SUPPORTING PARTNERS
Active Restaurateur : David AisenstatPresident and CEO, Keg Restaurants Ltd.David Aisenstat was born into the restaurant business. His father, Hy Aisenstat, was one of the true pioneers of the Canadian restaurant industry and founder of the famous Hy’s Steakhouse chain. After attending university, David joined Nabisco Brands, moving quickly through the corporate ranks in Montreal, Toronto and New York. In 1981, David returned to Canada as Vice President of Hy’s Canada. His contributions to the company were recognized by his appointment first to Executive Vice President, and then to President of Hy’s in 1988. During his tenure at Hy’s, David also played an active role on both the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of Keg Restaurants Ltd. This involvement continued until the sale of Keg Restaurants Ltd. to Whitbread PLC, a large British Brewing and Hospitality conglomerate, in 1987. Ten years later, and armed with a lifetime of knowledge in the steakhouse market, David seized the opportunity to purchase The Keg Steakhouse & Bar chain from Whitbread in 1997. David Aisenstat recognizes that he is just one part of the success experienced by The Keg Steakhouse & Bar. He believes that the legacy and the enthusiastic spirit embodied in the organization has been a core business value since the restaurant chain was founded by close friend and mentor, George Tidball, in 1971. That spirit led David to launch The Keg Spirit Foundation®, a charitable organization to focus on causes that benefit children and young people. Since it’s inception in 2001, the Foundation has donated more than $3.5 million for charities in North America. David has also expanded his philanthropic commitments by serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Vancouver Art Gallery, a position he assumed in 2008. Focused, experienced, passionate and dedicated, Mr. Aisenstat leads The Keg Steakhouse & Bar as it enjoys a level of success unprecedented in the company's history. Operating 102 locations in North America with more than 9,500 employees, The Keg has been recognized as one of Canada’s 50 Best Employers by ROB magazine for 7 years in a row. David’s passion for the hospitality industry didn’t stop there, today David also owns and operates a variety of other leading restaurants including; Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, The Shore Club, and Ki modern japanese + bar. Click on the image below to start video
Introduction movie shown during the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame Gala, March 2009. |