Chairman Stanley Ma, who built the firm from a single 1979 Montreal storefront, cited Mandel’s unique qualifications to guide the company through its next phase of growth. Lefebvre, a veteran of the organization since 2009, departs the board as the company pivots toward a leaner, more disciplined structure.

MTY Food recently committed to returning capital to shareholders and increasing its quarterly dividend as part of a strategic review. The group is now prioritizing an asset-light franchising model, which includes restructuring corporate offices and shuttering underperforming locations that account for approximately 1% of its total network.