As the Canadian foodservice landscape continues to shift with global pressures, economic challenges, and evolving consumer demands, Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. is a beacon of resilience.

At the helm of this proudly Canadian enterprise is president and owner, Brent Cator, whose family has been in the Canadian meat business for more than 100 years. Under his leadership, Cardinal has not only weathered industry changes but has also played a pivotal role in shaping them.

"For us, innovation starts by listening to the operator," says Cator. "Every major leap we've made came from helping a customer solve a problem, not from launching a product for product's sake."

The company has long been recognized as a quiet giant in Canadian foodservice, supplying some of the country's most iconic brands. Yet its influence reaches far beyond supply. With a deep-rooted culture of innovation, Cardinal has introduced technologies and processes that are now industry benchmarks.

"We were the first in Canada to use cryogenic inline freezing to produce IQF patties," Cator explains. "That was a game-changer for Burger King in terms of food safety, and it's now a standard across the industry." Other industry firsts include Tenderform technology, which allowed Harvey's to cook thick premium burgers with the same speed as thin ones, and Natural Texture Forming (NTF), which delivers minimally processed burgers that retain bun coverage and cook faster. Perhaps most groundbreaking is the company's development of sous-vide cooking at an industrial scale - an achievement that required changes in both CFIA and USDA regulations.

"Our sous-vide products are now a cornerstone offering because they solve multiple pain points - labour, food safety, consistency," says Cator. "We've made an impact, not just an impression."

Cardinal's Canadian identity is more than just branding — it's a source of pride, trust, and competitive advantage.

"Were Canadian owned and operated, and that means something to our customers,, says Cator. "It means reliability, food safety leadership, and a commitment to supporting Canadian farmers and suppliers."

In recent years, shifting trade policies and tariff threats, particularly between the U.S. and Canada, have disrupted supply chains and forced foodservice businesses to reconsider (re-consider?) sourcing strategies. Cardinal has turned this disruption into opportunity.

"Because we're not dependent on U.S. supply, we've actually grown," says Cator. "We buy from Canadian farmers and also source globally. This diversification helps us shield customers from tariff risks."

Cator adds that many operators who previously sourced from the U.S. are now actively seeking Canadian alternatives. "They come to us looking for stability and for product they can trust. Being Canadian made is suddenly a huge advantage." In fact, Cardinal is Canadas largest importer of globally sourced meat - yet its foundation remains firmly domestic. "Were proud to be Canadian," Cator says. "We started putting 'Proudly Canadian' on our packaging long before tariff threats were a factor."

Now, with restaurants facing labour shortages, cost pressures, and heightened food-safety expectations, Cardinal is strategically positioned to help. Its fully cooked proteins - developed using its proprietary sous-vide process— are easy to use, labour-saving, and versatile across menu categories.

"We're hearing from operators every day about the need to do more with less," says Cator. "Our products deliver consistency, reduce waste, and save time in the kitchen. That's what they need right now."

Cardinal's commitment to custom solutions is a core part of its value proposition. "Were the largest custom burger and fully cooked protein partner in Canada, Cator adds. "Innovation and collaboration aren't buzzwords for us — they're how we build long-term relationships."

As the company prepares to celebrate six decades under the Cardinal name, Cator remains focused on the future.

That means continuing to invest in product development, food-safety leadership, and sustainable partnerships with Canadian farmers and global suppliers alike.

"Our mission statement is simple: 'We believe there's a better way... You Can with Cardinal," says Cator. "That's something we live every day in how we take care of our customers and in the opportunities we creat for our team."

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