Julia Calandra has sought ways to make her original dream of being a teacher part of her experience working at Chick-fil-A.
The dual Canadian-American citizen said after working for the restaurant chain, her plans shifted when she realized she could accomplish the same goals of helping others grow as a restaurant owner with the brand.
Working while studying at a university in Florida, Calandra said she likes to “make the restaurant her classroom.”
“My 'why' is to aspire and lead with a servant heart, while encouraging ambition to never-ending learning,” Calandra said in a news release. “I look forward to living that out every day as a local business owner.”
Calandra is the owner-operator of the new Chick-fil-A location arriving in Newmarket at the 1111 Davis Dr. plaza, at Leslie Street. After several months of construction, the much anticipated new franchise location is set to launch Nov. 14.
The famed American restaurant chain with more than 3,000 locations has expanded in Canada in recent years, and will number 20 locations by the end of the year. The restaurant offers a range of chicken and sandwiches, waffle fries and salads.
Calandra served as a grand opening trainer for new restaurants in Canada, including Kitchener. She has become the first Canadian team member to be selected to be a local owner-operator.
“Being able to help open the first free-standing Chick-fil-A restaurant in Canada was very exciting, and the idea of continuing to be a part of the international expansion of the brand was an idea that sparked a new drive in me,” Calandra said in a news release.
“When I graduated with my MBA in May 2022, I decided to continue my Chick-fil-A journey in Canada to support the brand’s expansion in my second home. I just knew it was something I needed to do, and my dual citizenship easily allowed me that opportunity.”
To mark the restaurant opening, the restaurant chain has said it will donate about $34,000 to a local non-profit through Second Harvest, a food rescue organization. The restaurant has done this since it began expanding to Canada, and has donated about $2 million to local hunger-relief organizations this way since 2020.
The restaurant was founded on “Biblical principles,” with Christian values ingrained in its business.
The restaurant chain garnered controversy in the United States over anti-LGBTQ comments made by former owner Dan Cathy, and millions in donations made by Chick-fil-A to anti-LGBTQ organizations. In 2019, the company announced it would no longer donate to anti-LGBTQ causes, instead focusing on donations toward combating hunger and homelessness.
Calandra said she plans to give back to the community. Her restaurant will also donate its surplus food to a local non-profit to feed those in need, as part of the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program.
Calandra said she is committed to becoming involved in the community.
“I want people in Newmarket to know how much community means to me and how much I cherish having the opportunity to be a part of the lives of our guests and team members,” Calandra said. “When guests visit my restaurant, I want them to feel welcomed and overwhelmingly cared for. For my team members, I want them to know they have a local owner-operator who will support them, invest in their development and foster their dreams.”
