Toronto’s beloved patty shop Randy’s Patties is taking legal action against a rival food business, accusing them of hijacking their name, confusing customers, and cutting into their sales.
A spokesperson for Randy’s confirmed to Now Toronto that a lawsuit was filed three weeks ago against Randy Kangal, the owner of Toronto-based Randy’s Roti and Doubles. According to the restaurant, Randy Kangal has been using the “Randy’s” name to sell patties at various locations including grocery stores despite the original restaurant holding the trademark.
“He brought confusion into the market knowing there was already an existing Randy’s,” the spokesperson said.
The issue came to a head when a customer contacted Randy’s Patties to complain about a meatless patty she had bought only to discover it wasn’t actually from the restaurant, but from a grocery store product also branded “Randy’s Patties.” That’s when the restaurant learned that Randy’s Roti and Doubles were also selling patties.
“She sent me a picture… that’s how we found out,” the spokesperson said. The discovery prompted the restaurant to pursue an injunction to stop the grocery store sales.
This isn’t the first clash between the two businesses. Legal disputes have been ongoing for nearly two years, dating back to when the owners of Randy’s Patties noticed Kangal selling food under their name at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). A cease and desist was issued, but the restaurant says he returned to the CNE in 2024 still using the Randy name—resulting in a second cease and desist from the restaurant’s new owners.
“He’s not supposed to be using the name ‘Randy’s’ at all—we actually own the name,” the spokesperson emphasized.
“We’re not making as much money as we were making—the traffic has calmed down,” said the spokesperson. “This is summertime—supposed to pick up, not go down.”
The restaurant claims that despite legal action, cease and desist orders, and repeated warnings, Randy Kangal has continued to operate under the name “Randy’s.”
“Even though he’s been served the lawsuit… he has a nerve,” they said.
Kangal has reportedly operated Randy’s Roti and Doubles food businesses in the Toronto area for over a decade, but Randy’s Patties only became aware of his patties being sold under their name in 2023 after customer complaints.
They’ve since reached out to Loblaws, the parent company of No Frills, asking for Kangal’s products to be pulled from store shelves. Until the issue is resolved, the restaurant says it’s been difficult to move forward with any major marketing or expansion plans due to the ongoing confusion.
