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Thank you for attending the 11th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit, brought to you by CWB Franchise Finance.
Over 450 industry leaders came together November 1-4, to discuss the future of foodservice in Canada. Session recordings are now available to watch below.
Thank you to all of our speakers and sponsors for their contributions and making this year’s Summit possible.
We hope to see you next year, in person!
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The Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit is the annual business conference that brings the industry’s leaders together.
Entering its 11th year, restaurant owners, operators, chain executives, franchisors, franchisees, investors, lenders, and key suppliers from across the country agree that this is the event that delivers what they need – new insights, timely data, and networking opportunities – to help prepare for the future.
The 2021 Summit will continue in a virtual format, making it accessible for everyone across Canada to attend.
Join us November 1-4, 2021
for Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit Week!
During the week of November 1st, we will host a series of complimentary Summit sessions focusing on the industry's most topical issues. CEOs and executives from leading brands along with industry experts, will share their perspectives on the future of the foodservice industry in Canada.
Connect, network, and share ideas on the virtual event platform. This is an event you won’t want to miss.
2021 CANADIAN CHAIN RESTAURANT INDUSTRY REVIEW
All attendees will receive a complimentary digital copy of the 2021 Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review – a comprehensive analysis and factual overview of market shares, revenue trends, costs, consumer behaviours, and the overall state of chain foodservice industry in Canada. The Review is a collaborative effort between CWB Franchise Finance, fsSTRATEGY, and The NPD Group Canada.
The Foodservice State of the Nation
November 1 @ 1:00pm ET
The restaurant industry has seen tremendous innovation and creativity, as well as disruption over the last 18 months. What is the current state of the foodservice industry and what does the future look like coming out of the pandemic?
Join us on Monday, November 1st as we kick-off the 11th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit with the Foodservice State of the Nation presentation.
For the seventh 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:
Speakers:
Jacob Mancini
AVP Restaurants & Breweries
CWB Franchise Finance
Vince Sgabellone
Industry Analyst, Canada Foodservice
The NPD Group
The CEO Panel – Innovative Brands
November 2 @ 1:00pm ET
Join us on Tuesday, November 2nd for a conversation with Canadian restaurant CEOs from innovative and up-and-coming foodservice brands.
These creative entrepreneurs will discuss their experiences and journeys through the industry, how they have evolved their brands, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and provide insights on the future of the restaurant industry.
The panelists will cover a range of topics including:
Speakers:
Mandy Wolfe
Chef and Co-Owner
Mandy's Gourmet Salads
Ryan Moreno
CEO
Joseph Richard Group
James McInnes
Co-Founder & CEO
Odd Burger
Court Desautels
CEO & Group Leader
Neighbourhood Group of Companies
moderator:
Todd Barclay
CEO
Restaurants Canada
Session # 1
Labour & Technology Panel
November 3 @ 1:00pm ET
Labour has always been top-of-mind for restaurant leaders; however, the pandemic has caused a whole new set of challenges. With short term impacts on labour supply due to government programs and long term impacts due to employees shifting to other sectors and reduced attraction due to volatility, what does the future look like? How is this going to change the operational design, job design, and automation of operations and hiring and recruiting?
Join us on Wednesday, November 3rd to hear operators, tech experts, and industry leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities of a tight labour market. They will share best practices, innovative ideas, and different technologies available to help navigate the current labour issues and as we look forward. Topics will include:
Speakers:
Julie Denton
Chief People Officer
Recipe Unlimited Corporation
Jordan Boesch
CEO
7shifts
Jack Scarangella
President
Mercatto
Martin Mathe
Co-Founder
AppyHere
moderator:
Philip Mondor
President and CEO
Tourism HR Canada
Session # 2
M&A, Finance, and Capital Panel
November 3 @ 2:00pm ET
Mergers and Acquisitions have been a growing topic of conversation in the Canadian restaurant industry for several years now, but the challenges and opportunities over the last 18 months have given new life to the discussions. Whether a buyer or a seller, brand owners have been given the opportunity to explore new growth, consolidation, and diversification strategies in a market environment that has never been seen before in Canada.
Join us on Wednesday, November 3rd to hear the perspectives from lenders, investors, and brand owners as they discuss:
Speakers:
Trish Halliwell
Senior Manager, Restaurant Finance
CWB Franchise Finance
Steve Pelton
CEO
Aegis Brands
Paul Hamam
Partner & Senior Managing Director
Deloitte
moderator:
Mickey Lungu
Partner
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP
Session # 1
Ghost Kitchens and Virtual Concepts
November 4 @ 1:00pm ET
As the industry continues to evolve and innovate, one thing is for sure, the ghost kitchen and virtual restaurant model is here to stay. With advantages like lower operational costs, more efficiencies, and the ability to experiment and test the market – it’s no wonder this trend continues to grow.
Join us on Thursday, November 4th to hear from experienced restaurant operators and industry experts as they discuss how to build success and growth through ghost kitchens and virtual concepts. During this session they will cover:
Speakers:
George Kottas
Founder & CEO
Ghost Kitchen Brands
Lola Kassim
Director & General Manager
Uber Eats Canada
Hemant Bhagwani
Principal, Goa Indian Farm Kitchen I Good Karma I Amaya I Popa I Bombay Snack Bar I Bombay Frankie
moderator:
Jeff Dover
Principal
fsSTRATEGY Inc.
Session # 2
Innovations in Restaurant Development
November 4 @ 2:00pm
Over the last year and a half, restaurant owners have demonstrated their creativity and nimbleness, shifting the design and layouts of their spaces in the face of demand and operational upheavals. From increasing outdoor dining, drive-thrus, and takeaway windows to reconfiguring dining rooms, incorporating retail space, and implementing new kitchen technology, the physical space is continuously evolving. Which trends are here to stay and what does the future look like for restaurant development?
Join us on Thursday, November 4th to hear from experts in construction, design, and kitchen technology, as they discuss creative ideas and innovations in restaurant development and remodeling. During this session they will discuss:
Speakers:
Mary Chiarot
VP & General Manager
Garland Canada
Craig Stanghetta
Principal, Creative Director
Ste. Marie
Shon Jones-Parry
Director of Operations
The Broadview Hotel | Gladstone House
moderator:
Andrew Neilson
Director of Sales, Strategic Accounts Central & Eastern Canada
Foodbuy
Thank you to our sponsors
for making the 2021
Canadian Restaurant
Investment & Leadership
Summit Week possible!
Media Partner
Premier Research Sponsor
Contributing Partner, Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review
CWB Franchise Finance has been hosting the Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit since 2010 and is honoured to continue to bring the industry together with this conference.
The members of the CWB Franchise Finance team are experts in providing both corporate franchisor and franchisee-level financing for prominent restaurant brands and leading hotel owners in Canada. We believe in getting to know the operations, opportunities, and challenges of each of our clients so we are able to provide them with customized, flexible financing solutions that will help them achieve their business goals. CWB Franchise Finance is a division of Canadian Western Bank.
