Kinton Ramen, one of Toronto’s pioneering Japanese ramen restaurants, will open its newest location at CF Markville Shopping Centre in Markham, Ontario on February 15, marking another strategic expansion in the Greater Toronto Area retail landscape. The opening comes as the brand accelerates its growth across the region, targeting both urban corridors and emerging suburban markets.
“The GTA was home to our very first Kinton Ramen, so opening yet another location here is always meaningful to us,” says Karalyn White, Senior Director of Franchising at Kinka Family, the parent company that owns and operates Kinton Ramen. “We’re excited to bring an authentic ramen experience to shoppers at CF Markville and the broader York Region.”
Located at 5000 Highway 7, the 2,000-square-foot restaurant will operate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring approximately 50 seats and the brand’s signature dining experience. The location is currently in its soft opening phase, allowing staff to settle in and prepare for the upcoming grand opening celebration while maintaining Kinton’s established service standards.
Real estate strategy for the brand focuses heavily on market dynamics and demographic patterns, according to Sari Samarah, President and CEO of Value Insight Realty, who handles Kinton’s real estate strategy. ” First and foremost, we assess the area’s density and market potential,” he explains. “If there’s a gap such as like in King East, where there are few restaurants and no ramen spots, we see an opportunity. With the surge in condos, a nearby college, and the return of office workers, the market is poised for rapid growth.
The Markville location exemplifies Kinton’s evolving approach to shopping center presence. “Some of our most successful stores are with Cadillac Fairview,” Samarah notes.
This strategic approach to site selection has proven successful across various retail environments. Beyond traditional street-front locations, Kinton is actively pursuing opportunities in mixed-use developments. “We recently completed a deal in Downtown Burlington underneath a prominent high-rise development,” Samarah reveals, indicating the brand’s adaptability to evolving retail environments.
The brand’s expansion strategy extends beyond the GTA’s core markets. “Vancouver has been a very strong market for us and I think we have six or seven stores open with another several coming for next year,” Samarah notes. ” We also have more stores opening in Calgary and Edmonton, as we believe Alberta is eager to welcome us.
Recent developments in Ontario include new locations in Richmond Hill and another coming soon to Barrhaven. “Park Place is opening this Spring in Barrie,” Samarah adds, “And there’s a few other markets like London, looking at a second store.” The company is also in active negotiations for locations in Niagara, while exploring opportunities in markets such as Etobicoke, South Oakville, Milton, Cambridge, Kitchener, Sarnia, Whitby, Kanata, Merivale, Pickering, Ajax.
The success of this expansion strategy stems from Kinton’s broad market appeal. “What’s made Kinton Ramen stand out in the ramen sector is that it has a broad market appeal and warm, inviting atmosphere ,” Samarah observes. ” People are now well-educated about ramen and its flavors. Kinton Ramen offers a diverse selection—chicken, pork, beef, and vegetarian—whereas most ramen restaurants typically have only one or two of these options.”
Since beginning its franchise program in 2021, nearly a decade after launching its first restaurant in downtown Toronto, Kinton has pursued an aggressive growth strategy that balances urban and suburban locations. The brand now operates more than 40 locations across Canada and the United States, building a loyal following in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal by combining innovative ramen creations with traditional recipes.
Looking ahead, Kinton continues to evaluate opportunities across Canada, We’re expanding across Canada, in Alberta, Ontario, BC, Quebec, Manitoba, the Maritimes, and Saskatchewan,” Samarah confirms. “At our current growth rate, we believe Kinton Ramen will reach 100 locations nationwide in the next few years.”
This ambitious expansion plan is supported by the brand’s operational infrastructure. The Markville location, like all Kinton restaurants, will offer both dine-in service and digital ordering options through the brand’s online platform at order.kintonramen.com, as well as through partnerships with Uber Eats and DoorDash.
The growth strategy reflects both the brand’s success and the evolving nature of Toronto’s retail landscape. Markets that were once considered secondary are now prime targets for expansion.
As part of Kinka Family, recognized as Canada’s largest Japanese restaurant group, Kinton Ramen’s expansion contributes to the parent company’s mission of “Serving People Happiness” through quality food and exceptional hospitality experiences. The company’s diverse portfolio includes other successful concepts such as Kinka Izakaya and JaBistro, with operations spanning Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, and New York.
The Markville opening represents not just another location but a milestone in Kinton’s evolution from a downtown Toronto favorite to a national brand, while maintaining its commitment to authentic Japanese ramen and exceptional dining experiences.
Dustin Fuhs is the Editor-in-Chief of 6ix Retail. He is the former Editor-in-Chief of Retail Insider, Canada’s most-read retail trade publication. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail, marketing, entertainment and hospitality industries, including with The Walt Disney Company, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Starbucks and Blockbuster.
Dustin was named as a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert in 2024 and 2025.