News

Peter Mammas sees lunch and breakfast business fading as spending at full‑service restaurants increases.

Central Social Hall is a premium casual dining concept known for its chef-driven menu, curated beverage program, and vibrant social experience.

Jimmy John’s, the American sandwich chain famed for its “freaky fast” service and fresh ingredients, is accelerating its Canadian expansion.

Pita Pit, the Canadian-born sandwich brand known for its customizable healthy offerings, is charting an ambitious growth path, focusing on innovation and deepening community ties.

As he sits in the back office of a Pita Pit in Kingston, Ont., on a recent Thursday morning, restaurant impresario Peter Mammas is all smiles.

MONTREAL, June 6, 2025 — Second Cup Café, Canada’s premier specialty coffee retailer, celebrated the official opening of its 179th location in Canada yesterday, at the Kipling GO Transit Bus Terminal in Etobicoke, Ontario—a major transit hub connecting Toronto to Mississauga and other regions of the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, surrounded by vibrant residential and…

MONTREAL, June 5, 2025 – Quesada Burritos & Tacos announces the return of its popular Mexican Street Corn and the introduction of a new Spicy Mango Salsa, available for a limited time at participating locations across Canada. Initially launched in 2022, Quesada’s Street Corn has become a seasonal favourite. Served warm and topped with cheese,…

Toronto, June 3, 2025 – Freshii is diving into one of the world’s most popular food trends with the launch of its first-ever lineup of premium poke bowls, now available at locations across Canada. These include four premium poke bowls featuring sushi-grade salmon, prawns, ahi tuna, or tofu, along with sliced avocados and other fresh…

Montreal, May 27, 2025 – Just in time for summer, Pita Pit is firing up the grill to celebrate its 30th anniversary with its crave-worthy BBQ Rib, available for a limited time at all locations starting May 27. This smoky-sweet offering brings together the flavours of summer. Made with tender BBQ rib-style meat, a tangy…

Locations across Canada join forces to help grant life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses Montreal, May 13, 2025 – Pita Pit, a Canadian-owned quick-service restaurant brand known for its fresh, customizable pita sandwiches, announces the return of its national campaign in support of Make-A-Wish® Canada, now in its eighth year. Customers can support the…

The beloved brand will become the first Quebec restaurant chain to establish a national presence in China. Montreal, May 9, 2025 – Jacques Houle, President and CEO of NGU-Group, announces the signing of an exclusive franchise development agreement with Foodtastic for the expansion of Rotisseries Benny across Asia. NGU-Group will open its first two establishments…

Five days of loco deals and app promotions start on May 1 Toronto, April 25, 2025 – Quesada Burritos & Tacos invites Canadians to Go Loco for Cinco de Mayo with five days of flavourful deals, exciting rewards, and vibrant energy nationwide. From May 1 – 5, guests can enjoy a different “loco” offer each…

Canadian brand marks three decades of redefining fast-casual dining Montreal, April 17, 2025 – Pita Pit, the Canadian brand known for fresh, customizable pitas and a commitment to healthier eating, is celebrating 30 years of serving Canadians. Founded on July 21, 1995, in Kingston, Ontario, Pita Pit has grown from a single storefront into a…

Feel the heat. Feel the flavour. This one’s ‘To the Mex.’ Toronto, April 16, 2025 – Quesada, a Canadian-grown Mexican fast-food destination, is turning up the heat with the return of its fan-favourite Ghost Pepper Chicken Mole, available across Canada from April 16 to July 15, 2025. This flavour-packed dish allows Quesada’s guests to really…

Canadian coffee brand aims to raise $50,000 – enough to feed one school for a year  MONTREAL, April 15, 2025 — Second Cup Café, Canada’s premier specialty coffee retailer, invites Canadians to join it in a campaign that seeks to raise $50,000 for Breakfast Club of Canada so that it can provide breakfast to the…

CNew seasonal beverages celebrate the flavours of Canadian summer with playful twists and nostalgic notes MONTREAL, April 14, 2025 — Second Cup Café, Canada’s premier specialty coffee retailer, welcomes the warmer months with a vibrant new lineup of eight limited-time beverages designed to refresh, energize, and delight. Inspired by homegrown flavours, summer campfire memories, cross-country…

BARRIE, Ont., April 2, 2025 – Freshii celebrates the opening of a new location in the food court at Barrie’s Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, the brand’s second in Barrie. Owned and operated by Salim Bardai, who opened the city’s first Freshii in 2018, this newest location offers the complete Freshii menu, including a variety…

MONTREAL, March 20, 2025 — Second Cup Café, Canada’s premier specialty coffee retailer, commemorates its 50th anniversary this year. From modest beginnings in 1975 as a kiosk selling whole bean coffee, Second Cup has evolved into a beloved national brand deeply rooted in communities across the country. Over the past five decades, Second Cup has…

Toronto, March 4, 2025 – Quesada has relaunched its Drunken Chicken, a guest favourite that delivers a bold new twist to all Quesada classics. The flame-grilled chicken cooked with tequila is available in burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas and nachos at all participating Quesada locations until April 8th.  Drunken Chicken kicks up a smoky flame-grilled chicken…

MONTREAL, March 04, 2025 — Effective February 27, 2025, all Second Cup cafés nationwide will eliminate the additional charge for non-dairy and lactose-free milk alternatives, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to providing choice and accessibility for all coffee lovers. With this change, guests can enjoy their preferred non-dairy and lactose-free options—almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk,…

TORONTO, February 14, 2025 – Freshii, the go-to restaurant for fast, fresh, flavourful meals on the go, announces today the beginning of a rollout of cutting-edge ovens across its locations. This investment allows Freshii locations to expand their menus, offering even more options for guests who are looking for flavour, nutrition and value.  The new…

Saint-Eustache, Que., February 13, 2025—Foodtastic, one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing restaurant franchise companies, celebrates today the grand opening of its multi-brand location, featuring Pita Pit, Second Cup Café and Chocolato in Saint-Eustache, Quebec. This milestone marks Pita Pit’s return to the Montreal market and reflects the company’s continued expansion. “We are happy to introduce…

Lineup of three flavour-packed pitas opens new, even more affordable meal category Montreal, February 13, 2025 – Pita Pit, Canada’s largest pita franchise, launches Pita Twists this week, a refreshingly compact, affordable and yet filling twist on its beloved fresh pita – available at all of its locations for a limited period. Presented as a pita…

Jimmy John’s debuted its first Canadian location on Tuesday, in the Toronto suburb of Etobicoke, Ontario. It is operated by Montreal-based franchise company Foodtastic, headed by president and chief executive officer Peter Mammas.

First 200 guests will receive a free six-inch Classic sandwich and 16oz beverage during the grand opening event Toronto, November 19, 2024 – Jimmy John’s, the popular American sandwich brand known for its high-quality ingredients and speedy service, will open its first Canadian location in Toronto on November 19 near Sherway Gardens, at 197 North…

Foodtastic Inc., a leading franchisor of restaurant brands in Canada, is thrilled to announce its recent agreement to acquire Noodlebox, one of the fastest growing Quick Service Restaurant brands in the country. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for Foodtastic as it continues to expand its presence in the quick service restaurant segment.

“The new Milestones restaurant in Montreal promises to deliver the same high-quality food, warm ambiance, and excellent service that the brand is renowned for across the country,” a Milestones spokesperson told MTL Blog.

Quebec’s food scene is about to get a bit bigger with the introduction of Milestones Grill and Bar. The popular Canadian restaurant chain will officially open its first-ever Quebec location right here in Montreal.

Foodtastic is partnering with QSRP to bring at least 50 O’Tacos locations to Canada beginning later this year. QSRP owns the O’Tacos brand which was founded in 2007 in France and currently has more than 300 locations.

The sale of Freshii Inc. to Montreal-based Foodtastic Inc. is complete.

With 50+ restaurants across the globe, it’s fair to say that the Canadian-born, entirely plant-based Copper Branch is doing something right. And in a matter of days, Melburnians can tuck into their plant-progressive menu…

Copper Branch, the Canadian restaurant chain, is to expand into Australia and New Zealand with the first restaurant planned for Melbourne.  The first Copper Branch in Australia will open late this month, offering a plant-based cuisine, with plans to expand across the country in the coming years…

Freshii CEO Daniel Haroun says the transaction “recognizes the tremendous value of the Freshii brand. We believe that Freshii’s brand, franchise network and talent will benefit from Foodtastic’s greater scale,” he said.

Peter Mammas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foodtastic, said, “We have been watching Freshii for some time – it is a great fit for us, and helps Foodtastic expand into a new category. […] We look forward to welcoming the Freshii franchisees into the Foodtastic family.””

A few years ago, Foodtastic Inc. was a minor restaurant franchisor in Montreal. It started with a burger concept, and a line of souvlaki restaurants, and Nickels, the deli brand that Celine Dion co-founded in the early 1990s….

“Quesada is one of the largest Quick Service Restaurant brands in the country, and we are happy to welcome this fast-growing brand into the Foodtastic family,” said Peter Mammas, President and CEO of Foodtastic. “We look forward to working with all our new franchisees and expanding the brand in Canada.”

“Adam Sandler is causing quite the stir in the Royal City, with several people in Guelph, Ont., catching a glimpse of the funny man over the weekend. […] The staff at Milestones Restaurant in Guelph were star struck when Sandler came in for a bite to eat on Sunday night.”

“We are extremely happy to welcome Shoeless Joe’s in our family. It is a great sports bar brand that will fit in perfectly in our restaurant portfolio” said Peter Mammas, President, and CEO of Foodtastic. “We are excited that Frank Lopreiato will stay on board as an equity partner and lead the brand, we are also looking…

“Pita Pit is one of the largest QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) brands in the country, and we are happy to welcome it into the Foodtastic Family” said Peter Mammas, President and CEO of Foodtastic. “We look forward to working with all our new franchisees and growing the brand both in Canada and Internationally.”

Recipe Unlimited Corporation (“Recipe”) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of the assets comprising its Milestones restaurant brand (“Milestones”) to Quebec-based Foodtastic Inc. (“Foodtastic”).

“Copper Branch is the largest Vegan restaurant brand in the world, and we are happy to welcome it into the Foodtastic Family” said Peter Mammas, President and CEO of Foodtastic. “We look forward to working with all our new franchisees and emerging through this pandemic with a revitalized leader in the plant powered restaurant space….

The new owner of the Second Cup Coffee has set its sights on an expansion in suburban Canada, the latest turnaround plan aimed at bringing the struggling coffee chain to its former glory. Last week, Aegis Brands announced it had reached a deal to sell its Second Cup Coffee Co. chain to Foodtastic, a Quebec-based……

The new owner of the Second Cup Coffee has set its sights on an expansion in suburban Canada, the latest turnaround plan aimed at bringing the struggling coffee chain to its former glory. Last week, Aegis Brands announced it had reached a deal to sell its Second Cup Coffee Co. chain to Foodtastic, a Quebec-based…

Peter Mammas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foodtastic, said, “L’Gros Luxe is a great local Quebec brand and we are excited to welcome it into the Foodtastic family. We are happy to be able to help this great concept through this difficult time, which has affected many restaurants and brands. L’Gros luxe has been a Quebec favorite for…

La Chambre has been a success right from the beginning, serving great tasting food in an original and lively sports atmosphere. La Chambre currently has 2 locations with a 3rd opening soon in Blainville. 

In the first year following the investment, Foodtastic acquired five brands — Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Moderna, Les Rôtisseries Au Coq, CHOCOLATO, Big Rig and Les Rôtisseries Benny — with more acquisitions in the works for 2020.