Following the dismissal of Daniel Cousineau at the head of St-Hubert restaurants, the idea of expansion in Ontario, Maritimes and United States also came to an abrupt end. The new head, Marie-Line Beauchamp, arrival up there a few weeks ago, effectively suspended the project.

It’s at the beginning of 2011 that Cousineau announced plans to expand the "Express" concept outside of the Quebec Province.

Beauchamp quickly decided to stop this initiative, citing unfavorable economic conditions and due to the fact that the strength of the St-Hubert brand is not as well known outside Quebec. Still, there are already three Express restaurants in Ontario (Hawkesbury, Rockland and Kingston) and one traditional restaurant in Ottawa.

The cities of Toronto and Boston were also in sight, as a possible development in Texas and California.

Remember the upcoming opening of a new St-Hubert hybrid concept in Repentigny  which will include a restaurant Express and a resto-bar St-Hub.

If the concept gets the expected success, the formula will be repeated elsewhere in Quebec.