This news release was issued by Chick-fil-A, Inc., in partnership with Invest Alberta.
Long-term investment plans include up to 20 restaurants across Alberta by 2030
Toronto, ON – Three new Chick-fil-A® restaurants will open in Alberta this year, the start of expansion plans for up to 20 restaurants in the province by 2030.
Construction begins this month on a new Chick-fil-A restaurant at West Edmonton Mall, with plans to open by late summer 2024. Additional locations on Macleod Trail in Calgary and at South Edmonton Common will begin construction later this spring.
The new Chick-fil-A locations in Calgary and Edmonton will be the first to open outside Ontario since the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada began serving guests at Yonge & Bloor in Toronto 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,” said Paul Trotti, VP, International, Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Each Chick-fil-A restaurant in Alberta will be led by an entrepreneur, an independent local Owner-Operator committed to creating jobs, developing leaders and making an impact in the communities they serve.”
As part of the expansion in Alberta, the entrepreneurs who will be local Chick-fil-A Owners-Operators are expected to hire approximately 80-120 additional employees at each new location, joining the more than 1,000 already working at 13 existing locations across Ontario.
“Chick-fil-A’s expansion into Alberta will have a positive impact on our economy in the region by creating jobs and new entrepreneurial opportunities throughout the province,” said Rick Christiaanse, CEO of Invest Alberta. “Alberta is one of the best places in Canada to do business. We have a talented workforce filled with big thinkers across many different industries. Chick-fil-A is a perfect fit for our rapidly growing and diverse region.”
“Alberta’s government has created an investment-friendly environment where companies like Chick-fil-A continue to feel confident about expanding their business,” said Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade. “With rapid growth and low taxes, our province is an ideal location to establish new stores. Alberta’s growing, young and diverse population means Chick-fil-A will have the future employees and customers they need to succeed. I am pleased to welcome Chick-fil-A to Alberta, and I am encouraged by their commitment to give back to our local communities to reduce hunger and food waste.”
Since Chick-fil-A Owners-Operators began welcoming guests in Canada in 2019, the communities served by their restaurants have benefited in a variety of ways:
- Every time a Chick-fil-A restaurant opens, $25,000 USD ($33,623 CAD) is donated by Chick-fil-A, Inc. to Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, to support local non-profit organizations in the area to help reduce hunger and food waste. So far, Chick-fil-A has donated over $275,000 USD ($369,853 CAD) to local Canadian organizations in celebration of restaurant openings. That tradition will continue in Alberta.
- Since the beginning of 2020, Chick-fil-A has donated more than $1 million USD ($1.3 million CAD) to support Second Harvest’s food rescue programs that have helped provide over 2.8 million meals worth of surplus food for people in need and supported the national expansion of Second Harvest’s food rescue app to 900 communities across Canada.
- Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants donate surplus food to local shelters, soup kitchens and charities through the Chick-fil-A Shared TableTM program, which has resulted in ingredients for over 80,000 meals being donated by Chick-fil-A restaurants in Canada, with the number growing each day.
- Canadian non-profits like East York Meals on Wheels, Yonge Street Mission, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and Living Lakes Canada have collectively received $475,000 USD ($638,837 CAD) from the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards™, annual grants given to organizations that make an impact by Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for Our Communities and Caring for Our Planet – falling within Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility pillars, which help guide overall giving efforts.
- Chick-fil-A has awarded nearly $40,000 USD ($53,796 CAD) in scholarships since 2020 to 37 Canadian Team Members to support their goals of pursuing post-secondary education.
“As Chick-fil-A grows in Canada, so too does their incredible impact for people facing food insecurity,” said Lori Nikkel, CEO of Second Harvest. “What Chick-fil-A has been able to accomplish in Ontario with financial donations to frontline organizations and surplus food redistribution from local restaurants cannot be overstated. We look forward to fighting food insecurity together in Alberta.”
The Chick-fil-A local ownership model requires only a small franchise fee, ensuring finances are not a barrier to becoming a franchisee.
Chick-fil-A is currently accepting expressions of interest for individuals who are interested in becoming an independent Chick-fil-A franchise Owner-Operator in Ontario and Alberta. Click here to connect with our team.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by independent owner-operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. In 2023, the company shared plans to expand by 2030 into Europe and Asia. Chick-fil-A Owners-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.com and @ChickfilANews.
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