The Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) has announced the addition of its new partner MTY Group to its roster this past year.

MTY Group has joined the FAEQ’s bursary program through an annual contribution of $20,000 of which $16,000 is awarded in bursaries and $4000 in support services. These funds will be supporting four student-athletes who hope to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer and Beijing next winter, by awarding them each a $4000 bursary.

MTY Group is one of the largest franchisors in Canada’s restaurant industry. It operates several popular brands in Quebec, including Allo! Mon Coco, Bâton Rouge, Ben & Florentine, Toujours Mikes, Sushi Shop, Thaï Express, Yuzu Sushi, ThaïZone, and several others.

“We are very pleased to support the Foundation for Athletic Excellence and the young student-athletes of Quebec because we see similarities between these committed, disciplined, creative, hard-working, passionate young talents and the entrepreneurs of the restaurant industry. We hope we can contribute to their impressive careers, much as they in turn inspire our franchisees to go further,” said Éric Lefebvre, president and CEO, MTY Group.

“The FAEQ is very fortunate to be able to count on its new partner, MTY Group, a Quebec company that wishes to contribute to its community by supporting the young leaders of tomorrow. Although the current situation has brought about many challenges to charitable giving, we are grateful for the trust and generosity of our partners, both our new ones and those who have been by our side for many years,” said Claude Chagnon, president, FAEQ.

The four recipients of the bursaries are Catherine Beauchemin-Pinard, 26, of Longueuil (Saint-Hubert), Cendrine Browne, 27, of Prévost, Katherine Surin, 25, of Laval, and Nicolas Guy Turbide, 24, of Quebec City (Sainte-Foy–Sillery–Cap-Rouge).