How Webers became the most popular road trip burger joint in Ontario

Just north of Orillia, along Highway 11, sits one burger joint so synonymous with Ontario road trips that it's routinely mentioned in traffic reports.

An unofficial milestone for cottagers heading north, "Clear after Webers" has become a common phrase used to describe the madness that typically ensues outside of Webers Burgers, located at 8825 ON-11. 

Over the past few decades, the once-unassuming roadside stop has grown into a provincial landmark and a reliable place to grab a charcoal-barbecued burger during a pit stop up north. 

Webers first opened its doors on July 11, 1963, and was founded by Paul Weber Sr. Strategically located on a major artery of cottage country traffic, the restaurant quickly became popular among hungry vacationers looking for a quick and quality meal on the road. 

The signature Webers burger. Photo: Webers.

By the 1970s, the demand had grown so intense that drivers heading southbound on Highway 11 would often park along the road and dangerously cross traffic just to get a burger. It became such a concern that in June 1981, the Ministry of Transportation installed a chain-link fence above the highway barrier to prevent people from crossing over. 

In 1983, Paul Weber Jr., who had taken over more of the operation, acquired a portion of a pedestrian bridge from the CN Tower's Skywalk in Toronto and had it erected across Highway 11. The bridge, which was completed in the fall of that year, became Ontario's first and only privately owned structure built over a public highway. 

With better access, Webers' popularity continued to skyrocket.

The burger joint is now able to serve up an astonishing 8,000 burgers a day, which averages out to 800 burgers an hour. Long lines are a fixture, but they move quickly thanks to a process that has been perfected over decades. Staff members often take orders in line so that by the time customers reach the counter, their food is hot and ready. 

A long line outside Webers, like this scene photographed in 2009, isn't a rare sight. Photo: Sean Orr.

In 1987, the company acquired three CN railway cars and retrofitted them into a meat processing facility. Today, Webers grinds its own Canada Grade 'A' (or higher) beef daily, stores it at precise temperatures, and forms patties using custom equipment. 

The restaurant's setup now includes eight railcars, each serving a different function, namely a dining space, storage, office space, restrooms, and, of course, meat processing. 

One of Webers' most enduring features is its long-time employees. Mike "Key Man" McParland started on day one in 1963 and continued to work there until his retirement in July 2024. 

Webers briefly expanded beyond its flagship location, opening burger joints in Barrie, Orillia, and even at Toronto Pearson Airport. The ventures, however, were short-lived, and today, only the original Highway 11 location remains. 

Photo: Webers.

In 2004, the Webers group of companies was sold, and the company amalgamated to become The Weber Company Ltd. That same year, the Highway 11 location was sold to Thomas Rennie, who continues to operate it. 

In June 2005, Webers hamburgers were launched and sold through the Loblaws company and its affiliated stores. Today, their burgers are available in over 400 stores, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Fortinos, No Frills, Your Independent Grocer, Valumart, Freshmart, and Real Canadian Superstores.

Over the course of its business, Webers has attracted its share of famous fans. Celebrities like Shania Twain, Goldie Hawn, and Kurt Russell have all stopped by to grab a bite while travelling north. In July 2018, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau popped in after visiting the Tim Horton Memorial Camp in Parry Sound. 

Despite it being more than six decades after it first opened, Webers continues to be a provincial destination, drawing in crowds of hungry travellers lured in by the scent of its charcoal-barbecued burgers.