TORONTO — Aug. 13, 2026 — Restaurants Canada has announced the winners of its 2026 Awards of Excellence, recognizing the individuals and organizations whose leadership, creativity and commitment are helping move Canada’s foodservice industry forward.

The winners will be honoured at One Table, Restaurants Canada’s signature industry gathering, on Sept. 29, 2026, at The Warehouse Event Venue in North York, Ont.

Celebrating Excellence Across Canada

The Awards of Excellence celebrate the leaders and changemakers behind Canada’s foodservice industry—and the vision, dedication and impact strengthening restaurants and communities across the country.

 "Foodservice is one of the most vital industries in this country—1.2 million workers, $125 billion in annual sales, 4% of Canada's GDP, and 23.7 million Canadians walking through our doors every single day," says Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada. "That doesn't happen without exceptional people and organizations. The award winners we're celebrating today represent the very best of this industry — the innovators, the leaders, the trailblazers who raise the bar for everyone. Recognizing them isn't just about celebration. It's about showing Canada exactly what this industry is capable of.”

Nominations were open to Canada’s foodservice community from Jan. 23 to June 29, 2026. A judging committee comprising industry leaders, past recipients and representatives from Restaurants Canada’s Board of Directors and leadership reviewed the nominees, drawing on submitted materials, independent research and, where appropriate, additional documentation provided by nominees.

The 2026 Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence Winners

Leadership Award of Excellence | Presented by PepsiCo Canada
Hemant Bhagwani, Chef and Restaurateur, Toronto

Hemant Bhagwani is recognized for the scale and sustained influence of his entrepreneurial leadership in Canada’s restaurant industry. His record of launching more than 60 concepts across North America has showcased the breadth, diversity and sophistication of South Asian cuisine while expanding its place in Canada’s culinary landscape. Bhagwani received more nominations from across the country than any nominee in the Awards’ history—a reflection of his reputation for building strong teams, developing talent and creating opportunities for others throughout the industry.

Emerging Leader Award of Excellence | Presented by Groupex Canada
Jessica Kwon, Head Chef, Cactus Club Cafe, Richmond, B.C.

Jessica Kwon is recognized for her rapid professional rise and demonstrated leadership, progressing from her first kitchen role to Head Chef at Cactus Club Cafe’s Richmond location. She is also helping create opportunities for the next generation of culinary leaders through her contributions to the company’s Junior Sous Chef Program, Women in Leadership Program and Training and Development Task Force.

Culinary Award of Excellence | Presented by Garland Canada
Emily Butcher, Executive Chef and Owner, Nola and Bar Accanto, Winnipeg

Emily Butcher is recognized for her distinctive culinary voice and imaginative approach to Canadian cuisine. Drawing on her Chinese and West Coast heritage, childhood food memories and a deep connection to seasonality and place, she has developed cooking that is both deeply personal and unmistakably her. Emily has also earned accolades and distinction as a competitor in the Canadian Culinary Championships and making the top six on Season 9 of Top Chef Canada.

Social Impact Award of Excellence | Presented by Air Canada
McDonald’s Canada

McDonald's Canada is recognized for the scale, longevity and breadth of its social impact, supporting Canadian families, young people, employees and communities over decades, serving almost two million Canadians each day. Since 1977, McHappy Day has raised more than $122 million for Ronald McDonald House and other local children's charities, a testament to McDonald's Canada’s ability to mobilize its national network of franchisees, employees and guests around a shared cause. The company’s impact extends beyond charitable giving: more than 2.4 million Canadians have worked at McDonald's Canada or for an independent franchisee. They currently employ nearly 100,000 Canadians, of which 58,000+ are young people, serving as a training ground for first jobs and early careers. Through its Archways to Opportunity program, which includes 31 college and university accreditation partnerships and more than 4,000 employee scholarships worth over $2 million, McDonald's Canada demonstrates how the scale of a national restaurant organization can create meaningful opportunity and change. Each year, McDonald's Canada sources nearly $2 billion in Canadian food and paper products—over 80% of their food and paper spend—from suppliers and farms across the country and is proud to support young farmers across the country through long-standing partnerships with 4-H Canada and the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders program.

Legacy Award of Excellence | Presented by Restaurants Canada
Jim Treliving, Chairman and Owner, Boston Pizza International

Jim Treliving's six-decade career has left an indelible mark on Canada's restaurant and franchise industry. After becoming a Boston Pizza franchisee in 1968, he built the brand into a national powerhouse: more than 380 locations coast to coast, over $1 billion in annual system sales, and a proven path to business ownership for hundreds of Canadian franchisees. Along the way, Boston Pizza became one of the country's most recognized restaurant brands and a meaningful contributor to local employment and community life. Beyond the business, Treliving's commitment to giving back has driven more than $40 million raised for Canadian charities through the Boston Pizza Foundation and broader community initiatives—a legacy as significant as the brand itself.

Environmental Stewardship Award of Recognition | Presented by Olymel
Odla Restaurant, Saskatoon

Odla is recognized for embedding environmental stewardship in its restaurant operations. By working closely with local farmers and producers, adapting its menus to seasonal harvests and taking a deliberate approach to ingredient utilization, waste prevention and the reduction of single-use materials, Odla demonstrates how thoughtful everyday decisions can add up to meaningful environmental change.

Join Us at One Table

The 2026 Awards of Excellence winners will be honoured at One Table on Sept. 29, 2026, at The Warehouse Event Venue in North York, where the industry will gather to celebrate the people and organizations shaping the future of Canadian foodservice.

Thunder Bay, Ont., August 12, 2026 – Jimmy John’s will open its 17th Canadian location in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, August 18. Located at 1165 Arthur Street W, Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6E2, the new restaurant will officially open its doors at 10:00 a.m., marking an exciting milestone for the brand's continued Canadian expansion.

A grand opening celebration will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the first 100 guests will receive a free 6-inch sandwich and a 16 oz. fountain drink. From August 18 through August 25, guests can also purchase Classic sandwiches for $5 at the new Thunder Bay restaurant.

"We're excited to introduce Jimmy John's to Thunder Bay and become part of this community," said Mike Warren, director of operations at Jimmy John’s. "This grand opening is our way of celebrating with guests and inviting them to experience what makes Jimmy John's 'The Sandwich of Sandwiches.' We look forward to serving our guests in Thunder Bay starting August 18."

Jimmy John’s is known for its fresh-baked bread, premium meats and vegetables sliced daily, and sandwiches made to order.

The Thunder Bay restaurant will also offer Jimmy John’s Daily Deals, featuring a different Classic sandwich each day of the week for $7.49.

For more information, follow Jimmy John’s on Instagram at instagram.com/jimmyjohns.ca or visit JimmyJohns.ca.

VANCOUVER, BC, AUGUST 11, 2026 — More than a decade of serving the Mount Pleasant community, Fable Diner has made the difficult decision to close its doors, with its final day of service on August 23, 2026. The restaurant could not secure a favorable long-term lease or negotiate its ongoing financial obligations favorably to survive the current conditions. With the delayed completion of the nearby Broadway Subway station and no definite completion date confirmed, the current terms did not allow the business to continue operating sustainably through this period.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Fable Diner over the years — our staff, our regular guests and everyone who has walked through our doors,” says owner Ron MacGillivray. “It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re proud of what we’ve built here and the community that has grown around the restaurant. While we don’t have anything confirmed at this time, we’d love to explore the possibility of bringing Fable Diner back in another location or food truck down the road.”

Fable Diner will welcome guests through its final service on August 23. The team looks forward to celebrating more than a decade of memories, meals and community with guests before the restaurant’s final service.

While this marks the end of the Mount Pleasant location, guests can continue to enjoy the Fable family at Fable Kitchen on West 4th Avenue and Fable Diner & Grill on Richards Street. The team warmly invites guests to visit these locations and continue supporting the restaurants and the people behind them.

Richmond, B.C. (August 11, 2026) — With wildfire activity intensifying across British Columbia, WorkSafeBC is reminding employers to review their emergency evacuation plans and prepare for situations where workers may need to evacuate a workplace. When local emergencies occur, including wildfires, employers should be prepared to support the safe evacuation of workers.

“Employers should understand the risks that may impact their workplaces and ensure they have appropriate emergency procedures in place,” says Todd McDonald, Head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. “Emergencies and disasters can happen any time and without warning. The more prepared you are for them, the better you’ll be able to respond.”

Preparing for an evacuation 

• Identify when workers may need to evacuate. Consider wildfires and other emergencies that could affect the workplace, including risks specific to the location.

• Have clear evacuation routes. Identify primary and alternate routes to safely leave the worksite and make sure exits are clearly marked, well-lit and free of obstructions.

• Have a way to alert workers. Make sure workers know how they will be notified if they need to evacuate and what an evacuation alert or order means.

• Assign responsibilities. Make sure workers know who is coordinating the evacuation and who will help others get to safety.

• Plan for shutting down equipment and work processes. Identify what may need to be shut down, how it can be done safely, and who is responsible. Consider materials or processes that could become hazardous when exposed to fire. However, workers should not delay evacuation to shut down equipment or complete other tasks when there is an immediate threat to their safety.

• Plan for everyone. Consider the needs of workers, visitors and others who may need assistance during an evacuation, including people with disabilities and those who do not speak English.

• Keep workers informed and prepared. Review the plan with workers, provide training and hold evacuation drills at least once a year. Discuss emergency plans seasonally or when the potential for an emergency increases.

Protecting workers from wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke can affect workers even when a fire is not close to the workplace. Employers should monitor local air quality and adjust work as conditions change. This may include relocating or rescheduling work, reducing strenuous activity and taking steps to improve indoor air quality.

WorkSafeBC has resources to help employers prepare for wildfire season, including information on emergency planning and response, emergency evacuation planning and wildfire smoke.