Jie arrives in Canada
After a medical career in China, Jie begins a new chapter in Canada, returns to school and works in supermarkets while building a new professional path.
About Chens
The Chens Story
Built from the ground up. Growing with Canada's grocery market.
Chens Enterprises Corporation was founded in 2008 by brothers Jie, Jin and Yuan Chen, but the story began years earlier — with immigration, perseverance and hands-on experience inside Canada's grocery industry.
The beginning
From a new start in Canada to grocery retail
Jie Chen arrived in Canada in 1995 after training and working as a general surgeon in China. When his medical credentials did not transfer directly, he returned to school and supported himself through work in supermarkets. That experience introduced him to the practical realities of grocery retail, sourcing and the needs of Canada's multicultural communities.
Jin joined him in Toronto in 2002, followed by Yuan in 2005. The three brothers brought different professional backgrounds, but their shared grocery experience became the foundation for what came next.
Milestones
Built through grocery experience, relationships and persistence
A short timeline of the experiences that shaped Chens Enterprises Corporation.
The brothers reunite in Canada
Jin arrives in 2002 and Yuan in 2005. Their combined grocery and professional experience strengthens the family's understanding of both mainstream and multicultural retail.
Fair & Fresh — an “East Meets West” concept
Jie takes over a struggling former IGA supermarket in Brampton and develops Fair & Fresh, combining mainstream and Asian products while closely adapting the store to its local community.
Chens Enterprises Corporation is founded
Jie, Jin and Yuan move into wholesale distribution. The early business begins from a basement office without its own truck or established inventory, built on relationships, retail knowledge and persistence.
Ten years — and a story worth documenting
Chens marks its 10th anniversary by publishing The Chens Story, recording the brothers' journey, family values and the first decade of the company.
Distribution, sourcing and brand building
Chens continues to evolve across Canadian retail and foodservice — connecting global supply with local demand, developing strategic brand opportunities and supporting retailers as consumer tastes become increasingly global.
Retail insight
From the retailer's side of the shelf
Before becoming distributors, the Chen brothers learned the business from inside grocery stores. In 2006, Jie took over a struggling former IGA in Brampton and developed it into Fair & Fresh, an “East Meets West” concept combining mainstream and Asian products.
The experience reinforced a market gap the brothers understood first-hand: independent and multicultural retailers needed more professional access to mainstream products, while shoppers were becoming increasingly open to global flavours and international brands.
The story continues
From distribution to global sourcing and brand building
Chens began by improving access to established mainstream brands for underserved retail channels. As Canada's grocery market evolved, so did the company — expanding global sourcing, introducing international brands, supporting retailer-specific programs and participating more actively in how new products and categories enter the Canadian market.
Read “From Distribution to Brand Building: The Evolution of Chens” →Chens-owned brands
Building brands as well as distributing them
Alongside its distribution and sourcing work, Chens owns and supports two in-house brands with dedicated consumer-facing websites.
Chens-Owned Brand
Applewood Signature®
Launched in 2018, Applewood Signature has grown from Asian cookware into Asian snacks, spices, rice, sushi kits, frozen dim sum and other specialty categories.
Chens-Owned Brand
Trensité™ Dairy
Established in 2019, Trensité focuses on Canadian milk powder in whole and skim formats, with applications across retail, pantry, baking and foodservice.
Celebrating the first 10 years
The Chens Story
Published in October 2018 for the company's 10th anniversary, The Chens Story documents the Chen brothers' journey from their early lives in China and immigration to Canada through the first decade of Chens Enterprises.
The book captured the first ten years. The years since have brought a new chapter — broader Canadian distribution, global sourcing, brand development and the continued evolution of Chens within Canada's changing grocery market.
Read the BookCanadian operations
Ontario head office and Western division
Chens supports customers across Canada through its Ontario and British Columbia operations.
Head Office
Chens Enterprises Corporation
5830 Coopers Ave
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1Y3
Western Division
Chens BC Distribution Inc.
10-3331 Viking Way
Richmond, BC V6V 1W1