M&M Meat Shops

Humble Beginnings

M&M was founded by Mac Voisin and Mark Nowak in Kitchener, Ontario in 1980. Voisin enjoyed his barbecue, but found good cuts of meat to be expensive, and supermarket meats to be of inferior quality. The partners discovered that flash frozen meats retained their freshness, but because they could be stored over a longer term, could be sold at a price comparable to supermarket meats.

M&M locations are generally small outlets in strip malls, consisting of several freezers, a counter, a conspicuous price list, and a cashier. Given that M&M sells speciality products in this manner, it generally has higher per square foot sales than businesses in comparable locations, and lower overhead costs than other speciality food retailers.

A Family Business

M&M opened its first new franchise in nearby Cambridge, Ontario in 1982. Mac's brother and co-owner, Greg Voisin, became director of franchising in the mid-80s. Since then, it has expanded successfully across Canada to over 375 stores. M&Ms entered Quebec in 1992 and in 1997, it entered the western provinces by acquiring the business of Jeffrey's Food, based in Calgary, Alberta. Mac and Greg's brother, Guy Voisin, as well as sister, Janie Simpson joined the company and continue to contribute to its success. Father Frank W. Voisin and wife Gladys must be proud!

Expansion & Change

Although it originally focused on cuts of meat, it has expanded its offerings to appetizers, pizza, pasta, seafood, desserts and single serving dinners. Recently it has added a line of specialty ice cream.

A World Record

M&M Meat Shops has twice held the world record for longest sausage. First in 1983 and again in May 1995 with a 46.3 km (29 mile) sausage produced in conjunction with J.M. Schneider, its biggest supplier.

External Links

• M&M Meat Shops