Our Story

Swiss Chalet was founded in 1954 in Toronto, Canada, with a simple mission: to provide delicious, high-quality rotisserie chicken in a warm and welcoming environment. Despite the Swiss-inspired name and architectural style of our first locations, we're proudly Canadian through and through.

Our first restaurant featured a distinctive Alpine-style design with a sloped roof, wood paneling, and large windows, reminiscent of a Swiss mountain chalet. This unique look became our signature style and inspired our name. While our locations have evolved over the years, our commitment to quality and our iconic recipes have remained steadfast.

Over seven decades, we've grown from a single location to a beloved national chain with over 200 restaurants across Canada. Through the years, generations of Canadians have made Swiss Chalet a part of their family traditions, whether for Sunday dinners, holiday celebrations, or casual weeknight meals.

The Secret Behind Our Success

What's kept customers coming back for nearly 70 years? It starts with our signature rotisserie cooking method. Each chicken slowly rotates over an open flame, allowing it to self-baste and develop that distinctive flavor and perfectly crispy skin. But perhaps even more legendary is our Chalet Sauce – a secret recipe that has achieved cult status across Canada.

Our commitment to quality ingredients has never wavered. We use only premium, grain-fed chickens raised without antibiotics. Each bird is marinated for 24 hours in our special blend of herbs and spices before being slow-roasted to perfection.

As we've grown, we've evolved our menu to include new favorites while staying true to our rotisserie roots. Today, Swiss Chalet continues to be a place where Canadians can enjoy exceptional food served with genuine hospitality – whether dining in one of our restaurants or having a meal delivered to their home.

Our Mission & Values

Mission Statement

"To bring friends and families together over delicious, high-quality meals made with care, served with warmth, and delivered with convenience."

Quality

We never compromise on ingredients or preparation methods, ensuring every meal meets our exacting standards.

Tradition

We honor our heritage while innovating to meet the changing needs of Canadian families.

Community

We're committed to being positive contributors to the communities we serve through employment, partnerships, and giving back.

Hospitality

We strive to create warm, welcoming experiences for every guest, whether in our restaurants or through delivery.

Meet Our Team

Team member 1

Sarah Johnson

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry and has been leading Swiss Chalet's growth and innovation strategy since 2018.

Team member 2

Emily Thompson

Head Chef

Emily oversees our culinary operations, ensuring the consistency and quality of our signature dishes across all locations. She trained at the Culinary Institute of Canada.

Team member 3

Michael Chen

Director of Operations

Michael ensures smooth operations across all Swiss Chalet locations, focusing on service excellence and operational efficiency. He joined our team in 2015.

Team member 4

Jessica Patel

Marketing Director

Jessica leads our marketing initiatives, brand development, and customer engagement strategies. She has a passion for storytelling and building authentic brand connections.

Team member 5

Robert Wilson

Supply Chain Manager

Robert ensures that every Swiss Chalet location receives the highest quality ingredients. He works closely with local Canadian suppliers to maintain our quality standards.

Our Commitments & Certifications

Locally Sourced

We partner with Canadian farmers and suppliers to source our ingredients locally whenever possible.

HACCP Certified

All our locations adhere to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point food safety management standards.

Antibiotic-Free

Our rotisserie chickens are raised without the use of antibiotics, supporting better animal welfare.

Community Partners

We actively support Canadian communities through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer initiatives.

Interesting Facts About Swiss Chalet

Swiss Heritage

Despite the name, Swiss Chalet was actually founded in Toronto, Canada in 1954. The restaurant was named for its Swiss-inspired architecture and décor of the original location.

Secret Sauce

The famous Chalet Sauce recipe is kept in a secure location, and only a handful of people know the complete recipe. During a supply shortage in 2015, packages of the sauce sold for up to $150 on auction sites!

Canadian Icon

Swiss Chalet has been referenced in Canadian pop culture numerous times, including in songs by the Tragically Hip and in various Canadian TV shows.

Sauce Packets

Swiss Chalet sells over 50 million packets of their famous Chalet Sauce annually, making it one of Canada's most beloved condiments.

Rotisserie Chicken Glossary

Rotisserie

A cooking method where meat is skewered on a spit and rotated over heat, allowing for even cooking and self-basting.

Chalet Sauce

Swiss Chalet's signature sauce made from a secret blend of spices, herbs and seasonings, perfect for dipping.

Quarter Chicken

A serving size consisting of either a leg and thigh or a breast and wing portion of a chicken.

Dine-In

Eating food at the restaurant rather than taking it away or having it delivered.

Family Feast

A large meal package designed to feed multiple people, typically including a whole chicken and sides.

Swiss-Style

Refers to the Alpine-inspired cooking methods and flavors used in Swiss Chalet's cuisine.