Victoria's homegrown retro-themed Big Wheel Burger eatery is in expansion mode with the announcement that a second location will soon open at Saanich's Gateway Village near Uptown Shopping Centre.

The popular Cook Street Village burger restaurant opened in 2011 at Cook and McKenzie streets to much fanfare over its locally sourced, fresh ingredients and 1960's-era "stick man" theme. And as sales began to outpace capacity at the 35-seat Cook Street Village location, an expansion, says co-owner Calen McNeil, became essential.

"We're in the fortunate position where we need to offload some of the business at Cook Street Village where we're on a twenty percent growth trend right now, so unless we expand we'll literally buckle at the seams," McNeil said.

The Big Wheel Burger concept was designed with room to grow from the start. Although branching out has taken longer than initially anticipated, the opportunity to expand the business beyond Cook Street Village hinged on maintaining consistency across all locations. And that key ingredient, McNeil says, is what will make the upcoming location integral to the future of the chain.

"The new location will serve as a commissary kitchen that will supply food to other locations. We've got 1,650 square feet of space there and with the kitchen so small at Cook Street Village we'll be relying on Gateway to supply some of the food," McNeil said, adding that with additional production capacity options like a full-time chicken burger and more salad options will be possible.

Together with the announcement of a second location McNeil has also confirmed that the eatery will soon release a smartphone app that promises to streamline take-out orders.

"With our app, you'll be able to order and pay directly on your phone and just come in and pick-up your food. It's going to be great, super easy, and we should be ready to start testing in April."

Asked if more locations are in the works, McNeil responded with a resounding yes.

"Absolutely, we're looking to expand into Langford and we're also considering a location in either Vic West or Esquimalt, somewhere in that area of town. Those are not plans for the immediate future but with the commissary kitchen at Gateway we'll be able to accommodate much more growth," McNeil confirmed.

Big Wheel Burger's 40-seat Gateway Village location will open this July next to the new Starbucks at Ravine Way and Blanshard Street kitty-corner from Uptown Shopping Centre's Whole Foods grocery store. The official launch of the chain's take-out app will coincide with the opening. C

© Copyright 2016 by Citified.ca. All rights reserved.

 Article resources  

• Discuss Big Wheel Burger eateries on VibrantVictoria | Follow local food services comings-and-goings here
• Looking for a new-build home or commercial space in Victoria? Use Citified to research new-build condos, rentals and commercial spaces
• Follow Citified on  Twitter
• Connect with Citified on  Facebook:
   

Residents “renovicted” from Fairfield apartment block