After an eight week soft opening, they needed a bigger door to celebrate the grand opening of Oakville's very first Boardwalk Burgers.
The American-born fast-food chain, founded in 1981, has 25 locations across Canada, with their seventh Ontario location now open in Oakville at 497 Dundas Street West.
Leading up to the grand opening weekend on Aug. 9-10, Boardwalk gained traction on social media by promoting their buy-one-get-one-free deal through Instagram Reels, amassing hundreds of thousands of views.
By 4 p.m. on grand opening day (Aug. 9), over 400 burgers had been sold and the foot traffic continued until the restaurant closed at 11 p.m.
The next day, a consistent line of customers out the door remained as families came to try out the new spot. While Boardwalk is best known for its burgers, fries, and shakes, the menu is extensive, offering crispy chicken, vegan burger options, and a variety of desserts.
Boardwalk Director of Operations, Andrew Kamps, was on hand and in action at the main event, spinning milkshakes, serving customers, and welcoming Mayor Rob Burton to cut the ribbon at his brand-new Oakville location.
"Our goal as a brand is to create an unforgettable experience for our customers the moment they first walk into a Boardwalk location," Kamps told Oakville News.
"We believe that every interaction, whether it's the friendly greeting at the door, the inviting ambience, or the delicious premium burgers we serve, contributes to a memorable dining experience. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to maintaining these high standards, ensuring that every visit to a Boardwalk feels special, welcoming, and unique."
Kamps oversees all Canadian Boardwalk locations, and the opening of the Oakville store coincides with another store launch in Markham. Despite his busy schedule, Kamps is fully hands-on, ensuring every Boardwalk location has everything needed to deliver a high-quality experience. This often involves participating in social media campaigns, travelling between stores, and directly serving customers whenever possible.
According to the franchise's website, all food items at Boardwalk Burgers are 100% halal. "Customer feedback is invaluable," said Kamps.
"We encourage our franchisees to engage with their communities and gather insights on what guests want to see on the menu. We will adapt our offerings based on our customers' preferences, ensuring they feel heard and valued."
When asked how it feels to welcome yet another business to North Oakville, Mayor Burton said, "it's my favourite activity!"
"I'd a lot rather be opening businesses than watch them close, but the reason that we're opening businesses is that Oakville is a big attraction, everybody wants to live here, everybody wants to open a business here," he continued.
"We're probably going to double our population over the next 30 years, that's how hot Oakville is; all around the world, people want to live in Oakville."