Osmow’s Modern Mediterranean Cuisine is something of a phenomenon. Since it was launched in Mississauga in 2001, it has grown to a chain of 50 restaurants, serving up shawarmas, kebabs, salads and falafel to an enthusiastic clientele.
Ali and Zohra Ahmadi are the latest franchisees, opening an Osmow’s in Bradford West Gwillimbury.
Ali, a commercial realtor, “used to be involved in the restaurant industry 15 years ago,” he said. He decided to pursue an Osmow’s franchise, encouraged by his own clients and his love of the cuisine, and opened the restaurant at 459 Holland St. W.
“I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out,” Ahmadi said. “I’m so happy with the support!”
The restaurant held a soft opening about a month and a half ago, and it has already built a strong customer base.
The secret, Ali said, is that everything is made fresh — from the salads, to Osmow’s famous sauces.
“All my staff are becoming chefs,” he added, pointing to chicken and beef, stacked on rotisseries. “That’s a talent in itself, being able to rack it up and slice it perfectly.”
The Ahmadi’s held their official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Nov. 3, attended not only by family and loyal customers, but by representatives of the Bradford Board of Trade, town council, and the Osmow family.
Ben Osmow and his sister, Bernadette, were on-hand to celebrate the opening. It was their dad who launched the first Osmow’s in Mississauga.
“We really became popular by growing into towns that didn’t have Mediterranean (cuisine),” Ben said.
The restaurants introduced signature dishes, such as Chicken on the Rocks — chicken on a bed of rice, topped with Osmow’s sauces — as well as shawarmas and On the Stix dishes.
The company now has more than 50 restaurants, “and still growing,” he said.
“It’s a family business… We only started franchising eight years ago,” added Bernadette.
It’s the variety of the freshly-made food that helps make Osmow’s so popular. “We have lots of vegan and gluten-free options,” she said.
“It’s great to be here for another ribbon-cutting for the opening of another business in Bradford. We’re so happy that BWG is the newest restaurant in the Osmow’s chain,” said BWG Mayor-elect Rob Keffer, presenting a certificate of congratulations to the Ahmadis.
“I’m just overwhelmed with all the support from the town,” said Ali, joined by his family.
“We do grand openings at least once a month. This is honestly the best turnout we’ve ever had,” said Ben Osmow.
Following the ribbon-cutting, the restaurant provided a little culture in the Mediterranean tradition — a belly dancer, who had guests and staff clapping along with the music.
Osmow’s Modern Mediterranean Cuisine, 459 Holland St. W., Unit 6, offers eat in and take out, in addition to catering services. Visit osmows.com or call 905-898-8200 for more information.
Midweek Mugging is a regular series profiling local businesses or interesting people in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Want to be featured? Email [email protected].
