Ashton, formerly known as Chez Ashton, a Quebec-based fast-food chain renowned primarily for its poutine, is set to open a new location at Montreal Premium Outlets in Mirabel.
The company currently operates approximately 24 to 26 locations, mainly concentrated in the Quebec City area, serving burgers, hot dogs, and roast beef sandwiches. Now, it will open its first location in the Greater Montreal area around Fall 2025, according to a press release reported by Courrier Laval News. It’s unclear exactly when this location will open, but customers can expect the same delicious menu offerings that the brand has become known for.
“This is a big day for us and for our entire team,” Émily Adam, co-owner of Ashton restaurants, said in a press release. “After announcing the launch of Ashton franchises a year ago, we are now extremely proud to begin our growth in the Montreal market. We’ve long had the vision of an Ashton in the metropolis and its surroundings, and today marks a major milestone in making that vision a reality.”
The business was founded in 1969 by Ashton Leblond, who initially sold fries from a mobile stand in L’Angeuline-Lorette, Quebec. In 1972, poutine was added to the menu, promoted with free samples. The first permanent location opened in 1976. Although the brand expanded throughout the 1980s, it failed to gain a foothold in Montreal.
The menu is centered around poutine made with hand-cut fries, cheese curds, and a signature brown gravy, with optional toppings such as spicy sauce, sausage, or ground beef. Ashton is also known for its January temperature-based discount promotion, where the price of poutine is reduced based on the daily low temperature.
In 2022, Ashton Leblond sold the company to Adam and Jean-Christophe Lirette, experienced operators of snack bars and Harvey’s franchises. In 2023, the brand was renamed from Chez Ashton to Ashton and began updating its store interiors, packaging, and menus. Initial results from the rebranding included a 35% increase in foot traffic and a 34% increase in sales at the first redesigned location.
