M&M Meat Shops co-founder named Laurier’s outstanding business leader for 2010

WATERLOO – Mac Voisin, chairman and co-founder of M&M Meat Shops Ltd., has been named Laurier’s Outstanding Business Leader for 2010. The award will be presented at a formal celebratory luncheon at Laurier on Feb. 14.

Voisin was selected for this prestigious award in recognition of his entrepreneurial leadership and innovation in founding one of Canada’s most successful retail food businesses, and for his extensive community involvement.

“Mac has demonstrated innovation by founding Canada’s largest retail chain of specialty frozen foods, driving substantial year-over-year growth, and providing entrepreneurial leadership through a strong corporate philosopy,” said Ginny Dybenko, Laurier’s dean of business and economics. “His tireless support of the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada and several other charitable organizations make him an ideal recipient for this award.”

Voisin, along with then-brother-in-law Mark Nowak, opened the first M&M Meat Shop in Kitchener in 1980 with the aim to sell top quality meat at affordable prices. It expanded quickly under Voisin’s philosophy of “act big even when you’re small.” The first franchise opened in 1981 in Cambridge. Today there are more than 465 locations across Canada.

An active community partner, Voisin started the first chain-wide Charity BBQ Day to raise funds for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada in 1989. Since then, it has raised more than $16 million for CCFC research. Voisin also supports the Waterloo Region Food Bank, St. Mary’s Hospital, the Kitchener-Waterloo Community Foundation, Junior Achievement of Waterloo Region, and the K-W Counselling Centre.