Client Spotlight: Grape Leaves Food

Tell us about your business.
We are a family-run food company based in Windsor, Ontario, that produces authentic Middle-Eastern style sauces and marinades. Our current product line includes our signature Garlic Sauce in three flavours, Chicken Shawarma Marinade, and Fattoush Salad Dressing.

What makes our products unique is their origin. We first created these recipes in our restaurant kitchen and perfected them through years of serving our loyal customers. Our garlic sauce, especially, has gained a following for its rich, bold flavour and versatility in the kitchen.

By bringing these restaurant-quality products to retail shelves, we’ve made it easy for people to recreate authentic Middle-Eastern flavours at home.

What inspired you to launch your brand?
Our business began as a small family-run restaurant serving Middle-Eastern cuisine in Windsor, Ontario. One item quickly stood out: our garlic sauce. Customers loved it so much that many started asking if they could buy it by the pound to take home. The demand grew beyond the restaurant, and local grocery stores began carrying the sauce. From there, the product continued to gain popularity, eventually being picked up by national retailers. What started as a simple request from customers has grown into a brand now enjoyed across North America.

What has been a major milestone or success for your business so far?
One of the biggest milestones for our business is the construction of our new manufacturing facility. We recently broke ground and expect to move in by the end of the year. As demand for our products has continued to grow, this new facility will allow us to significantly increase production and support further expansion into new retailers and markets. It represents an exciting step forward for our company and will help us continue building on the success we’ve experienced so far.

What challenges have you faced while scaling your business?
One challenge has been navigating how slowly the food industry can move. Building relationships with retailers, distributors, and partners often takes time, and deals can take months or years to develop fully. As a family-run business that started from a restaurant, we’ve also had to work hard to break out of the “mom and pop” perception and demonstrate that we have the capacity and vision to operate as a national brand.

How did the Foodpreneur Advantage program support your growth?
The Foodpreneur Advantage program played an important role in helping us focus on the marketing and branding side of our business as we continued to grow. The program provided valuable guidance on how to position our products and communicate our brand more effectively in a competitive market. The networking opportunities were especially impactful. Through connections made during the program, we secured a listing at Real Canadian Superstore locations across Ontario. This opportunity significantly expanded our retail presence and has become a key account for our business.

                  Jenna Skeineh, co-owner of Grape Leaves Food

Where can consumers currently find your products?
Our products can be found at many independent retailers, but are also available at various locations in Costco, Real Canadian Superstore, Giant Tiger, Metro, Food Basics, Sobeys, Foodland, No Frills, A1 Cash and Carry, and, coming soon, Sysco.

What advice would you give to aspiring food entrepreneurs?
Our biggest piece of advice is to stay patient and trust the process. In the food industry, growth can take time, and progress doesn’t always happen as quickly as you hope. Focus on creating a great product, listening to your customers, and keep building relationships. If you stay consistent and keep improving, the opportunities will eventually follow.

What’s next for your business?
The next big step for our business is completing and moving into our new production facility, which will allow us to significantly increase capacity and support continued growth. Over the coming year, our focus will be on expanding into new retailers and markets, while continuing to build awareness of our brand. We’re also exploring opportunities for new product development that stay true to the authentic Middle-Eastern flavours our customers love.

Anything else you’d like readers to know?
Behind the company’s growth is a great deal of hard work and dedication from our founder, Hassan. As with many family-run businesses, he continues to wear many hats and remains closely involved in everything from product development to day-to-day operations. His commitment to quality and passion for sharing the flavours he grew up eating are what first made our products popular in restaurants and continue to drive the business forward today.

Learn more about Grape Leaves Food