American invasion: Why so many U.S. fast food chains are charging into Canada
In relatively short order, Canada has become a hotbed for fast food expansion from the United States.
Shake Shack opened its first Canadian location in Toronto last week, with plans for 34 more restaurants by 2035. Sandwich shops Jimmy John’s and Jersey Mike’s are also among the American chains with sights set on the Canadian market.
The Financial Post breaks down which chains are making a run for the northern border, and why they believe Canadians have a growing appetite for fast food.
For one, Canada’s population is booming, having recently surpassed 41 million residents on the back of ambitious immigration policies that will bring half a million people a year through 2026 to help offset the country’s aging workforce.
Canada’s immigration policy is one of the main reasons McDonald’s has made Canada a focal point of its expansion plans. The iconic burger chain plans to add 10,000 new locations globally over the next four years, with Canada among its priority countries.
Canada is one of my top markets
“Canada is one of my top markets,” Jill McDonald, president of McDonald’s international operated markets, told investors in December 2023. “Looking at the shift in some of the population that’s going on, we definitely see significant opportunities for growth in Canada, across the country.”
Michael Kark, chief global licensing officer of Shake Shack, said his company has been looking to move into Canada for a while. “We have been eyeing this incredible opportunity in Canada for quite some time and are elated to have found exceptional partners to serve Shack classics and bespoke Canada-exclusive items to our sophisticated neighbours to the north,” he said in a statement back in 2023.
Michael Haley, president and managing
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