Maple Leaf Canadian and Family Owned

Newsroom

 

 

Find a collection of our Flanagan news and press releases from summer 2006 to today, including our Whitby distribution centre groundbreaking, 40th anniversary, and Canada's Best Managed Companies designations. For media inquiries, contact Senior Marketing Manager Jackie Oakes.

 

 

 

Dan Lafrance and Bill Stafford of Flanagan Foodservice

Flanagan Foodservice Announces Dan Lafrance’s Retirement and Appointment of Bill Stafford to President & Chief Executive Officer

 

Kitchener, ON – January 4th, 2024 – Flanagan Foodservice Inc. announced today that Dan Lafrance, currently President & CEO, is retiring effective March 2024.  Concurrent with this change, Bill Stafford is joining the company on January 15, 2024 and will succeed Mr. Lafrance as President & Chief Executive Officer of the company.

 

 

 

 

 

Best Managed Companies Platinum logo

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 10th year in a row

 

May 9, 2023-Flanagan Foodservice was recognized for its industry-leading performance, its business practices, and its sustained growth by receiving the prestigious Platinum Club status as part of  Canada’s Best Managed Companies award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonnie Donovan

Flanagan Foodservice names Bonnie Donovan as President F.J. Wadden & Sons Ltd

 

September 30th, 2022 - After 26 years of service, Peter Rose is retiring from his role as President of F.J. Wadden.  Bonnie Donovan, who is from Newfoundland & Labrador, will be taking over the position effective October 17th and will report to Dan Lafrance, President/CEO of Flanagan Foodservice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry Reid presenting cheque to We Care

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice Hosts 34th Annual Golf Tournament to Support We Care

 

On September 22, 2022 Flanagan Foodservice was happy to welcome vendors, partners and employees to our 34th annual golf tournament in support of We Care. The event was a huge success, and we would like to thank everyone who participated for their support.

 

 

June 2022

 

 

 

 

 

45th anniversary logo Flanagan Foodservice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice Celebrates 45 years in Business

 

When Bob’s Surplus Food Outlet held its grand opening in 1977, the company consisted of a 5,200 square foot warehouse-style “store” full of groceries, five checkout counters, a single station wagon and a handful of employees. 

 

 

 

June 2022

 

 

 

Canada Best Managed Companies logo

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the Ninth Year in a Row

 

Flanagan Foodservice was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation.

 

 

May 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We Care cheque presentation from Flanagan Foodservice

 

33rd Annual We Care Golf Tournament

 

On Friday, September 24th Flanagan Foodservice held their 33rd Annual We Care Golf Tournament at Granite Ridge Golf Course in Milton. Over 170 golfers participated in the tournament.

 

Flanagan Foodservice presented a cheque for $50,000 to Tiana Rodrigue, Executive Director at We Care.

 

September 2022

 

 

 

 

Dan Lafrance, President and CEO of Flanagan Foodservice

 

 

Flanagan Annouces Appointment of Dan Lafrance to President & CEO

 

Kitchener, ON – October 4th, 2021 – Dan Flanagan, currently CEO, is transitioning into the role of Executive Chairman of Flanagan Foodservice Inc.  Concurrent with this change, Dan is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Lafrance to the position of President & Chief Executive Officer and to the Board of Directors of the company. 

 

 

October 2021

 

 

 

 

Canada's Best Managed Platinum Logo

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the 8th year in a row

 

Kitchener, ON – May 5, 2021 – Flanagan Foodservice is a 2021 winner of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum Club designation, having retained its Best Managed designation for seven consecutive years or more.

 

 

 

May 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dan Flanagan Presents We Care cheque

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice raises $40,000 to send  kids with disabilities to summer  camp

 

Milton, ON – September 29, 2020 – On Tuesday, September 29, 146 golfers gathered at Granite Ridge Golf Course in Milton, Ontario to participate in Flanagan's 32nd  annual "We Care" Golf Tournament. 

 

September 2020

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Shamrock

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice Announces the Closing of its Purchase of Summit Food Service from Colabor Group

 

Kitchener, ON – May 11, 2020 – Today, Flanagan Foodservice is pleased to announce that the purchase of certain assets from the Summit Food Service division of Colabor Group has been closed. 

 

May 2020

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Shamrock

 

 

 

 

Flanagan Announces the Purchase of Summit Foods from Colabor

 

 

March 12, 2020 - Today, we made an exciting announcement that will bring two Canadian-owned foodservice distribution companies together – Flanagan Foodservice and Summit Food Service – dedicated to exceptional service, product quality and distribution solutions. 

 

March 2020

 

 

 

 

Canada Best Managed Company Platinum Member logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for Seventh Year in a Row

 

Flanagan Foodservice is proud to announce that it has achieved Platinum status as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies. 

 

March 2020

 

Pinnacle Supplier of the Year logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Wins 2019 Pinnacle Award for Supplier of the Year

 

Flanagan Foodservice is honoured to have won the 2019 Pinnacle Award for Supplier of The Year. The Pinnacle Awards shine the spotlight on companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence in the areas of leadership, initiative and business excellence.

 

September 2019

 

Flanagan Foodservice at QSCC Award Event

 

Flanagan Foodservice Receives QSCC Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence

 

Flanagan Foodservice Inc. was presented with the Golden Link Award for Supply Chain Excellence from The Wendy’s Company and Quality Supply Chain Co-op (QSCC), the purchasing cooperative for Wendy’s.

 

September 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Flanagan family

 

Flanagan Foodservice Recognized As One Of Family Business Magazine's Top 30 Family Businesses

 

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Family Business honored outstanding family businesses, and Flanagan Foodservice was recognized as one of 30 family businesses who have made significant progress in governance.

 

September 2019

 

Canada Best Managed Companies logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for Sixth Year in a Row

 

Flanagan Foodservice was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation and has requalified as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the sixth year in a row.

 

March 2019

 

Flanagan Family with John Tibbits, Conestoga College

 

Flanagan Foodservice Recognized for Support of Conestoga College Campus Expansion

 

During a special event held on February 19, a culinary skills lab at Conestoga College was named in recognition of Flanagan Foodservice for its generous support of the recent expansion and re-development project at the John W. Tibbits campus in Waterloo. 

 

February 2019

 

 

 

New President Dan Lafrance

 

Flanagan Foodservice Announces New President

 

Dan Flanagan, CEO of Flanagan Foodservice Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Lafrance to the position of President. Mr. Lafrance will join the organization on February 19, 2019.

 

January 2019

 

Flanagan Foodservice Whitby distribution centre

 

Flanagan Foodservice Whitby Distribution Centre Now Open

 

Flanagan Foodservice’s new distribution centre in Whitby is now open for business. The new facility represents one of the largest undertakings in the history of the company.

 

July 2018

 

Canada Best Managed Companies Logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for Fifth Year in a Row

 

Flanagan Foodservice won its initial Best Managed award in 2013 and has successfully retained its status for five consecutive years, retaining the Gold Standard designation that was awarded to Flanagan’s in 2016. 

 

March 2018

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice Local Food Champion Award

 

Flanagan Foodservice and Local Line Receive Local Food Champion Award from Greenbelt Fund

 

At the Greenbelt Fund Local Food Symposium on November 8, Flanagan Foodservice and Local Line received the Local Food Champion Award in recognition of their partnership to increase local food offerings.

 

November 2017

 

Flanagan employees celebrating 40 years

 

Flanagan Foodservice Celebrates 40 Years in Business

 

The Flanagan story dates back to 1977 when Joe and Dee Flanagan opened Bob’s Surplus Food Outlet in Waterloo, Ontario.

 

June 2017

 

Greenbelt logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice to Invest in Local Food Project with Grant from Greenbelt Fund

 

The funding supports Flanagan’s goal to expand sales of Ontario food by increasing its local food offerings and investing in a promotional campaign to improve awareness of Ontario food. 

 

June 2017

 

 

 

Flanagan Market logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice and Local Line Partner to Increase Access to Ontario Local Food

 

Flanagan Foodservice and local food e-commerce platform Local Line have partnered to create a local food program that revolutionizes access to Ontario products for foodservice operators.

 

May 2017

 

Canada Best Managed Companies Logo

 

Flanagan Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies for Fourth Year in a Row

 

Flanagan Foodservice won its initial Best Managed award in 2013 and has successfully retained its status for four consecutive years, becoming a Gold Standard winner in 2016.

 

March 2017

 

Flanagan Foodservice receives TELUS Business Community Champion Award

 

Flanagan Foodservice Proud Recipient of TELUS Business Community Champion Award

 

The TELUS Business Community Champion Awards recognize business customers who make a substantial and measurable impact in their local communities.

 

December 2016

 

 

 

Groundbreaking photo for Flanagan Foodservice's Whitby distribution centre

 

Flanagan Celebrates Groundbreaking at Whitby Distribution Centre

 

New Whitby facility will provide an ideal location to service parts of the GTA and East Ontario and is a key pillar in plans for growing foodservice distribution business.

 

October 2016

 

Canada Best Managed Companies Logo

 

Flanagan Requalifies as One of Canada's Best Managed Companies

 

Flanagan Foodservice was a winner of Canada's Best Managed Companies program in 2013 and requalified in 2014 and 2015 to maintain its status as a Best Managed company.

 

March 2016

 

Flanagan Contributes $1 Million to We Care

 

Flanagan's Contributes Over $1 Million to Friends of We Care

 

Flanagan's is an active and proud supporter of We Care, a foundation that raises funds through the foodservice and hospitality industry to send physically disabled children to Easter Seals camps across the country.

 

June 2015

 

 

 

New Vice President of Sales and Marketing

 

New Vice President, Sales & Marketing

 

Flanagan Foodservice is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Reid as Vice President, Sales and Marketing effective July 21, 2014.

 

July 2014

 

Canada Best Managed Companies Logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Named One of Canada's Best Managed Companies

 

Flanagan Foodservice is honoured to receive the designation of one of Canada's Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) for 2013.

 

March 2014

 

Dan Flanagan

 

Flanagan's Enters New Era

 

Nearly four decades old, Flanagan Foodservice has stepped onto a path of evolution and continuous improvement in order to serve its customers even better.

 

January 2014

 

 

 

Ocean Wise logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Partners with Ocean Wise

 

Offering a wide variety of sustainable seafood choices Flanagan Foodservice, in conjunction with Vancouver Aquarium, now offers customers ocean-friendly seafood choices that help ensure the health of our oceans.

 

October 2013

 

Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Logo

 

Flanagan's Proud to Support KW Oktoberfest

 

Kitchener-Waterloo is the biggest party in town. In fact, it is believed to be the largest Oktoberfest in the world outside Munich, where all things Oktoberfest first began.

 

October 2012

 

Flanagan Foodservice new logo on truck

 

Fresh New Look

 

Who are we? What is our vision? What is our mission? What are our key values? These are all fundamental building blocks in the foundation of a successful and sustainable business enterprise.

 

Summer 2012

 

 

 

s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply storefront

 

Lively, s.t.o.p. Expansions Completed

 

Two key businesses are celebrating major expansion projects this season. Flanagan's Sudbury facility, in Lively, has completed a major addition, while the Kitchener s.t.o.p. Restaurant Supply put the finishing touches on construction in recent weeks.

 

July 2011

 

Flanagan Foodservice Sudbury division renovations

 

Lively Expansion

 

Flanagan's Sudbury connection has been in growth mode ever since the facility first opened in 1991. Now, the foodservice centre is experiencing its third expansion in two decades.

 

February 2011

 

Flanagan employee on Kitchener division roof with solar panels

 

The Record: Local Food Distributor Joins Green Hydro Push

 

"Local food distributor Flanagan Foodservice will be converting the sun's rays into energy, to feed the hydro grid while also making money."

 

January 2011

 

 

 

Flanagan's ammonia/CO2 brine refrigeration system

 

Flanagan a First in Canada

 

As part of its recent 65,000 sq. ft. expansion, Flanagan's became the first company in Canada to install an industrial ammonia/CO2 brine refrigeration system.

 

 

October 2010

 

Flanagan driver with a delivery

 

Service Every Step of the Way

 

Selections Magazine was asked to talk about customer service with Flanagan employees from several different departments. It soon became clear that the emphasis on serving customers was universal, company-wide.

 

September 2010

 

Flanagan's Sudbury division freezer

 

Sudbury Doubles Freezer Space

 

If you were charting the growth pattern of Flanagan's Sudbury Distribution Centre, you would need a taller chart by now.

 

July 2010

 

 

 

Jim Grieb from Flanagan's and Kevin Collins of We Care at the 22nd annual golf tournament

 

22nd Annual Golf Tournament a Success

 

Flanagan Foodservice Inc. held their annual charity golf tournament on Friday, June 5, 2010 at Foxwood Golf and Country Club in Baden.

 

June 2010

 

Flanagan Foodservice Receives CAFE Award

 

Flanagan Receives Family Enterprise of the Year Award

 

The Southwestern Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Association for Family Enterprise (CAFE) is pleased to announce Flanagan Foodservice Inc. as the winner of the local Family Enterprise of the Year Award.

 

January 2010

 

 

HACCP logo

 

Flanagan Foodservice Receives HACCP Accreditation

 

Flanagan Foodservice receives HACCP accreditation on March 26, 2007.

 

May 2007

 

 

 

Flanagan Foodservice logo on computer

 

From Recipe Box to Inbox

 

Flanagan's is using the internet to get timely and unique information to customers.

 

January 2007

 

Flanagan Foodservice solar panels Kitchener Ontario

 

Flanagan Goes Green(er)

 

Green is growing at Flanagan's. Once upon a time, the word "green" simply identified a section of the colour spectrum.

 

Fall 2006

 

Breaking ground on Flanagan Kitchener branch expansion

 

Breaking New Ground

 

Our Kitchener head office will see a significant expansion this year, with groundbreaking during the first week of September.

 

Summer 2006