Chris Lucas launches Collective Foundation to underpin the long-term sustainability of hospitality

Australian restaurateur Chris Lucas today announces the launch of Collective Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to support the long term, sustainable future of Australia’s hospitality sector.

2025 marks a significant milestone for Mr Lucas who has played a pivotal role in the Australian dining scene during the past 30 years as one of the nation’s leading restaurateurs. His restaurants are synonymous with industry innovation and have employed tens of thousands of young people over the decades.

Mr Lucas has also led the way in developing progressive workplace practices that have created not only a hot bed of creativity and excitement but also ensured that his workplaces were amongst some of the country’s most advanced in the areas of training, culture and workplace respect. In creating his foundation Mr Lucas aims to continue advocacy for the industry he loves and has had a lifelong association with.

“Australia’s restaurant and hospitality sector is world class and today, is one of the most consequential sectors of the Australian economy. Dining out remains a favourite pastime of Australians and is one of the top three motivators for tourism. There are 56,000 restaurants & cafes in a $64 billion sector that employs half a million people – and including indirect jobs, that number doubles. From barista to the board room, from apprentice chef to chief executive the career paths in hospitality are many and varied.

“But those careers are not always as valued as they should be, and young people remain unaware of theopportunities within the sector for a long term and rewarding career. The Foundation has been created to change that,” says Lucas.

The Foundation has four clear priorities:

1. Building community and industry knowledge of the hospitality value chain, its role and contribution to the Australian economy and the professional career pathways that exist
2. Fostering education and career development for emerging leaders in hospitality to ensure a sustainable pipeline of professionals
3. Support and encourage creativity and innovation across the value chain from agriculture to sustainable development initiatives that will be essential to the sector in the coming decades
4. Job training and enablement programs for aspiring hospitality professionals with a particular focus on those from regional and rural areas of Australia and diverse backgrounds

To enable the first two priorities, the Foundation is also announcing a partnership with La Trobe University to conduct research and build bespoke, professional education for the sector.

Professor Chris Pakes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation, at La Trobe said: “We are thrilled to partner with Chris Lucas and the Collective Foundation on such an innovative and important program. This style of industry partnership leverages the strengths of the University to design learning outcomes that have an immediate, practical application.”

Professor Suzanne O’Keefe, Dean of La Trobe Business School, said combining research with educational program development would enable a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges faced by aspiring hospitality managers and leaders and help to ensure applied learning outcomes for participants.

“We are delighted to be working with the Foundation at inception to craft this essential program,” Professor O’Keefe said.

The Foundation operates with an independent board of four Directors, including the Foundation’s Executive Chair, Angie Bradbury.

“The research phase kicks off in October to understand the barriers for young waiters, chefs and sommeliers to pursue a career in the sector while simultaneously understanding what the gaps and limitations are for restaurant operators when it comes to recruiting and developing senior staff. We believe this is the first time a study like this has been undertaken and the findings will be used to inform our industry and community engagement activity as well the education program.”

This Foundation is for the entire sector and we are looking to convene an industry steering committee to provide insights and help shape the Foundation’s activity. Expressions of interest will be opening via the Foundation website shortly.

Lucas Collective, 13^th October 2025