Former McDonald's Canada executive opens second restaurant at Yorkdale mall

TORONTO · A former McDonald's Canada executive has opened his second restaurant at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Jonathan Greenway, who previously worked as director of field operations for the company, opened the new food court location on Oct. 30. He acquired his first McDonald's franchise in Scarborough just four months earlier in June. Greenway is now responsible for operating the Yorkdale restaurant while McDonald's manages the real estate and development. A third location is planned for Toronto's Riverside neighbourhood in the spring of 2027.

"I really just wanted to control my own destiny," Greenway told Retail Insider. He said he was inspired to pursue franchise ownership after six years at the company's head office supporting other franchisees. Watching owners build their businesses convinced him he wanted an operation he could call his own. The move marks a return to hands-on restaurant operations for Greenway, who had previously owned a restaurant outside the McDonald's system.

The new restaurant was created by combining two former food court units that housed a Subway and a Teriyaki Experience. "We actually took over two units," Greenway said. He explained that the combined space allows the location to offer McDonald's full menu and five self-service ordering kiosks. The restaurant employs about 50 people, most of them part-time, with up to 12 staff working at once during the busiest lunch periods.

READ MORE: Former Loblaw cashier opens new No Frills franchise in Toronto's west end

READ MORE: Ontario restaurant accessibility test finds widespread barriers for people with disabilities

Greenway said traffic at the mall location has been strongest on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. He noted shoppers often eat at unconventional times, leading to a steadier flow of customers between traditional meal periods. The restaurant opens one hour before the mall's regular hours, operating from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Hours are expected to be extended during the holiday shopping season around Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day.

McDonald's Canada selected Greenway to operate the Yorkdale restaurant from among its Toronto-area franchisees. The company handled the site selection, lease negotiations and design, leveraging an existing relationship with mall owner Oxford Properties. Greenway concentrates on hiring, training, service and daily operations while the corporation manages the property work. He describes himself as an "intrapreneur" for operating within McDonald's established support system.

Opening a second location has required Greenway to rely more on managers and structured processes. He can no longer oversee both his Scarborough and Yorkdale restaurants in person every day. His corporate experience did not eliminate the need for retraining, as he spent time working in restaurants to prepare for the practical demands of ownership. Prospective McDonald's franchisees generally need at least $1 million in non-borrowed personal resources to qualify, according to the company.

Greenway expects to open his third McDonald's around March or April 2027 at Queen Street East and Broadview Avenue in Riverside. The proposed restaurant at 709 Queen Street East has drawn opposition from some residents concerned about traffic, litter and neighbourhood character. Others have welcomed the potential for additional foot traffic. City permits for interior alterations were approved in September, and work appears to be underway. From November 12 to 14, the Yorkdale restaurant plans to donate 10 per cent of its sales to Ronald McDonald House, a charity on whose board Greenway previously served. The company has also committed to offering five-dollar McValue meals and one-dollar small McCafé coffees through 2026. Greenway said the value meals have been selling well at his locations.

With files from Retail Insider