Boustan Explained

Boustan
Logo Alt:BOUSTAN - Since 1986
Pushpin Map:Canada Montreal
Established:1986
Current-Owner:Karim Saab
Food-Type:Lebanese
Street-Address:2020A Crescent Street, 19 Sainte Catherine Street East, 8000 Henri Bourassa Boulevard East, 1601 Daniel Johnson Boulevard, 3980 Saint Jean Boulevard
City:Montreal
State:Quebec
Postcode:H3G 2B8
Country:Canada
Coordinates:45.4982°N -73.5778°W

Boustan is a Lebanese-Canadian fast food restaurant chain in Montreal, Quebec. It was established in 1986.

Boustan is the Arabic word for orchard.

History

Karim Saab became the full-time owner of the restaurant, after being a silent partner.[1] Karim immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in 2010,[1] studied engineering at École Polytechnique de Montréal and worked for Philips before having to quit to run Boustan full-time.[1]

The restaurant moved several times before settling in its current location, 2020A Crescent Street in downtown Montreal.[1]

Boustan has been frequented by, among others, former Prime Minister of Canada and the now current Prime Minister of Canada.[1] and some of the rosters from the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Alouettes.[2]

Karim Saab, due to his popularly, was called "Mr. Boustan" instead of his real name. Smaidi put the restaurant up for sale in early 2011.[2] [1] [3] He eventually sold the restaurant to George Hatzimargaritis and Mario Daigneault on March 25, 2012 for an undisclosed sum.[2]

Boustan chain

In 2014 Boustan opened a second location at 19 Ste Catherine East which serves the same menu as the original location.[4]

In 2015 Boustan opened further locations in Anjou/Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles (RDP) at 8000 Henri-Bourassa East and in Dollard-des-Ormeaux at 3980 boul St Jean which also serves the same menu as the original location.[4]

In 2016 Boustan opened its fifth location in Laval, Quebec at 1601 Daniel Johnson corner St Martin.[5]

In 2017 Boustan opened locations in Verdun, NDG, Rosemont, Côte-des-Neiges, Kirkland, St-Henri, Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, St Leonard and Blainville. In 2019 they opened a location in Vaudreuil-Dorion. It has become a fast growing franchise expecting more new locations.

In 2021, Boustan opened their first location outside the Greater Montreal area in Lévis.

As of March 2022, a location in Ottawa on Rideau street and in Scarborough Ontario would be the first locations opened outside of Quebec bringing the franchises to a total of 41 locations.

In 2023, a location in Oakville Ontario opened on Upper Middle Road in the Upper Oakville Shopping Centre.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bye bye Boustans?. Faure. Elizabeth. 2011-05-03. Montreal Mirror. 26 March 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110305061900/http://www.montrealmirror.com/wp/2011/03/03/bye-bye-boustan/. 5 March 2011.
  2. News: Popular Lebanese eatery changes hands . Brownstein . Bill . 2012-03-25 . . . 26 March 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120328233803/http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Popular%2BLebanese%2Beatery%2Bchanges%2Bhands/6356953/story.html . 28 March 2012 .
  3. Web site: "Mr. Boustan" looking to sell. Szuper. Victor. 2011-02-01. McGill Tribune. 26 March 2012.
  4. Web site: Montreal's West Island To Open A Boustan Restaurant On St-Jean Blvd. Hazan. Jeremy. 2015-08-12. MTL Blog. 19 February 2016.
  5. Web site: Montreal Is Opening An All-New Boustan Restaurant In Laval. Cipolla. Miranda. 2016-02-08. MTL Blog. 19 February 2016.