Chick-fil-A announced this week it plans to open five to seven new restaurants in the Canadian province of British Columbia by 2030. The announcement follows the brand’s successful debut in Alberta last year, including openings in Calgary and Edmonton.
Chick-fil-A previously announced plans for up to 20 restaurants in Alberta by 2030, including eight anticipated this year. The province represented the chain’s first foray outside of the Ontario province, where it made its Canadian debut in 2019. There are now 22 Chick-fil-A restaurants open in Canada.
For British Columbia, the plan is to have the first restaurant open by late 2027 or early 2028.
“We are excited about the opportunity to bring an authentic Chick-fil-A experience to guests in British Columbia, where local Chick-fil-A owner-operators will create hundreds of new jobs, and invest in their teams and local communities,” director of restaurant development for Canada Jessica Sisk Roehle said in a statement. “The incredible reception Chick-fil-A received when we expanded into Alberta this past year really energized us as we planned our next steps in Canada. British Columbia has a number of vibrant, thriving communities across the province that makes it such a great place for us to grow.”
Chick-fil-A didn’t disclose which B.C. cities it was targeting, but the province is home to several mid-to-large-size markets such as Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Victoria, Kelowna, and Abbotsford.
The Canadian expansion fits in with Chick-fil-A’s broader international development plans. In 2023, the company announced a $1 billion initiative to expand its presence to five international markets by 2030. The company said it plans to open restaurants in Europe and Asia by 2026.
Canada is a growth target for several American chains of late, including Jimmy John’s, Jersey Mike’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, and Chipotle. According to a recent report from Circana, the market experienced 11% growth in visits last year and 18% growth in sales, with QSRs generating about 67% of all foodservice visits.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
