Tahini’s targets 30 new restaurants in Canada and the United States

Tahini’s plans to open 30 new restaurants in Canada and the United States over the next two years. The Toronto-based Mediterranean fusion chain intends to continue expanding through franchising, focusing on recruiting operators and providing the support needed to turn projects into operating restaurants.

Eight openings in 2026, including Vancouver and Winnipeg

According to information reported by Retail Insider on 23 October 2026, Tahini’s has opened eight restaurants since the start of the year. These include its first sites in Vancouver and Winnipeg, adding two new Canadian markets to its growing network.

The company says it currently has 76 restaurants and 70 franchisees. These figures represent different things: the first counts locations, while the second refers to the franchise owners associated with the brand. On their own, they do not show how the restaurants are distributed among individual operators.

Founded in 2012, Tahini’s serves shawarmas and bowls inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, among other dishes. Its next growth target covers both countries, with no announced breakdown between Canada and the United States. The 30 planned openings should therefore not be interpreted as a commitment to the Canadian market alone.

Expansion starts with the franchisee

Tahini’s describes an approach that puts the choice of operator at the start of the process. The company explains that it recruits franchisees, then works with them to establish new restaurants. This makes the local partner the starting point for a project, rather than simply presenting a list of available sites.

The support outlined includes finding a suitable location, establishing a supply chain, training and assistance with the restaurant fit-out. Tahini’s also says it provides operational support during development. The support package described therefore covers several stages before the first customers arrive.

When selecting partners, the brand says it looks for an entrepreneurial mindset, a focus on operational excellence and a desire to build a strong presence in local communities. Customer experience and franchisee support are central to the strategy set out by the company.

For prospective franchisees, these are specific points to explore in discussions with the brand: who is involved at each stage, which responsibilities remain with the operator, and how does support continue through to opening?

Social media as a recruitment tool

Tahini’s also links its expansion to its social media presence. The company believes the audience it has built around the brand contributes to business growth and is seeking to turn that visibility into franchise network expansion.

This sits alongside a very practical process, however: finding entrepreneurs, choosing premises, organising supplies and preparing teams. In the strategy described, online brand awareness complements the work of establishing new sites; it does not replace the steps needed to open a restaurant.

The published information does not quantify the proportion of new franchisees recruited through social media. Nor does it allow a sales figure to be attributed to that audience. The commercial role of this online presence is therefore presented as the company’s assessment, rather than a detailed measure of its performance.

A two-country target to track one opening at a time

In the United States, Tahini’s plans two further openings before the end of 2026, in Chicago and New Jersey. These projects form part of its continued US expansion, alongside its new Canadian locations.

The target of 30 restaurants remains a two-year expansion plan, separate from the eight openings already completed in 2026. The announced timetable sets a direction for growth, but without a country-by-country breakdown, it is not possible to say how many new opportunities will be offered to entrepreneurs in Canada.

Key takeaway: prospective Tahini’s franchisees should ask which Canadian territories are actually available and seek clarification on the support offered for premises, supplies, training and fit-out. These practical details will help them assess a project beyond the overall expansion target.