Maritime restaurateur Bill Allen elected Chair of Restaurants Canada

TORONTO, March 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Restaurants Canada (formerly CRFA) is pleased to announce that Bill Allen, president of Fresh Casual Restaurants based in Aulac, New Brunswick, is the new Chair of the Board for 2016-2017. He was elected at the association's annual meeting today.

Fresh Casual Restaurants is a multi-unit franchisee representing several brands throughout the Maritimes, including five Swiss Chalet restaurants, one Harvey's location, and the Aulac Big Stop Travel Plaza in the centre of the Maritimes near the New Brunswick - Nova Scotia border.

Allen employs more than 300 people in the region. His team has been recognized for sales and service excellence, and several of his restaurants have received the Readers' Choice Award in their cities.  

As Chair of Restaurants Canada, Allen will oversee one of the country's largest trade associations, representing 30,000 businesses in an industry that directly employs more than 1.2 million Canadians and serves over 18 million customers daily. 

"It's an honour for me to represent an industry that means so much to Canadians," says Allen. "We're a big part of people's daily lives and proud to give back to our communities. We offer tremendous opportunities for young people to get a foothold in the job market and carve out a successful career. The sky is the limit in this industry."

Like many Canadians, Allen has been part of the restaurant business since his teens, when his family owned the Lobster Barn restaurant in Timber River, New Brunswick. He is a 1985 graduate of the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at New Brunswick Community College, where he was recognized with the Canadian Hospitality Foundation Merit Award and the Seagrams V.O. award of Excellence.

Bill began his career with JF Food Systems, and later joined Judson Foods, a regional foodservice distributor in Atlantic Canada. In 1993, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to venture into operating full-service truck stops and travel plazas. 

Allen joined the Restaurants Canada Board of Directors in 2008 and is one of 25 Directors from across Canada. These industry leaders volunteer their time for the betterment of Canada's restaurant and foodservice industry.

Restaurants Canada (formerly CRFA) is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada's restaurant industry serves 18 million customers every day, and directly employs 1.2 million Canadians.

SOURCE Restaurants Canada

Image with caption: "New Brunswick restaurateur Bill Allen is the new Chair of the Board of Restaurants Canada (formerly CRFA) (CNW Group/Restaurants Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160229_C3851_PHOTO_EN_632217.jpg

For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Holroyd, Restaurants Canada, 416-738-7134 or [email protected]