James Chiu, president and co-founder of Mandarin, dead at 78
Written by The Canadian Press on May 1, 2026
TORONTO — The president and co-founder of Mandarin, Ontario’s most popular all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, has died.
The family of James Chiu says he died on Wednesday, just days after his 78th birthday, after battling pulmonary fibrosis.
His family says in an online tribute that Chiu and his parents immigrated to Montreal from Taiwan in 1963, and he launched his first restaurant, Sweet ‘N Sour, after studying business at Concordia University.
In 1979, Chiu and his family moved to Ontario, where he and his co-founders purchased a small Chinese restaurant in Brampton called Mandarin, which now has 29 locations.
Chiu received several accolades during his career, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Award and the lifetime achievement award from the City of Brampton.
Chiu’s family describes him as a “devoted champion of people and community” and says he will be remembered for his wit, wisdom and warmth.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2026.
The Canadian Press