Client Feature: Susan Cadava & Clayton Crory – Owners of Susan's Kitchen
- Divine Kitchen
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
From Local Concession to One of Alberta’s Best Arena Burgers.
When Susan Cadava and Clayton Crory first introduced Susan’s Kitchen to the public in 2018, their goal was simple: serve great food, bring people together, and create a welcoming space for families and travelers. What started as a small concession stand at Slave Lake’s Multi-Rec Centre has since grown into one of the community’s most recognized businesses — with a reputation that extends well beyond town.
Today, Susan’s Kitchen operates year-round at the Multi-Rec Centre and seasonally with a food truck and ice-cream trailer. Their menu is packed with hearty, crowd-pleasing favorites: juicy burgers, poutines, spring rolls, and, of course, soft-serve ice cream.
But it’s their burgers that have earned them fame. Known far and wide as one of the best arena burgers in Alberta, Susan’s Kitchen has become a must-visit stop for locals, sports teams, and travelers passing through Slave Lake.
For Susan and Clayton, becoming entrepreneurs was about more than business - it was about building community.
“We were inspired by a love for food, community, and the idea of creating something that brings people together. What I enjoy most is seeing customers smile, hearing their stories, becoming family to so many people, and knowing that we’ve built a place where people gather and feel at home. It’s also rewarding to watch the business grow, create jobs, and contribute back to the community that has supported us.” - said Clayton.
Their passion quickly grew into a thriving venture, but success didn’t come without challenges. They had to find ways to balance the busy seasonal peaks with slower months, adapting their business model along the way. Clayton shared that one of their biggest hurdles was starting small and scaling up- particularly managing the high costs of equipment and leasehold improvements.
Powered by Community Support
From the start, Slave Lake has been at the heart of Susan’s Kitchen’s journey. Locals have shown their support not just by dining in, but by booking events, voting for awards, and recommending them to family and friends. That loyalty has led to a string of accolades - including Small Business of the Year and their title as one of Alberta’s best arena burger.
"We have also felt the love and support every time we’ve hosted or participated in community events, whether its Canada day, beach fest, crash for cash, or other local sports, people rally around us, and in turn, we put that support right back into the community!
Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region has also been a key partner along the way. From providing workshops and business advice to helping access an RRRF loan during COVID-19, the support allowed Susan’s Kitchen to keep staff employed and doors open during uncertain times.
“Without that support, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” they reflect.
On Canada Day, Susan’s Kitchen teamed up with local businesses to hand out hundreds of free ice-cream cones, spreading joy to families, children, and even pets. More recently, they hosted a fundraiser for Wayne, fondly known as “the Ice Master,” which drew an overwhelming outpouring of generosity from the community.
For Susan and Clayton, these moments capture what their business truly represents: not just serving great food, but being part of the heartbeat of Slave Lake. That connection is perhaps best seen at the arena, where Susan has become known as a “hockey mom” to many young athletes — a role she holds close to her heart.
“Watching those kids grow up and knowing we’ve been part of their lives — that’s incredibly special,” she says.
Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs
When asked what advice he would share with aspiring entrepreneurs, Clayton didn’t hesitate. He emphasized the importance of starting small, staying flexible, and being ready to work hard. Success, he explained, comes from building strong relationships — not only with customers, but also with suppliers and the wider community.
Setbacks, he noted, are simply part of the journey. What matters most is passion.
“That passion will carry you through the tough days and make the victories that much sweeter,” he said.
Clayton also stressed the value of a dedicated team. He believes that staff are the backbone of any business, and credits the Susan’s Kitchen team as the heartbeat of their success.
“We’re very blessed to have such amazing people working with us, they’ve been a huge part of our success.".
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Susan and Clayton are focused on continuing to grow while keeping Slave Lake at the center of everything they do. They hint at new projects on the horizon but say their ultimate goal is simple: to keep serving quality food, supporting their community, and making Slave Lake proud.
“Our dream is to keep building something that not only serves great food but also helps our town thrive,” Susan & Clayton says with a smile. “At the end of the day, it’s about family, community, and making people happy - one burger at a time.”
Show Some Love to Susan's Kitchen
Follow Susan's Kitchen on social media and visit them at MRC, Slave Lake, AB, Canada, Alberta!
Try their delicious burgers along with other crowd-favorite specialties.
Questions About Financing or Growing Your Business?
Please feel free to reach out to our Business Analyst, Robin-Lee Vance, by phone or email. You can also book a meeting directly with the links below:
Phone: 1-780-849-3232
E-mail: robin-lee@cflslr.com
Book for a FREE consultation