GOLDEN GRIDDLE HEADS EAST
By Adnews Staff
Golden Griddle Family Restaurants of Toronto will expand into the Atlantic provinces beginning this summer. The company plans to open about 15 restaurants in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland over the next five years. Golden Griddle will open the restaurants by taking over the food and beverage facilities in existing hotels. Golden Griddle president Bill Hood told Adnews yesterday that the company approaches its expansion in this way because the investment is about 25% of what it would be for stand-alone restaurants. In addition, hotels with restaurants often don't want to run the restaurants, but know it is an added value for its guests. Golden Griddle expanded into Western Canada a year ago, opening eight restaurants since then. The restaurant chain crossed the border less than a year ago, opening restaurants in Michigan. Golden Griddle also has area developments being carried on in seven U.S. states as well as the District of Columbia and negotiations are nearing completion for the rights to six other states. Until Golden Griddle began expanding, it had restaurants only in Ontario. Advertising for Golden Griddle is done in-house.