The Phelan Feud

This book, by award-winning writer Stephen Kimber, takes readers behind the scenes of an epic family feud inside one of Canada's wealthiest families. The Phelans owned Cara Operations and its many popular restaurant chains, including Harvey's and Swiss Chalet. Trouble began when family patriarch Paul James Phelan refused to yield control to the next generation. What followed pitted brother against sisters, against father in boardrooms and courtrooms. You might be surprised to know who won this generational war. Phelan v Phelan is a must-read for anyone interested in the challenges of succession - and survival - in a family company. And for anyone intrigued to read a real-life version of Succession.
Advance Praise“ McCains, Molsons, Kelloggs, Guccis – meet the Phelans. When it comes to family squabbles, infighting, legal tangling, Canada's Phelan family stands with the best, and worst. Stephen Kimber's fascinating account of two sisters, Gail and Rose, and their fight to gain control of a vast food business that includes Wendy's, Harvey's, Swiss Chalet and several smaller chains is detective journalism at its best. A truly great read.”
— Roy MacGregor, author of over 50 books, including Home Team: Fathers, Sons and Hockey, A Life in the Bush, and Canadians: A Portrait of a Country and Its People“ If you thought Logan Roy' s family fought in HBO' s Succession, wait ' til you read The Phelan Feud. In this tell-all book Stephen Kimber skillfully investigates the behind-the-scenes battles among the Phelan clan even as they nourish the nation in restaurants such as Swiss Chalet, Harvey' s and The Keg.”
— Rod McQueen, author of 20 books, including Who Killed Confederation Life and The Eatons: The Rise and Fall of Canada's Royal Family“ A cautionary tale for any family business, and an absorbing read for anyone looking to observe a real-life Succession.”
— Howard Green, author of Railroader: The Unfiltered Genius and Controversy of Four-Time CEO Hunter Harrison and Distilled: Distilled A Memoir of Family, Seagram, Baseball, and Philanthropy.