Brian Haase wasn't looking to own another restaurant, but when opportunity came knocking with a relatively new concept, he jumped at the chance.
The Waterloo man owns three Boston Pizza franchises in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and on Thursday he will open The Chickery, a self-described "fast-casual" chicken restaurant on Stone Road.
"The timing was not the best for me, but I just felt I had to do it," Haase said Tuesday, two days before the grand opening.
"It's a different concept. Something new. For whatever reason, this one just spoke to me," said Haase, 41.
"Fast casual is definitely something that is a trend that is going to increase in the future."
There is a Chickery in Toronto and Haase will be opening another location in Waterloo later next year.
The Chickery is located in the plaza on the southwest corner of the Edinburgh Road/Stone Road intersection, a location Haase is well aware will help capture Stone Road Mall traffic and University of Guelph students.
Haase felt the "premium burger" market was fairly saturated but was intrigued by the concept of what is essentially upscale fast chicken.
Haase got into the restaurant business almost by accident, through connections he made while working as a waiter.
With partners and the help of his entrepreneur father Murray, he invested in Boston Pizza with three restaurants in 2004.
While The Chickery only seats 26, there is a strong focus on take-out and catering.
The Guelph store employs 27 full and part-time employees.
As for the menu, it's focused and precise: chicken done a few different ways and sides.
That includes rotisserie chicken or buttermilk breaded chicken. There is also a pulled chicken sandwich.
Sides include coleslaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, fries and salad.
The chicken is fresh, never frozen, and most sides are made on site.
"Sometimes it's just a gut feeling you get when someone brings an idea to you," Haase said.
More information, a full menu and hours can be found on The Chickery Guelph web site.
