The former owner of Montana’s and Kelsey’s restaurants in Owen Sound is enjoying retirement, now that the sale of the two businesses has gone through.
Cara Foods, the corporate arm that owns the restaurant franchises, officially took over on August 29th.
Former owner Brian Johnson says he’d been looking to sell the restaurants for the past four years, and Cara Foods finally made him what he thought was an attractive offer.
Johnson says both his children had no interest in taking over the business, and he figured it was time for him to move on.
Johnson has just turned 65, and he says he wants to enjoy his retirement as the restaurant business is a “seven-day-a-week” job.
Johnson has been the only owner of Kelsey’s since it opened in Owen Sound 19 years ago, and then opened Montana’s 10 years ago.
He says he’s been fortunate to meet some wonderful people in all those years.
Employment was not affected — Johnson says it was a condition of the sale that all employees would keep their jobs.
He also declined to comment on how much the deal was for.
