Matthew Corrin, CEO, Freshii Inc.
Matthew Corrin is the founder and CEO of Freshii Inc, a privately held corporation operating within the North American restaurant industry. There are both company-owned and franchised locations marketed under two distinct banners: Lettuce Eatery in Canada and Freshii in the United States.
In 2005, at the age of 23, Corrin moved to Toronto and founded Lettuce Eatery, a quick-service restaurant specializing in custom designed salads made from over 70 fresh ingredients. Living in Manhattan, he was inspired by the New York City deli’s – which offered great quality salads, had long lineups, but poor service, a lackluster experience and dull branding. Recognizing the demand for this healthy offering he believed strongly that there was an opportunity to “Starbuck the salad business”. Within 6 months of opening, Corrin led Lettuce Eatery to Cadillac Fairview’s prestigious “ARC Award” for Best New Retail Concept in Canada, joining an impressive list of past winners, including Lululemon Athletica.
Over the last three years, Corrin has spoken at several entrepreneurial conferences and business schools - Queens Commerce, the University of Western Ontario, York and Schulich, to name a few, sharing his vision and passion for consumer brands. Corrin also sits as a final round judge for the ACE National Awards, a competition recognizing the best young entrepreneur in Canada.
Born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Corrin’s hometown was also the site of his first entrepreneurial venture called “Rink Routes” - a self-produced guide to local hockey arenas (created when he was only fifteen) that sold more than 2000 copies and won him an academic tuition scholarship. While at University, he spent summers working in New York City – at The Late Show with David Letterman, and at an internet company during the height of the dot com boom. After obtaining a Bachelors of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, Corrin spent almost three years in New York City as the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for fashion icon Oscar de la Renta.
Corrin is determined to expand his restaurant brands across North America while reaching his Mission of serving up the healthiest, best tasting, and most convenient customized meals and snacks in a hip, welcoming and fun environment.
Corrin currently lives in Chicago with his wife Kate, 8-month old daughter Annie, and dog Jax. Between a new child and rapidly growing company, he is proud to have mastered the art of a 4hour/night sleep.