Session #1

The Foodservice State of the Nation
November 2, 2020

When you think back to 2019, no one would have predicted where we are today. It is a new world we are living in. Industry trends that were emerging have been accelerated, while others have faded. The economic uncertainty has raised questions about the availability of financing and investment, M&A activity, and the ability to develop or expand. What is the current state of the foodservice industry?

Join us on Monday November 2nd as we kick off the 10th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit with The Foodservice State of the Nation presentation.

For the sixth 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 one-hour live presentation they will cover:

Canadian foodservice industry sales and traffic
Consumer behaviours that have formed during the pandemic
New trends and realities that have emerged
The economy, markets and key financial trends
Predictions for the future

Watch Replay

Speakers:

Jacob Mancini

AVP Restaurants & Breweries
CWB Franchise Finance

Vince Sgabellone

Industry Analyst, Canada Foodservice
The NPD Group

Session #2

CEO Panel - Canadian Restaurant Leaders Reflect
November 3, 2020

There is no question 2020 has been an unprecedented year for restaurants and the foodservice industry. It has required leaders in the business to combat uncertainty, embrace creativity and develop strategies just to survive. As we move towards a post-COVID environment, how has the foodservice industry in Canada changed and what does the future entail?

Join us on Tuesday, November 3rd for a candid conversation with Canadian restaurant CEOs in the second session of the virtual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit.

During this panel discussion, you will hear directly from a group of leaders who represent various segments and regions of the Canadian foodservice industry. The panelists will cover a range of topics including:

New concepts, revenue streams and profit models
Industry trends that have been accelerated or abandoned
Supply chains, menu items and pricing
Partners, landlords and agreements
The workforce and the consumer

Watch Replay

Speakers:

Ken Otto

CEO
Redberry Franchise

Peter Fowler

CEO
SIR Corp.

PJ L'Heureux

Founder and President
Craft Beer Market

Susan Senecal

CEO
A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.

moderator:

Ed Khediguian

Senior Vice President
CWB Franchise Finance

Session #3

Investment, Finance, Growth and Development Panel
November 4, 2020

The global pandemic and its fallout has impacted all segments of the Canadian restaurant industry. Restaurant operators have had to face a whole new world and the impact continues. How has this disruption impacted the outlook of financing, mergers and consolidations, growth strategies and real estate models?

Join us on Wednesday, November 4th for the third session of the virtual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit, as we dive into the “DNA” of the conference – Investment, Finance, Growth and Development.

In this live session, thought leaders will discuss where things were at the start of 2020 and how the impact of the crisis and the lessons learned will play a role in 2021 and beyond. The panelists will cover:

Changes in growth strategies, including corporate ownership vs. franchising, future behaviour, models, and environment
M&A and consolidation activity and formal vs. informal restructuring and bankruptcy options
The debt market, lenders’ appetite and the investors’ perspective
How operators and landlords are co-existing and their relationship going forward
Shifts in real estate models and asset management strategies

Watch Replay

Speakers:

Jacob Mancini

AVP Restaurants & Breweries
CWB Franchise Finance

Lee Jackson

Vice President Retail
Business Development
JLL

Larry Weinberg

Partner
Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

Mark Eaton

Chief Development Officer
Recipe Unlimited Corporation

Session #4

Technology in Foodservice Panel
November 5, 2020

Technology has been playing a significant role in the foodservice industry for years, but with the current pandemic, the industry has been forced to adapt and accelerate quicker than ever before. Shifting and refocusing priorities to the necessities to survive. How has foodservice technology evolved in the last few months and what do we expect to see in the future?

Join us on Thursday, November 5th for the final session of the virtual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit Week as we explore Technology in Foodservice.

Hear from innovative foodservice and tech companies as they discuss the technologies that have been accelerated is this new era, the hurdles they’ve had to overcome, lessons learned along the way and what trends we can expect to see in the future. During this live discussion, panelists will explore: