Mountain Momentum: CARSTAR leaders gather in Whistler to 'Restore the Star'

Where mountains rise the Stars get sharper. Two epic days of high-altitude powerhouse performance tips, bold benchmarking, and sharp strategy sharing

Darryl Simmons

April 23, 2025

Whistler, B.C. -- More than 40 key CARSTAR shop owners and managers, alongside leading vendor and supplier partners, gathered in Whistler, B.C., for the latest edition of the Restore the Star meeting — a high-altitude strategy session designed to sharpen shop performance and strengthen the network’s competitive edge.

Held April 21 to 23 at the Westin Resort & Spa, the event offered two packed days of financial benchmarking, high-level business discussions and trend forecasting, all under the guidance of Driven Brands’ senior leadership.

The agenda kicked off with a welcome reception Monday evening, setting the tone for a collaborative, results-focused gathering. Tuesday’s sessions centred around profitability, with attendees diving deep into financial data, margin trends and actionable ways to boost bottom-line performance. Throughout the day, participants were encouraged to bring their laptops and notepads — and their ideas.

Wednesday’s agenda pivoted to partner-led sessions with insights from Dekra, TD, 3M and Betag followed by robust Hot Topics panels. Open-floor conversations explored major industry shifts including AI integration, global tariffs, and the evolving expectations around shop certifications and compliance.

“This kind of focused, in-person collaboration helps us raise the bar not just for CARSTAR shops, but for the entire collision repair industry,” said Dave Foster, senior vice-president, collision for Driven Brands. “Our franchisees are eager to share best practices and find new efficiencies — and meetings like Restore the Star give us the space and structure to do that.”

Throughout the event, shop owners exchanged lessons learned from across the country, identifying shared challenges and collective solutions. The casual evening gatherings gave everyone a chance to unwind, connect and refocus on common goals.

“Restore the Star is more than just a meeting,” added Foster. “It’s where leaders come to build the future — together.”