It may be an odd pairing, but the longtime former Arby’s location in Guelph should soon be home to a veterinary clinic and a fast food chicken restaurant.
The City of Guelph’s has issued two building alteration permits for the building on 670 Woolwich St. The permit for Unit A of the building allows interior alterations with a change of use to establish a veterinary clinic and the permit for Unit B of the building allows interior alterations to create Church's Chicken, an American fast food restaurant that has been expanding into Canada.
The city confirmed the size of the veterinary clinic to be approximately 2,047 square feet and the size of the restaurant to be approximately 1,916 square feet.
Last week, the chain issued a statement stating it’s on track to open 20 new restaurants in Canada in 2021 and plans to open 40 additional restaurants in 2022.
There are currently 21 Church's Chicken locations across Ontario. The closest one is in Kitchener.
While the permit for the restaurant was issued mid-September, it is unknown when the restaurant will officially open. Church’s Chicken did not immediately respond to comment.
The veterinary clinic has ongoing renovation work inside the building but has a sign on the building that reads Riverside Animal Hospital.
The previous Arby’s location, which was the only location in Guelph, was owned by a couple since 2006. The owners, Kuldip Duhre and Dave Duhre sold the franchise in 2019. The building already has a drive-thru in place.
