Meet Ibukun Olubiyi: The Owner of Ottawa’s First Chick-fil-A Restaurant

Ibukun Olubiyi, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, is making waves in Ottawa, Ontario, with the opening of the city’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant. Her path from Lagos to becoming a business owner in Canada is a story of hard work and determination.

Ibukun Olubiyi studied at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. In her final year in 2012, she went on a trip with Habitat for Humanity to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. During the trip, her group stopped at a Chick-fil-A restaurant. The food was great, but what impressed her most was the friendly and helpful staff.

“I remember the exceptional service and how polite the team was,” Olubiyi said. This experience sparked her interest in Chick-fil-A. She continued her studies at Algonquin College in Ottawa, where she earned a certificate in human resources management, and later got an MBA from Loughborough University in the U.K.

After moving to Canada, Ibukun Olubiyi learned about Chick-fil-A’s plans to expand in the country. She saw this as a chance to be part of the growth and to make a difference in Ottawa. Her Chick-fil-A restaurant opened in July 2024.

Olubiyi values the idea of leaving a legacy. “Legacy is important to me because I’ve seen how a strong legacy can lead to success,” she said. She’s grateful for the opportunities she’s had in Ottawa and wants to help others by creating job opportunities and offering mentorship.

Her plans for the restaurant include higher wages, mentorship, life coaching, and support for immigrants with financial planning. She also aims to use Chick-fil-A’s Shared Table program to help fight food insecurity by donating extra food to those in need.

“My goal for the restaurant is to be a positive force in Ottawa,” Olubiyi said. “I want to make a great impression on the Kanata community and help solve local problems.”