Meet The
LEGENDS
Yazan El-Shalabi
Co-Founder / CEO
Yazan is continuously evolving the business and creating growth opportunities for investors in the communities across Canada. he is active in all components of the business, from menu design to site location, and daily operations.
Shortly after graduating college, Yazan began work immediately in his field of construction management. After several years of work, his interests shifted completely. Yazan opened the first Shelby’s restaurant in 2015 and works closely with entrepreneurs to run a successful Shelby’s franchise.
Yazan enjoys participating in soccer and assisting communities in need. He took it upon himself to kick off the campaign for the fire relief of Fort McMurray, feed the front-line workers, and sponsor youth team activities.
Yazan can be reached by email: yazan@shelbys.ca
Jason LeGroulx
Franchisee Trainer/Liaison
Jason has spent over 30 years in the food and beverage industry working in several franchise models including Domino’s Pizza, Boston Pizza, Crabby Joe’s and most recently as the Leasing and Construction Manager for Subway in SW Ontario.
Through his various leadership roles that have included kitchen manager, general manager and a former franchisee with an international QSR brand he has developed a well rounded skill set to assist franchisees improve operations and profitability.
Ahmed Badra
VP of Brand Strategy and Marketing
Ahmed is behind the strategic development of Shelby’s brand. He has worked in several global branding and advertising agencies in the past 8 years. Ahmed completed his bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication from Limkokwing University in Malaysia and received a postgraduate diploma in marketing management from Fanshawe College.
Ahmed is passionate about innovative food and beverage concepts and works to apply his diversified experience to Shelby’s brand.
Sultan Nabhani
Media Production Manager
Sultan has an extensive background in filmmaking, creative writing, and photography. He’s had experience working worldwide with multiple brands, agencies, and broadcast channels. Sultan’s involvement with the Shelby’s marketing team has brought along many visually attractive videos for consumer consumption, as well as educational videos and photos that reflect our company’s culture and brand. He writes and directs all our videos, and is deeply immersed in our social media upkeep, Marketing plans, and strategies alike.
His passion for visual storytelling, photography, music, and food is what excites him most.
Yasser Ali
Co-Founder /
Director of Marketing
Yasser has been in the restaurant industry for 18 years. From bus boy to kitchen chef, he has worked every job there is in a restaurant. Today he is best known as the face of Shelby's. He co-founded Shelby's in 2015.
Yasser’s unique outlook on fusion foods is essential in the development and evolvement of the Shelby’s menu.
Yasser holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology in psychology from the University of Toronto and a diploma from Fanshawe College in Business Purchasing and Supply Chain management.
His multi-level experience in the restaurant industry and his creativity when it comes to food is what helped Shelby's distinguish itself from other restaurants.
Bradley Cowen
Director of Operations
Bradly has an active role in the burins development. He overlooks all the departments, customer service, staff training and is the liaison for franchisees and managing partners. He has learned and developed his skill set over the last 30 years working with Keg Restaurants, Milestones Bar and Grill, Texas Roadhouse and Pickle Barrel restaurants in both corporate and franchise settings.
Bradley recognizes people and how they contribute to the business as the most important asset to any company. He works with and for his team, with an open mind to grow the company in a team atmosphere.
Andrew Kirkwood
VP Franchise Development
Andrew has an extensive restaurant background, working in leadership roles in both Franchised and corporate settings, his belief that the most important part to successful food service comes down to 2
things; food quality and exceptional customer service dovetails perfectly with Shelby’s business model:
to provide quality fresh ingredients in a fun, friendly setting.
Having had the opportunity to open new restaurants with Cara, Prime Restaurants and Boston Pizza gives him the right tools to ensure consistency, food quality and great service throughout our brand.
Tony Glitz
VP of Project Management
Tony has over 39 years in Food and Beverage. As he started his career as a cook at eleven years old!
Tony’s dedication to the hospitality industry has never stopped expanding and developing, as a Canada Red Seal Certified Chef, Tony also has worked for the industry's finest as Corporate Chef, and Executive Director of Food and Beverage many other well-known companies.
His academic accreditation is from Humber College in Ontario, Hotel and Restaurant Management and Culinary Management graduating with honours. He also spent time in Japan working and training with a team of Japanese Chefs at a major resort.
Partners At
ANYTIME
American Restaurant Service
Software Solutions
One of North America's most successful restaurant cleaning providers.
Cintas
Cleaning Products Supplier
Providers of a range of products and services to businesses including uniforms, mats, mops, cleaning and restroom supplies, first aid and safety products
Mealsy
Software Solutions
Mealsy supports us with our POS and website development and online ordering system in addition to the Gift Cards and Rewards programs.
PepsiCo Canada
Retail Company
All of our cold beverages been supplied by our partners PepsiCo Canada
York Developments
Real Estate Developer
York Developments is a highly successful regional developer whose partners have combined over 100 years of real estate development experience.
Royal Bank
of Canada
Banking Services
RBC is a Canadian multinational financial services company and the largest bank in Canada by market capitalization.
CBRE Canada
Real Estate Services
CBRE Group is the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm.
Paystone
Payment Processing
A leading Canadian payment solutions company based in London, Ontario
KMB
Law Firm
Over 40 years of experience providing legal solutions that are responsive, practical and efficient in all areas of business law.
Sysco Canada
Food Service
Sysco is Canada’s leading foodservice distributor. They supply us with the greatest selection of fresh produce, meat, and all essential supplies for restaurants.