Former McDonald’s Canada executive Jonathan Greenway has opened a restaurant at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto, just four months after acquiring his first McDonald’s in Scarborough. The October 30 opening gives Greenway two restaurants, with a third planned for Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood in spring 2027.
At Yorkdale, McDonald’s combined two former food court units into one restaurant with five self-service kiosks and the chain’s full menu. Greenway, previously director of field operations at McDonald’s Canada, is now responsible for operating the location while the company manages its real estate and restaurant development.
Greenway spent six years at McDonald’s Canada head office supporting franchisees and their restaurant teams. Watching owners develop their businesses and see the results of their work persuaded him to pursue franchise ownership himself.
“I really just wanted to control my own destiny,” Greenway told Retail Insider. He wanted a business he could call his own and an opportunity to build a legacy through restaurant ownership.
The move was a return to entrepreneurship for Greenway, who previously owned a restaurant outside the McDonald’s system. Both his parents worked in the food industry, but he pursued a corporate career while raising his children before deciding to return to hands-on operations.
His senior corporate experience did not eliminate the need to retrain. Greenway spent time working in restaurants and revisiting operating procedures to prepare for the practical demands of ownership.
He calls himself an “intrapreneur” because he operates within McDonald’s established system, which provides training, operating standards and development support. That distinction is particularly relevant at Yorkdale, where Greenway did not personally secure the restaurant space or negotiate its lease.
Combining Two Yorkdale Food Court Units
The Yorkdale restaurant occupies the former Subway and Teriyaki Experience units, combined to accommodate a larger operation. “We actually took over two units,” Greenway said, explaining that the arrangement made it possible to offer the full menu and five ordering kiosks within the food court.
Yorkdale is managed by Oxford Properties and attracts customers through a mix of international retailers, luxury brands and other major tenants. Its busy food court presents an opportunity for McDonald’s to serve shoppers and mall employees throughout the day, although the restaurant’s combined square footage has not been confirmed.
Greenway said McDonald’s handles site selection, lease negotiations and design, drawing on established landlord relationships. The company had an existing relationship with Oxford, while Greenway was selected to operate the new restaurant from among franchisees in the Toronto area.
The division of responsibilities gives him a defined role in the development process. McDonald’s manages the property and restaurant-design work, while Greenway concentrates on hiring, training, service and day-to-day performance.
A Different Operating Model Inside a Mall
The restaurant operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, opening one hour before Yorkdale’s regular mall hours. That gives employees and early visitors access to the restaurant before the main shopping day begins, although the operating window is shorter than at some standalone McDonald’s locations.
Customers can order at the counter, through the five kiosks or on the McDonald’s app, while delivery couriers collect orders inside the shopping centre. There is no drive-thru or curbside pickup, so the restaurant’s front counter serves as its principal fulfillment point.
Greenway said traffic has been strongest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with a steadier flow between conventional meal periods than he might see at a standalone restaurant. Shoppers may have lunch at 2 p.m. or dinner at 4:30 p.m., depending on how their visit unfolds.
The holiday shopping season will bring another operational test. Greenway said the restaurant expects to extend its hours around Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day as Yorkdale adjusts its own schedule.
The Economics of McDonald’s Franchising
McDonald’s Canada says prospective franchisees generally need at least $1 million in non-borrowed personal resources to qualify. Its published financial requirements specify a 25 per cent down payment for an existing restaurant and 40 per cent for a new restaurant, with outside financing potentially available for the balance.
The company lists royalties of four to five per cent of monthly gross sales, rent and a one-time $45,000 licence fee for a 20-year term. These are general franchise terms; Greenway has not disclosed the purchase price, financing or financial performance of his Scarborough restaurant, nor the investment associated with Yorkdale.
McDonald’s said in January 2026 that its Canadian network included approximately 1,500 restaurants, about 90 per cent operated by franchisees. The company also committed to $5 McValue meals and $1 small McCafé coffees through 2026, with availability and delivery restrictions; Greenway said the value meals have been selling well.
Staffing and Managing Multiple Restaurants
The Yorkdale location employs approximately 50 people, most of them part-time, with as many as 12 working simultaneously during peak lunch periods. Greenway said flexible scheduling and training are central to the operation, particularly for employees balancing work with school or other commitments.
Employees can use digital tools to manage availability and exchange shifts, provided they are trained for the positions involved. Cross-training also helps the restaurant handle orders arriving from the counter, kiosks, mobile app and delivery services during busy periods.
Greenway acquired his first McDonald’s in Scarborough in June and initially spent much of his time at that restaurant. Opening Yorkdale has required him to rely more heavily on managers and structured processes because he can no longer oversee both locations in person every day.
He said he built his team knowing a second restaurant was coming, but managing two operations has still required changes. His experience illustrates the transition from running a single restaurant through direct observation to maintaining standards through delegation and management routines.
Riverside Restaurant Planned for Spring 2027
Greenway expects to open a third McDonald’s around March or April 2027 at Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue. The proposed restaurant at 709 Queen Street East has attracted opposition from some Riverside residents concerned about traffic, litter and neighbourhood character, while others have welcomed the potential for additional foot traffic.
TorontoToday reported in September that city permits had been approved for interior alterations and that work appeared to be underway. Greenway’s projected opening remains subject to the development schedule, and the location is not yet operating.
At Yorkdale, Greenway said the restaurant plans to donate 10 per cent of sales from November 12 to 14 to Ronald McDonald House. He previously served on the board of the organization’s Southwestern Ontario chapter, making the fundraiser personally meaningful to him.
Greenway credits his grandfather with teaching him that running a business means learning how to inspire, motivate and engage people. “The better job they do, the better job my business does,” he said, a principle he intends to carry into his next restaurant as his Toronto operation grows.
