Naylor Architect adds principal architect as it expands national practice

Toronto-based Naylor Architect Inc. has named Tushar Negi as principal architect as the firm looks to grow its national restaurant and commercial practice across Canada. The move is aimed at supporting franchise rollouts, prototype adaptation and new work in multi-unit residential development.

Why it matters: - Naylor Architect is adding leadership as it pushes beyond its core restaurant and branded-space work into new markets. - The firm says the hire supports continued national growth across Canada, where consistency, permitting and speed matter for multi-site brands. - The addition also signals a broader expansion into multi-unit residential development.

What happened: - Toronto-based Naylor Architect Inc. announced that Tushar Negi has joined the firm as principal architect. - Founder and majority owner Chris Naylor remains actively involved and will continue leading select client relationships and business development. - The company made the announcement on July 31, 2026.

The details: - Naylor Architect says it has 25-plus years of experience, more than 2,000 completed projects and 45-plus recurring national clients. - The firm is licensed across nine Canadian provinces. - Its client list includes Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, The Keg, Moxies, Earls, A&W and Wendy’s. - The company’s work has included Queen’s Harbour and multiple Moxie’s locations. - Negi brings 13-plus years of experience across architecture and development. - At WZMH Architects, Negi led commercial and mixed-use projects for institutional landlords and developers including BentallGreenOak, Kingsett Capital, Ivanhoe Cambridge, Oxford Properties, QuadReal, Cadillac Fairview and First Capital. - Negi later served as manager of design and product development at Marlin Spring Developments. - In 2025, Negi founded THINK Architecture Inc. - Negi is co-founder and executive director of SOSA Canada, a not-for-profit network of more than 120 professionals with chapters in Toronto and Vancouver. - Naylor Architect’s core business includes franchise rollout and multi-site architecture, prototype adaptation, tenant improvement permitting across jurisdictions and delivery at scale for national QSR brands, casual dining chains, franchise operators and commercial developers. - The firm says it will keep working alongside Negi on major accounts during the transition. - The company’s services cover site analysis, design, construction administration and tenant improvement coordination. - Naylor Architect also positions itself as a brand steward for clients, handling built form, interior design and FF&E.

Between the lines: - The hire gives Naylor Architect added depth in design leadership while preserving the client relationships that have driven the business for decades. - Negi’s background in development could help the firm compete for more work with institutional and private developers beyond restaurants. - The move suggests the firm wants to scale without losing the fast-turn, standardized delivery model that national chains expect.

What's next: - Naylor Architect plans to use Negi’s experience to support growth in new markets and expand its residential-development portfolio. - Chris Naylor will stay involved on major accounts as the firm transitions into its next phase. - More information is available on the company’s website and its LinkedIn page.

The bottom line: - Naylor Architect is betting that a new principal architect can help turn a long-running restaurant-design practice into a broader national platform.