In a landscape filled with fast food options, one proudly Canadian brand has not only endured but grown by staying true to its roots. Edo Japan, the Japanese-inspired quick-service restaurant chain founded in Calgary in 1979, is quietly transforming the Canadian QSR industry with a mix of tradition, innovation, and values rooted in its Alberta origins.
“We’ve held on to the original foundation since day one,” says Dave Minnett, President and CEO of Edo Japan. “The same cooking style, the same teriyaki sauce recipe—it’s all still there.”
The chain’s origin story is deeply Canadian. The founder, Reverend Susumu Ikuta, a Japanese Buddhist minister, set out to bring Japanese cuisine to Canadians, launching the first Edo Japan in Calgary’s Southcentre Mall.
More than four decades later, that original location still operates, anchoring a network of more than 200 locations nationwide.
From the beginning, the model was designed not only to offer fresh Teppan-style meals but also to provide business opportunities through franchising, something the brand continues to champion.
“We’re largely a franchise model,” Minnett explains. “Only six of our stores are corporate-owned. The rest are owned and operated by families and entrepreneurs across the country. That entrepreneurial spirit is something we’ve carried forward from our Calgary roots.”
Calgary’s Enduring Influence
Although the brand now operates coast to coast, it has never lost its Calgary identity. Edo Japan’s head office remains in Calgary, as does its executive and corporate team.
“You can’t help but be influenced by Calgary and Southern Alberta in your daily life,” Minnett reflects. “We test and learn in Calgary first before rolling out anything nationally. The customer base here is one of our largest, with 27 stores in the greater Calgary area alone. This city has helped shape our company.”
Minnett, who moved to Calgary from Ontario nine years ago, says he has fallen in love with the city. “There’s a warmth and hospitality in Calgary that I haven’t experienced elsewhere. That kind of attitude fits perfectly with our service-focused industry. It influences our team culture and customer experience every day.”
Proudly Canadian and Quietly Ambitious
Despite its growing national footprint, many Canadians are still surprised to learn that Edo Japan is a homegrown success story.
“It’s not always obvious that we’re a Canadian company,” says Minnett. “But when people find out, they’re pleasantly surprised. Canadians are proud to support Canadian brands.”
That pride extends beyond branding, as it’s embedded in Edo Japan’s corporate DNA. From Canadian-sourced ingredients to longstanding vendor relationships, the brand puts local partnerships at the forefront.
“We’ve built a supply chain that’s intentionally local. Our chicken is sourced from Maple Leaf Foods, our beef is Canadian, and even our signature teriyaki sauce is produced here at home. Supporting Canadian partners isn’t just a value—it’s a strategic choice that ensures quality, consistency, and trust in every meal we serve.”
Minnett describes the company’s culture as a reflection of Canadian values, inclusive, humble, community-minded, and quietly ambitious.
“Our partners, franchisees, and vendors all share similar values. We build long-term relationships, not just transactional ones,” he adds.
Canadian Vendors: Strategic and Ethical Choice
Edo Japan’s decision to prioritize Canadian suppliers is more than just patriotic. It’s also a strategic business move.
“Having vendors close promotes collaboration and quality control,” says Minnett. “It allows us to work hand-in-hand on continuous improvement, especially on things like menu innovation and logistics.”
He points to the brand’s long-standing partnership with Maple Leaf Foods as an example. “We’ve worked with their culinary team to explore new menu items. That level of collaboration is possible because they’re here in Canada.”
Minnett says the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the value of Canadian partnerships. “During COVID, having local supply chain partners made a big difference. Everyone came together to solve problems and keep things moving.”
Expansion Momentum: Ontario, Maritimes, and Beyond
With its solid foundation in Alberta, Edo Japan has turned its attention to national and now international expansion. In 2024, the brand surpassed 200 locations, with ambitions to reach 275 by spring 2028.
“Our 200th store opened on Yonge Street in Toronto,” Minnett says proudly. “That was a milestone for us, not just for the number, but because it was our first major downtown urban location.”
The downtown Toronto location, near Yonge and College, acts as a brand flagship. “We’re using it to build more awareness and test how we operate in dense urban markets,” Minnett explains. “It’s opened our eyes to opportunities in other cities like Vancouver.”
The company recently opened its first Maritime location in Fredericton and is ramping up expansion across Ontario with plans for 15 more stores in the province over the next 15 months.
Minnett confirms Quebec is also on the horizon. “There’s a clear appetite for Japanese cuisine in Quebec, and our research shows strong interest. That will be a major focus moving forward.”
South of the Border: A U.S. Pilot
Edo Japan also quietly entered the U.S. market with a pilot location in Chandler, Arizona, earlier this year. It marks the brand’s first foray outside Canada.
“We partnered with a Canadian family living in Gilbert, Arizona, who had experience in the restaurant space,” Minnett says. “We’re treating it as a joint venture, a way to test the model in a new environment.”
Two more U.S. locations are already planned, one in Scottsdale Fashion Square and another in Gilbert, Arizona, in spring 2026.
“We’re tweaking portions and presentation to better fit American expectations, but the fundamentals remain the same,” Minnett notes. “We’re cautiously optimistic and very excited about our potential here.”
Adapting to Modern Tastes and Channels
As the foodservice landscape evolves, so too has Edo Japan’s approach to menu development and technology.
“Our digital ordering channel now accounts for 30 percent of total revenue,” says Minnett. “We’ve invested heavily in our app, which allows for pre-ordering, loyalty points, and family meal bundles. It’s a game changer, especially for time-pressed customers.”
The company also recently introduced poke bowls, a move that exceeded expectations and has secured the dish a permanent place on the menu. “It speaks to the younger demographic and broadens our appeal,” Minnett adds.
Bubble tea, introduced two years ago, is another growing category. This summer, Edo Japan is running a national campaign promoting $3 bubble teas to capture younger consumers.
“We’ve been fairly quiet about it until now, but the response has been exceptional. With that kind of guest enthusiasm, it’s time to amplify the message and let more people know what we’re offering.”
Designing for the Future
In addition to menu innovation, Edo Japan is modernizing its physical spaces. The brand’s new “Fresh Take” design, originally launched in 2017, is getting an upgrade. The first prototypes of the new format will debut in Ontario this summer, starting with Oakville and Burlington, followed by a mall location in West Vancouver.
“These next-generation stores will be our new standard,” Minnett says. “We’ll begin rolling them out across all new builds and renovations in 2026.”
Consistency in the Face of Growth
With more stores and greater geographic reach comes the challenge of maintaining consistent customer experiences. For Edo Japan, it starts with franchisee selection.
“Cultural fit is critical,” says Minnett. “We make sure potential franchisees understand the day-to-day reality, sometimes that means shadowing existing operators before committing.”
Each new franchisee undergoes rigorous training at one of the company’s six corporate training hubs across Canada. On-the-ground support is equally important.
“In Ontario, for instance, we already have four corporate operations managers for just 22 stores,” Minnett explains. “We believe in having strong leadership close to the communities we serve.”
Looking Ahead
As Edo Japan eyes the future, its goals are ambitious but grounded. The company is aiming for 20 to 25 new stores annually, focused on thoughtful growth and franchisee profitability.
“Our approach is grounded in the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement. We’re always evolving but no matter how we grow, staying true to our Canadian roots will always be non-negotiable.”
That identity, shaped in Calgary and celebrated across Canada, continues to be Edo Japan’s most enduring ingredient. Whether it’s a new poke bowl, a store opening in Toronto, or a bubble tea deal, the brand’s expansion story remains unmistakably Canadian.
“We’re Canada proud,” Minnett says simply. “And we always will be.”
For those seeking franchise and real estate opportunites with Edo Japan, please visit: franchising.edojapan.com or connect with Jeff Parkinson, Vice President of Real Estate and Construction on LinkedIn.
This article originally appeared in Retail Insider the magazine. Read the latest issue here.
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