Rustica Foods: The art of innovating to move further ahead

Since opening one of Montréal’s first Italian bakeries in 1958, Rustica Foods has established itself as a leader in authentic Italian products. Remaining true to its values of authenticity, quality and excellence, the business has been able to grow its footprint in the fresh and frozen pizza market while continuously innovating.

Industrial food production line where pizzas with toppings move along a metal conveyor, with visible steam, in an automated processing environment.

Overview

Business: Rustica Foods
Number of employees: 453
Region: Greater Montréal
Program: Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) – Business Scale-up and Productivity

This CED support has made it possible: To automate the factory’s production line and enhance its productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of digital equipment, including machinery to automate the business’s packaging process.

A visionary family business

Founded in May 2000 as a small family-run pizzeria in Montréal, Rustica Foods is now a thriving business. At the helm, the Morgante Family shares a collective vision: to offer exceptional products and exceed expectations. This family cohesion is the driving force behind sustainable growth and a people-centred corporate culture.

The Morgante Family—Sonia Morgante, Human Resources Director; Richard Morgante, President and Chief Executive Officer; Assunta Morgante, Head of Research and Development; and Stefano Morgante, Chief Happiness Officer—stand side by side in front of a wall featuring the Rustica logo and a stylized map, in an indoor corporate setting.
The Morgante Family: Sonia Morgante, Human Resources Director; Richard Morgante, President and Chief Executive Officer;
Assunta Morgante, Head of Research and Development; and Stefano Morgante, Chief Happiness Officer

Growing through innovation

For Rustica Foods, every challenge is an opportunity to reinvent itself. In 2023, the business reached a key milestone by launching its own brand and a new line of frozen pizzas.

“To support our growth and set ourselves apart, we rely on strategic partners such as CED, whose financial support is essential to innovation,” emphasizes Richard Morgante, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Vincent Giove, Vice President, and Richard Morgante, President and Chief Executive Officer, pose in a studio, each holding a Rustica pizza box, in a promotional context.
Vincent Giove, Vice President, and Richard Morgante, President and Chief Executive Officer

This investment has made it possible to automate packaging and double the capacity of certain key pieces of equipment, resulting in fewer losses, errors and waste while reinforcing sustainable and responsible practices at the business.

“Automation has done more than just improve our efficiency: It has allowed our employees to move into higher-value, more engaging roles,” the entrepreneur adds.

Industrial food production line where pizzas with toppings move along a metal conveyor, with visible steam, in an automated processing environment.
Industrial food production line

A strong team and solid partnerships

At Rustica Foods, collaboration is key. The business works closely with its clients and market experts to create innovative, high-performance products developed in a state-of-the-art facility that ranks among the most versatile in North America.

Today, the business does not just follow trends: It shapes them, driven by a bold vision and strategic partnerships that pave the way for excellence.

Looking to the future

Rustica Foods’ head office viewed from the outside in winter, surrounded by snow and trees.
Rustica Foods' head office

Building on this momentum, Rustica Foods is focusing on continuous innovation and creativity to anticipate consumer expectations. A leader in fresh and frozen pizza in both Canada and the United States, it showcases Montréal’s expertise far beyond Quebec’s borders.

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2026-08-06