New locations of several popular restaurants are coming to Burlington and Niagara

The GTA is set to get some new popular dining nooks over the coming months.

According to a recent press release from the Charcoal Group of Restaurants, these major players in the GTA hospitality scene are expanding their reach, offering new spaces to wine and dine.

With a $30 million price tag, two new Wildcraft Grill + Long Bar locations in Burlington and the Niagara Region are scheduled, as well as a new Beertown in Niagara.

“We’re very selective and want to make sure we’re the right fit for each community, and that we can deliver a meaningful experience through quality, location and hospitality,” said Jody Palubiski, CEO of Charcoal, in an official statement. “It’s about more than just opening restaurants. We want our restaurants to serve as community hubs.”

In terms of what can be expected from the new Wildcraft Grill + Long Bar locations, think all the elegance of a wine bar colliding with the perfect elevated hangout spot, with a knockout selection of sushi, steaks, burgers and much more, all paired with a curated wine list.

This investment in these new locations, according to recent press materials, is intended to counter reliance on the modern takeout model, with platforms like Uber Eats and DoorDash taking away from the in-person dining experience in smaller municipalities in the GTA.

“There are a lot of restaurant groups implementing short-term fixes,” adds Palubiski. “But there’s no replacement for true hospitality. We’re in the people business. Guests remember how they felt in your space, not just what was on the plate.”

Beyond the new Niagara Beertown location scheduled, the franchise will also continue with planned locations in Peterborough and Richmond Hill.

Guests familiar with Beertown can expect a different tone than Wildcraft, but the same level of community excellence, with a massive selection of craft beers, sandwiches, burgers and more.

While no news has been relayed on when all five of these locations will open, brand representatives stated GTA residents can expect them to pop up over the next 18 months.