On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Business Excellence Awards Gala, presented by Cowan Insurance Group. The Waterloo Region business community, local dignitaries, and community ambassadors came together to honour the extraordinary contributions of more than 130 nominees across 14 categories.
Congratulations to The Charcoal Group of Restaurants for winning the Service Excellence in Hospitality/Tourism Award! This award is goes to the culinary business expert that dedicates their time and puts forth real effort to achieve service excellence within Waterloo Region.
The Charcoal Group of Restaurants, is a leader in hospitality across Southern Ontario, and has been at the forefront of delivering exceptional dining experiences for over 65 years. With a portfolio of over 20 full-service restaurants, The Charcoal Group continues to exceed customer expectations, offering superior-quality products and services.
Notably, the group’s Solé restaurant in Uptown Waterloo has become a key community landmark, attracting guests from both within and outside the region. Charcoal’s unwavering commitment to exceptional service is exemplified by their recognition through 18 OpenTable Diner’s Choice badges in 2024, reflecting the group’s excellence in categories such as “Best Brunch” and “Best Outdoor Dining”. In 2024, the group also added 2 new locations of Beertown Public House, in addition to the newly reimagined Solé.
Their focus on staff training and development has not only empowered staff but also allowed managers to dedicate more time to focusing on guests, community, and business growth. In 2024, Charcoal Group received the Axonify Award for Outstanding Manager Support for utilizing the Axonify platform to streamline the onboarding process for new team members. The Charcoal Group of Restaurants continues to uphold their reputation as a leader in hospitality.
