This Canadian shawarma chain has been buying Bitcoin since COVID — despite Warren Buffett’s warning

Tahini’s, a Canadian restaurant chain offering Middle Eastern fare, has been buying Bitcoin since 2020 and hasn’t stopped shopping the cryptocurrency since.

This is despite the fact that the chain owner’s “investor idol” Warren Buffett referred to Bitcoin as “rat poison.”

Related: What is Crypto? Cryptocurrency explained

COVID 2020 forces Tahini’s to embrace Bitcoin

The Hamam brothers, Omar, Aly, and Ahmed, have been running the Tahini’s restaurant chain across Canada since 2012.

But the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 hit the business hard. The Canadian government’s assistance programs didn’t help either, as employees who were fired didn’t see any incentive in returning to work.

The government had been printing a lot of cash, and Tahini’s chain owners got worried about the potential depreciation in fiat’s value.

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But then, the Bitcoin bug bit the Hamam brothers, and it was followed by consumption of a lot of crypto literature and content. Popular crypto voices proved to be informative.

• Anthony Pompliano
• Peter McCormack

Five years ago, the brothers defied their idol Warren Buffett’s words and converted their excess cash reserves into Bitcoin in August 2020. There was a realization:

“And it came apparent to me that there is a game of musical chairs being played right now and the music will stop & some people will get left out.”

Berkshire Hathaway’s CEO Warren Buffett (L) and his business partner Vice Chairman Charles Munger answer questions at a news conference May 4, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Michael Saylor’s MicroStrategy (Nasdaq: MSTR) also began stacking Bitcoin around the same time, which finds mention in the X post from August 2020.

Today, even a Bitcoin ATM is installed at the restaurant.

Aly is a step ahead of all and even recommended to the House of Commons Finance Committee in January 2022 that Canada make Bitcoin a legal tender and buy $10 billion worth of the king coin.

Tahini’s makes another Bitcoin purchase

On Sep. 2, the restaurant chain announced on X that it has purchased Bitcoin again. It has also opened its 65th restaurant and will soon open its first restaurant in the U.S., Tahini’s said. The chain, however, hasn’t revealed how much Bitcoin it holds.

As per Kraken’s price feed, Bitcoin was trading at $110,789.65 at the time of writing.

FAQ

Who owns Tahini’s?

Tahini’s was founded in 2012 by the Hamam brothers — Omar, Aly, and Ahmed. They run the Canadian shawarma chain and have become well-known in crypto circles for adopting Bitcoin as part of their business strategy.

Why did Tahini’s buy Bitcoin?

The brothers began buying Bitcoin in August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, after government stimulus and money printing raised concerns about inflation. They saw Bitcoin as a hedge against fiat currency depreciation.

How much Bitcoin does Tahini’s hold?

Tahini’s has not publicly disclosed the size of its Bitcoin holdings. The company regularly announces purchases on X but avoids giving an exact figure, citing long-term strategy.

Does Tahini’s accept Bitcoin payments?

Yes. Tahini’s accepts Bitcoin at select restaurants and has even installed a Bitcoin ATM. This supports its branding as a business running on the “Bitcoin standard.”

How has Bitcoin impacted Tahini’s growth?

Despite Bitcoin’s price volatility, Tahini’s has expanded to 65 restaurants across Canada and is preparing to open its first U.S. outlet. The owners credit Bitcoin with helping preserve their cash reserves and reinvest in expansion.

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Sep 2, 2025, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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