jaffer Group, acquiring such a well-known destination was both a strategic and symbolic move. It reflected the Group’s confidence in revitalizing established properties and its growing commitment to building a strong, locally anchored hospitality presence in Edmonton.
The Coliseum Inn represented an important step in refining the Group’s operational expertise—managing a higher-capacity, urban hotel that served a wide variety of guests and events. It also helped solidify relationships with local suppliers, tourism partners, and staff, forming the operational backbone that would later support the expansion of Jaffer Hospitality across the province. What began as an opportunity to preserve a piece of Edmonton’s hospitality history became a cornerstone of the Group’s early growth—a project that blended legacy, learning, and local pride.
“The Coliseum Inn had the best backyard in Edmonton — right beside the old Coliseum arena (eventually Rexall Place) and Expo grounds. When the NHL came back after the lockout and the Oilers went on that incredible 2006 playoff run, the whole city came alive. You could feel the energy in the air every game night — fans pouring out of the arena, celebrations spilling into the streets. From the top floors, you could see downtown lit up and feel that collective excitement. It was more than just a hotel then — it was part of Edmonton’s heartbeat during one of its most memorable hockey seasons.”
– Salima Mawani | Vice President, Operations
To be continued…
Follow us on LinkedIn as we continue sharing the story of our journey.