By Veronica Appia , Local Journalism Initiative Freelance Reporter, TheIFP.ca
On the outside, Georgetown’s Mumbai Frankie is a vibrant establishment with flavourful dishes and friendly staff — but behind the scenes is a restaurant owner trying his best to keep the lights on.
When Chandra Kumar opened Mumbai Frankie in 2022, he was optimistic. He said he saw an opportunity to fill a void in town, providing authentic and high-quality Western Indian dishes. Having grown up in India, Kumar spent a lot of time in Mumbai and was inspired by the flavours there — flavours he was excited to share in his new home of Georgetown.
“When we opened in 2022, there were hardly any Indian restaurants in Georgetown,” Kumar said. “There was absolutely a need of a good Indian restaurant with quality (food). That’s what inspired me to bring this Indian cuisine to Georgetown.”
Kumar said he was determined to set himself apart from other Indian restaurants in the area by offering specialty dishes, such as his lamb vindaloo, in addition to popular classics like butter chicken. Frankies, his signature offerings, are also popular among diners looking for a lighter meal. The rolls have a roti base and a variety of savoury filling options.
For the first couple of years, the restaurant was booming, Kumar said, adding he built a presence in the community and developed relationships with many diners who have since become regular customers.
But despite returning customers, business began to slow in late 2024, he explained. Today, Kumar is struggling to pay his bills and his employees.
Not only has there been fewer customers coming through the doors of his restaurant, but those who do are spending less. In recent months, the average dining bill at Mumbai Frankie has decreased by about 44 per cent, Kumar said.
“People still want to eat out, but they don’t have the ability to spend and that’s causing us a lot of trouble,” he added.
TD Economics’ latest Credit and Debit Card Spend Report reveals similar findings. The report, published March 17, shows that Canadians spent less on goods and services in early 2025 than in the previous quarter.
The report states that in the first two months of 2025, the growth of spending from TD accounts reduced to about one-third of its pace in Q4 2024, citing ongoing trade tensions as a primary cause.
“The latest credit and debit card data for January and February suggest that consumers are adjusting their spending intentions in response to trade tensions, likely shifting toward higher precautionary savings and less discretionary spending,” the report states.
Melanie Frazer, president and CEO of the Halton Hills Chamber of Commerce, shared similar feedback from other service businesses in the area.
“We’ve been hearing from a number of business owners, particularly in service-based industries like restaurants, about a tightening in discretionary spending. Inflation, uncertainty around the economy and the trickle-down impact of global trade pressures — including tariffs — are all contributing to more cautious consumer behaviour,” she wrote in a statement.
Frazer noted in response to this, the chamber is launching an economic task force which will provide businesses with the opportunity to share their experiences and discuss any pressures or challenges they may be facing. This will help the Chamber identify ways to respond more effectively, she added.
Kumar said when business began to slow, he initially tried to support Mumbai Frankie through personal credit, which has created further financial challenges for the restaurateur.
“Our credit has gone down because we did quite a lot of borrowing from ourselves to support the business,” he noted.
Finally, on April 19, Kumar decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign, seeking community support for his business. However, the campaign has yet to gain momentum.
With a goal of $25,000, Kumar said he hopes to raise enough money to pay pending invoices, his rent and his staff.
“What really hurts me is that I’m behind on the team members’ salaries, which is really bothering me at the moment, because that’s their bread and butter,” Kumar said. “It’s quite embarrassing and quite challenging for me at this moment that I’m not able to support their salaries.”
To view Mumbai Frankie’s crowdfunding campaign, visit the restaurant’s GoFundMe page.
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