The first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Canadian province of Alberta opened this week, part of the company’s previously announced plan to open up to 20 restaurants in the province by 2030. Alberta native Karleen Rhodes is the owner-operator for the new restaurant, which is located in West Edmonton Mall’s food court. It is open for dine-in and pick-up from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
“We are thrilled at the response from Albertans who are excited for Chick-fil-A,” Rhodes said in a statement. “I am really honored to bring Chick-fil-A’s delicious food and signature hospitality to Edmonton and can’t wait for everyone to enjoy their first bites.”
The new location will employ approximately 100 part- and full-time employees. Additionally, Rhodes’ restaurant will participate in Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program, which redirects surplus food from the restaurant to local soup kitchens, shelters, food banks, and non-profits.
Chick-fil-A plans to open three new restaurants in Alberta this year as part of its broader goal. They will open in Calgary and Edmonton and are the first to open outside of Ontario since the chain made its debut in Canada in 2019.
“Alberta has an incredible growth story and is an exciting place for us to continue our expansion in Canada. We can’t wait to offer new guests in the province an authentic Chick-fil-A experience,” vice president of international Paul Trotti said in a statement earlier this year.
This debut in Alberta is part of the company’s long-term investment in the country. In 2022, it announced plans to open seven to 10 restaurants per year in the market, including additional units in Ontario. There are currently 13 existing locations across Ontario. These new openings also fit in with Chick-fil-A’s broader international development plans. Last year, 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]
