kfc leslieville

A Toronto neighbourhood is getting a KFC and residents aren't happy

On this episode of Not In My Backyard, a KFC is slated to open in Leslieville and residents are not having any of their eleven herbs and spices.

Initially it was unclear what was moving into the space at 1364 Queen St. East where a convenience store used to operate.
lesvlieville,kfcBut a permit issued in July was eventually discovered by locals. It promised a restaurant space and confirmed KFC as the tenant.

The main issue that's got people fired up is concern over the longstanding Chick-N-Joy that has been in the neighbourhood since 1977.

chick n joy,leslieville

More broadly, some also fear that the incoming KFC signals a coming wave of corporate-style gentrification in Leslieville.

kfc,leslieville

Other Toronto neighbourhoods have held similar grievances towards big businesses coming into their area.

A few years ago, Junction residents were upset over a Starbucks moving in across the street from independent coffee shop Crema, while gentrification in Parkdale seems to always be a urgent subject of conversation (to name only two neighbourhoods).

kfc,leslievilleBeyond any corporate concerns, area residents also had more sensory concerns about the incoming food chain. But, hey, at least KFC's fries aren't as bad as they used to be.

Lead photo by

Mike Mozart


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

We teamed up with local small business Cereal Box Cafe to give away 100 free ice creams

Two huge Caribbean food festivals coming to Toronto this summer

Toronto bakery is giving away hundreds of free patties before they close for good

Michelin-approved Toronto restaurant is closing to undergo 'transformation'

New Loblaws policy promises customers free produce if it isn't fresh

Canadians could soon cash in on $500 million Loblaw bread price-fixing settlement

Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski shares his love of Canadian chips

An American visited a Canadian Costco and shared their haul