🎯Fundraising target reached, alumni new launches & The slop bowl recession

🔔 Your campaign updates feed

📱Gander Social hit 100% of their fundraising goal!

Gander Social reached 100% of their fundraising target! This milestone highlights the growing excitement around the Canadian-built platform designed to protect democracy, youth, and mental health.

Invest in Gander Social | $1.5M Raised | 104% of target

👥 Fanbase is closing December 15

Fanbase is in the final days of its FrontFundr round. Investments made now will strengthen its creator-first ecosystem and support long-term expansion as the company focus on product and platform growth.

Invest in Fanbase | $14M Raised | 83% of target

👟 Hettas is closing December 15

Hettas had a strong year, building momentum through major funding, operational progress, and growing market visibility. Now in the final days of its campaign and seeking additional support as it advances toward its 2026 growth goals.

Invest in Hettas | $121K Raised | 48% of target

🍻 Collective Arts is closing December 15

Collective Arts is a community-driven brand where creativity is at the heart of everything. Founder Matt Johnston invites you to join The Collective before December 15 to support artists and bring creativity into everyday life through their beverages.

Invest in Collective Arts | $236K Raised | 47% of target

🔔 Alumni updates

🌾 Prairie Clean Enterprises is featured in The Western Producer as the future bedding partner of Canadian Western Agribition with its all-natural Prairie Clean Flax Bedding.

🌸 Blossom Social wrapped is here! Users now get a personalized recap of their year in the markets.

🎨 Mastruis founders Julie and Mike deBoer showcase how their mentorship marketplace is transforming creative education and empowering artists worldwide.

✨ Drink Glimmer Wine is available in a can! After months of R&D and quality checks, it delivers the same beloved taste in a new, elevated format.

🤔 What’s on our minds

🥣 The “slop bowl recession” hits fast casual

The “bowl,” a customizable mix of grains or greens, protein, and toppings, became popular over the 2000s and 2010s. Think Chipotle, Sweetgreen, and Cava, where quick, fresh, and seemingly healthier lunches made the fast-casual concept a household name. Today, that same concept is facing a downturn, now being called the “slop bowl recession.”

🧐 What happened and why it matters

The trend, “slop bowl recession,” is driven by changing customer preferences and tighter consumer budgets. In 2025, Chipotle, Sweetgreen, and Cava all reported weaker same-store sales and declining customer traffic. Chipotle warned investors of lower-than-expected sales, leading to its biggest single-day stock drop in 13 years. Sweetgreen and Cava also posted disappointing results as diners rethink whether premium bowl meals still feel worth the price. 

💡 Why stakeholders should pay attention

• Consumers: The shift shows how quickly dining habits change when price and satisfaction no longer match. 

• Investors:  The decline highlights the risks of building a brand around a narrow product format.

• Fast-casual market & peers: The “slop bowl recession” may prompt competitors to rethink menus, pricing, and value. Chains built around bowls need new offerings to stay relevant with cost-conscious diners.

📌 Final thoughts

The slump in bowl-style meals is a reminder that consumer dining trends can pivot faster than many brands expect.Even the strongest fast-casual players are vulnerable when price sensitivity rises and a once beloved meal no longer feels worth it.The next phase of fast-casual growth will depend on designing menus that feel worth the price, investing in formats beyond bowls, and rethinking what value means to younger, budget-conscious diners.

🎙️ Hear from our latest founder feature

Collective Arts: Fusing innovative beverages with emerging artists with Matthew Johnson

Q: What inspired the creation of Collective Arts?

A: The idea really came from a belief that creativity makes the world better. In the beverage industry, creativity was always in the liquid but not on the outside. Most labels were generic, following the same rules. We wanted to flip that by pairing world-class drinks with emerging artists and musicians. 

Q: What makes Collective Arts stand out in a crowded beverage market?

A: Collective Arts is a creative, community-driven movement. We have encouraged artistic collaboration by receiving nearly 40,000 art submissions, paying over $1 million directly to artists while allowing them to retain ownership rights. Their brand appeals especially to Gen Z consumers who seek purpose and culture alongside products.

Q: Looking back, are there a few standout moments in Collective Arts’ journey?

A: The first was our launch party at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto. We had over 600 people show up, the walls covered in art, and for the first time, we saw beer drinkers reacting to this crazy idea we’d been working on. 

🎧 Want to listen to the full episode?

Spotify / YouTube / Apple

📌 FrontFundr Bulletin

🎤 FrontFundr December Pitch Day Event Recap!

FrontFundr December Pitch Day featured some of Canada’s most innovative companies currently raising capital on FrontFundr, including Don Sutton of Capital Direct, Malcolm Roberts of Valley of Mother of God, Oussama (Sam) Saoudi of KaleMart24 and August Biniaz of CPI Capital.

For those who couldn’t make it to the live event, the recording is up on FrontFundr’s YouTube channel.

🎄 FrontFundr Holiday Hours

FrontFundr will be closed for a half-day on December 24 and remain closed for the holidays through January 5. We hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to connecting with you in the new year!