UPDATE 1-Buffalo Wild Wings to expand operations to Canada

* Says to open over 50 restaurants in next five years

* To open 2 restaurants in Southern Ontario in 2011

* Expansion to add over 3,500 jobs

Aug 18 (Reuters) - U.S. restaurant chain Buffalo Wild Wings (BWLD.O) said it plans to expand into Canada and would open more than 50 company-owned and franchised restaurants in the next five years there.

The expansion, which will be its first outside the United States, will add over 3,500 jobs, with each restaurant looking to hire between 50 to 75 employees, the casual dining chain said in a statement.

The company, known for its Buffalo, New York-style chicken wings, said Southern Ontario will be home to the first two locations, slated for spring 2011.

Minneapolis-based Buffalo Wild Wings, which has over 680 locations across 43 U.S. states, will also look to expand in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it said in a statement.

The company's shares, which have gained about 10 percent in the last 12 months, closed at $40.96 Tuesday on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Renju Jose in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel)