By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Aug.1, 2012
Squamish will be the testing ground for a restaurant chain that is expanding into Western Canada.
Dixie Lee Chicken, a name that might be familiar to those from Ontario or Atlantic provinces, has chosen Squamish to open its first B.C. location.
In two weeks, Dixie Lee would open at the site earlier occupied by KFC on Highway. 99.
The restaurant offers chicken fare similar to KFC; fish and chips, pizza, nuggets, coleslaw, and other such items are part of its menu.
Dixie-Lee has 70 restaurants in Canada and the States, and it has been expanded oversees too, with restaurants operating in the West Indies and Ukraine.
More restaraunt are being planned in Dubai and India.
The chain also plans to open 25 more stores in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
The company CEO, Joe Murano, said he is hopeful the Squamish restaurant would be successful.
“It’s right on the highway, I’m sure we will do quite well,” Murano said.
Murano said his research indicated that KFC made a neat profit in their Squamish location, but closed down because of the insolvency at corporate level.
Vancouver Sun reported earlier this year the Priszm Income Fund, which owns more than 231 KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell restaurants in B.C. and Ontario, was under bankruptcy protection following an order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
Priszm has sold its restaurants in the Maritimes, Ontario and British Columbia.
Murano said Dixie Lee received 60 applications for those interested in operating the Squamish location.
“The interest in this location was quite high,” he said.
Elliot says
Welcome to the place where businesses come to die Joe! You got 60 fools eh?
This should be an interesting case study for bad investments.
Quote of the year, “It’s right on the highway, I’m sure we will do quite well”. Go ask Fat Burger about their sales numbers, even in the busiest highway centre heading North. Duh
mike chunyk says
As a person who truly believes in fair markets, businesses, big or small, I am glad to sumone to jump oppurtunity to open a business on the sea to sky highway. Thus people that can sit back, critize or just be a naa Sauer. Hv the nerve to complain. Gurantee all these complainers hv never ran a business or even tried to. Thus koodoos to Dixie lee.
MichaelL65 says
*someone
*opportunity
*criticize
*nay-Sayer
*Have
*Guarantee
*have
*Kudos
As far as being a nay-Sayer, no, I hope they do well, but, location is everything.
MichaelL65 says
That location is absolutely terrible for access for northbound traffic. I am not sure why anyone thought it was a good idea to put a fast food outlet there.
Brad says
That location catches tons of southbound traffic, and if I had to lay a bet, you’re probably more likely to catch Whistler traffic on the way home than on the way up. It was fairly steady when KFC was there. The big question is lease costs (which appears to be bringing other highway businesses like Garibaldi 5 low), which are usually outrageous in this community.
Hoping the pizza is decent — Squamish really doesn’t have good pizza, with the exception of Top Hat.
Pdub says
Too bad it wasn’t a Los Pullos Hermanos chicken eatery instead:
http://breakingbad.wikia.com/wiki/Los_Pollos_Hermanos
Craig says
I hope they have gravy.
Elliot says
If “rent” as one line item in fixed costs makes or breaks your business, then you don’t belong in business…
Sean says
Welcome Dixie Lee, I’m looking forward to your popcorn shrimp, I have to go all the way to North Van to satisfy a craving but now I won’t have to.
Cheers
Richard V says
KFC addicts agree that Dixie Lee chicken isn’t even close to the taste and texture of the original. KFC gravy is much better too.
wally chiasson says
Hope Dixie Lee comes to Kamloops BC..I’m from back East and when I go down that the one thing I do is pick up Dixie Lee..I’m sure even certain they would do well in Kamloops..We need a doos chicken place.
JP Forest says
I can’t wait to have Dixie Lee chicken in the Lower Mainland, I live in Richmond and I would drive to Squamish at least once a week, love their chicken and sauce much better than KFC, Sooner the better. Any news on When it will open.