2022 Canadian Restaurant Summits

Session One

Session # 1
The Foodservice State of the Nation

The restaurant industry has navigated through unprecedented times over the last two years. As we dare to enter a state of 'back to normal' we cannot ignore the disruption and innovation that is unfolding in the industry. What is the current state of the foodservice industry and what does the future look like post-pandemic, and in these volatile economic times?

Join us as we kick-off the 12th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit with the Foodservice State of the Nation presentation.

For the eighth consecutive year, The NPD Group and CWB Franchise Finance will explore consumer, economic and financial trends, and how they are impacting the restaurant industry. During this presentation they will cover:

Canadian foodservice industry sales and traffic
Consumer behaviours and attitudes
New industry trends
The economy, markets, and key financial trends
The outlook for the future

Speakers:

Jacob Mancini

AVP Restaurants & Breweries
CWB Franchise Finance

Vince Sgabellone

Industry Analyst, Canada Foodservice
The NPD Group

Session Two

Session # 2
The CEO Panel

Join us for a conversation with Canadian restaurant CEOs from across Canada, discussing the evolution of the restaurant industry, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and insights on how technology is shaping the future of the restaurant industry.

Speakers:

Peter Mammas

Mr. Peter Mammas, President and CEO at Foodtastic is a seasoned entrepreneur and restaurateur leading one of North America’s largest franchising businesses. Today, with over 700 restaurants, Mammas strategically develops brands and concepts all while providing industry best customer experiences across all the restaurant brands he oversees. Peter will be joining the Toronto CEO Panel.

Ritou Maloni

Ritou Maloni is the Co-Founder, President and COO of Pür & Simple, a proudly Canadian-owned breakfast and lunch franchise. Founded in Quebec in 2016, Pür & Simple has become one of Canada’s fastest growing breakfast chains with more than 30 locations from the Maritimes to BC. Ritou is driven by a passion for hospitality that has allowed her and her team to successfully reinvent breakfast, bringing affordable luxury to diners from coast to coast. Ritou will be joining the Toronto CEO Panel.

Hadi Chahin

Hadi Chahin is the CEO for MBI brands which includes Mary Brown’s Chicken and Fat Bastard Burrito. Hadi holds a Master’s degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management. Hadi joined MBI brands in 2017 as President and COO for Mary Brown’s and he assumed the CEO role with the recent acquisition of Fat Bastard Burritos. MBI brands is currently close to 300 restaurants in Canada with 50+ restaurants planned to open in the next 12 months. Hadi will be joining the Toronto CEO Panel.

Jordan Holm

As President, Mr. Jordan Holm oversees all aspects of Boston Pizza International Inc., including marketing, development, operations, strategic planning, finance, foodservices, procurement, IT, legal, HR and administration. He is also responsible for the special events and public relations departments of BPI, and oversees the activities of the Boston Pizza Foundation. Mr. Holm joined BPI in May 2006 as Director of Investor Relations. Jordan will be joining us for the Vancouver CEO Panel.

Frank di Benedetto

Frank Di Benedetto, industry veteran, an original 1970’s McDonalds Canada operations alumni, entrepreneur & franchise developer.Since 1998 Frank has re-branded the original Ricky’s Family Restaurant chain & gone on to develop & acquire a multi-branded folio of over 200 + franchise locations in Canada, which includes Ricky’s All Day grill, Fatburger, Famoso Pizzeria & Humpty’s Big Plate Diner. Frank will join us in Vancouver.

Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel founded Tap & Barrel Group in 2012, a hospitality company that owns and operates Tap & Barrel, BREWHALL, Tap Shack and Fixins’ brands and employs over 1,200 people in British Columbia. Throughout his life, Daniel has always been both an entrepreneur and an artist. While in high school, Daniel started an ice cream cart business and worked on his art career, selling artwork to his parent’s network of friends, and securing art shows at galleries.

moderator:

Jamie Berryman

Jamie has over 30 years of experience in the Canadian foodservice industry. Prior to joining Sysco in 1995, he worked with industry pioneers Maple Leaf Foods and Elmira Poultry. In his role as Vice President, National Sales, Jamie leads the Sysco Canada National Sales team, who are responsible for managing the relationships with Sysco’s significant national chain and healthcare & senior living customers. Jamie will be joining us for the CEO Panel in Toronto.

Andrew Wentzell

Andrew is a passionate financial leader for Sysco’s $7B foodservice organization in Canada, responsible for all 7 broadline regions (20 separate locations), Specialty Meat and Seafood Operations and Corporate support functions. Andrew is passionate about making Canada a Centre of Excellence for Finance at Sysco globally and is very optimistic on the future of foodservice in Canada. Andrew will join us for The CEO Panel in Vancouver.

Session Three

Session # 3
Hot Topic Panel Discussion

What is the Foodservice industry of tomorrow going to look like? The entire industry is being disrupted from all angles including labour, technology, the economy, supply chain and consumer behaviour. In 2022, it is hard to talk about one emerging trend or hot topic the industry is facing; a holistic overview of all the trends, obstacles and innovations that are erupting, paint a much better picture of exactly where the industry may be headed.

Join our discussion on the hot topics trending in the industry to hear operators, tech experts, and industry leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of Foodservice.

Speakers:

Jackie Ross

With over 20 years of experience as co-founder of Canada’s leading service industry search firm, Jackie is an invaluable advisor and resource for JRoss Hospitality Recruiters. Her success has come from being a hands-on operator, focusing on customer service, managing large teams across broad geographical areas, and hiring managerial talent.

Mary Chiarot

Mary is the leader of the Welbilt Canadian business division, Garland Canada. Responsible for all Welbilt business that occurs in the Canadian Foodservice & Hospitality market spanning all brands, all customers/end-users and all business partners. Mary was the recipient of the Hospitality Hero Award in 2020 from Kostuch Media and was awarded 2018 Fellow of the Institute, from the Canadian Hostelry Institute.

David Smith

David was appointed President of Chartwells in 2021. Prior to leading Chartwells, he served as the President of Eurest for four years. He has been with Compass Group for over 23 years in senior operation Vice President roles. For many years, David led the Western Canada Eurest, Corrections, and Leisure businesses as Regional Vice President. David will be joining us in Toronto.

Michael Hachey

Michael is an experienced corporate executive who is a proven innovative brand and strategy leader who develops high performance teams to drive change throughout an organization. At Compass, his primary focus is delivering value for clients, guests and partners by constantly elevating the experience in the constantly changing food service industry. Michael will be joining the Hot Topic Panel in Vancouver.

Jason Giagrande

Jason Giagrande had an early start as a Chef and Entrepreneur owning and operating multiple restaurants, then moving into executive leadership roles with the world's largest food and beverage companies. Jason understands both big and small hospitality operations, always looking to build the best path to profitability so that owners can keep doing what they love. Jason will be joining the Hot Topic Panel in Vanouver.

Jeff McMullen

Jeff is the Sales Leader for the Welbilt Canadian business division, Garland Canada. Responsible for all Welbilt sales in the Canadian Foodservice & Hospitality market spanning all brands, all sales channels, customers/end-users and all business partners. He is a dynamic Leader with a track record of team building, top-line and bottom-line performance. He has had a great career in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including experience as an Executive Chef. Jeff will join us in Vancouver.

Dylan Erlendson

Dylan studied Hospitality & Culinary Arts in Toronto. Over the progression of his career, he has had the privilege of working with & learning from iconic restaurateurs such as Janet Zuccarini of Gusto 54, David Grutman of Groot Hospitality in Miami, Steven Salm & Michael Kimel of Chase Hospitality Group & Planta Restaurants, as well as Michelin-Starred Chef Akira Back. As someone who’s worked in the trenches with servers and chefs, he understands the needs of the business and its people.

moderator:

Chris Elliott

As the Sr. Economist for Restaurants Canada, Chris manages and produces a comprehensive research program that has made Restaurants Canada a leading source of information for and about Canada’s $95-billion foodservice industry. Chris produces a number of member reports that analyze key industry trends and economic forecasts. In his spare time, Chris enjoys kayaking through Algonquin Park and is a huge heavy metal fan. Chris will be joining us in Toronto.

Mark von Schellwitz

As Vice President-Western Canada for Restaurants Canada, Mark combined two of his passions – the hospitality industry and public affairs. Mark’s work on numerous public policy issues over the years has helped Restaurants Canada members in the challenging foodservices industry grow and prosper and continues to be a strong advocate for the hospitality industry. Mark will join us in Vancouver.