Shelby’s Shawarma, the London, Ontario-based chain of quick casual shawarma restaurants, is preparing to enter Canada’s western markets and has retained Jacob Schmidt and Mike Hodge at Tetra Realty Advisors to conduct the location search in Alberta and British Columbia. Shelby’s Shawarma is a chain of over 50 locations, primarily in Ontario, that was initially introduced by Yazan El-Shalabi and Yasser Ali as a mobile concept in 2014. A franchise concept since 2021, Shelby’s features a menu of premium quality shawarma served in bowls, plates, and wraps, and signature fusion items have been added to the Shelby’s growing menu. Innovative choices such as the shawarma burrito, shawarma tacos, shawarma poutine, and a recently added shawarma biryani-made beef or chicken and mint chutney sauce, sumac onions, roasted cashews, etc. have been included. The chain is currently preparing to open its first location in Calgary at the Newport Village shopping centre at Macleod Trail SW at 90th Ave SE. The unit is expected to open in early August. The brand is now planning to add about 35 locations in the two western provinces over the next five years and is seeking 1400 to 2000 square feet with grocery-anchored shopping centres and highly visible street front locations targeted. End cap units, freestanding pads with or without drive-thrus, and patios are preferred. Earlier this year, Sandra Lewis has joined Shelby’s Canada as Vice President, Real Estate Development.
Tetra Realty Advisors Inc., 430-688 West Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1P1 (Jacob Schmidt – 778/833-1640 jacob.schmidt@tetrarealty.ca) & (Mike Hodge – 604/897-8039 mike.hodge@tetrarealty.ca)
Shelby’s Canada, 2630 Bristol Circle, Suite 300, Oakville, Ontario L6H 6Z7 (Sandra Lewis – 437/237-8617 sandra@shelbys.ca) & (www.shelbys.ca)