It was like a trip down memory lane, but better.
After an absence of several years, KFC returned to Bradford West Gwillimbury – with new franchise owners, a new location at 502 Holland St. W., and a new modern look.
KFC Canada has invested heavily in the brand, said restaurant owner Kausar Asif, and in the redesign of a classic.
“It’s been a long journey. It’s taken us two to 2 1/2 years" to get it right for the new Bradford restaurant, he said.
“This is one of first brand-new packages. It’s still got the KFC heritage, but it’s modern and sleek at the same time.”
He added, “Hopefully it will be a great success!”
Success seemed assured as customers began to line up for traditional Kentucky Fried Chicken and sides, as well as the new “hand-cut, hand-breaded, hand-tossed” chicken tenders, and chachos – chicken nachos.
And with the official opening of the restaurant earlier this week at 502 Holland St. W. falling on a Tuesday, it saw the return of the $3.49 two-piece chicken and fries special.
Representatives of KFC head office were on-hand for the ribbon-cutting, joined by Bradford West Gwillimbury Mayor Rob Keffer and members of council, and representatives of the local business community.
“It’s great to have such a good turnout,” said Keffer, standing under a black-and-white graphic of company founder and icon Col. Harland Sanders.
Keffer added, to applause, “We’re here with KFC – back in Bradford!”
Bradford Board of Trade Director Dave DeBartolo told the owners: “Welcome back to the community – we missed you a lot.”
“We’re all glad to be back,” said Bernie Green, chief people officer with Soul Foods Group, parent company of KFC. UK-based Soul Foods also owns Starbucks and Taco Bell.
“The brand in Canada is absolutely on a growth journey,” said Nivera Wallani, general manager. “The KFC brand has been part of the Canadian history for over 65 years. We think this restaurant is going to do a great job of bringing families and the community together.”
There were free samples for the guests that included the new spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fries, mashed potatoes and gravy, and classic Kentucky fried chicken – still made with the secret recipe of “11 herbs and spices,” said Samantha Redman, KFC Canada CEO.
The secret recipe is “kept in a vault in Louisville, Ky.,” Redman explained. “One-half of our suppliers have half the recipe, the other has the other half.”
KFC is made with “hormone- and steroid-free Canadian chicken,” she said. “We have no artificial flavours.” What KFC does have is “a very crave-able flavour,” that’s still finger-licking good.
The company is committed to expanding the brand, and introducing Col. Sanders and KFC to a whole new generation. Now in 135 countries worldwide, a new restaurant opens on average every eight hours, based on a saying of the colonel himself: “You can always take something in life and make it better.”
