Cora Breakfast and Lunch’s Dominique Boudreau dishes on his secrets to personal and professional success
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, says Dominique Boudreau, Director of Research and Development at Cora Breakfast and Lunch. With that in mind, he says Cora focuses on serving extraordinary food in a warm family atmosphere using the highest quality ingredients, to ensure Cora customers always enjoy that first meal of the day.
Boudreau and Cora are also finding new ways to get customers that essential breakfast. Last year, Cora developed a partnership with the Canadian airline WestJet: the in-flight breakfast meal, served in the premium cabin on the majority of its flights departing after 10:30 pm and before 9:30 am, is now provided by Cora. “It’s a new way for our brand to travel! As the saying goes, ‘the sky is the limit!’ In our case, I would say ‘the sky is where the Cora sun shines!’” says Boudreau
Here, Boudreau, who trained as a chef and is a self-professed food lover, dishes on the secrets behind a successful franchise, including simplicity, willpower, and teamwork. He also highlights the importance of spending relaxing time with family, his favourite cocktail, what he’s looking forward to in his personal and professional lives, and much more!
The most interesting thing I’ve done recently is… Moving for more than four years to Alberta to open new Cora locations and to help grow our franchise.
In its best form, work is… Where creation, teamwork, and tomorrow are happening.
A good franchisee… Is there for their guests and employees and is fully part of the operations and success of their location(s).
A good franchisor… Is all about organization, standardizing, communication, and support.
My top advice for prospective franchisees is… Be in your store and work with your employees. This is the key for knowledge, teamwork, and growing your business.
My top advice for new franchisors is… Simplify! Yes, a good system, communication, and procedures are excellent and should be followed, but don’t overthink it. Less is better.
The most important thing in life is… Willpower. If you have it in you, everything is possible. If any of your colleagues and/or employees share the same energetic determination, great things will happen.
One of the most enjoyable things to do is… To spend a relaxing moment at home with my wife, reading a book, next to the fireplace. It’s a perfect moment.
The hardest thing for me to do is… To let go. I sometimes make a decision and keep mulling it over and over again. I should follow my gut more and trust that I have the knowledge to make the right decision. Once my mind is made up, I should be able to let go.
My favourite drink is… A Moscow Mule, but I’m always up for a good glass of scotch.
If I could change one thing… I would remove social media. It can bring lots of great things, but sending letters, going out with friends, and talking was the social before media took over.
If I could meet anyone… I would have loved to meet Steve Jobs. I liked his ambition and his focus. I would have loved to have a chance to walk with him as he did with many. He did not like to wear shoes and I’m the same, so I would have suggested for our walk to be on the grass!
The person who has had the most positive influence on me as a businessperson is… My brother, who started his own company a few years ago. He showed me that everything is possible and the only limit that should be imposed on you is the limit you set for yourself. Very cliché, but so true.
Canadian franchising is… Providing the best of Canadians’ ideas, to us and to the world.
Our franchise system began because… Of a brand-new idea and a mother’s agenda and determination.
The most positive influence on my life as a person is… My wife. She knows what to say and how to say it. Sometimes you know the answer, but you still need someone to tell you, and she’s that person for me.
The key to success is… Perseverance.
I’d like my friends to describe me as… An inspiring person.
The accomplishment I look forward to the most is… Exporting the Cora concept across the border. It is a great adventure and to be part of the process is exciting. I am looking forward to the opening day of the first location outside of Canada.
My personal motto is… If you always do the same thing, you will always get the same results. If you are willing to change as little as one thing, something different will happen.
One necessary item on my life’s “to do” list is… To eat at a 3-star Michelin restaurant.