Driving Entrepreneurial Success: Pizza Hut Canada's Equal Slice Program
24 Julio 2024 - 1:58PM
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), ICIC’s signature program for
small business owners in the mid-stage of their growth, is thrilled
to mark its fourth year in Canada, made possible by the generous
support and partnership of the lead sponsor, Pizza Hut Canada, as
part of YUM’s Unlocking Opportunity Initiative. The program
provides free education, mentorship, and grants to small business
owners from underrepresented communities across Canada. At the
heart of this initiative is the Equal Slice Program, a pivotal
component offering participants the opportunity to vie for one of
five $20,000 CAD grants designed to fuel the growth and scalability
of their businesses.
Daniel Meynen, President and General Manager for Pizza Hut
Canada, shared his thoughts on the partnership: “As we enter the
fourth year of the Equal Slice Program in partnership with ICCC, we
are incredibly proud of the program's impact in supporting
underrepresented entrepreneurs across Canada. The roots of our
Equal Slice Program lie in authenticity, reflecting the
entrepreneurial DNA of our founders and franchisees that is core to
Pizza Hut Canada's legacy and success. By providing essential
resources, mentorship, and financial support, we are committed to
empowering entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to reach
their fullest potential. The success stories emerging from this
program are a testament to the resilience and creativity of these
business owners, and we are honored to be a part of their
journey.”
This year, ICIC will present two Canada Cohorts—one conducted
virtually and the other in person in Toronto, ON. The in-person
Opening Seminar for the ICCC Toronto Equal Slice Cohort will be
held on Wednesday, October 11th, 2024. The virtual Opening Seminar
for the ICCC Canada National Equal Slice Cohort will be held on
Tuesday, October 17th & Thursday, October 19th, 2024. It’s not
too late to join the program! Learn more here: ICCC Equal Slice
Program.
Program Impact: Empowering Growth and
Resilience
Equal Slice has provided a combined $300,000 in grants to small
business owners since its inception, helping them build capacity
for sustainable growth and resiliency. The nation is home to 150
ICCC alumni, and since their participation in ICIC’s programs, they
have achieved an outstanding average growth of 125% in revenue.
This success underscores the impactful outcomes of the ICCC
program, and the vital role played by Pizza Hut Canada in
supporting the growth and resilience of small businesses across the
country.
Steve Grossman, CEO of ICIC, shares his perspective on the
impact of the program: "The Equal Slice Program exemplifies our
dedication to fostering entrepreneurship in under-resourced
communities. Through our partnership with Pizza Hut Canada, we are
not just offering financial support, but also delivering critical
education and mentorship that empowers business owners to thrive.
This program is a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, providing
the tools and resources necessary for these entrepreneurs to
transform their businesses and communities."
Grant Recipients
The 2023 grant winners showcase the transformative impact of
this program:
- Akilah Newton - Big Dreamers - Big Dreamers is
a division of Akilah Newton Projects Inc. that focuses on producing
literature, games, and arts activities and supplies. The goal of
Big Dreamers is to celebrate multiculturalism and individuality
through the lens of diversity. They value the contributions,
accomplishments, and sacrifices made by people who have blazed a
trail and paved a path for future generations to dream big!
- Carolina Foresti - Carolina's Brownies - At
Carolina's Brownies, they handcraft high-quality, all-natural
gourmet brownies that not only satisfy one’s taste buds but also
make a positive impact. Part of the proceeds support children with
special needs because they believe in spreading joy, one brownie at
a time.
- Jaime Ward-Yassin - Hero Academy - Hero
Academy is a martial arts gym that provides group classes to
adults, kids, women, and adaptive athletes. The classes and
programs are for everyBODY. They don't limit their classes to body
type or physical ability. They create a welcoming and inclusive
environment and tailor their classes and movements so that
participants can be themselves while feeling brave, challenged, and
safe.
- Nancy Wingham - Nuez Acres - At Nuez Acres,
they are dedicated to creating eco-friendly, waterless beauty
products that nourish skin and hair while promoting sustainability.
Their mission is to provide natural, vegan, and sustainable beauty
solutions that honor their indigenous heritage. Join them in their
journey towards a greener future, one beautiful step at a
time.
- Cynthia Sweeny - Simply Good Form Inc. -
Through lived experience and unique skill sets, SGF Inclusion is a
niche, award-winning solutions provider working with their clients
across Canada, building simply good solutions to solve tough
challenges for businesses around equity, diversity, and inclusion.
They strategically transform workplace cultures and the impacts for
their clients are simple: they drive innovation and growth that
impacts the bottom line.
The partnership between the Equal Slice Program and ICCC serves
as a crucial source of opportunity to empower Canadian
entrepreneurs, with Pizza Hut Canada's dedication reflected in the
success stories and transformative impact on small businesses
nationwide.
About Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC)
Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is the widely
recognized authority on accelerating small business growth in
under-resourced communities. Founded by renowned Harvard Business
School professor Michael Porter 30 years ago as a research and
strategy organization, today ICIC drives inclusive economic
prosperity in under-resourced communities through innovative
research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local
residents.
Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a tuition-free
executive leadership training program designed by ICIC to help
business owners in under-resourced communities build capacity for
sustainable growth in revenue, profitability, and employment. ICCC
is uniquely designed to provide three critical elements for
sustainable growth: capacity-building education, one-on-one
coaching, and connections to capital and capital providers.
About Pizza Hut Canada
Pizza Hut is proud to be one of Canada's largest pizza
restaurant chains with over 500 locations locally. Globally Pizza
Hut is one of the world's largest pizza restaurant companies with
more than 18,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. No matter where
you find a Pizza Hut, they are making sure each meal customers
enjoy is safe, delicious, and unmistakably Pizza Hut.
Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:
YUM). Hungry for more information?
Check out our website, Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram
Sarah Ginand
ICIC
+1 617-803-4532
sginand@icic.org