About St-Hubert: Brand History, Who Owns It & Timeline
From a single rotisserie diner on Rue Saint-Hubert in Montreal to over 120 locations across Canada and nationwide grocery distribution. Explore the verified history of Canada's spit-roasting pioneer.
René & Hélène Léger in Montreal
Primary administrative offices
Privatized Canadian holdings
Dining rooms & Express units
The Story of Canada's Rotisserie Chicken Pioneer
In post-war Montreal, roasted chicken was a luxury prepared at home on Sundays. René Léger, inspired by rotisserie spits he observed in the United States, decided to introduce spit-roasting to Montrealers at accessible everyday prices. On September 25, 1951, René and his wife Hélène opened their small eatery at 6355 Rue Saint-Hubert with just a few tables.
The secret to their early success was two-fold: tender, slow-roasted chicken basted continuously on vertical spits, and a rich, spiced barbecue dipping sauce created by Hélène Léger. Within months, line-ups stretched around the block.
In 1952, St-Hubert launched free home delivery across Montreal—decades before smartphone apps. René Léger purchased a fleet of bright yellow Volkswagen Beetles, retrofitted custom heating cabinets into the front luggage compartments, and mounted yellow roosters on the rooftops. The radio jingle "Dring-dring-dring, que ça sent bon, chez St-Hubert B-B-Q!" became one of the most recognized marketing campaigns in Canadian broadcasting history.
Corporate Evolution: Cara Operations to Fairfax Financial
In March 2016, Ontario-based restaurant conglomerate Cara Operations Limited announced an agreement to acquire Groupe St-Hubert for $537 million CAD. The acquisition created Canada's largest full-service restaurant company, uniting St-Hubert alongside Swiss Chalet, Montana's, Harvey's, and Kelsey's under what would later be renamed Recipe Unlimited Corporation.
In late 2022, Recipe Unlimited was taken private by Fairfax Financial Holdings, led by prominent Canadian value investor Prem Watsa, keeping ownership headquartered and managed within Canada.
Key Milestones in St-Hubert History
Founding on Rue Saint-Hubert
René and Hélène Léger open their first rotisserie chicken restaurant in Montreal, introducing rotisserie spit-roasting to Canada.
Pioneering Free Delivery & Yellow Beetles
St-Hubert launches motorized home delivery with heated car units, revolutionizing food delivery across Montreal.
Supermarket Canned Sauces Launched
St-Hubert starts bottling its secret BBQ dipping sauce for retail grocery stores, launching its multi-million-dollar retail division.
Introduction of St-Hubert Express
Launch of fast-casual Express units with touchscreen kiosks, self-serve drinks, and drive-thru service for diners on the go.
Cara Operations Acquisition ($537M CAD)
Cara Operations (later Recipe Unlimited) acquires Groupe St-Hubert for $537 million, uniting Canada's leading restaurant chains.
Privatization by Fairfax Financial
Recipe Unlimited is privatized by Prem Watsa's Fairfax Financial Holdings, solidifying long-term Canadian ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Brand
Frequently Asked Questions About St-Hubert Menu
St-Hubert is owned by Recipe Unlimited Corporation (formerly Cara Operations), which was acquired and taken private by Canadian investment holding company Fairfax Financial Holdings in 2022. St-Hubert's operational headquarters remain in Laval, Quebec.