Robert Carter is Canada’s leading restaurant and foodservice expert with over 20 years of unique industry experience spanning executive leadership, strategy, sales, marketing and research. Since March 2021, Robert has held the role of President of the Coffee Association of Canada (CAC), a national not-for-profit trade association representing the majority of the coffee industry in Canada. Robert works with the CAC Board and Members to continue to advance the association’s vision to be the industry expert and advocate for the Canadian coffee community, ensuring a prosperous future for the coffee industry.

Under Robert’s leadership, the CAC has seen the highest ever membership numbers, and has sold out their annual conference for the last two years in a row (2022 and 2023).

As Managing Partner of The StratonHunter Group, Robert leads a portfolio of high growth companies in the foodservice and food-tech industry by developing and implementing strategic growth plans to increase revenue, market share and brand awareness.

During his 14 years as Executive Director, The NPD Group (now Circana), Robert oversaw the research development, sales and marketing of CREST market intelligence data for the foodservice industry.  Providing a portfolio of Canadian, US and global clients with his robust foodservice industry knowledge and business intelligence skills, Robert is attributed with increasing revenue of +$100m for his clients.

Considered the most “connected” industry expert, Robert is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, MC and moderator due to his depth of industry knowledge and dedication to identifying leading-edge industry trends. Since 2021, he has hosted the very popular monthly CAC webinars and shares his insights at numerous industry events every year, such as the Ontario Hospitality Conference.

Robert is frequently quoted in major newspapers and magazines. He appears on television and radio newscasts including 680 News and Bloomberg Business News Network as a regular industry expert and frequently writes as a guest columnist for Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine and the Globe and Mail. 

A dedicated industry supporter, Robert provides his industry expertise as a member on numerous boards and advisory committees such as the School of Hospitality Humber College, Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit and Restaurants Canada. In October 2023, Robert was inducted into the Ontario Hostelry Institute (OHI) Hall of Fame.

Robert is responsible for developing and hosting annual industry trade shows including The Canadian Restaurant Investment Summit and The Canadian Foodservice Summit.