Through entrepreneurship, Ibukun Olubiyi is looking to create a lasting impact in Canada’s capital city.
According to a news release, Olubiyi reportedly opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and spent time in London, England, and Dublin, Ireland, but her journey to becoming an owner-operator was made possible by moving to Canada.
Olubiyi pursued her studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. In her final year, in 2012, she took a trip with Habitat for Humanity to help those who were still struggling with the effects of Hurricane Katrina. On their way to New Orleans, LA, her group visited a Chick-fil-A restaurant.
“During our 27-hour drive, we stopped to eat at Chick-fil-A…,” she said. “What stood out to me more than the food was the impeccable customer service, especially the team members who were extremely courteous as they took my order.”
The fast-food chain left a lasting impression on Olubiyi. She completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology and then scaled her education at Algonquin College in Ottawa to obtain a human resources management certificate. She has remained in Canada’s capital ever since and added an MBA from Loughborough University in the U.K. to her belt.
After she discovered that Chick-fil-A planned to expand its presence in Canada, she was eager to be part of that growth and create a legacy in the Ottawa community.
Now, she leads her own Chick-fil-A location, which opened in July 2024.
“Legacy is important to me because I have seen the rewards of a great legacy in my family, where integrity was always at the centre of everything my family did and ultimately set me up for success,” Ibukun said in the news release. “I am grateful for the many opportunities I have had in Ottawa after graduating from university, most of which were a result of people taking a chance on me and developing my leadership abilities. I want to be able to do that for other young people in the city.”
Some of Olubiyi’s plans for the establishment include higher wages, mentorship, and life coaching opportunities that will include immigration information and assistance that centers financial planning, per the news release. She will also fold in additional efforts to better the community by integrating the Chick-fil-A Shared Table food donation program, which was created to combat food insecurity by donating extra food to those in need, per information on the company’s website.
“My vision for my restaurant is to be a positive influence on everyone we come in contact with in the city of Ottawa,” she said. “Not only do I want to win the hearts of the Kanata community through an exceptional Chick-fil-A experience, but I also want to be a part of the solution for any challenges facing my local neighbourhoods.”
