Osmow’s Brings Back $5 Shawarma for National Shawarma Day on October 15
Osmow’s National Shawarma Day returns on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with in-restaurant specials starting at $5. The one-day offer brings back prices from the chain’s early days in 2001.
The Mississauga-born restaurant business is also marking 25 years since founder Sam Osmow opened its first location in Streetsville. Today, the company reports 250 restaurants across Canada and the United States.
For Toronto and GTA diners, the draw is a familiar shawarma order at an old-school price. Not every participating restaurant or discounted menu item appears in the announcement, though, so checking ahead matters.
October 15 offer: quick details
- Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Price: In-restaurant specials starting at $5
- Where: Osmow’s restaurants; confirm participation with your chosen location
- Ordering: Promoted for in-restaurant purchases; delivery and app eligibility unconfirmed
Which Items Will Be $5?
Osmow’s says it will bring back original pricing for its customer-appreciation day. The announcement does not provide a complete nationwide menu of eligible items, sizes or restaurant locations.
A local example is already advertised. An event listing for Osmow’s at 884 The Queensway in Toronto lists regular Chicken Wraps and Chicken ON THE ROCKS for $5 on October 15. That listing confirms those items for the named restaurant, not every branch.
The offer is described as an in-restaurant promotion. Customers should ask their local branch about eligible sizes, toppings, taxes and any ordering limits before placing an order.
The Dishes Behind The Osmow’s Name
Chicken ON THE ROCKS pairs chicken shawarma with seasoned rice, while Chicken ON THE STIX serves the meat over fries. The brand’s garlic sauce helps define both signature dishes.
The menu also features pita wraps filled with sliced shawarma, toppings and sauce. These formats helped introduce the chain’s take on Middle Eastern food to customers across Ontario and beyond.
ON THE STIX remains a regular menu staple, but the anniversary announcement does not identify it as a $5 item. The confirmed Queensway listing names the regular Chicken Wrap and Chicken ON THE ROCKS instead.
From a Streetsville Sub Shop to 250 restaurants
The story began when Sam Osmow purchased a small sub shop in Streetsville, Mississauga. He gradually changed the menu to include Middle Eastern food he prepared for himself and his family.
According to Osmow’s account of its early years, a customer asked to taste Sam’s food, helping prompt a shift toward the recipes that became the business. Sam officially launched Osmow’s in 2001.
The company also traces an early turning point to the 2003 Bread & Honey Festival in Streetsville. After serving samples, the restaurant started attracting more local customers.
In its 25th-anniversary release, Osmow’s says it has now sold more than 50 million shawarmas. Its headquarters remain in Mississauga, where the brand also operates more than ten restaurants.
A Customer-Appreciation Day With a Longer History
Osmow’s introduced National Shawarma Day in 2020 and has observed it each October 15. The company describes the annual event as an opportunity to thank customers through throwback pricing.
The family still leads the business. Sam’s son, Ben Osmow, serves as chief executive officer, and his daughter, Bernadette Osmow, serves as president.
The chain has expanded beyond Canada into several U.S. markets, including Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia. More recent openings have taken the business into Ohio and Texas.
Alongside the restaurant milestone, Osmow’s continues to support food-security work through its Hope Fund. The program partners with Second Harvest in Canada and Mary’s Meals internationally.
How To Find a Location For October 15
Check the Osmow’s restaurant locator for a nearby branch, then contact that location to verify its National Shawarma Day menu. The announcement does not provide one comprehensive list of participating stores.
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