TORONTO — The Ottawa-based Works Gourmet Burger Bistro is set to invade Toronto, beginning tomorrow, May 3, when customers will have a chance to sample the chain’s burgers for free in a special pre-opening charity event.
The news was announced at a media event where Zaki Zahur, shop owner of the new location on Toronto’s Danforth, chatted about his affection for the brand, which began in 2003 while visiting a friend in Ottawa. “When I heard they were franchising, I pounced at the opportunity,” said the franchisee, while speaking of The Works national expansion.
The new location will pump out the same variety of 70 burgers and six patties offered throughout the chain, with different names given to reflect local Toronto celebrities. For example, there’s the Benny Piggenbeef burger topped with caramelized onions, barbecue sauce, jack cheese and bacon, named after Ben Mulroney, host of eTalk and the Stratusfying burger, topped with goat cheese, tomato, cucumber and shredded carrot, named after the WWE’s Trish Stratus.
The Toronto shop, located at 888 Danforth Avenue, officially opens Friday, May 4, but at tomorrow’s charity event guests are invited to donate what they want to sample a burger, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Pape Food bank, who help feed more than 250 people each week.
The burger chain is quickly growing from its Ottawa base, with 13 stores and plans to open more in Ontario and Nova Scotia in the coming months. Eight new openings are expected across Canada in 2012.
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