Mary Brown’s Chicken has opened a new flagship restaurant in downtown Toronto in partnership with former Blue Jays player José Bautista, marking a high-profile expansion at one of the country’s busiest intersections.
The Canadian-owned quick-service restaurant chain said the location at 10 Dundas St. E., in Sankofa Square, represents a strategic move to strengthen its brand presence in a prominent urban market as it continues its national growth.
The restaurant officially opened to the public on June 23, placing Mary Brown’s Chicken in the centre of a heavily trafficked area in Toronto. The company said the flagship site is intended to attract a broad mix of customers, including residents, office workers, students and tourists.
The opening builds on a relationship between the company and Bautista that has developed over the past two years through marketing campaigns and other initiatives.
“Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to get to know the Mary Brown’s team and see firsthand how passionate they are about quality and community. Being part of this flagship opening at such an iconic Toronto location is exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone into the store to experience the great food and atmosphere,” said Bautista.
Company president Karen Tam said the new location reflects both the partnership with Bautista and the company’s broader ambitions.
“This opening marks a special moment for Mary Brown’s, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating it with José Bautista. What started as a partnership has grown into a genuine relationship built on shared values and a mutual love for the brand. This restaurant places Mary Brown’s at the centre of one of Canada’s most dynamic destinations and allows us to introduce even more guests to the quality, freshness and hospitality that have made us a Canadian favourite for more than 55 years,” said Tam.
The company said the flagship opening follows the recent launch of its 300th restaurant in New Brunswick, part of what it describes as ongoing expansion into key markets across the country. The Toronto site is positioned as a high-visibility location intended to reinforce brand recognition while supporting continued growth.
Chief executive Gregory Roberts said the new restaurant underscores the company’s trajectory from its origins to its current scale.
“From our beginnings in Newfoundland more than five decades ago to opening a flagship restaurant at one of the busiest and most recognizable intersections in Canada, this is a proud moment for our brand. This location reflects how far Mary Brown’s has come while staying true to the quality, hospitality and Canadian roots that have defined us from the start,” said Roberts.
The chain, founded in St. John’s in 1969, now operates more than 300 locations across Canada and has begun expanding internationally, with sites in markets including Mexico, the United Kingdom, India and Pakistan.
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