Smoke’s Poutinerie Inc. says the founder of the fast-food chain has died. The company attributed Sunday’s death of 50-year-old Ryan Smolkin to unexpected complications during a recent surgery. Smolkin founded the Ajax brand in Ontario in 2009 and calls himself the company’s chief entertainment officer.

Under his leadership, Smoke opened stores across Canada and expanded the brand into the United States. Prior to founding Smoke’s, Smolkin owned a branding and design firm whose clients included Nike, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Molson Breweries and Corus Entertainment. Mark Cunningham, Smoke’s president and chief operating officer, will succeed Smolkin.

Ryan then founded the award-winning brand Smoke’s Poutinerie in 2009 and serves as Chief Entertainment Officer (CEO). From day one, Ryan’s business goal has been simple: global domination! Ryan is a visionary leader, a legendary innovator, a true Canadian business/cultural celebrity, a social media influencer and a seasoned international speaker. His messages were strong, sincere, and always delivered with unparalleled, unique style and irrepressible energy.

Ryan has always said that one of the secrets to his success is surrounding himself with the right people… While the team at Smoke’s Poutinerie will never be able to fill the void left by that loss, they will fulfill his dream, Gravy Train, even further forward The passion and care he instilled in each of them was built on his vision of global domination! As Ryan directed before his passing, we are pleased to confirm that newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Cunningham will assume the leadership seat at Gravy Train.

Mark is a 25+ year veteran of the franchise industry and the long-time chief operating and business development officer of Smoke’s Poutinerie.

Mark and the entire team will ensure that everything continues as usual with the same goals, vision and direction that Ryan has built the brand on…

Ryan is passionate about many things. One thing he cares about most: his long-standing relationship with We Care, whose vision is to give children with disabilities the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As the foodservice industry’s charity of choice, they work with companies to raise funds to send children with disabilities to fully accessible Easter Seal summer camps across Canada. In 2016, Ryan launched the CEO Challenge to support We Care, where food industry executives signed up to raise funds and participate in a friendly poutine-eating challenge.

The event is held annually during the World Poutine Eating Championships (WPEC) and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for We Care.

The event will now be known in his memory as the “Ryan Smolkin CEO Challenge for We Care.” Ryan became We Care Board Director in 2018 and has never stopped caring about children. In lieu of flowers, Ryan is requesting donations in his memory via this link to send a deserving child to camp.