NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicagoland’s first poutine restaurant is set to open in the heart of downtown Naperville this year, and it will provide job opportunities for disabled adults.
Thi Nguyen was raised in Quebec, and said she grew up with poutine on every corner of the street.
“When I came to Naperville, I couldn't find the authentic poutine that I was missing,” Nguyen said.
That’s why she’s opening Chez François Poutinerie.
The Naperville eatery will offer eight variations of French fries, cheese curds and gravy.
"I know that you are going to love it," Nguyen said.
In addition to introducing authentic Canadian cuisine to the western suburbs, Chez François Poutinerie will focus on providing employment opportunities for adults with special needs.
That includes Nguyen’s son, François, who is diagnosed with autism.
“I always wanted to create a business for my son and his peers to work,” she said. “My goal by creating this business is that maybe in a year or two, every store in downtown Naperville is going to hire at least one special needs employee.”
Part of the restaurant model includes a nonprofit organization called ‘Friends of François’.
Nguyen told WBBM she’s partnering with a retired special education teacher from Naperville School District 203 to launch a training program at the restaurant.
“So that when they're trained to be super good, we can transfer them to other businesses.”
Chez François Poutinerie plans to open in Naperville’s River District in the late spring.
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