As associate general counsel at Recipe Unlimited Corporation, Jennifer Shayko oversees a portfolio of more than 20 brands. She leads a multifaceted operation, encompassing franchise brands like Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s, and New York Fries. Her rise within a highly complex corporate structure – particularly one balancing a mix of full-service, quick-service, and retail operations – illustrates her adaptability and strategic vision.
“I am in charge of the legal responsibilities for franchising, which is a very large portfolio at Recipe,” Shayko says. “Each brand is governed independently and has its own personnel,” she notes, emphasizing how varied the business models and operations are across brands. With anywhere between just over 100 franchise locations, of which 10-20 percent are corporate-owned, Shayko handles rapid deal volumes and a complex legal landscape that spans international jurisdictions.
This multifaceted role requires Shayko to modernize operations from the outset. When she began at Recipe in 2017, her mandate was clear: streamline, automate, and digitize processes to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving business environment. “I try to bring the department into the 21st century,” she says, referring to efforts that have leaned heavily on technology and efficiency tools. Despite her legal background, Shayko sees her role as requiring deep business integration, regularly interfacing with non-legal teams in construction, real estate, leasing and HR.
Before she transitioned to in-house counsel, Shayko's career in law started at major firms like Osler and Sotos. She recalls an existential crisis early in her legal journey when she realized she didn’t want to specialize in a technical area of law like tax. Her eventual specialization in franchise litigation, particularly at Sotos, laid the groundwork for her current expertise. Franchise disputes, she notes, often feature a blend of commercial drama and relational tension. “These are two commercial players that work together, but for whatever reason, it doesn’t work out,” Shayko explains. That complexity – and the high stakes of maintaining long-term relationships – became a cornerstone of her legal approach.
This experience proved essential in managing the inevitable disputes within Recipe’s vast network. “We very much want to resolve things amicably,” Shayko states, emphasizing that protecting the network’s integrity is a franchisor’s ultimate responsibility. Her approach is not to escalate every disagreement to litigation but to understand the perspectives of franchisees and seek resolution.
Operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the US and India, Shayko faces regulatory hurdles that differ vastly across borders. In the US, she plays a key role in creating the infrastructure necessary for Recipe to operate corporately. “I am the quarterback of setting up everything from tax and finance to HR,” she says, noting the unique challenges of bridging different business cultures. For markets like India, she relies on master franchise agreements, localized by external counsel familiar with the country’s regulatory and business environment.
This reliance on trusted external partners highlights Shayko’s strategic use of law firms. For example, Recipe partners with Greenberg Traurig in the US due to their full-service capabilities. “We need someone who can do leasing, tax, and employment... it is just seamless,” she explains. However, Shayko is critical of law firms that fail to grasp the operational realities of their clients. During COVID-19, she cites a pitch for costly software that was “very tone deaf,” considering how much the food service industry was being impacted by the pandemic. Her advice to external counsel is straightforward: “Understand your client's industry trends... it helps you talk the talk.”
Shayko is also at the forefront of Recipe’s adoption of cutting-edge technology in restaurant operations. From automated grills at Harvey’s to advanced “smart ovens” at Montana’s, these innovations revolutionize processes, improving product consistency and labour efficiency. “Technology is making things better for our system,” she says, highlighting how automation will be a key tool in improving food quality and consistency while allowing our staff more time to focus on providing great guest experiences.
Yet, Shayko acknowledges the balancing act required to maintain brand consistency while innovating. For instance, online ordering platforms across Recipe’s brands are designed to enhance convenience and safeguard customer data. “There’s a lot of information we house... it’s critical to keep departments and data separate,” she says, underscoring the dual priorities of compliance and customer experience.
On the future of the legal profession, Shayko sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for transformation rather than a threat. “What we bring to the table is problem-solving and strategic thinking,” she says. She believes AI will handle much of the tedious drafting work, allowing legal professionals to focus on high-level advisory roles. This evolution mirrors her career trajectory – one marked by adaptability, innovation, and an ever-deepening integration with business strategy.