Denver-based fast-casual franchising company Spicy Pickle has announced today that it is expanding its brand to Canada. The company stated that it has entered into a franchise agreement for the development of the first Canadian Spicy Pickle restaurant in Calgary. The restaurant is expected to open in the summer of 2012, representing the beginning of the brand's expansion plans across the country.
Jeff Branton, vice-president and general manager for the company's Canadian operations, including its BG Urban(SM) cafés and grills, said, "Given Canada's strong economy, and in Calgary in particular, this is a great market in which to launch Spicy Pickle in Canada, and it will complement our BG Urban brand operations nicely. Being that we are a Canadian company with our BG Urban cafés and grills already in British Columbia, we have the infrastructure to support and grow both our brands here, so adding Spicy Pickle was a natural move."
The company, which operates its separate BG Urban restaurant brand in Western Canada, already has 12 BG Urban cafés and grills in and around Vancouver,
Ian Boyd, the Calgary franchisee for Spicy Pickle, said, "I expect the brand to be huge here, and I'm just excited to be the one to introduce it to Canada. I have no doubt that the people of Calgary are going to fall in love with Spicy Pickle." Branton, who has worked closely with Boyd through his application process, said they are presently pursuing a site for the new restaurant and hope to announce its Calgary location soon.
A Spicy Pickle franchise requires a total investment of approximately $272,555 to $515,700, depending on the size and location. There is an initial franchise fee of from $15,000 to $30,000. Typically, a Spicy Pickle restaurant is around 2,000 square feet.
– Compiled by Kevan O'Brien
from Western Investor December 2011
