Denny’s, the famed international family diner, is coming to Guelph.
Set to open in December, the restaurant is being built at 327 Woodlawn Rd. W., just west of the Hanlon Expressway across from the Goodwill Store and on the northeast side of what will eventually be where Woodlawn Road intersects with the new Highway 7.
“It’s finally coming together. … There is a level of excitement,” Javed Ali, chairman and co-owner of Inspiration Group of Companies which owns the site and will be the franchisee, told GuelphToday. “There is no Denny’s in that vicinity … and there are lots of fans for Denny’s.”
Ali said Inspiration Group bought the property in April of last year. Construction was supposed to get underway this past March but that was stalled until July because of COVID-19 related issues with approvals and construction delays.
If all goes according to plan, it should be up and running within the next three months. At the onset, Ali said, the restaurant will employ 70 to 75 people (a mix of full and part-time).
Like most other Denny’s locations, the Guelph restaurant is to be open around the clock.
Before buying the site, Ali said the previous owners had plans to build a Starbucks.
“We thought Denny’s was going to be a good place to open up there,” he said, explaining it could be a popular place for people to go after movies let out at the Cineplex theatre down the street.
“It’s going to be a great place that’s available for everybody 24 hours (a day).”
Ali anticipates construction will be complete by the end of October, allowing them to focus their attention on the interior as colder weather settles in. A special Royal City display is planned as part of the decor.
There are currently 17 Denny's restaurants in Ontario with a new one scheduled to open soon in St. Thomas. There are 77 Denny's locations across Canada.
Inspiration Group owns franchises in Toronto, Whitby and Mississauga. It also owns Popeyes and Dairy Queen locations.
Ali said his group is planning to open several Denny’s in the area, with locations in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge.
