The Keg facts for kids
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![]() The Keg at Yonge and Eglinton in Toronto.
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Subsidiary | |
Industry | Restaurants |
Predecessor | The Keg and Cleaver |
Successor | The Keg |
Founded | North Vancouver, British Columbia (1971 ) |
Founder | George Tidball |
Headquarters |
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Canada
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Number of locations
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160 (February 2018) |
Areas served
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Canada United States |
Key people
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David Aisenstat (former owner, now senior Recipe Unlimited executive and Director) |
Products | Steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood |
Owner | Recipe Unlimited |
The Keg is a popular chain of steakhouse restaurants and bars. It started in Canada and now has locations in both Canada and the United States. The very first restaurant, called "The Keg and Cleaver," was opened in 1971. It was founded by a person named George Tidball in North Vancouver, British Columbia.
By early 2018, The Keg had grown a lot. There were 160 locations across Canada and the United States. Around that time, a big Canadian food company called Cara Operations bought the chain. This company is now known as Recipe Unlimited.
The Keg's Story
The Keg started in 1971 in North Vancouver, British Columbia. George Tidball opened the first restaurant, which was quite small. It was in an old building.
Today, The Keg has restaurants in almost all Canadian provinces. It also has locations in five American states.
The Keg is known for finding old, interesting buildings. They fix them up and turn them into restaurants.
- For example, the Keg Mansion in Toronto is a famous old house.
- The Keg Manor in Ottawa is part of the historic Maplelawn Estate.
- The Downtown Winnipeg location opened in 1975. It was once a garage for the Hudson's Bay Company.
- Other cool locations include a former train station in Kamloops, British Columbia.
- Another was once a CPR station in New Westminster, British Columbia.
An early location in Edmonton, Alberta, in the Old Strathcona area, was built in 1912. It used to be apartments and a car garage. This location is now closed.
How The Keg Grew

For many years, a person named David Aisenstat helped manage The Keg's business. In 1987, he was involved when a British company called Whitbread PLC bought The Keg.
Later, in 1997, David Aisenstat bought The Keg back. He became the full owner of the company.
In 2014, David Aisenstat sold part of his ownership in The Keg to another company, Fairfax Financial.
Then, in January 2018, a big announcement was made. Cara Operations, a large Canadian food company, decided to buy The Keg. The deal was completed in February 2018. David Aisenstat joined the board of directors for Cara Operations. He also started overseeing some of their other restaurant brands. After buying The Keg, Cara Operations changed its name to Recipe Unlimited Corporation.
See also
- List of Canadian restaurant chains