On its surface, the opening of two national franchised restaurants in Niagara Falls shouldn’t be much of a story.

But it is.

And, in a big way.

When veteran restaurateur and operator Muhammad Shoaib opened a Moe’s Southwest Grill and then an A&W outlet—both within a month of each other in the summer of 2023—he helped fill a key dining void in Niagara Falls.

That both have exceeded initial expectations only validates that Niagara Falls’ $1 billion annual tourism industry was asking for and welcoming both franchises.

In other words, Shoaib hit a dining home run for Niagara Falls.

“Both fit in and fit in well for the dining mix we need in Niagara Falls and people have been asking for,” said John Percy, Destination Niagara USA president and CEO. “In every city, you need that mix between local and franchised restaurants.”

Shoaib’s Niagara Falls International Cuisine Inc. invested $510,000 to renovate a vacant former restaurant space in the Wingate hotel at 333 Rainbow Boulevard in July 2023 and turn it into Niagara Falls’ first Moe’s location within its city limits.

Shoaib is now working on opening a second Moe’s in Niagara Falls—this one in a former Pizza Hut on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

One month later, Shoaib’s Burger Factory Niagara Falls Inc. opened an A&W restaurant at 303 Rainbow Boulevard. The outlet is A&W’s first in the Buffalo Niagara region.
Shoaib invested $620,000 to turn what had been a vacant building with a checkered past into a vibrant destination. The building is just a few blocks from Niagara Falls and the state park.

“That can’t be overlooked,” Percy said. “It was so nice to see that building come back to life."

Combined, Moe’s and A&W represent a $1.13 million private sector investment backed by Shoaib’s companies.

And, while he received a combined less than $30,000 in sales tax breaks from the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, the payoff has been not only bringing a pair of vacant sites back to life and triggering a seven-faire private sector investment by Shoaib, he also created 40 full and part-time jobs between the two restaurants. Some of the positions pay as much as $50,000 annually.

Their combined success may also lead the way or set the groundwork for other new franchised restaurants to give Niagara Falls a serious look-see.

For his part, Shoaib is very happy with the first-year results.

“It was definitely better than expected,” Shoaib said. “Across the board, we are getting both tourists and local residents.”

Shoaib said both Moe’s and A&W are open all year. Moe’s stays open daily until 11 p.m., and A&W is open until midnight on Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. On Fridays and Saturdays.

“Families are looking for places like this,” Shaib said.

 

Pictures of Niagara Falls

Pictures from both the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls.

Gallery Credit: Canva

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