Mufuti Sanusi embodies the Mississauga motto of “pride in our past, faith in our future” as the new Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Heartland
Mufuti’s entrepreneurial spirit has taken her around the world – from establishing a foundation in business learning from her mother and grandmother in Lagos, Nigeria to pursuing her Master of Business Administration degree in the United Kingdom to becoming the local Owner-Operator of the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Mississauga at Square One Shopping Centre. She’s now continuing her journey as the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Heartland which will open later this summer at Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga.
Embracing a business mindset at an early age
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Mufuti credits her passion for becoming a small business owner to two essential female leaders in her life: her mother and grandmother. The fourth of five children, Mufuti often spent time at her mother’s textile merchant company, a wholesaler and retailer, where she gained valuable business lessons as a young teenager. From learning about operations and systems to observing how her grandmother would coach and mentor salespeople, these experiences ignited a spark in her that continued to grow over time.
“Business was a part of me,” she explains. “Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, I knew I wanted to run my own business one day.”
When her mother took the helm of the family business, Mufuti admired how her mom – a hard worker who did not receive a formal education – brought the business to another level by being a major wholesale distributor to other retailers. “I began asking myself, ‘What was I going to do to develop myself as a business owner?’”
To support Mufuti’s dreams, her mother encouraged her to attend boarding school, which prepared her to pursue an accounting degree abroad upon graduation from high school. In 2008, she moved to Canada to attend York University and then worked for a series of respected financial institutions before continuing her business studies at Loughborough School of Business and Economics in the United Kingdom.
Discovering opportunities with Chick-fil-A
Shortly before beginning her master’s degree, Mufuti got her first taste of Chick-fil-A. While traveling to Houston for a family birthday celebration, Mufuti and her sister-in-law went to pick up a catering order from Chick-fil-A. Having never visited a Chick-fil-A restaurant before, she treated Mufuti to a meal.
“I tried the meal in the car and finished it before we got home,” she recalls. “I liked it so much that I affectionately started referring to Chick-fil-A as the ‘Good Food Company.’”
Years later, when traveling to and from Mexico for a vacation, she intentionally scheduled her flight layovers so she could visit the “Good Food Company” again. But on the return trip, she got a life-changing surprise: Chick-fil-A isn’t open on Sundays.
“As an accounting and finance major, my mind immediately started racing. What kind of company would voluntarily lose market share in an airport on a Sunday?”
The discovery inspired her to do further research on the brand, which is how she learned of the Chick-fil-A Leadership Development Program (LDP), a training opportunity that accelerates growth in talented, driven leaders through dynamic business experiences – ultimately preparing them to possibly become the local Owner/Operator of their own Chick-fil-A restaurant in the future. Mufuti was impressed by both the company and the entrepreneurial opportunity, so when Chick-fil-A announced they were expanding in Canada, Mufuti immediately applied – and the rest is history.
Living out her purpose
Early in her LDP experience, Mufuti learned of a well-known quote from Chick-fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy: “We should be about more than just selling chicken. We should be a part of our customers’ lives and the communities in which we serve.”
That sentiment resonated with Mufuti and reinforced her decision to become a local Owner/Operator. For her, owning her own business is about more than fulfilling her childhood aspirations – it’s about paying it forward and helping others achieve their dreams.
“At my core, my true passion and purpose is to be a resource and a bridgebuilder,” explains Mufuti. “I want to encourage others to dare to dream and help them achieve their goals in life, just like my mother did for me.”
When Mufuti’s Chick-fil-A restaurant at Heartland Town Centre opens in August 2025, she looks forward to embracing the Mississauga mantra of “Leading Today for Tomorrow” as she mentors the leaders in her restaurant and cares for the local community.
Our growth in Canada
Chick-fil-A is expected to open a record eight Restaurants across Ontario and Alberta in 2025, marking the most openings in Canada in any year since Chick-fil-A opened in 2019. We are seeking franchise candidates in Canada with an entrepreneurial spirit and a CEO mindset, who are passionate about serving great food and providing exceptional hospitality in a fast-paced environment. Chick-fil-A franchisees are independent Owner-Operators who run complex, Chick-fil-A branded restaurant businesses with integrity and stewardship. Learn more about franchising opportunities by visiting our Franchising page.
About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly-prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Chick-fil-A opened its first restaurant in the UK in early 2025 with the goal of launching five locations across the UK within the next two years. The first Singapore restaurant is set to open in late 2025, marking the brand’s entry into Asia.
Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at www.chick-fil-a.ca and @ChickfilANews.