The son of a Quebec restaurant pioneer and restaurateur from father to daughter, Pierre Moreau, CEO and partner of Groupe Restos Plaisirs, grew up in the world of gastronomy, a field for which we can say that he was born.
One could almost say that Pierre Moreau was destined to one day lead the Restos Plaisirs group, whose founders opened their first restaurant in Quebec City in 1979, without ever ceasing to innovate and think about new concepts.
One of its founders, Jacques Gauthier, was its first boss when he completed his administrative degree at the University of Laval.
“When I left Jacques’ first company to work for Marie-Antoinette at the time, he came to see me, I was 24, and he said to me, without trying to hold me back: ‘Go and get some experience somewhere else, and you will come back to us in a few years and you will be stronger and all.”
Over the years, the two men kept in touch. Mr. Gauthier was one of Mr. Moreau’s communications box customers.
When the latter lived with his wife in Toronto, where he worked for the Oshawa Group (IGA), they found a way to see each other at least once a year. “The first time I went back to Quebec, he helped me, but the stars didn’t line up, and the second time, in 2010, they didn’t line up. I was ready.”
PHOTO AGENCY QMI, RENÉ BAILLARGEON
Pierre Moreau therefore returned home 30 years later, in 2010, after three and a half years as Vice President of Operations at St-Hubert, well before its sale to an Ontario company.
Back at Restos Plaisirs, he initially acted as General Manager. Then the two went through the follow-up process together.
“Jacques surrounded himself with people like him, young entrepreneurs who wanted to develop something,” says Mr. Moreau with a smile.
family songs
let’s go back To begin with, I mentioned Pierre Moreau’s parents. His father, Michel, founded La Tyrolienne, a Quebec institution which he ran for 47 years. His mother also owned a restaurant like his father before her, where La Girolle is today, on the Chemin Sainte-Foy.
When he was younger, Pierre Moreau often heard his father tell him to seek his experience elsewhere. It was his philosophy.
“He said to me, ‘If you work for me and you do your job well, everyone will think it’s normal, and if it’s the opposite, everyone will talk behind your back and say it’s because you are my son Then go and prove yourself somewhere else.” At the time, I thought he might be a bit brusque, but over time I understood that it meant a lot of wisdom on his part,” says Pierre Moreau.
PHOTO AGENCY QMI, RENÉ BAILLARGEON
Due to the pandemic, his father also had to decide to close the doors of La Tyrolienne in 2021. Many people expressed their sadness at the closure of this landmark home, where many families have celebrated birthdays and special events for several generations.
His father was 84 at the time of closure. “Just before the pandemic, we lost mom. A few months later we had to close all our restaurants because of the pandemic, so it wasn’t an easy time, says Pierre Moreau. And then of course he could have retired a long time ago.
When he left university in 1984, Pierre Moreau was constantly asked if he was the son of Michel Moreau de La Tyrolienne. “When I came back in 2010, everyone was asking my dad, ‘Pierre Moreau, is this your son?’ It’s like the tables have turned 40 years later.”
recovery from the pandemic
Pierre Moreau had given me an appointment at Madame Chose, the last restaurant the group opened just before the pandemic. Given the context in which it was born, the great house with its distinctive concept has yet to make itself felt, and Mr. Moreau is working on that.
“We were closed for 12 months in two years during the pandemic and I always say it will take two years to recover from that,” starts the one who had to make difficult decisions like closing some restaurants, the less were profitable.
During the pandemic, Mr. Moreau found himself speaking for restaurateurs in Quebec on many occasions. “I found the message was often negative, he says, and I don’t blame specific restaurateurs, but I felt there was a need to inject a little positivity and hope into the speech. »
During the pandemic, Pierre Moreau also befriended Jean Bédard, with whom he eventually planned a partnership between the Restos Plaisirs group and the Grandio group, already at the helm of the sporty La Cage Brasserie. Mr. Moreau wanted to expand the brand in Quebec, including into Montreal, and ensure the company remained in Quebec.
Since then, in a not very favorable real estate context, he has been looking for a location on the south coast of Montreal. That means more great projects are to come.
partnership
During the pandemic, Pierre Moreau befriended Jean Bédard, with whom he eventually planned a partnership between the Restos Plaisirs group and the Grandio group, already at the helm of the sporty La Cage Brasserie. Mr. Moreau wanted to expand the brand in Quebec, including into Montreal, and ensure the company remained in Quebec.
Since then, in a not very favorable real estate context, he has been looking for a location on the south coast of Montreal. That means more great projects are to come.
Group Restos Plaisirs
- 11 restaurants
- 780 Employees
Great
- 57 restaurants
- more than 4000 Employees
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