Mandarin co-founder James Chiu welcomes a large crowd on Canada Day.
Although he was born in Taiwan, James Chiu’s journey became a remarkable Canadian story.
Chiu, who served as president of the Mandarin Restaurant chain, passed away on April 29 at the age of 78.
The news of his death was shared through the company’s social media accounts, which stated that he died after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.
“We have lost a true restaurant icon and a passionate champion of people and community,” read the statement.
After moving to Canada in 1963, his family made Montreal their home, where Chiu later pursued business studies at Concordia University.
Starting his hospitality career early on, he opened his first restaurant in Montreal before relocating with his family to Ontario. In 1979, together with his future co-founders – his brother George, sister-in-law Diana, and longtime friend K. C. Chang – he bought a small Chinese eatery in Brampton called the Mandarin.
As the original Brampton location flourished, by 1987 the company started encouraging its employees to become franchisees, leading to swift growth across Ontario.
Currently, there are 29 locations throughout the province serving thousands of customers each day while keeping the company’s head office in Brampton.
Even as Mandarin transformed into a well-known brand under Chiu’s guidance, many will remember him for his dedication to customers and community.
“Every customer must feel welcomed as soon as they arrive,” was one principle he emphasized to staff. “Every customer must be happy and smiling when they leave.”
In 2014, celebrating Mandarin’s 35th anniversary, Chiu invited all Canadian citizens to enjoy a complimentary buffet meal at any location on Canada Day – a tradition reflecting his gratitude for the country he embraced as home.
Alongside numerous awards received by the company in both industry and consumer categories, Chiu himself earned several honors including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Brampton, and induction into the Ontario Hostelry Institute Hall of Fame.
The Mandarin also established itself as a significant partner with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada starting in 2013. Consequently, the MS Walk in Ontario was renamed to honor this partnership as the Mandarin MS Walk. By 2019, over 50 walks throughout Ontario had raised more than $1 million for research and community initiatives.
The company also supports students attending post-secondary institutions across Ontario through its scholarship program.
Chiu is survived by his wife Sheila along with their children, grandchildren, and extended family members.
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