Mandarin Founder's Legacy: A Chinese Buffet Empire

0:00It's May 1st, Canada News. Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. I'm Cory with the story. James Chu, the president and co-founder of Mandarin, Ontario's top all you can eat Chinese buffet chain, has passed away at age 78. He died on Wednesday from pulmonary fibrosis, just days after his 78th birthday. Chu came to Canada from Taiwan with his parents back in 1963, landing in Montreal. There, he studied business at Concordia University before opening his first spot, Sweet and Sour. In 1979, he moved his family to Ontario and bought a small restaurant in Brampton called Mandarin, turning it into a powerhouse with 29 locations today. He picked up big honors along the way, like the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Brampton. His family calls him a true champion for people and community, full of wit, wisdom and warmth that folks won't forget.

1:00Mandarin's story shows how one immigrant's hustle built a lasting legacy in the restaurant game.