Carl’s Jr. announced the opening of its first restaurant in Ontario as part of a major expansion into central Canada. Located in Waterloo, this restaurant marks the first of many openings in the Greater Toronto Area, with a Guelph location scheduled to open in October and two downtown Toronto restaurants set to launch later this year. CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, signed a development agreement earlier this year with Toronto-based 6Points Food Services Ltd. to bring Carl’s Jr.’s famous, premium-quality burgers to the Western GTA. Over the next six years, 6Points plans to develop, open and operate 30 new Carl’s Jr. restaurants in the region beginning with Waterloo and extending east to downtown Toronto.
“Our entry in the Ontario market represents an important milestone for the Carl’s Jr. brand as we build on our successful launch in Western Canada and expand into Central Canada,” says Ned Lyerly, CKE president of international. “With a population of more than 13.5 million people representing more than 38 percent of the national population of Canada, Ontario represents a tremendous opportunity for our brand. We see the potential for more than 100 restaurants in Ontario over time and are confident that 6Points is the right group to launch our brand in the market.”
6Points, owned by Westbridge Capital, is led by managing partner Kent Graber, who brings more than 40 years of experience in operating and developing top-tier quick-service restaurant chains across Canada, including senior management posts on both the franchisor and franchisee side of the business.
“We are looking forward to consumers in Waterloo experiencing the premium menu and service offerings that define Carl’s Jr.,” Graber says. “Canadians are falling in love with Carl’s Jr.’s famous charbroiled 100-percent Black Angus beef Thickburgers on Fresh Baked Buns, real Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes, and other premium menu items, as well as the brand’s edgy advertising and innovative marketing strategy. We know the brand will be a big hit with the university students and discerning members of the Waterloo community.”
In addition to Waterloo, Carl’s Jr. franchisees are currently operating 10 restaurants in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Vernon, Kamloops, Penticton, Grande Prairie, Spruce Grove, and Edmonton. New restaurants are coming soon to Guelph, Regina, Mississauga, downtown Toronto, Vancouver International Airport, and Lloydminster.
