MISSISSAUGA, ON: Boston Pizza, Canada's largest casual dining restaurant chain, is building on its new urban strategy just six months after launching its new contemporary design concept at Front and John Streets in Toronto. The latest urban restaurant is opening its doors to Torontonians today, at the high-traffic area of Yonge and Gerrard Streets, near the heart of Ryerson University and Toronto's Yonge St. shopping district and will feature an all-season 167-seat rooftop patio with retractable roof.
After a successful launch of the brand's urban strategy prototype at the corporately owned Front and John location in March, the Yonge and Gerrard opening signals the strength of the brand's strategy to grow its presences in Canada's urban markets. "We are extremely proud to be bringing Boston Pizza's new design concept to our Yonge and Gerrard community in Toronto," said Alan Howie, Executive Vice President, Operations and Development, Boston Pizza International. "This new, cutting edge venue shows the commitment of our brand to building engaging and enticing family-friendly restaurants in Canada's urban centers. It will also add a unique flavour to the city, thanks to the massive, year-round rooftop patio and 12-screen video wall on the first floor."
The Yonge and Gerrard franchisee team is made up of four experienced partners; Anil and Sarthak Kapur and Greg and Karen McKnight. Together, the four boast an impressive resume of experience in the community and industry, including more than 35 years' experience in the restaurant industry and years of operating 12 other Boston Pizza restaurants in the GTA.
"We are incredibly passionate about hospitality," said franchisee Anil Kapur. "However, Boston Pizza is more than just hospitality; it has given us the opportunity to be involved in the community. From enabling job opportunities for youth, sponsoring sports teams, school lunches and various other charities, we are excited to expand our community involvement in Toronto."
As well as supporting local charity, Covenant House, which provides shelter, healthcare and rehabilitation services to at-risk youth, the new restaurant will also help stimulate the local job market as the franchisees look to add 100 more staff to their roster.
