On Monday, that Canada-wide status was truly solidified when A&W Canada launched the spicy piri piri potato buddy from coast to coast.
The $3.99 sandwich consists of a hash brown garnished with red onion, lettuce, tomato and a spicy sauce and placed between two toasted buns. It is available for a limited time, along with versions made with a breaded chicken breast or a beef patty.
The hash-brown-based sandwich is not just a triumph for Dhillon's customers and staff, but also a window into current sensibilities shaping fast-food operations.
The sandwich is spicy, South Asian-inspired, meatless, affordable and derived from customers "hacking" orders -- all traits chains are increasingly targeting these days.