There is a new place to eat beside a busy local highway interchange, and it is the first of its kind for a long-established restaurant chain.
The new Perkins Griddle & Go officially opened on Thursday, November 21 in the travel plaza at the north side of the interchange of Highway 417 and Highland Road, the exit to St-Isidore and Maxville.
The Griddle & Go concept offers the classic comfort food Perkins is known for, but with counter service where customers can either eat at seating provided in the restaurant or take it with them as they continue their road trip.
Perkins has 300 locations around the world. The now Atlanta-based company traces its roots back to when Matt and Ivan Perkins opened their first Smithies Pancake House in Cincinnati Ohio in 1958. From there, the Perkins name evolved into franchised locations. Currently, there are six Perkins locations in Canada. Residents of Eastern Ontario may be familiar with the regular location on St-Laurent Boulevard near the shopping centre in Ottawa, but the new restaurant near St-Isidore is the very first fast-casual Griddle & Go location anywhere in the chain.
“This is the first in the world,” Perkins President Toni Ronayne said.
The first US Griddle & Go location will be in Orlando, Florida.
“We’ve got some more coming,” Ronayne added.
Under Ronayne’s direction, Perkins has undergone a rebranding and repositioning. The complete name is now Perkins American Food Co.
“We did a rebrand earlier this year,” she said.
St-Isidore franchise owner Parvinder Singh said there was a need for a new restaurant in the area, especially one that serves breakfast.
Singh said he has greatly appreciated the support Perkins management has given in setting up the new location. He also appreciates the support The Nation Municipality has shown for business expansion. Ronayne agreed.
“They’ve been very supportive over the last few weeks,” she said.
As the new Perkins Griddle & Go is the first of its format, it is also serving as a sort of example for future locations with the brand. And even though Perkins is known for its standard offerings of North American food, Singh has had dishes with smoked meat and poutine added to the menu to provide a regional influence for the enjoyment of highway travelers and area residents alike.
The Perkins Grill & Go near St-Isidore has 16 full-time and part-time employees. It is open from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week. It is located beside the Petro-Canada and Pizza Pizza at the Highland Road exit off Highway 417.
Photos: James Morgan
