In support of Collective Foundation, Lucas Collective has introduced a $1 charitable donation added to every bill across all venues.

Collective Foundation is a registered charity dedicated to strengthening the long-term future of Australia’s hospitality industry, with a focus on funding and developing education, leadership development and industry training programs.

In 2026, the Foundation will launch the Future Hospitality Academy in partnership with La Trobe University. The Academy is designed to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders through targeted, practical leadership training for emerging professionals.

Australia’s restaurant and hospitality sector is world-class and one of the most significant contributors to the national economy. Dining out remains one of Australians’ favourite pastimes and is consistently ranked among the top three motivators for tourism. The industry comprises more than 56,000 restaurants and cafés within a $64 billion sector, directly employing over 500,000 people — with total employment doubling when indirect jobs are included.

Collective Foundation operates with four core priorities, with priorities one and two forming its primary focus for 2026:

1. Build 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. Foster 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. Create job training and enablement programs for aspiring hospitality professionals with a particular focus on those from regional and rural areas of Australia and with diverse backgrounds

Suzanne O’Keefe, Dean of La Trobe Business School, said that combining academic research with practical program development will deliver a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges faced by aspiring hospitality managers, ensuring strong applied learning outcomes for participants.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.collectivefoundation.org.au.