Jay Ashton

With 35+ years inside foodservice from working the line to advising national chains and leading growth programs at a Fortune 50 company, Jay knows what it takes to survive and scale. His focus: sales growth, profit control, leadership, and brand trust. He's coached thousands of restaurants across Canada, working with owners, leadership teams, and foodservice companies to solve daily problems, make clear decisions, and build steady performance. His style is direct and practical. Jay founded Ashton Media, a Canadian restaurant media network reaching over 400,000 foodservice professionals weekly through podcasts, newsletters, live events, and editorial platforms. He hosts The Late Night Restaurant Show, Canada's #1 restaurant podcast, #4 in North America, with more than 1,700 episodes featuring owners, chefs, executives, and entrepreneurs across eight countries. He's the author of A Pile Of…, a collection of hard-won restaurant lessons drawn from decades in the industry, and the creator of the Ultimate Hospitality Business Summits, a national event series built for restaurant owners and leaders. In 2026, Jay launches NEED, a new Canadian foodservice magazine created by foodservice people, for foodservice people. He also produces the NO BS Foodservice and Hospitality Reports practical breakdowns of costs, pricing, profit, labor, and technology with real numbers, clear explanations, and zero vendor bias. His mission is simple: help restaurant and foodservice leaders think clearer, lead stronger, and succeed in a changing Canadian market.