
Odd Burger, one of the world’s first vegan fast-food chains and the first to go public, has signed a franchise agreement for its first western Canada location in Calgary, Alta.
Franchisees Joanna and Jay Gandhi are currently seeking an ideal site to open the location.
“Our first western Canada location is a major milestone toward positioning Odd Burger as a global brand,” said James McInnes, Odd Burger co-founder and CEO. “Strategic franchises are a big part of our growth plans of expanding throughout North America.”
The Calgary location is expected to open within three months of site selection and permit approvals. It will follow the model of the brand’s restaurants in Ontario–compact footprints optimized for fast service, takeout and delivery, affordability, and simplified employee training. The company’s smart kitchens feature modern on-demand cooking technology, online ordering, self-checkout kiosks, and cashless transactions.
The brand has Ontario locations in Toronto, London, Windsor, and Vaughan, with two additional locations in Waterloo and Hamilton opening within a month. In addition to restaurants, the company also operates a manufacturing facility in London, Ont., where it creates its proprietary plant-based proteins and dairy alternatives.