Helping Local Business Navigate the Challenges of a Global Pandemic
MidlandEats was created with the objective of helping restaurant owners ensure the continuity of their businesses by promoting alternative delivery and takeout options during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
As entrepreneurs ourselves, we deeply empathize with the challenges faced by business owners in the wake of strict lock-down requirements and widespread economic uncertainty. We also understand the importance of maintaining the social distancing protocols necessary to protect vulnerable members of our community. Our team of experienced marketing professionals recognized this as an opportunity to leverage our talents to create an online directory connecting local restaurants to their customers in a safe and responsible manner.
Over the past decade, the emergence of various food delivery apps has provided restaurants with an effective means of reaching new customers and generating revenue. Unfortunately, these platforms remain inaccessible outside of major urban centers, and often charge prohibitive service fees to their vendor partners. Unlike other apps and websites, MidlandEats is provided at no cost to local businesses and remains a free service for all users.
Who We Are
Erik Fletcher
Founder
Over the course of his entrepreneurial career, Erik has launched multiple successful ventures. After selling his first company, a technology consultancy firm, he launched Arrowsmith – an advertising agency based in Kitchener, Ontario. Within 5 years, Arrowsmith had expanded to a second office in Toronto and had established a clientele of over 100 accounts ranging in size from startups to large enterprises, in addition to serving a number of non-profit organizations.
In 2013, Erik became an investor and co-founder of James E. Wagner Cultivation (JWC), a promising startup in the emerging legal cannabis industry. Leveraging the seed capital he provided, JWC successfully obtained their ACMPR license from Health Canada and became one of the first Licensed Producers of medical cannabis. Erik served as both a Director and Chief Marketing Officer until 2018, and was instrumental in taking the company public.
In 2019, Erik launched Arrowsmith Capital Group, an investment advisory firm providing business development consulting services. He currently resides in Wasaga Beach, Ontario and serves on the board of a number of startup ventures.
Chris Kontos
Co-Founder
Some of you may recognize Chris Kontos from his successful NHL career, playing from 1982 to 1993 for the LA Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Chris played for Team Canada in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway, bringing home a silver medal. He was also a sports anchor/reporter for The New VR (now CTV News Barrie) from 1998 to 2001.
Having spent much of his childhood in this region, Chris and his wife have raised their family in the Midland and Penetang area and are proud to call southern Georgian Bay their home. He enjoys boating, snowmobiling, sports of all kinds and, as a major foodie – you may see him around town exploring the many great restaurants in our region.
Chris runs two successful businesses right here in Midland; PROS Marketing (printing and promotional services) and PROS Distributing – which includes sales of the very popular Raptor Liners! Chris has a keen desire to support small businesses and keep our local economy booming.
Chris is still involved in local hockey initiatives – supporting kids and youth with coaching, training and specialized hockey camps.