Canadian Retail Thread

[le calmar]

Every Harvey’s I see has a few customers inside and/or in the drive-thru, but they’re never really that busy. Definitely the last option considered for most people, behind the other big burger chains. I just don’t understand why people would go there to get a subpar burger while there’s a lot of better options.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by le calmar

Every Harvey’s I see has a few customers inside and/or in the drive-thru, but they’re never really that busy. Definitely the last option considered for most people, behind the other big burger chains. I just don’t understand why people would go there to get a subpar burger while there’s a lot of better options.

The Harveys we go to is always busy, but that's because of the neighbourhood it's in. My daughter likes their veggie burgers, which is why we go there. I don't really like any fast food burgers and usually on the rare night we are going for fast food, it involves multiple stops, so I usually either get McDonalds or Wendys over Harveys. I used to love Harveys the most as a kid, too bad they went downhill, (or it was my memory that went downhill lol)

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by Djeffery

The Harveys we go to is always busy, but that's because of the neighbourhood it's in. My daughter likes their veggie burgers, which is why we go there. I don't really like any fast food burgers and usually on the rare night we are going for fast food, it involves multiple stops, so I usually either get McDonalds or Wendys over Harveys. I used to love Harveys the most as a kid, too bad they went downhill, (or it was my memory that went downhill lol)

Harvey's burger quality has actually improved from what I remember with the exception of their original burger meat which hasn't changed. Today that meat doesn't really stand a chance with the exception of those seeking a nostalgic flavour. The buns are much better and the toppings more interesting compared to what I remember 25 years ago.

Their sides are pretty bad. The fries have been changed at least 2-3 times and have gotten worse. Onion Rings are still the same. And you can still get "frings" lol. Their chicken sandwiches have improved a lot in my opinion. But overall, much improvement is needed.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by le calmar

Every Harvey’s I see has a few customers inside and/or in the drive-thru, but they’re never really that busy. Definitely the last option considered for most people, behind the other big burger chains. I just don’t understand why people would go there to get a subpar burger while there’s a lot of better options.

They aren't set up to serve the volume that you see at McD's. But even then, I agree that they aren't normally very busy. Barely anybody eats at the Timmins location. If there is a line inside it's usually contractors / mining workers in line along with the delivery app drivers.

[zahav]

It's funny other people have the same memory of Harvey's from the 90s as me. I used to love when my dad would go on trips because he would always get me Harvey's from YVR lol. I haven't had it in years so couldn't comment on the taste now, but it was good as I remember it.

A&W is insanely fast growing, they open tons of new locations every year and are in so many small towns. But I prefer 90s Harveys to current A&W burgers, again not sure about a current comparison. A&W chicken and poutine and onion rings are really good though. Their focus on quality etc. was a gamble but seems to have paid off, people are paying it. And A&W is headquartered in North Van, so it's supporting local as much as eating at small chains or Earls/Cactus.

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by zahav

It's funny other people have the same memory of Harvey's from the 90s as me. I used to love when my dad would go on trips because he would always get me Harvey's from YVR lol. I haven't had it in years so couldn't comment on the taste now, but it was good as I remember it.

A&W is insanely fast growing, they open tons of new locations every year and are in so many small towns. But I prefer 90s Harveys to current A&W burgers, again not sure about a current comparison. A&W chicken and poutine and onion rings are really good though. Their focus on quality etc. was a gamble but seems to have paid off, people are paying it. And A&W is headquartered in North Van, so it's supporting local as much as eating at small chains or Earls/Cactus.

A&W has to bring back the Whistle dog. I don't miss Harveys, It was the go to if nothing else was available. Small towns in Alberta seem to have A&Ws now displacing the Alberta Favorite Burger Baron. or they are becoming more prevalent. A lot of Alberta towns will have an A&W before a MacD. Tomorrow I have a 650 km trip. I'll pass 4 A&Ws 3 Burger Barons and 2 MacDs. but 6 subways.

One thing I have been seeing as well in larger regional centres of at lease 1000 pop. is Boston Pizzas showing up.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Airboy

A&W has to bring back the Whistle dog. I don't miss Harveys, It was the go to if nothing else was available. Small towns in Alberta seem to have A&Ws now displacing the Alberta Favorite Burger Baron. or they are becoming more prevalent. A lot of Alberta towns will have an A&W before a MacD. Tomorrow I have a 650 km trip. I'll pass 4 A&Ws 3 Burger Barons and 2 MacDs. but 6 subways.

One thing I have been seeing as well in larger regional centres of at lease 1000 pop. is Boston Pizzas showing up.

It does seem that there is a certain small town, Sim City like, fast food hierarchy

On the prairies it goes more or less like this:

Basic Tier:
Subway (always the first)
Dairy Queen
A&W

Mid Level:
Tim Hortons
KFC
McDonald's

Elite Tier:
Popeye's
Wendy's
QDOBA

[Airboy]

Originally Posted by esquire

It does seem that there is a certain small town, Sim City like, fast food hierarchy

On the prairies it goes more or less like this:

Basic Tier:
Subway (always the first)
Dairy Queen
A&W

Mid Level:
Tim Hortons
KFC
McDonald's

Elite Tier:
Popeye's
Wendy's
QDOBA

heading up 44, 2 and 88 tomorrow. Westlock, Slave Lake and High Level are the big towns. The centres of commerce. so we should see. I do see now if there is a FN owned service centre that KFC and or Dominos is part of it.

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by esquire

It does seem that there is a certain small town, Sim City like, fast food hierarchy

On the prairies it goes more or less like this:

Basic Tier:
Subway (always the first)
Dairy Queen
A&W

Mid Level:
Tim Hortons
KFC
McDonald's

Elite Tier:
Popeye's
Wendy's
QDOBA

I think this works for the BC Interior as well. We have half of these missing KFC (used to have it) and missing all of elite. Never heard of QDOBA.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by esquire

It does seem that there is a certain small town, Sim City like, fast food hierarchy

On the prairies it goes more or less like this:

Basic Tier:
Subway (always the first)
Dairy Queen
A&W

Mid Level:
Tim Hortons
KFC
McDonald's

Elite Tier:
Popeye's
Wendy's
QDOBA

Tim's is always Basic level in Ontario, along with McD's. DQ is Mid-Level, along with Wendy's. Quesada is moving on up. Five Guys and Popeye's are Elite Tier.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Tim's is always Basic level in Ontario, along with McD's. DQ is Mid-Level, along with Wendy's. Quesada is moving on up. Five Guys and Popeye's are Elite Tier.

Quebec is somewhat different. The classics like McDonald's, Tim Hortons and Subway are all there, but many others mentioned are largely absent and should be replaced by Thai Express, Sushi Shop, and a number of other Québécois chains.

I've been surprised to see Thai Express at highway exits in small towns far away from major cities.

[casper]

Originally Posted by esquire

It does seem that there is a certain small town, Sim City like, fast food hierarchy

On the prairies it goes more or less like this:

Basic Tier:
Subway (always the first)
Dairy Queen
A&W

Mid Level:
Tim Hortons
KFC
McDonald's

Elite Tier:
Popeye's
Wendy's
QDOBA

Your missing one of the hallmarks of Western Canada road trips. The Husky/Esso restraint. There are others with other gas brands. That is where you to get you crappy coffee and and all day breakfast.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by casper

Your missing one of the hallmarks of Western Canada road trips. The Husky/Esso restraint. There are others with other gas brands. That is where you to get you crappy coffee and and all day breakfast.

Eat here and get gas?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by casper

Your missing one of the hallmarks of Western Canada road trips. The Husky/Esso restraint. There are others with other gas brands. That is where you to get you crappy coffee and and all day breakfast.

Irving Big Stops here in the east.

To be honest, a Big Stop is a great place to eat if you are looking for large portions of traditional food, or an all day breakfast. I get a hankering about once a month, hopefully not frequently enough to kill me.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by zahav

It's funny other people have the same memory of Harvey's from the 90s as me. I used to love when my dad would go on trips because he would always get me Harvey's from YVR lol. I haven't had it in years so couldn't comment on the taste now, but it was good as I remember it.

A&W is insanely fast growing, they open tons of new locations every year and are in so many small towns. But I prefer 90s Harveys to current A&W burgers, again not sure about a current comparison. A&W chicken and poutine and onion rings are really good though. Their focus on quality etc. was a gamble but seems to have paid off, people are paying it. And A&W is headquartered in North Van, so it's supporting local as much as eating at small chains or Earls/Cactus.

Yeah, the last Harvey's I ever had was from YVR Domestic!

[cslusarc]

QDOBA, a Mexican fast casual chain, has 12 locations in Canada, including 5 in Winnipeg.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by cslusarc

QDOBA, a Mexican fast casual chain, has 12 locations in Canada, including 5 in Winnipeg.

Wow only 12. We have 3 in London, and it sure seemed like there are more, but I also get them mixed up with Mucho Burrito. I don't go to either, but my wife says MB is better than QDOBA.

[JHikka]

The downtown Ikea is openinig here in Toronto in May, fwiw. Signage has gone up.

Originally Posted by Djeffery

Wow only 12. We have 3 in London, and it sure seemed like there are more, but I also get them mixed up with Mucho Burrito. I don't go to either, but my wife says MB is better than QDOBA.

Will Shelby's ever expand out of London? I keep seeing the guy's tiktoks and it has interested me enough to want to get some.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The downtown Ikea is openinig here in Toronto in May, fwiw. Signage has gone up.



Will Shelby's ever expand out of London? I keep seeing the guy's tiktoks and it has interested me enough to want to get some.

I can't believe how fast they are growing here. There are 2 just in my corner of west London. Even through the pandemic, they were adding locations. I can't imagine they limit themselves to London, I can see them expanding to a wider area before too long.

[casper]

Originally Posted by JHikka

The downtown Ikea is openinig here in Toronto in May, fwiw. Signage has gone up.



Will Shelby's ever expand out of London? I keep seeing the guy's tiktoks and it has interested me enough to want to get some.

Given we are on the topic of food. Any work if that downtown Ikea will have a cafeteria? We do have standards in Canada and Ikea without meat balls is not Ikea.