Legacy Canadian QSR brand gains traction with new store development, stronger digital engagement, and broader retail distribution
Teriyaki Experience is emerging as a standout growth story in Canada’s quick-service restaurant sector, reporting a 24% year-over-year same-store sales increase in Q1 2026 as it accelerates expansion across the country.
The 40-year-old Canadian brand, acquired by QuickBite Collective Inc. just 15 months ago, is showing renewed momentum at a time when many legacy restaurant concepts are contending with softer traffic and changing consumer behaviour. Teriyaki Experience currently has seven new locations under construction across Ontario and British Columbia, with 12 additional locations planned as part of its next phase of national growth.
“What makes this growth especially exciting is that it’s happening across multiple channels – in restaurants, online, and at retail,” said Hadi Chahin, President of QuickBite Collective. “Teriyaki Experience has always had strong brand equity, and our focus has been on modernizing the offer and building the foundation for its next phase of growth.”
The brand’s recent performance has been driven by a sharpened operating strategy focused on value, menu relevance, brand modernization, and accessibility.
Teriyaki Experience has sharpened its offer with a more focused menu and clearer brand positioning. New Lite Bowls, priced under $10, deliver affordability for value-conscious consumers, while menu additions such as Tom Yum Noodle Soup, Karaage Chicken, and Takoyaki Bites bring stronger trend appeal and broaden the brand’s reach. The new Protein Bowl, featuring more than 85 grams of protein, responds to growing demand for high-protein options. Expanded customization also gives guests more ways to personalize their meals with toppings such as green onions, sesame seeds, pickled ginger, and tempura bits.
Teriyaki Experience is also evolving its visual identity with a more culture-driven and distinctive look. New anime-inspired characters, Ms. Suki and Miso, now appear across packaging, menus, and uniforms, while hand-drawn anime murals are being introduced in restaurants across the country. Online, the brand has doubled its Instagram following and launched a TikTok presence that has already generated nearly 20,000 likes, helping it connect with a younger, Gen Z audience. Expanded partnerships with DoorDash and Uber are also increasing convenience and accessibility for customers nationwide.
Beyond its restaurant footprint, Teriyaki Experience is also expanding its retail presence across Canada. Its sauce line, which has been a staple on shelves for more than 15 years, is rolling out this April in refreshed packaging at major grocery retailers including Walmart, Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro, bringing the brand’s signature flavours into more Canadian homes.
With new restaurant development underway and continued traction across menu innovation, digital engagement, and retail expansion, Teriyaki Experience is positioning itself as a rare bright spot in a challenging restaurant category and a legacy brand entering a new era of growth.
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