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About us
LEARN WHY WE’RE THE FRANCHISOR OF CHOICE
FRANCHISEE
Our Story
EXCELLENCE. DEDICATION. INNOVATION.
These three principles have made MTY Food Group Inc. one of the largest franchisors in North America’s restaurant industry.
MTY has been making strides to offer a variety of delicious, convenient meals around the world. Here’s a look back at the milestones we’ve celebrated. Follow along with us as we continue to grow!
Our Story
EXCELLENCE. DEDICATION.INNOVATION.
These three principles have made MTY Food Group inc. one of the largest franchisors in North America’s restaurant industry.
MTY has been making strides to offer a variety of delicious, convenient meals around the world. Here’s a look back at the milestones we’ve celebrated. Follow along with us as we continue to grow!
Our Story
EXCELLENCE. DEDICATION.INNOVATION.
These three principles have made MTY Food Group inc. one of the largest franchisors in North America’s restaurant industry.
MTY has been making strides to offer a variety of delicious, convenient meals around the world. Here’s a look back at the milestones we’ve celebrated. Follow along with us as we continue to grow!
01
1979
01
Stanley Ma, founder of MTY Group, opens his first restaurant in Montreal: “Le Paradis du Pacifique”. This full-service restaurant offers Chinese and Polynesian cuisine.
02
FACTS.
1983
01
03
FACTS.
1988
01
MTY Group continues to innovate in quick-service restaurants and launches the Sukiyaki brand, which offers Japanese delicacies.
04
FACTS.
1989
01
MTY Group, up until now a leader in Asian quick-service food in Quebec, targets another niche, North American fast food, and gives birth to Franx Supreme, a hot dog and hamburger specialist. These locations gradually convert to the Valentine brand over the next 20 years.
05
FACTS.
1995
01
MTY Group develops the Panini-Pizza & Pasta concept, which merges a few years later with the Vanelli’s restaurants. In addition, MTY becomes a public company traded on the Venture Exchange under their previous name Golden Sky Ventures.
06
FACTS.
1999
01
MTY Group makes its first acquisition, Fontaine Santé, whose locations take on the name Veggirama and are gradually converted into Cultures restaurants.
07
FACTS.
2001
01
MTY Group acquires the network of La Crémière dairy counters.
08
FACTS.
2002
01
MTY Group develops the Villa Madina concept, which offers Mediterranean cuisine. In order to grow the Company and integrate a new segment, MTY Group also acquires Croissant Plus. Finally, the Company negotiates a strategic alliance with Restaurants Au Vieux Duluth inc., which allows it to franchise Aux Vieux Duluth Express restaurants.
09
FACTS.
2003
01
Cultures joins MTY Group, which leads to reinforcement of its presence in Ontario and consolidation of its position in the healthful quick-service market. The Group’s symbol on the Vancouver Stock Market becomes “MTY”.
10
FACTS.
2004
01
Faced with the potential of the new Thai Express concept, MTY Group makes the acquisition. The Company also buys Mrs. Vanelli’s, the largest chain of Italian restaurants in Canadian food courts. MTY is to enter the Middle-Eastern market under this brand.
11
FACTS.
2005
01
MTY Group acquires exclusive rights to franchise TCBY frozen Yogurt in Canada.
12
FACTS.
2006
01
MTY Group obtains the exclusive Canadian franchising rights for Yogen Früz. Kim Chi (Korean delights), a new concept developed by MTY Group, is born in Montreal’s Centre Eaton. Following the indisputable success of the Sushi Shop chain, MTY Group acquires this pioneer brand in the prepared take-out sushi market. The Company also acquires Koya Japan and becomes the Canadian leader in Japanese quick-service restaurants.
13
FACTS.
2008
01
Vie & Nam (Vietnamese cuisine), a new concept developed by MTY Group, opens at Place Vertu. The Company also purchases Tutti Frutti breakfast and lunch. In order to diversify its multi-flavour portfolio as well as the range of choices in food courts, MTY Group develops the Tandori brand (Indian cuisine). The year ends with the acquisition of the exclusive franchise rights for Taco Time in Canada.
01
2008
MILESTONE
MTY Group reaches a level of 1,000 operating locations for the first time in its history.
2008
MILESTONE
MTY Group reaches a level of 1,000 operating locations for the first time in its history.
01
14
FACTS.
2009
01
In May 2009, MTY Group acquires Country Style Food Services Holdings Inc. This purchase allows it to establish a leadership position in Ontario.
15
FACTS.
2010
01
On May 4, 2010, MTY Group announces that its application for listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange has been accepted. Shares are listed on the exchange as of Thursday, May 13, 2010, under the “MTY” symbol. In September 2010, MTY Group acquires Groupe Valentine Inc. in addition to its distribution centre. In December 2010, the Company acquires a 51% participation in a 60,000-square-foot food processing plant located in a Quebec City suburb.
16
FACTS.
2011
01
In August 2011, MTY Group completes its acquisition of Jus Jugo Juice and its 136 locations. November is marked by the purchase of Mr. Sub and its network of 338 restaurants, as well as Koryo Barbecue (Korean cuisine) and its 20 locations.
17
FACTS.
2012
01
With a previously strong presence in the Middle East, MTY Group announces the signing of agreements for expansion in Lebanon and Saudi Arabia, as well as the United Kingdom. In September, acquisition of the Mr. Souvlaki brand is announced.
01
2012
MILESTONE
MTY Group reaches a level of 2,000 operating locations for the first time in its history.
2012
MILESTONE
MTY Group reaches a level of 2,000 operating locations for the first time in its history.
01
18
FACTS.
2013
01
In May 2013, MTY Group acquires Sushigo, then, in the same month, makes the largest acquisition of its history, Extreme Brandz (Extreme Pita and Mucho Burrito). In July, the Company announces the marketing of some of its products in grocery locations. In August, MTY Group acquires the Thai Zone brand, thereby reinforcing its dominance of the Asian quick-service segment.
19
FACTS.
2014
01
In July 2014, MTY Group acquires Madisons NYC Grill & Bar, diving into the full-service restaurant sector. During October of that year, the Company completes acquisition of the assets of Café Dépôt, Sushi Man, Muffin Plus and Fabrika.
In November, MTY Group becomes the franchisor for Cafés-Bistros Van Houtte and obtains the right to use the trade name in perpetuity. Finally, December is marked by acquisition of the assets of a group of companies owning and operating the Manchu Wok, Wasabi Grill & Noodle and SenseAsian brands, primarily located in Canada and the United States.
20
FACTS.
2015
01
In March 2015, MTY Group opened its first Tosto Quick Fire quick casual restaurant on Bay Street in Toronto.
In September 2015, MTY Group completed the acquisition of 60% of the assets of Big Smoke Burger. At closing, the Big Smoke Burger network operates 17 locations, including 4 corporately-owned locations. Of the 17 locations, 9 are located in Canada and 8 are located in the United States or overseas.
01
2015
MILESTONE
For the first time in MTY Group’s history, annual system sales have exceeded the $1 billion mark to reach $1.07 billion.
2015
MILESTONE
For the first time in MTY Group’s history, annual system sales have exceeded the $1 billion mark to reach $1.07 billion.
01
21
FACTS.
2016
01
In July 2016, MTY Group executes its largest acquisition with the purchase of Kahala Brands which adds 16 new brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, and 2,879 locations to its portfolio.
22
FACTS.
2017
01
In May 2017, MTY Group acquired Steak Frites, Giorgio, and the Works Burger.
September 2017 saw MTY Group purchase the sandwich restaurant chain Dagwoods Sandwiches & Salads, adding an additional 20 locations to its growing portfolio.
In November 2017, MTY Group acquired the burger restaurant chains The Counter Custom Burgers and Built Custom Burgers, adding these trendy burger brands to its growing portfolio.
23
FACTS.
2018
01
In March 2018, MTY Group completed its acquisition of Imvescor Restaurant Group, adding Bâton Rouge, Scores, Ben & Florentine, Pizza Delight and Toujours Mikes brands adding 261 locations to its growing portfolio. MTY also purchased Grabagreen, a chain of healthy fast food option in the USA.
April 2018 saw MTY Group acquire Timothy’s World Coffee and Mmmuffins restaurant brands.
In September 2018, MTY Group acquired Sweetfrog Premium Frozen Yogurt, adding this dynamic brand to its impressive portfolio.
In December 2018, MTY Group completed its purchase of Casa Grecque, one of Quebec’s premiere family dining restaurant brands.
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FACTS.
2019
01
In March 2019, MTY Group added South St. Burger to its growing list of powerful burger brands.
In April 2019, MTY Group acquired Papa Murphy’s Take ‘n’ Bake Pizza, one of the premiere pizza brands in North America.
In July 2019, MTY Group also completed the acquisition of Yuzu Sushi, a fast-growing chain of Sushi restaurants in Canada as well as Allô! Mon Coco, a rapidly growing chain of gourmet breakfast and lunch restaurants.
In December 2019, MTY Group acquired a 70% ownership of Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill, Coop Wicked Chicken and Frat’s Cucina, continuing its growth in the Canadian casual dining market.
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FACTS.
2021
01
In December 2021, MTY Group acquired Küto Comptoir à Tartares, adding to MTY’s diversity of offerings with this growing tartare concept.
26
FACTS.
2022
01
In September 2022, MTY Group completed the acquisition of BBQ Holdings, adding 9 unique brands to its portfolio and growing its portfolio in the USA, adding 301 locations.
In December 2022, MTY Group also completed the acquisition of Wetzel’s Pretzels, a well-known and established snack concept, adding 367 locations to its portfolio.
In December 2022, MTY also acquired Sauce Pizza and Wine, a pizza and pasta brand in the USA.