Watch 2020
About the Summit

The Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit (CRILS) is heading into its 16th year in Toronto on Thursday November 6th, 2026. The CRILS Summit has always been a vibrant gathering of thought leaders, all dedicated to sharing knowledge, insights, and the latest trends shaping the hospitality industry.

We are excited to be hosting again at the RoseRock Place, one of National Bank of Canada's homes in Toronto. We fill the room with like-minded individuals who want to learn, network and be part of the industry event of the year!

The 16th Annual Canadian Restaurant
Investment & Leadership Summit 2026!

On November 5th in Toronto we will host the 16th annual Restaurant Summit that focuses on delivering thought leadership around 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.

Stay tuned for more updates on our speaker line up and your invitation to join us at the 16th annual Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit! 



 

 

 

 

 

 

What:
2026 Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit
When:
November 5th, 2026
Where:
RoseRock Place, 121 King Street West, Toronto, Canada
Request Information
Session One

Session # 1
The Foodservice State of the Nation 

Back by popular demand, the CRILS welcomes the return of one of its most anticipated sessions: Food Service State of the Nation. Industry experts Jacob Mancini of National Bank of Canada and Vince Sgabellone of Circana take the stage at dueling podiums to deliver a dynamic and insightful look at the Canadian foodservice landscape. Together, they unpack the biggest developments from the past year, examine the realities impacting operators today, and share forward-looking insights on what lies ahead for the restaurant industry. Combining economic analysis, consumer trends, industry data, and real-world anecdotes, this session has become a must-attend conversation for anyone invested in the future of Canadian restaurants and foodservice. 

 

Speakers:

Jacob Mancini - Jacob oversees all aspects of the restaurant lending business which provides financing for branded restaurant chains on both a corporate and franchisee level. He specializes in portfolio & business development for both national & regional chains. Prior to joining CWB, Jacob spent 13 years with GE Capital’s franchise finance division, including 9 years in commercial and business development, 2 years in sales support and operations, and 2 years as a credit and structuring manager.

Jacob Mancini

Jacob oversees all aspects of the restaurant lending business which provides financing for branded restaurant chains on both a corporate and franchisee level. He specializes in portfolio & business development for both national & regional chains. Prior to joining CWB, Jacob spent 13 years with GE Capital’s franchise finance division, including 9 years in commercial and business development, 2 years in sales support and operations, and 2 years as a credit and structuring manager.

Vince Sgabellone, Circana - Vince has worked in many different roles across the food and foodservice industry. From sales to marketing, distribution to product development, from manufacturers to operators. All of this has served him well since entering the research industry with Circana more than a decade ago. In his role Vince combines his analytic abilities and natural curiosity with his expertise in the industry. He helps his clients to understand the market, the competition, and the consumer.

Vince Sgabellone, Circana

Vince has worked in many different roles across the food and foodservice industry. From sales to marketing, distribution to product development, from manufacturers to operators. All of this has served him well since entering the research industry with Circana more than a decade ago. In his role Vince combines his analytic abilities and natural curiosity with his expertise in the industry. He helps his clients to understand the market, the competition, and the consumer.

Session Two

Session # 2

 

CRILS is excited to welcome back Chief Economist and Strategist Stéfane Marion and members of the economics team from National Bank of Canada will bring their highly regarded macroeconomic perspective directly to the restaurant and hospitality community.

This session will explore the evolving Canadian economic landscape, shifting consumer behaviour, and the broader global pressures shaping discretionary spending and hospitality demand. From inflation and interest rates to consumer confidence and labour dynamics, the discussion will connect the macroeconomic story directly to what restaurant operators are experiencing on the ground today.

Do not miss this opportunity to hear how economic trends at home and abroad are influencing the future of restaurants, and what operators should be watching in the months ahead.

Speakers:

Stéfane Marion - Stéfane has held his role with NBC since 2008. He has consistently ranked among the top three economists in Canada by institutional investors surveyed by Brendan Wood International, earning the number one position in 2025. Under his leadership, the Economics and Strategy Group has earned widespread recognition for the accuracy of its forecasts, including the 2025 award for Best Canadian Dollar Forecaster from Focus Economics.

Stéfane Marion

Stéfane has held his role with NBC since 2008. He has consistently ranked among the top three economists in Canada by institutional investors surveyed by Brendan Wood International, earning the number one position in 2025. Under his leadership, the Economics and Strategy Group has earned widespread recognition for the accuracy of its forecasts, including the 2025 award for Best Canadian Dollar Forecaster from Focus Economics.

Session Three

Session # 3
The CEO Panel

The CEO Panel is a candid, unfiltered conversation with leading restaurant and franchise CEOs from across Canada.

Year after year, this session stands out for its honesty, perspective, and willingness to challenge conventional thinking. As we mark the 16th edition of the CEO Panel, we continue to bring together leaders who are not only shaping the future of their own organizations, but also pushing the industry forward—asking tough questions, sharing real lessons, and offering practical insights for operators at every level.

This year’s discussion will focus on what matters most to today’s restaurant leaders: navigating a shifting consumer landscape, managing persistent cost and labour pressures, building resilient brands in an algorithm-driven world, and driving growth in an increasingly complex and competitive market. 

Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s outstanding lineup of CEOs joining us for this milestone CRILS conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Session Four

Session # 4
The New Restaurant Marketing Stack

The New Restaurant Marketing Stack
How platforms, influencers, AI and algorithms are reshaping hospitality

Restaurant marketing is no longer driven by traditional campaigns or simple brand storytelling—it is now powered by an interconnected ecosystem of platforms, data, and digital gatekeepers that determine how guests discover, choose, and engage with restaurants.

This session brings together leaders across hospitality, technology, and marketing to break down the modern “restaurant marketing stack” and what it means for operators today. From discovery engines like Google and social platforms, to reservation and delivery ecosystems to the rising influence of creators, influencers, and AI-driven recommendation systems—every layer now plays a role in shaping demand and driving revenue.

This is a must-attend session for anyone looking to understand how restaurant growth is truly being built today—and how operators can adapt, compete, and win in a marketing environment that is constantly evolving.

Thank you to all our 2025 Sponsors for their participation and support in planning and developing the Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit. If you are looking to be involved and sponsor CRILS in 2026, we would love to hear from you! 

Media Partner

Premier Research Sponsor

Contributing Partner, Canadian Chain Restaurant Industry Review

Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Summit Host:

National Bank of Canada will be hosting the Canadian Restaurant Investment & Leadership Summit (CRILS)and is honoured to be part of the event that has been brining bring the industry together for 16 years.

The members of The National Bank of Canada 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.