CFA Board of Directors
Bio
As President of MBEC Communications Inc., the Master License Franchisor of The UPS Store in Canada, David Druker carries with him extensive experience in operations, marketing, retail sales and franchising. He is a current member of YPO and has recently been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA).
A graduate of Concordia University with a Bachelors of Commerce degree, David had previously worked in the telecommunications industry for nineteen years with Cellular Solution and Rogers Wireless (formally Cantel) before joining The UPS Store network. In 1993 he became Cellular Solution’s first franchisee and subsequently grew to own and operate multiple franchise locations in Quebec and Ontario. By mid-1998, David operated multiple Rogers kiosks in Costco outlets in Quebec and Ontario, and multiple retail stores with corporate offices in both Montreal and Toronto. At its peak he was managing a network with more than $10 million in annual revenues and a team of 110 employees.
After close to two decades in the wireless industry, a detailed analysis revealed that the wireless market was transitioning from acquisition to maintenance. An entrepreneur, who prefers the challenges of growing a business, David chose to sell his franchises and seek new opportunities. The UPS Store certainly fit the bill.
Having been introduced to The UPS Store concept during a Florida visit, David decided to investigate the opportunities available in Montreal for this winning concept. He applied for a franchise in Canada, and in 2005 acquired the Area Rights for the province of Quebec. At that time, this consisted of six existing stores in Quebec that were in the process of being re- branded from Mail Boxes Etc. locations to The UPS Store*. In the ensuing years, The UPS Store in Quebec grew significantly and by 2008 had over 23 franchises in Quebec. Under David’s leadership, this region enjoyed a strong local support structure with ongoing marketing campaigns and regular network meetings that had been put in place. This, in turn, had also led to double digit average annual increase in same store sales.
In April 2008, David Druker, along with an investor group led by Larry Plotnick, acquired the Master License rights for The UPS Store network in Canada. At that time David became President of The UPS Store Canada. In January 2016, David successfully completed the buyout of the investor group to become sole owner of the Master License rights for The UPS Store network in Canada.
Since the beginning of 2016, the network has grown to over 360 locations in Canada and has achieved consistent annual growth. A major highlight includes the introduction in 2019 of a new concept for The UPS Store in Canada, a store-in-store concept with Walmart Canada. As of early 2022, there are eighteen (18) The UPS Store locations hosted inside Walmart stores in Canada. Even through the uncertainties of 2020 and 2021, The UPS Store continually exceeded sales and growth expectations due to its relevancy as an essential business and steady guidance offered by David and his management team.
* The UPS Store brand was rolled out in Canada in October 2005, and was a rebrand for the network in Canada then known as Mail Boxes Etc. This followed the lead of the US network who undertook the same rebranding exercise in 2003.
Bio
A long-time member of the CFA Board of Directors, Ms. McNeil brings to the organization more than 20 years of franchise experience working with franchisors and franchisees. A veteran of the industry, she has helped a wide range of systems in a variety of categories, from new and emerging franchise concepts to iconic Canadian franchise brands such as Little Caesars, Boston Pizza, Dairy Queen, and YUM Brands, to grow and thrive in franchise development, sales, real estate, project management, concept evolution, and rebranding as both a consultant and in leadership positions.
Ms. McNeil has been repeatedly recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in franchising around the world.
Bio
He is also a Past-Chair of the International Bar Association’s International Franchising Committee and is a Past-Chair of the Ontario Bar Association’s Franchise Law Section. Larry was the founder of, and to date has organised and chaired four Ontario Bar Association annual franchise law conferences. He is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Franchising, and in 2006, he was the first Canadian lawyer to be appointed Director of the ABA Forum’s International Division and to a leadership role on its Governing Committee. In 2009 he had the honour of being Co-chair of the ABA’s 32nd Annual Forum on Franchising conference.
In 2004 he acted as co-editor of the ABA Forum on Franchising’s book entitled Fundamentals of Franchising-Canada. In 2017, he again acted as co-editor of the 2nd edition of this publication. As well he was co-editor and co-author of the Canadian Franchise Association’s first and still only official book publication entitled, How To Franchise Your Business. He is a co-author of the chapter on Canada for the ABA Forum’s book entitled International Franchise Sales Laws.
In 2004, 2005, and each year from 2009 to 2020 Larry was named by Franchise Times to their “Legal Eagles” list of the top franchise lawyers in the United States and Canada. He and Cassels Brock are each listed in the Lexpert® Canadian legal directory as being among the leaders in Canada in franchise law. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 Larry received Who’s Who Legal’s one and only worldwide Lawyer of the Year award for Franchise law, and in 2014, the Lexpert® Zenith Award. And for 2021 Larry was named by Best Lawyers in Canada, as Lawyer of the Year for Franchise Law in Toronto. Larry was called to the Bar of the Province of Ontario in 1989.
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Lyn leads the Burlington and Mississauga Private Enterprise Services groups. She works closely with owner-operators on a daily basis to ensure compliance requirements are met, and planning opportunities are taken advantage of in a proactive manner.
Lyn is an active member of the community and in the franchise industry. She is the Treasurer and franchise supplier committee member of the Canadian Franchise Association.
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Steve has spent many years as a public speaker and takes great pride helping small companies expand.
Steve is extremely passionate about the CFA, and proudly sits on the Board of Directors representing the East Coast region as well as Emerging brands in the CFA.
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Before joining McDonald’s, Joel was in private practice for 3 years where his practice was focused on labour and employment law. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Joel held sales management positions in the soft drink industry.
Joel received his law degree from the University of Western Ontario. He is also a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Economics and Geography) and a Diploma in Business Administration.
Joel is married to Laurie and they have two sons, Joel and Alex. He enjoys sports and is an avid supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
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Prior to founding Kevito Group in 2012, Thomas held senior management roles across a variety of industries, including at BMO Financial Group and Monitor Deloitte, an international strategy consultancy. Thomas holds a Computer Engineering degree from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management.
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Todd has been in the Franchise industry for over 30 years with companies such as Panago Pizza Inc., Cara, Second Cup, Wine Kitz, Print Three, College Pro and Certa Pro Painters. Todd lives in Toronto and holds a BA from University of British Columbia and an MBA from Schulich School of Business.
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