MTY Food Group Names Victor E. Mandel CEO

Mandel, a current MTY director, takes over from Eric Lefebvre, who departs the company and steps down from the Board.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People

MTY Food Group Names Victor E. Mandel CEO

MTY Food Group Inc.'s Board of Directors appointed Victor E. Mandel as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, replacing Eric Lefebvre. Mandel steps down as Board Chair and from the Audit, Compensation, and Governance and Nominating committees, while Lefebvre departs the company and leaves the Board.

Why it matters

The change puts a new chief executive in charge of a franchisor with more than 80 restaurant banners across Canada, the US and internationally. The mutually agreed departure and the shift in Board roles mark a leadership transition at the company's top level.

MTY Food Group Inc. operates 6,966 locations and franchises or operates more than 80 restaurant banners in Canada, the US and internationally. The announcement does not disclose financial results or the reasons for the leadership change.

The players

Victor E. Mandel

Mandel holds an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School and an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Harvard University, and previously worked as a Vice President in the Investment Research Department at Goldman Sachs.

Eric Lefebvre

Lefebvre was MTY Food Group's former Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors before departing the company.

MTY Food Group Inc.

MTY Food Group is a Montreal-headquartered franchisor and operator of restaurant brands across Canada, the US and internationally.

The details

The Board of Directors of MTY Food Group Inc. appointed Victor E. Mandel as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. The company and Eric Lefebvre mutually agreed that Lefebvre will depart the company and step down from the Board of Directors, also effective immediately.

November 3, 2026: Mandel appointed CEO and Lefebvre's departure announced, effective immediately.

Market Landscape

MTY Food Group has built its position by franchising and operating more than 80 restaurant banners across Canada, the US and internationally. The leadership change places a new chief executive over that multi-brand portfolio during a period of continued operational scale.

Customers of MTY's restaurant banners are unlikely to see immediate changes from a CEO transition alone, as the source reports no operational or pricing shifts. Franchisees and shareholders will be watching for the roadmap Mandel is expected to share.

The takeaway

Leadership changes at multi-brand franchisors often set the strategic direction for a large restaurant portfolio, so the roadmap Mandel shares will be the clearest signal of what comes next for MTY.