Mike’s Resto Notes: Boustan’s rapid expansion

Emad Saad purchased the Bouston restaurant brand in 2017. At the time, only the original spot on downtown Crescent Street and three others existed. Seven years later there are now 66 locations and counting. Publisher Peter Kerr and I sat down with Saad, Marketing Director Jad Akiki and Head Office Manager Kaylea Peres at the spanking new Lachine location recently, situated in a strip mall on busy Victoria Street. Saad went behind the counter himself to prepare a pair of delicious mixed shawarma bowls for us and a pair of vegan shiitake mushroom brochettes that tasted and looked like chicken. Saad told us his goal is to reach 100 franchises by 2025; 250 in the next five years and 750 in a decade’s time. A new menu will be rolled out soon. For more information on Boustan, visit https://boustan.ca