Restaurants Canada has announced that it has appointed former Supply Chain Canada President and CEO Christian Buhagiar in the same roles.
The not-for-profit foodservice association, which represents over 30,000 restaurant operators, foodservice chains, and suppliers across Canada, had been led in recent months by Interim President and CEO Roy Little, who is retiring. Little will work alongside Buhagiar until his official departure on September 30, 2022.
“I’m incredibly excited by the opportunity to lead the Restaurants Canada team, and serve its 30,000 members nationwide,” said Buhagiar, whose career has involved more than 25 years working across for-profit, non-profit, academic and government sectors.
“I recognize this is a critical period for the foodservice industry. Not only were restaurants and their suppliers hit first and hardest by the COVID-19 crisis, they’re now facing severe labour shortages, skyrocketing inflation, and so many other hurdles on their road to recovery. I’m looking forward to helping Restaurants Canada pave the way for a sustainable, long-term revival for this vital component of our country’s culture and economy.”
Buhagiar had spent more than five years at Supply Chain Canada, a non-profit membership association serving as the voice of Canada’s supply chain profession. Restaurants Canada says that during his tenure there, he grew the association into Canada’s foremost community of supply chain professionals and a powerhouse advocacy organization.
“We’re very pleased that Christian’s next role will be leading Restaurants Canada,” said Mike Yasinski, Chair of the Board. “Christian’s past experience in growing organizations and their reputations, launching initiatives, and building relationships are exactly what Restaurants Canada needs to engage the industry and move beyond the pandemic.”
