Lew is a skilled lease negotiator who over 25 years has lowered or eliminated real estate costs for distressed restaurants, saving them tens of millions of dollars. He has also helped growth-oriented companies plan rent renewals and improve site-selection processes.

A multiunit operator himself, Lew believes companies thrive when there’s a tight connection between real estate strategy and the company’s vision to propel growth through policy.

Lew launched his real estate career in the early 1990s, managing a 1.5 million square-foot shopping center in western Canada. In 1992, he and a partner purchased the master franchise rights for Domino’s Pizza in Canada, eventually developing some 200 units coast to coast.

He has also worked as an independent real estate strategist, advising C-level executives of major QSR brands on real estate sites and acquisitions in Canada and the U.S. Three years ago, he became the Master Franchisee in Canada for Johnny Rockets. Today, he operates four units in Vancouver and Victoria.

Lew earned an M.B.A. in International Business and a B.A. from the University of Calgary.