Fast food restaurant chain Wendy’s, under the umbrella of Restaurant Brands International (TSX:QSR.B) has opened its 400th outlet in Canada as it aggressively expands in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.
The company opened its 400th restaurant in Ottawa, featuring a unique design that includes a smaller in-store footprint as well as separate pick-up windows for drive-thru customers and delivery drivers.
Wendy’s says the new design, which was first launched in Canada, is more energy-efficient, costs less to build and is ideal for urban locations, food courts and drive thru-only stores.
The company plans on opening more of these locations as it ramps up expansion plans across the country, primarily in the East.
The aggressive expansion comes amid a growth period in Canada. Wendy’s has seen its share of the hamburger market grow since the pandemic began, surpassing Dairy Queen to become the third most popular restaurant brand in Canada.
Wendy’s says that 95% of its locations in Canada include a drive-thru, something that was critical for fast-food chains throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the same time, many fast-food chains around the world are facing cost inflation and labour market challenges. Last week, Wendy’s projected its annual profit would be below analysts’ estimates due to the widespread labour shortage and rising costs of raw materials.