Who would’ve thought school cafeteria food could serve as inspiration for a new business endeavour? Brett Verhulst reminisces about his high school days, when he would enjoy freshly made sandwiches from the school cafeteria, which were made with care and efficiency on the spot. As brand lead, Verhulst wanted to recreate the feeling of that first morning bite. That balance of efficiency and quality became the foundation for Hatch’d.
The fast-casual breakfast restaurant opened November 2025 and is already positioning itself as more than just another stop for eggs and coffee. For Verhulst, a golf enthusiast turned business entrepreneur, Hatch’d is his first independent venture — and one he hopes won’t stay small for long. With plans to expand to multiple locations across Edmonton as early as next year, the restaurant is trying to revolutionize the concept of breakfast dining in the city.
The concept grew from a desire to bridge a gap in the food industry: something more elevated than fast-food breakfast, but more accessible than sit-down morning dining.
While eggs are central to the menu — as the name would suggest — the restaurant avoids limiting itself to traditional breakfast labels. Verhulst and his team have made inclusivity a priority, working to develop vegan and vegetarian alternatives. They want to keep in mind the needs and ever-changing tastes of the clients. Even in the restaurant’s early day of operation, the menu is already evolving. “That’s how you keep a business thriving,” Verhulst says. “Ego can be important but putting it aside when it matters is the key to a successful business.”
Rather than branding Hatch’d as an all-day breakfast spot, Verhulst frames it as a flexible dining option built around quality ingredients and versatile dishes. “Eggs shouldn’t be confined to mornings,” he argues. “They’re simply one component of a broader, adaptable menu.”
From the restaurant’s take on a classic cheeseburger, the Hatch’d Burger, to its famous Bacon Sando — a brioche bun that holds together double smoked bacon complemented with a yolky egg and melted aged cheddar, drizzled in their signature chipotle ketchup — it has a bit to offer everyone, at all times of day.
Hatch’d
Garneau | 8315 112 Street | hatchd.ca
