Daddy’s Chicken says landlord is ending month-to-month lease after furnace repair dispute
Daddy’s Chicken says its landlord served notice after the restaurant refused to pay to repair a broken building furnace. The eviction is listed as effective March 1, 2026.
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By Torontoer Staff
Daddy’s Chicken, a restaurant at 1276 Queen St. E., says its landlord has served notice terminating a month-to-month tenancy after the business declined to pay for repairs to a building furnace. The restaurant shared an eviction notice in an Instagram post on Dec. 20 that lists March 1, 2026 as the termination date.
The post characterises the landlord’s action as "extortion" and shows a two-month notice of termination. Daddy’s Chicken says its original lease made the landlord responsible for furnace maintenance, and that the landlord declined to renew the fixed-term lease while pursuing a sale of the property.
What the restaurant says
In its Instagram post the restaurant described the notice as retaliation for refusing to pay to fix the building furnace. Daddy’s Chicken said it was operating on a month-to-month basis after its fixed-term lease expired, and that the landlord had declined to offer a new fixed-term agreement.
TWO MONTHS Notice, following one conversation saying it WASN'T RIGHT to have to pay to fix the BUILDING'S furnace – Happy Holidays?
Daddy's Chicken, Instagram
The restaurant also asserts the landlord is seeking to sell the property to a condominium developer, an allegation tied to the decision not to renew the fixed-term lease. Daddy’s Chicken has not announced a closure date or confirmed any relocation plans.
What the eviction notice says
The image posted by the restaurant includes an eviction notice that states the month-to-month tenancy "shall terminate effective March 1, 2026." The notice appears to be a standard termination of tenancy for a month-to-month commercial arrangement, giving two months’ notice.
shall terminate effective March 1, 2026
Eviction notice image shared by Daddy's Chicken
Torontoer contacted both Daddy’s Chicken and the property owner for comment. At publication neither party had responded. The restaurant’s Instagram post is the only public account of the dispute so far.
What this means for commercial tenants
Commercial tenants on month-to-month agreements have fewer protections than those on fixed-term leases in some respects, but legal obligations usually depend on the written lease and applicable provincial rules. Issues over repairs and maintenance commonly hinge on specific lease clauses that assign responsibility for building systems.
- Review the written lease to confirm who is responsible for major systems such as furnaces.
- Document all communications with the landlord in writing, including repair requests and any offers to pay.
- Seek legal advice or consult a commercial tenancy lawyer to understand rights and options.
- Consider alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, if both parties are open to negotiation.
- Prepare contingency plans, including potential relocation, while pursuing remedies.
Community and next steps
Local restaurateurs and customers often follow disputes like this closely, given the pressures on small businesses in established neighbourhoods. For Daddy’s Chicken, the immediate timeline is the two-month notice period that expires March 1, 2026, unless the parties reach an agreement or the landlord rescinds the notice.
Torontoer will continue to seek comment from the landlord and the restaurant and will report further developments, including any formal filings or legal actions. For now, the business remains listed at its Queen Street East address and has not announced plans to close or move.
Daddy's ChickenTorontoQueen Street Eastrestaurant evictioncommercial leases
