George Cohon, entrepreneur who brought McDonald’s to Canada, dies

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The man who introduced McDonald’s burgers and fries to Canada has died.

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George Cohon, the American-born lawyer who moved to Toronto in the 1960s to operate the company’s expansion into Canada, passed away at 86 on Friday, according to a statement by his son.

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“Last night we said farewell to my dad,” Mark Cohon wrote on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter. “Our family, Canada and the world lost a remarkable man.”

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Condolences came pouring into social media following news of the Canadian entrepreneur’s death.

“A remarkable Canadian with a legacy the family can be proud of,” former federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole wrote.

Federal Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan said Cohon was devoted to his family, business and country.

“His eyes always gleamed, his smile always broad. Time with him was time well-spent, and a time you’d remember for the rest of your life. He was that kind of guy. Our thoughts are with his family,” O’Regan said.

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Former journalist and politician Peter Kent also offered his condolences to Cohon’s family.

“George was a great (Canadian), compassionate entrepreneur … and great fun on the road, ie: bringing free enterprise and quality food to Pushkin Square and beyond.”

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After moving with his young family during Canada’s centennial in 1967, Cohon opened the first restaurant in London, Ont., in November 1968.

In three years, he grew the franchise to become one of the most popular fast food eateries in the country.

The restaurant chain became so successful that Cohon sold the licensee rights back to McDonald’s in return for company stock, and became the second largest shareholder behind co-founder Ray Kroc and stayed on as senior chairman.

In 1977, Cohon created McHappy Day, which has become the restaurant’s largest charity program. Four years later, in 1981, he established the Ronald McDonald House charity, a place where families could stay while their seriously ill children receive treatment.

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He was also the man who brought McDonald’s to Russia.

n 1976, he began negotiating with the Soviet Union and 14 years later, in January 1990, the first Moscow McDonald’s eatery opened in Pushkin Square.

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Cohon received many accolades over his lifetime for his charitable work. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1988 and was also awarded the Order of Ontario in 2000. He also received the key to Toronto in 2012.

He was also inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 1998 and honoured with the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews Human Relations Award and Israel’s Prime Minister’s Medal.

In 2019, he was promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest honour in the country, and received the accolade on Aug. 25.

“So proud of my father for receiving the Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest level of the order,” Mark Cohon, a former CFL Commissioner, said at the time. “His charitable work around the world has impacted the lives of so many people. You are an inspiration to us all. We love you.”

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Cohon’s autobiography, To Russia With Fries, was published in 1997. All royalties from the sale of his book were donated to Toronto-based Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities of Canada.

He leaves behind wife Susan and sons Mark and Craig.

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