Loading article…
 The logo of Big Smoke Burger | |
 Big Smoke Burger in Markham, Ontario (2019) | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | November 2007 in Toronto |
| Founder | Mustafa Yusuf |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 17 |
Areas served | North America, the Middle East |
Key people | Mustafa Yusuf |
| Products | (hamburgers • chicken • lamb • salads) |
| Parent | MTY Food Group |
| Website | bigsmokeburger.com |
Big Smoke Burger is an international restaurant chain based in Canada.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
History
The Big Smoke Burger was founded by Mustafa Yusuf in November 2007,[1] originally under the name Craft Burger.[7] It rebranded to Big Smoke Burger in 2011 after Yusuf was unable to secure a trademark for the original name.[7] The new name was chosen as "Big Smoke" has been a noted nickname for the city of Toronto, which is where the company has its headquarters.[7][8]
In 2013, the company began to expand its reach into the Middle East and the United States.[1] As of October 2017, 19 locations were in operation worldwide.[9]
In June 2013, Big Smoke Burger opened their first location in the United States in Glendale, Colorado.[10] A second location was opened in New York City in July 2014.[11] The sale of burgers and poutine never caught on south of the St. Lawrence River and both locations were quietly closed by 2017 and the company has since left the United States.[citation needed]
MTY
In September 2015, MTY Food Group paid $3 million to acquire 60% of Big Smoke Burger. Big Smoke founder and president Mustafa Yusuf retained the remaining 40% of the company.[12][13]
At the time of the acquisition, Big Smoke Burger had a total of 17 locations. Of the 17 locations, 9 were located in Canada, 4 of which were corporately-owned. The remaining 8 locations were in the United States and the Middle East.[13]
After the sale, Yusuf remained with the company as Senior Vice President of Big Smoke Burger.[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Siddiqi, Maryam (February 27, 2014). "Big Smoke Burger expands to the Middle East". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on October 25, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "How a Canadian burger outlet made its way to the Middle East". Financial Post. March 31, 2014. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ Rubin, Josh (August 2, 2012). "Big Smoke Burger aims for Big Apple". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ "Big Smoke Burger Announces Grand Reopening of Flagship". Foodservice and Hospitality magazine. February 6, 2015. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ Shea, Ryan (September 19, 2014). "Big Smoke Burger Review: Big Flavor, Big Taste". Manhattan Digest. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ Merwin, Hugh (July 26, 2012). "Toronto's Big Smoke Burger Opening Manhattan Flagship This Year". Grub Street. New York. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Craft Burger is now Big Smoke Burger (a new location is in the works, too)". Post City. May 16, 2011.
- ^ "Big Smoke Burger: About Us". Big Smoke Burger. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ "Locations". Big Smoke Burger. June 20, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
- ^ Midson, Lori (June 28, 2013). "First look: Big Smoke Burger opens Monday in Glendale". Westword. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ "Big Smoke Burger Arrives in Chelsea". LocalBozo. July 14, 2014. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ "MTY enters into an agreement to acquire 60% of Big Smoke Burger". CNW Group (Press release). August 19, 2015. Archived from the original on May 26, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c "MTY completes the acquisition of Big Smoke Burger". CNW Group (Press release). September 18, 2015. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
Further reading
- The Globe and Mail
- The Canadian Business Journal
- Village Voice
- Gulf News
- QSR Magazine
External links
- Official website