Mandarin Cofounder James Chiu Dies at 78

James Chiu, president and cofounder of Mandarin, Ontario's largest all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet chain, died on Wednesday at age 78 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis, his family announced.

Chiu passed away just days after his birthday. His family shared details of his life in an online tribute, noting that he immigrated to Montreal from Taiwan in 1963 with his parents, Meili and Dr. Shiu Tang. After studying business at Concordia University, he opened his first restaurant, Sweet N Sour. In 1979, Chiu relocated to Ontario with his wife Sheila, brother George, sister-in-law Diana and friend K.C. Chang. Together, they bought a small Chinese restaurant in Brampton called Mandarin and converted it into a buffet to accommodate growing demand. The business expanded to 29 locations across the province, employing tens of thousands and serving millions of customers over Chiu's more than 50-year career.

Mandarin described Chiu as a "true restaurant icon and passionate champion of people and community" in a social media post. "James leaves an indelible mark on the hospitality industry," the statement said. "His vision for exceptional food and genuine customer service will live...