One of Canada’s homegrown restaurant success stories is celebrating a major milestone. This year, Osmow’s Shawarma marks 25 years in business and the opening of its 250th location. What started as a single family-owned restaurant in Streetsville, Ontario has become one of North America’s fastest-growing shawarma franchise brands. Behind that growth is a remarkable family story – one that began with an immigrant entrepreneur and continues today with the next generation leading the company’s expansion.
Founded by Sam Osmow, the business began in 2001 after he transformed a small Streetsville sub shop into the first Osmow’s Shawarma location. After immigrating from Egypt in 1998 in search of new opportunities for his family, Sam invested everything he had into the business. A chance moment – sharing one of his traditional Middle Eastern meals with a customer – sparked the idea that would redefine the restaurant and lay the foundation for the brand.
Today, Sam continues to lead the business alongside his children, Ben Osmow, chief executive, and Bernadette Osmow, president, who have helped scale the brand while staying true to the values and entrepreneurial spirit that built the company from the beginning.
Ben and Bernadette grew up in the restaurant and have spent their careers building on their father’s foundation. Under their leadership, Osmow’s has expanded rapidly across Canada and into the United States, growing from a single location to 250 restaurants in just 25 years.
Key Takeaways
- Osmow’s Shawarma celebrates 25 years in business and opening its 250th location this year.
- Founded by Sam Osmow in 2001, the restaurant grew from a single location in Streetsville, Ontario.
- Sam immigrated from Egypt in 1998, investing everything into the business after a pivotal moment with a customer.
- Today, Sam leads the company alongside his children, Ben and Bernadette, who drive its expansion.
- Under their leadership, Osmow’s has rapidly grown across Canada and the U.S. in just 25 years.
