2012
Started in Waterloo
Asem Ghabra and Baraat Khudeir opened the first Shawerma Plus with family recipes, personal savings and a belief in doing things properly.
Since 2012 | Waterloo, Ontario
From Syria
to your plate.
A family dream became a Waterloo favourite, then a growing Ontario brand. The recipe has always been the same: real Syrian flavour, honest hospitality and no shortcuts.
The Ghabra family
2012
Founded in Waterloo
5
Ontario locations
4 new locations coming
1
Family vision
A milestone shared by the whole team
100K subscribers. One big thank you.
A family bet on flavour
Everything was on the line.
Asem Ghabra arrived from Syria carrying years of experience and a belief that Ontario was ready for shawerma made with the depth, generosity and care he knew from home.
In 2012, Asem and Baraat opened the first Shawerma Plus in Waterloo. The family invested more than money. They put their recipes, reputation and future behind one small restaurant.
Jawad and Moe later joined the mission. Together, the family combined hospitality, management, technology and a determination to grow without losing the feeling that made the first location special.
No shortcuts. Just authentic shawerma made with love.
The journey
One family. Many chapters.
Follow the line from one Waterloo restaurant to a growing family of communities, partners and guests.
From one counter to millions of screens
300M+
Views across our channels.
Food experiments, honest reactions and the people behind every idea. Our online family turned curiosity into a global conversation.
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Giving back
More than shawerma. We are part of the community.
We believe a restaurant earns its place by showing up, sharing what it can and creating room for others to grow.
Food security
Supporting the Waterloo Region Food Bank
Shawerma Plus and its customers helped provide 3,200 meals through a one-day campaign.
Local causes
Standing with Syrian newcomers
Supporting ELM community initiatives that welcome Syrian families and help newcomers build connections.
Waterloo Region
Showing up for our community
Supporting local events alongside neighbours and community leaders across Waterloo Region.
Ramadan
Fully sponsored community Iftars
Preparing food for Iftar gatherings where more than 1,000 people could break fast together.
Some of the communities and campuses we supported before include...
MAC | Kitchener and WaterlooISNAICNAUniversity of WaterlooWilfrid Laurier UniversityConestoga CollegeMississauga communitiesToronto communities
Education and entrepreneurship
Pass it forward.
We do not just build restaurants. We share what we have learned with the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
Cooking with students
Sharing practical food preparation and restaurant experience with Conestoga College culinary students.
Business in the real world
Joining entrepreneurship talks, business classes and visiting specialist sessions with lessons from the restaurant floor.
Mindset and leadership
Honest conversations about personal growth, building from the ground up and becoming better every day.
Recognized by the communities we serve
75+ awards and counting.
Recognition from customers, publications, communities and organizations over years of serving Ontario.
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How many people have we served?
A lot of shawerma. A lot of memories.
Every order is another lunch break, family table, late-night craving or first taste of Syrian shawerma.
2,774,000+
Customer visits
5,548,000+
Shawerma meals served
And the count keeps growing every day.
Family • Food • Community • Opportunity • Growth
There is a place for you in this story.
Come for a meal. Build a partnership. Join a team. Share an idea. However you meet Shawerma Plus, you become part of what comes next.