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Cara Operations Limited began as the Canada Railway News Company (CRNCo.), incorporated in 1883 with the modest aspiration of selling newspapers and magazines. In 1902, CRNCo. moved its head office from Montreal to Toronto and expanded its charter to carry on the business of catering and managing restaurants and hotels. Company operations soon expanded into railway restaurants and the sale of food products on trains and in amusement parks, and, subsequently, on steamships.

In 1941, Canada's first airport restaurant opened at Montreal's Dorval Airport, and CRNCo. was asked to manage this experimental facility. Flight kitchens soon evolved at all the major airports, and restaurants, newsstands and gift shops were established as air terminals spread across the country. In 1944, CRNCo. formed Aero Caterers Limited to serve the airline industry.

In 1961, CRNCo. and Aero merged into a new entity, Cara Operations, and in 1968 it decided to become a public company.

In 1976, Cara obtained Winco Steak N' Burger, a chain of family-style restaurants. The following year Cara obtained Foodcorp Limited, which brought with it the ownership of Swiss Chalet restaurants and the Harvey's fast-food chain. Further expansion occurred in 1991, when the Arvak Group of companies was obtained, which included Beaver Foods Limited and Summit Food Distributors Inc. 1996 saw a large investment in Second Cup Ltd., and 1997, The Spectra Group of Great Restaurants Inc.

Cara obtained majority control of Kelsey's Restaurants in 1999.

Today, with the main Cara divisions -- Airport Services, Beaver Foods, Harvey's, Swiss Chalet, and Summit -- all leaders in their field, the entrepreneurial spirit of CRNCo. continues, with Cara Operations Limited ready to go anywhere, anytime to serve its customers.