Summary - 2026 Fraser Institute Founders' Award Honouring The Fuller Family

The Fuller Family are leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industry across North America, recognized for building some of the country’s most influential dining brands with a focus on quality, energy, and guest experience. At the center of that legacy is Bus Fuller, whose entrepreneurial vision and instinct for great hospitality helped shape a new era of premium casual dining in Canada.

Building on that foundation, the Fuller Family has played a defining role in the growth and evolution of brands including Earls Kitchen + Bar, JOEY Restaurants, LOCAL PUBLIC EATERY, and Cactus Club Cafe; each known for setting the standard in food, design, and atmosphere.

Today, their collective portfolio spans 160 locations and employs approximately 25,000 people across Canada and the United States. Through a continued commitment to innovation, culture, and developing future leaders, the Fuller Family is carrying forward a legacy that has helped define modern hospitality while creating spaces where guests feel welcomed and teams are inspired to grow.

The Fraser Institute Founders’ Award, named after founders T. Patrick Boyle and Michael A. Walker, is the Institute’s highest honour. The award is presented annually to individuals in recognition of their exceptional entrepreneurial achievements, generous philanthropic endeavors and dedication to competitive markets. These individuals are role models for the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.

T. Patrick Boyle served in the Air Force Signals Corps during the Second World War and then went on to complete his business administration studies before embarking on a highly successful business career that spanned more than 25 years in the U.S. and Canada. He served as MacMillan Bloedel’s first worldwide corporate controller before retiring in 1977 to devote his energy to the Fraser Institute. As founding chairman and long-time vice-chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Boyle played a pivotal role in ensuring that the Institute’s founding principles continue to guide it to this day. He now holds the title of Founder & Honourary Chairman for Life.

Dr. Michael A. Walker was the executive director of the Fraser Institute from its inception in 1974 until September 2005. As an economist, he has authored or edited 45 books on economic topics. His articles on technical economic subjects have appeared in professional journals in Canada, the United States and Europe, including the Canadian Journal of Economics, the American Economic Review, the Journal of Finance, the Canadian Tax Journal, Health Management Quarterly, Weltwertschaftliches Archiv and Health Affairs. His primary concern as the founding Executive Director of the Fraser Institute has been to promote the examination and use of competitive markets as a method for enhancing the lives of Canadians. He is the co-founder, with Milton and Rose D. Friedman, of the Economic Freedom of the World project which is now a collaboration of institutes in 85 countries and produces the annual Economic Freedom of the World Index. The Index is one of the most widely cited such measures in the current academic literature.

The Fraser Institute Founders’ Award in Recognition of T. Patrick Boyle and Michael A. Walker has been sponsored since its inception by a grant from the Donner Canadian Foundation and by generous corporate sponsorships. Revenue generated by the tribute dinners, held to honour the selected individuals, funds Fraser Institute research and programing activities.

2026 Fraser Institute Founders' Award Honouring The Fuller Family

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver