Arby’s is thinkin' Canada

CALGARY — Arby’s has signed new development agreements to open 10 new restaurants in Western Canada.

Calgary will be home to five of the new Arby’s locations, while four of the new restaurants will open in Vancouver and one new unit will open in Edmonton.

With 65 restaurants in Canada, the 10 new units mark Arby’s largest expansion since 2009.

“There has always been strong awareness in Canada for Arby’s, but Canadians are just now getting to know the reinvigorated brand,” said Craig Walker, director of franchise operations for Arby’s Canada. “As Canadians begin to see our new brand design and experience our new menu, it’s increasing franchisee confidence and guest interest at the same time.”

While Arby’s declined to share information regarding future development agreements, the restaurant chain is “ready to begin aggressive restaurant development growth in Canada.” Vancouver and Toronto have been identified as markets with significant growth potential.

“The sheer availability of real estate in Canada is also a big plus,” Walker said.

Last year, Arby’s opened 60 new locations, including one in Canada, raising its global store count to more than 3,300 units and achieving positive restaurant growth for the first time since 2008. 

In the same year, Arby’s achieved 5.9 per cent same-store sales growth across all of Canada. In the first quarter of 2017, the chain’s sales grew by 4.6 per cent.

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“Our restaurants in Canada have shown strong performance. Arby’s Canada has achieved positive same-store sales each quarter since May of 2014,” Walker said. “I’m confident that we will continue to find opportunities to partner with new and existing franchisees to grow our brand in Canada.”

Walker attributes Arby’s growth to the brand’s reinvigoration efforts, which began in 2013. Part of the rebranding is a new restaurant design, dubbed Inspire, which includes a pivoted order counter where customers are able to see the restaurant’s roast beef and deli slicer. Once an order is placed, the guest is able to watch the meal being assembled. The pivoted counter reduced the square footage needed for the counter by 20 per cent.
“In 2015, we began remodelling some of our restaurants in Canada to feature the Inspire design,” Walker said, noting new locations will follow the revamp layout.

Overall, the new design has reduced the square footage required to open an Arby’s to 1,500 square-feet for an inline urban location and 2,000 square-feet for a freestanding restaurant.

“The Inspire design reduces development and remodelling costs, increases restaurant efficiency, adapts to a wide range of site opportunities and delivers an upgraded guest experience,” Walker said. “It also includes updates to the brand’s colour schemes, décor, and signage.”