Lick's Homeburgers

Founding and early expansion

Denise Meehan, a native of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, founded Lick's in 1980 with a $5,000 loan. She opened the first location on Queen Street East in Toronto that same year, drawing on her upbringing in a family-run tourist resort. The second location opened several years later on Kingston Road in Scarborough, marking the beginning of the brand's physical expansion. Meehan, who served as the company's president and sole shareholder, turned the concept into a franchise in 1984. This franchising model allowed the Lick's name and menu to spread to several Ontario communities over the next two decades, setting the stage for its provincial growth.

Peak popularity and brand identity

The brand became widely recognized for its hamburgers, which were nicknamed "homeburgers" to suggest a homemade quality. A major part of its appeal was the distinctive in-store experience where employees would sing parodies of popular songs while preparing orders, creating a fun and memorable atmosphere. This practice was a key differentiator from conventional fast-food outlets and became a signature element of the brand. The company's success was also bolstered by having its frozen hamburger patties carried by major Ontario supermarket chains, extending its reach beyond its restaurants.

Challenges and strategic shifts

Lick's began to encounter significant financial difficulty following the 2008 global financial crisis. The recession affected consumer spending habits, shifting demand away from sit-down casual restaurants towards faster takeout options. Concurrently, the market became more competitive with the proliferation of gourmet hamburger chains such as The Burger's Priest and The Works, which eroded Lick's market share. An additional factor cited in the brand's struggles was a strategic shift from using fresh hamburger patties to frozen ones. This change occurred particularly after the company began marketing its burgers in grocery store freezers, and some customers felt it diminished the product quality.

A wave of closures swept through Toronto-area franchises in 2012 and 2013, including the original Queen Street location. By April 2017, only two restaurants remained operational, one in Toronto and another in the Parry Sound area. The last Toronto restaurant, located at 900 Warden Avenue, ceased being a franchise in July 2021 and was renamed Andy's Artisan Burgers before eventually closing. This left the Parry Sound area location as the sole remaining Lick's restaurant for several years, operating near Georgian Bay until its final closure.

Final closure and subsequent revival

The final brick-and-mortar Lick's Homeburgers restaurant, located in the Parry Sound area, closed its doors in May 2026. This closure marked the end of an era for the brand's permanent restaurant presence after more than four decades. However, the brand's story did not end there, as the company continued its online frozen-food business, selling products directly to consumers. Furthermore, Lick's made a notable return to public events by operating a temporary stall in the Food Building during the 2026 Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. The stall operated for the entire 18-day run of the fair, serving classic menu items.

In a significant development for the brand, Lick's returned as a full restaurant in September 2026. A new location opened at the Shawanaga First Nation Gas & Variety, situated at 1 Tuckers Road East on Highway 69. This reopening demonstrated the enduring appeal of the Lick's name and menu, offering classic items like the Homeburger, the vegetarian Natureburger, and the Back Bacon on a Bun to a new generation of customers. The 2026 CNE appearance was not the brand's first pop-up, as it had also operated a stall at the fair in 2022.

Products and menu evolution

The core of the Lick's menu was its signature Homeburger, a hamburger that emphasized a homemade quality. The chain also offered a vegetarian option known as the Natureburger, catering to a wider range of dietary preferences. Other classic menu items included hot dogs, poutine, and various sides, alongside its namesake ice cream offerings. During its later pop-up appearances, such as at the CNE, the menu featured these staples, though often at higher price points reflective of contemporary food costs, with burgers priced around $14 in 2026. The brand's frozen hamburger patties remained available for retail purchase in supermarkets and online even after most restaurants had closed, maintaining a connection with customers.

Cultural impact and recognition

Lick's developed a strong nostalgic connection for many Ontarians who grew up with its unique dining experience. The employee singing tradition became a fondly remembered and defining characteristic of the brand. Founder Denise Meehan received professional recognition for her work, being named to the Sales Hall of Fame by the Canadian Professional Sales Association in 2002. She was also profiled by Hilary magazine in 2008, highlighting her role as a successful female entrepreneur in the competitive restaurant industry. The brand's periodic returns, such as at the CNE, are often met with enthusiasm from former patrons eager to recapture a taste of their childhood, and from new customers discovering it for the first time.

Business operations and ownership

Lick's Homeburgers & Ice Cream is owned by Lick's Concepts, Inc., a private company. Denise Meehan remained the company's president and its sole shareholder throughout its history. The business model evolved from a single corporate store to a franchise system beginning in 1984, which facilitated its expansion across Ontario. Even as the restaurant footprint shrank, the company maintained a parallel business selling frozen food products through grocery channels and online. This diversified approach allowed the Lick's brand to persist in the market even after the closure of its traditional restaurants.

Questions about Lick's Homeburgers

When did the last Lick's Homeburgers restaurant close?

The last remaining brick-and-mortar Lick's Homeburgers restaurant closed in May 2026. This location was in the Parry Sound area of Ontario, specifically near Georgian Bay. Its closure ended a run of over 40 years for the chain's permanent restaurant operations. The brand, however, was revived later that same year with a new location on Highway 69.

Is Lick's Homeburgers completely gone?

No, Lick's Homeburgers is not completely gone. After the last restaurant closed in May 2026, a new location opened in September 2026 at the Shawanaga First Nation Gas & Variety on Highway 69. The company also continues to sell its frozen burger patties and other products online and in some stores. Furthermore, the brand has made appearances at events like the Canadian National Exhibition, including a stall in 2022 and again in 2026.

What made Lick's Homeburgers unique?

Lick's Homeburgers was unique for its lively in-store atmosphere where employees would sing parodies of popular songs while preparing food. Its burgers were branded as "homeburgers" to emphasize a homemade quality. The chain also developed a strong nostalgic brand identity over its decades of operation in Ontario, remembered for its charcoal-scented grills. This combination of food and experience created a distinct place for it in the casual dining market.

Who founded Lick's Homeburgers?

Lick's Homeburgers was founded by Denise Meehan, a native of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. She started the business in 1980 with a $5,000 loan, opening the first location on Queen Street East in Toronto. Meehan served as the company's president and was its sole shareholder, guiding it from a single store to a franchise. She turned the concept into a franchise in 1984, which allowed for its provincial expansion.

Can I buy Lick's products in grocery stores?

Yes, frozen Lick's hamburger patties have been carried by major Ontario supermarket chains in the past. The company maintains an online frozen-food business where consumers can purchase products directly. While the availability in physical grocery stores may vary, the frozen patties allow customers to prepare a version of the Homeburger at home. This product line continued even after the last restaurant closed in 2026.

Why did Lick's Homeburgers decline?

Lick's decline was attributed to several factors following the 2008 financial crisis, which changed consumer spending habits away from casual dining. The recession specifically shifted demand away from sit down restaurants towards takeout options. Increased competition from gourmet burger chains like The Burger's Priest and The Works also eroded its market share. Furthermore, a strategic shift from fresh to frozen hamburger patties, partly linked to selling frozen patties in supermarkets, is believed by some to have diminished the perceived product quality. These combined challenges led to a wave of franchise closures in the Toronto area in 2012 and 2013, including the original location. This ultimately reduced the chain from its peak of approximately 30 locations across southern Ontario to just two remaining restaurants by April 2017.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-23.