Rotisserie Chicken Since 1960
Benny & Co. : A Québec Family Story
About
Mission
Values
About
A family story that keeps on growing
Benny is a generous family story that began at the end of the 40s. In 1947, after receiving 1,550 roosters from a Saint-Félix-de-Valois hatchery, Joseph-Georges, one of William Benny’s eight sons, discovered a passion for aviculture. It wasn’t long before his brothers followed his lead, learning the basics of raising chickens on the Sainte-Mélanie family farm.
After having left the family nest to build their own chicken farms, the Benny brothers brought their vision to life by joining forces to found the company Benny & Frères Ltd. They rapidly became the largest chicken producer in the region. Their goal then, as it is today, was to deliver a premium product every time.
During these early years, the Benny brothers enjoyed organizing social gatherings on Sundays at their sister and brother-in-law’s, attended by all the various family members. Following one of these gatherings, Gilles Benny created a rotating skewer oven from scratch. Without realizing it, he had invented the first 3-hour slow-cooking oven that, to this day, produces the roast chicken for which the Benny family is renowned for.
In 1960, the love story with Quebecers began when the Benny brothers and their brother-in-law went into the restaurant business, opening their very first rotisserie in Joliette. They were so successful that they inaugurated more than 20 other restaurants in Quebec’s main cities under different banners during the 60s and 70s.
The second generation of Bennys took the helm in the 70s and 80s and continued to operate and open restaurants across the province.
In 2006, Benny&Co. was created in order to bring the various Benny family restaurants under a single name. Several cousins from all over Quebec also joined the brand to offer clientele the best experience possible and to continue to develop new locations in their respective markets.
The torch has now passed to the third generation of the Benny family, who is firmly focused on the future. Not only are they involved in the community, especially through the creation of the Benny&Co. Foundation, they also encourage local producers by sourcing more than 80% of the restaurants’ supplies from within Quebec. Constantly expanding, the chain opens 8 to 10 new locations a year.
Proud of its family heritage, the Benny&Co. team delights in sharing its expertise with its clientele and invites them to discover (or rediscover) the taste of its mouth-watering chicken.
Bon appetit!
Mission
Our Mission
Offer the best chicken and meet our clients’ expectations. Offer employees a stimulating and fulfilling environment that aligns with Benny & Co.’s values.
Our vision
Become the Canadian rotisserie chicken market leader.
Values
Our Values
Respect
- For the Benny & Co. banner
- For clients, colleagues, suppliers, oneself
- For the company’s values, policies, standards and property
Team spirit
- Confidence and engagement
- Availability, collaboration, contribution and involvement
- Authenticity and transparency
Excellence
- Consistency and the utmost quality of products and customer service
- Professionalism
1820
THE PIONEERS
1820
James and Robert Benny, originally from Scotland, arrive in Québec.
1940
AVICULTURE
1940
The eight brothers, sons of William Benny, get into the aviculture business in the Lanaudière region. Throughout the ‘40s and ‘50s, they operate a hatchery, mill, several poultry houses and a slaughterhouse.
1959
CREATING THE OVEN
1959
Gilles Benny, the youngest of the eight brothers, builds an oven to cook the chicken and develops an exclusive three-hour slow roasting technique.
1960
FIRST OPENING
1960
The eight Benny brothers and brother-in-law’s open their first rotisserie restaurant in Joliette.
1960/70
RESTAURANT BUSINESS
1960/70
The eight brothers focus on their restaurant business by opening 13 more locations under different banners in major towns and cities of Québec.
1980/90
THE NEXT GENERATION
1980/90
Members of the second generation take over the restaurants, increasing the number of locations across Québec to over 40.
2006
BENNY & CO.
2006
Jean Benny develops the Benny & Co. brand along with a new fast casual restaurant concept, meaning quick service dining in a casual atmosphere.
2009
TRANSITION
2009
Starting in 2009, many family members and owners transition to the brand by joining the new Benny & Co. banner.
2011
NAMED “BEST CHICKEN”
2011
In a blind taste test by Radio-Canada program L’épicerie, Benny & Co. is named “best chicken” among the products in the running.
2013
BENNY & CO. FOUNDATION
2013
In June 2013, Benny & Co. launches a foundation with the mission of contributing to the well-being and development of children with special needs and their families and to provide them with opportunities for positive experiences.
2015
FOOD TRUCK
2015
In 2015, the third generation of master roasters finally achieves Gilles Benny’s big dream: The Benny & Co. food truck. Wanting to reach more people and share their expertise in areas where it isn’t possible to open a Benny & Co. restaurant, the young members of the family run with the idea of designing and operating a food truck equipped with a full kitchen to hit the streets and appear at corporate and private events and festivals in different regions of Québec.
2016
EXPANSION
2016
The number of Benny & Co. restaurants only grows, spreading to new towns and cities across Québec. Many members of the third generation are actively involved in keeping the family business going.
2018
ONTARIO
2018
On the strength of it 50 locations in Québec, the Benny & Co. restaurant chain sets its sights on the rest of Canada and continues its expansion by opening three new restaurants in the greater Ottawa area, more specifically in Stittsville and Orléans. The Stittsville location is the first to open its doors, in December 2018. Several representatives from the Québec family business and Ottawa municipal councillors attend the event.
