One of the most famed fried chicken joints to come out of the U.S. has announced it will be expanding its Canadian footprint to include restaurants in British Columbia, but not until late 2027, at the earliest.
In a press release issued Wednesday, fast-food chain Chick-fil-A said it will open five to seven new franchises across the province by 2030, with the first planned for late 2027 or early 2028. Eight new restaurants across Ontario and Alberta can also be expected in 2025.
The expansion comes after three new restaurants opened in Calgary and Edmonton last year, marking 22 Canadian locations opened since Chick-fil-A made its leap across the border in 2019.
While the brand is still to announce the locations for each restaurant, it has promised the expansion will open up approximately 80-120 jobs for locals at each new restaurant.
“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,” said Jessica Sisk Roehle, director of restaurant development in Canada, 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.”
The restaurant chain is currently accepting applications for those interested in becoming an owner-operator within B.C.
Whether or not the restaurants will be well-received in British Columbia remains to be seen. The grand opening could echo that of Toronto’s, Canada’s first, in 2019, when protesters rallied outside the shop-front with placards and Pride flags.
The fast food giant has faced controversy over CEO Dan Cathy’s comments opposing same-sex marriage, and because the company donated to charities with anti-LGBTQ+ views, though it has reportedly stopped doing so.
In the release announcing the latest expansion, the company commented on its numerous community initiatives, including financial support to food rescue organizations, food shelters, nonprofits like Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, and scholarships, given to its team members.
