Jason Tsoukas – Foodtastic Inc.

Jason Tsoukas, vice president of legal and general counsel for Foodtastic, has a career that mirrors the remarkable trajectory of the company he serves. Born and raised in Montreal but now based in Toronto, Tsoukas is at the heart of Foodtastic’s growth from a regional player to a national restaurant powerhouse. With over 1,200 stores across Canada and a rapidly growing portfolio, Foodtastic’s ascent has been nothing short of meteoric—and Tsoukas has played a crucial role in ensuring its legal foundations are as robust as its business ambitions.

Jason Tsoukas | Foodtastic Inc. | VP Legal & General Counsel

“It has been an immense privilege to build and lead a dynamic team that continues to support the company through its incredible period of growth and transformational change,” Tsoukas tells Vanguard during an interview in December.

Foodtastic is a restaurant franchising company headquartered in Canada, specializing in developing, acquiring, and operating a diverse portfolio of restaurant brands. Known for its dynamic growth and innovation, Foodtastic manages a range of well-known dining concepts, including quick-service, casual, and fine dining establishments, catering to various culinary preferences. The company emphasizes quality, customer experience, and operational excellence, ensuring its brands resonate with consumers and franchisees. By combining strategic acquisitions and brand development, Foodtastic continues to expand its presence across Canada and internationally, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the restaurant franchising industry.

Building a team

When Tsoukas left the general counsel position at Chicken Farmers of Ontario to join Foodtastic, the company needed an in-house legal department. As the first lawyer in the organization, his task was daunting and thrilling: to build a department from scratch. Over the past three years, he has transformed a one-man operation into a team of eight, equipped with the processes and systems necessary to handle the complex legal needs of a fast-growing, franchise-based business.

“At Foodtastic, we value progress over perfection,” Tsoukas explains.

This principle has guided the development of the legal department, which has focused on efficiency, nimbleness and strategic thinking. Weekly meetings, clear task prioritization, and seamless coordination among team members have become hallmarks of the department. By bringing almost all legal work in-house—from managing commercial contracts to intellectual property issues and franchise agreements—Tsoukas and his team have created a lean, effective operation.

Foodtastic’s growth has been staggering. Over the past six years, the company has transitioned from a regional enterprise to one of Canada’s leading national restaurant companies. Tsoukas points to organic growth and strategic acquisitions as the engines driving this success. The acquisition of strategic brands such as Second Cup, Pita Pit, Milestones, Fionn MacCool’s, Shoeless Joe’s, Quesada, Freshii and Noodlebox as well as international deals for concepts such as Jimmy John’s and O’Tacos have diversified Foodtastic’s portfolio and expanded its market presence.

“At the core of our business are relationships,” Tsoukas emphasizes. These deals are not just about numbers but about fostering trust and collaboration with stakeholders. “

Managing the legal complexities of a franchise business is a considerable feat. Foodtastic operates under franchise agreements that govern every aspect of its relationships with franchisees. These agreements set out obligations for product usage, supplier partnerships, operational uniformity, and royalty payments. While franchisees operate as independent businesses with their legal counsel, Foodtastic’s legal team often collaborates to resolve issues. Tsoukas highlights that “a lot of the issues get worked out before they become legal matters,” thanks to the proactive efforts of the company’s operations and legal teams. This approach underscores the importance of communication and collaboration in maintaining harmony within the franchise system.

A hunger for relationships

For Tsoukas, building relationships has been a cornerstone of his career.

“The first thing I did when I came in was to build strong relationships with people across the organization,” he recalls.

Trust is fundamental to his approach, both within his team and with the broader business.

“You can’t build a team to support the business without understanding the needs of the business,” he notes. To do this, Tsoukas has immersed himself in every department’s goals, challenges and successes, adopting what he calls a “student of the business” mindset. This deep understanding allows him to anticipate needs, address pain points, and provide practical, tailored legal advice.

His leadership philosophy is rooted in authenticity and empathy. Tsoukas has cultivated a legal team that reflects Foodtastic’s entrepreneurial spirit, valuing flexibility, diversity of thought, and professional growth.

“We’re all generalists with particular areas of expertise,” he explains, noting that the dynamic nature of the business requires team members to wear many hats.

At the same time, he ensures that his team members have opportunities to develop subject matter expertise and advance their careers.

“A sign of success is someone rising and being trained to meet their potential and achieve their professional aspirations,” he says, highlighting his commitment to mentorship and growth.

A Foodtastic career

The transformation of the legal department mirrors Tsoukas’s professional evolution. His journey into law began with aspirations of becoming a constitutional lawyer, a path he reconsidered during law school. After earning a master’s degree in Chinese law from Tsinghua University in Beijing and practicing in New York, he developed a knack for building teams and departments. His experience as the first associate at a boutique firm in New York provided invaluable insights into creating systems and processes from the ground up—skills he would later bring to Foodtastic.

Despite his global experiences, Tsoukas describes his move to Foodtastic as serendipitous.

“When the opportunity came up to join Foodtastic, I thought it was an interesting opportunity and the right place and time to take that move,” he says.

He was motivated by curiosity about working in a broader, more business-oriented context. Today, he finds immense satisfaction in his role, which he describes as challenging and fulfilling.

On a personal level, Tsoukas credits his strong support system at home with much of his success.

“I’m fortunate to have an incredible partner who supports me in everything,” he says, emphasizing the importance of balance.

Professionally, he remains active in the legal community, attending events hosted by organizations like the Ontario Bar Association and participating in in-house counsel groups. These engagements allow him to exchange ideas with peers, learn from others, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Tsoukas is excited about Foodtastic’s continued growth. The company’s expansion into new markets and categories offers challenges and opportunities, and he is confident that the legal department is well-equipped to support these ambitions.

“We share the company’s entrepreneurial spirit within the legal department,” he says.

Whether navigating complex acquisitions, managing relationships with franchisees, or fostering a collaborative culture within his team, Tsoukas approaches every challenge with a mindset of progress and possibility.

In many ways, Tsoukas’s career reflects the qualities that define Foodtastic itself: a commitment to building strong relationships, a focus on growth and innovation, and a dedication to excellence. As the company continues to scale new heights, Tsoukas’s leadership will undoubtedly remain a driving force behind its success.