British-famed doner shop, I Am Döner, is making its Canadian debut with a brand-new flagship location at the corner of Queen West and Spadina in Toronto on October 17.
Dishing out a reimagined version of the traditional döner kebab, the Toronto outpost will be the award-winning restaurant’s first location in North America. Two additional locations are also confirmed: Yonge/ Sheppard to open in November 2024 and Pickering to open in January 2025, the company said in a news release.
“Döner kebab is a classic late-night indulgence,” said I Am Döner founder, Chef Paul Baron. “But a really excellent döner—warm flatbread, fragrant meats, creamy garlic sauce dripping everywhere—is so much more than something to scarf down before heading home to bed. And we’re super pumped to bring our famed shop to Canada, a first for North America!”
The company said notorious for gaining popularity in the UK during the 90s Britpop era, crowds would clamour for late-night döners.
“Seeing the potential, Chef Baron took his Michelin-star-kitchen-training to the can’t-resist phenomenon that is the kebab. In 2016, Chef Baron opened the first I Am Döner in Headingley, UK, marking a new chapter in the döner’s 60-year history in British late-night culture. There are now nine locations in total, spread across the UK and Dubai, with the new Toronto shop being the 10th opening,” said the company.
“The kebab shop quickly turned into a local hot spot, as crowds dared venture over even before heading out for the night. With more than 53 fresh and high-quality ingredients in I Am Döner’s nine award-winning kebabs and bowls, every meal walks the fine line between nutrition and mouth-watering indulgence.”
The brand said Canadian franchisees of the first three Canadian locations, Faisal Husnain and Syed Danish, are gearing up for British invasion beyond just döner.
“British-inspired interior design and a full British and Irish playlist (including the Ramones, the Verve, Blur, and other nostalgic favourites) will leave you feeling like you’re pleasantly stuck in an episode of Skins, the Inbetweeners, or cult fave Heartstopp. Just leave your fake British accent behind when you’re singing your rendition of Wonderwall at Buskers’ Corner, their London Underground-inspired stage to showcase new local talent,” it said.
“While the 18+ crowd stays for a kebab with a side of Johnny Rotten impressions, I Am Döner hasn’t forgotten how desperate parents want a cool place to hang, too. “We are opening a family-first restaurant. If the kids are happy, the adults are happy: we’ve got power sockets for iPads, colouring books, a top-notch kids menu, and every meal comes with free seasonal soft-serve ice cream,” said Husnain
With its entry into the Canadian market, I Am Döner is thinking outside the takeout box, committing to a focused recycling program and conscious sourcing, with 100% plastic-free packaging and a partnership with Earth Water. As a nod to the döner kebab’s roots and Husnain and Danish’s background, Canadian I Am Döner restaurants will offer a fully halal menu and serve original, fresh beverages with surprise local-twists, added the company
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