Ontario-born founder of Smoke's Poutinerie Ryan Smolkin dies at age 50

Latest Videos

Smoke's Poutinerie founder and CEO, Ryan Smolkin, has died at the age of 50.

Smolkin, who was born in Ottawa, was considered a pioneer and a trailblazer in the culinary industry thanks to his ever-growing quick-serve poutine restaurant chain.

In Loving Memory of Ryan Smolkin
Friend, Founder & Chief Entertainment Officer
1973 - 2023 pic.twitter.com/tsn5O3hlRS
— Smoke's Poutinerie (@poutinerie) October 30, 2023

The Ajax-based company opened its first location in Toronto in 2008 at 218 Adelaide St. W., and went on to open more than 150 outlets in Canada and the U.S. over the next several years.

The company attributed Smolkin's death to unexpected complications from a recent surgery.

Smoke's Poutinerie's president and chief operating officer Mark Cunningham will be taking on Smolkin's role.

Lead photo by

Smoke's Poutinerie

Latest Videos

Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Toronto neighbourhood upset to be losing local grocery store ahead of new development

How to get a new free blender without a receipt after Canada-wide recall

People fight back over anonymous complaint that could close Toronto corner store

Toronto pizza restaurant claps back at former employee's viral wage protest video

U.S. chain Wingstop is expanding with new Toronto location opening soon

Toronto bakery takes top prize at Ontario butter tart festival

Locals livid that Toronto corner store could have to close over anonymous complaint

Here's how food prices in Canada have changed over 20 years