The founder of Chez Ashton, Ashton Leblond, does not hide it, he might have made more money by selling to a restaurant giant, but his priority was to have people in the industry who cared ‘teaches.
• Read also: The Chez Ashton chain sold to the owners of Ti-Oui
“I had trouble with the idea of selling to investors who are not trained enough for this kind of activity”, confided to the Journal Mr Leblond. “I preferred selling for less and having security for the continuity of the business. These young people really understand the soul of the company,” he says.
For 24 hours, the businessman is no longer the captain of the famous Quebec chain Chez Ashton, launched 53 years ago. He has just ceded his seat to entrepreneurs Émily Adam and Jean-Christophe Lirette. This duo is also co-owner of the Ti-Oui snack bar in Saint-Raymond.
Joined in Florida, Mr. Leblond claims to be “very serene”, even if the signing of this contract was not done without emotion. It took him a while before agreeing to hand over the keys to his sign.
“The more it goes, the more we go towards ages that are a little too advanced”, launched the founder. “Before it was too late, I prepared to sell. It has not been easy, I have always had the company at heart,” he added.
Good words
The latter has only good words for the new owners. He says he was even “shake” to see that they were also “ready, organized and serious” in their approach, which lasted three years.
“They are not 35 years old. I had a monetary concern. I didn’t want to waste my time. They secured me. The plan was very well put together,” noted Mr. Leblond, who opened his first restaurant in 1969.
Photo d’archives, Agence QMI
The businessman, officially retired, admits that he also no longer had as much desire to continue the growth of Chez Ashton.
“A business like mine needs to expand. I no longer had the taste. I didn’t want to penalize the company.”
Difficult years
Like other restaurants in the province over the past two years due to the pandemic, Chez Ashton has had to close its dining rooms, lay off staff temporarily and put restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A period that was trying, concedes Mr. Leblond. “It was difficult. There was the mask and the passport. We had to play police. […] There is also the shortage of workers. There, it seems that it wants to replace itself ”.
In recent years, groups like Normandin and MTY had shown interest in getting hold of the chain, which has 23 restaurants and 650 workers. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed.
Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Quebec praised the work of Mr. Leblond and the fact that it is young entrepreneurs from here who are taking over.
“I am very happy that this Quebec flagship can continue its activities while maintaining its head office in the region. […] Thanks to Mr. Leblond, the Ashton name is now synonymous with success,” said President and CEO, Steeve Lavoie.
With the collaboration of Diane Tremblay