The Benefits of Renewing Your CFA Membership

Membership in the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is more than just a badge of honour. It’s a strategic investment that offers tangible benefits to tackle your business pain points and drive your success.

CFA membership supplies you with the tools you need to lead your team into the future. With the support of our organization and our community, you’ll prepare them for the challenges that your brand may face as it grows and prospers within the Canadian franchise industry, as well as the steps and best practices it will take to get them there.

Our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan highlights four pillars that provide immense value to our members: Community, Education, Advocacy, and Brand Awareness.

Launched on January 1, 2024, the Plan, developed with input from CFA members, the Board of Directors, and our leadership team, ensures that the CFA remains an enduring, inclusive, and indispensable community for franchising in Canada.

Discover how each key facet of our Plan can enhance your business through the CFA’s comprehensive programs and services, how CFA membership can directly address your business challenges, and why it’s an investment you cannot afford to miss.

Key benefits of your membership include the opportunity to:

  • Leverage the power of the CFA’s media reach, which in 2024 resulted in 169.6 million positive media impressions! So far in 2025, the CFA’s PR efforts have already resulted in more than 81.5 million positive media impressions!
  • Join more than 400 CFA member volunteers who contribute to our committees, content, and more
  • Network and learn with hundreds of franchise industry professionals at the CFA National Convention
  • Reach the CFA’s audience of more than 805,000 prospective franchisees who are looking for business opportunities like yours
  • Participate in Franchise Awareness Day, where our members meet face to face with dozens of government officials and decision-makers
  • Work toward your Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation alongside nearly 250 professionals who are in the process of attaining their certification or have already achieved it

For a detailed overview of our 2024 achievements, including program launches and growth areas, refer to our most recent Annual Accomplishments Report.

Community

The CFA holds a variety of events over the course of the year that help bring the Canadian franchise community together. From Meet & Greets to our annual National Convention, and many more events in between, our members receive ample opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with their franchise industry peers.

In 2024, the organization welcomed 102 new members. By becoming a member, you and your team will reap the rewards of a thriving group of likeminded professionals who recognize an underlying truth: when one CFA member succeeds, so does the entire franchise community.

The following is just a sampling of the ways in which we work to improve the industry landscape at the franchisor level, with numerous opportunities for your team to engage with professionals who can support your business and to connect with interested entrepreneurs craving their perfect franchise fit.

CFA committees and community engagement

  • In 2024, more than 400 volunteers supported the CFA community by participating on committees, contributing content to our publications and podcasts, and being strong advocates of what our organization stands for.
  • In 2024, our valued members volunteered and collaborated on a total of 32 committees, further helping us mould the future of our industry.

CFA National Convention

  • The 2025 CFA National Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario, was an outstanding event that provided education and networking opportunities for more than 600 franchise professionals from across Canada and the U.S.
  • The 2026 CFA National Convention in Ottawa will be bigger and better than ever, featuring three days of educational sessions, networking events, and our annual CFA Awards Gala Dinner.
  • The CFA National Convention also features our Marketplace, where select franchisors and franchise support services suppliers can showcase their products and services, with exclusive access to other members and franchise systems in an exhibition hall format.

CEO Circles and C-Suite Events

  • In 2024, the CFA launched special programming to connect C-Suite executives in the franchising industry, creating space for these important members of the franchise industry to connect, discuss critical issues facing their businesses, gain valuable insight into the future of franchising, and forge stronger relationships with other franchisors across Canada.
  • In September 2024, attendees of the C-Suite Circle at CIBC Square in Toronto participated in facilitated discussion groups, panels, and Q&A sessions geared toward CEOs, founders, and presidents of franchise systems of all sizes
  • Closed door CEO sessions at Convention 2025 also offered a welcoming and trustworthy environment for strengthening connections and discussing and debating challenges faced in their business with their peers.

Meet & Greets

  • Over the last year, the CFA held six Meet & Greet events for Atlantic region, Pacific region, and Ontario members. These networking opportunities are free to attend and a great way for CFA members to network and socialize with fellow franchise community members.

World Franchise Day

  • With the support of the World Franchise Council, the CFA helped lead an initiative to declare the second Wednesday in June World Franchise Day! The inaugural celebration on June 11, 2025, helped promote and celebrate the franchise business model to a global audience, netting more than 1.1 million impressions across social media and engagement from 65 countries!
  • The CFA community gathered online and in person at the Association’s offices for a special celebration, featuring networking, roundtable discussions, and a celebratory cake.
  • CFA members were able to engage local politicians and the public with the help of the CFA’s online promotional tool kit. The 2026 World Franchise Day promises to be even bigger and better.

Franchise Canada Shows

  • These tradeshows provide CFA members with an exclusive opportunity to promote their franchise brand to an engaged audience of thousands who are eager to learn about business investment opportunities.
  • The shows are hosted three times per year: twice each fall in Toronto and Vancouver, with another Toronto edition in the winter.
  • Each show features a full schedule of seminars, panel discussions and roundtables, with franchisors, franchisees and industry experts sharing insights and best practices—consistently packed out with highly engaged attendees.

Marketing & Operations Day

  • The CFA expanded its annual Marketing Day event to Marketing & Operations Day in 2024, with specialized programming developed to meet the needs of franchise operations.
  • In 2025, the event was bigger and better than ever, with a total of 141 attendees sharing best practices, learning of exciting new approaches to both the external promotion and internal processes of their brands, and walking away with many additional ways to meet their business goals.

Franchise Law Day

  • Held each September, this event has evolved to become a must-attend for franchisors who want to protect their business, minimize legal risk, and stay up to date on legislation surrounding the franchise industry.
  • The 2024 edition saw record-breaking attendance, with 164 registrations and 48 speakers, a 25% increase from 2023

Member Savings Program

  • CFA members receive exclusive discounts from more than two dozen brands that could save them hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
  • Current discounts and special offers include:
    • Savings on payroll and bookkeeping services from BDO
    • Preferred payment processing rates from Moneris
    • Exclusive savings on entertainment, tickets, travel, hotels, shopping, and much more with Perkopolis
    • Discounts everyday with The UPS Store

Education

When you join the CFA, you gain exclusive access to a community of franchise leaders who are committed to sharing their knowledge through our educational events and programs. Participation in these sessions enable you and your team to grow your network and gain solutions to your biggest challenges from those who have been there.

From the latest in how to apply AI to your specific business model to the benefits of incorporating a strong equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) program into your franchisee training, the CFA provides the information you need to adapt to the changing franchise environment.

Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program

  • The CFA has partnered with the International Franchise Association (IFA) to exclusively licence its CFE program for Canada.
  • Through the CFE program, you can gain industry recognition, as the CFE designation is highly regarded and will raise your profile within the franchising community. The program as administered through the CFA currently boasts almost 250 enrolments and over 60 graduates, and those numbers are growing by the day.
  • There are also ample peer networking opportunities through which you can connect with industry professionals also working toward their designation.

Newly launched professional learning communities (PLCs)

  • With the CFA’s PLCs, you can benefit from peer-to-peer learning environments where franchise professionals share insights, best practices, and resources to advance industry standards and personal expertise.
  • PLCs are offered in a variety of formats, including virtual roundtables and expert-led sessions where you will exchange ideas and solutions. Sessions are offered in person, live online, and on demand.

Direct mentorship (Zor-2-Zor program)

  • As a differentiator from similar programs, the CFA offers both direct mentorships and the opportunity for multiple mentor touchpoints through its Zor-2-Zor program.
  • Participants gain knowledge from professionals and experts who have been in their shoes and are granted the opportunity for unprecedented access to behind-the-scenes insights on industry topics.

Learn & Grow Webinars

  • These online events, which are free to CFA members, provide continual learning opportunities and the ability to upgrade your skills, wherever you are. In 2025 to date, over 1000 members and non-members attended and benefitted from this weekly webinar series.
  • Hosted by leading franchise experts on a variety of hot topics, these webinars will keep you up to speed on what’s happening in your industry.
  • Learn & Grow webinars are also eligible for CFE participation credits.

Evening Education Series

  • Launched in 2024, these CFE-accredited virtual workshops are provided after hours to encourage additional learning on key topics.
  • Over the course of the evening education sessions, participants learned about the history and fundamentals of franchising, legal risks when designing a franchise strategy, managing franchisee underperformance, managing resales, franchise recruitment essentials and more.

Franchise Your Business

  • This webinar series is designed for business owners aiming to expand their enterprises quickly, cost-effectively, and successfully through franchising.
  • With four events in 2025, this series hosted 25 speakers putting out more than 20 hours of content.
  • These CFE-accredited seminars offer a comprehensive guide to franchising, featuring insights from seasoned franchise professionals across various fields, access to top franchise experts, practical strategies, and valuable connections to help you grow with confidence.
  • The sessions also serve as an excellent onboarding opportunity, helping your team members deepen their understanding of franchising fundamentals.

Franchising Meets the Money

  • Launched as a live event in 2023, this valuable event offers educational content tailored to C-suite executives, founders, and high-end decision-makers behind some of the biggest and best franchise systems. 2024’s event was so popular, there was standing-room only. Eighteen different expert speakers provided engaging insights into the growing connection between the franchise and private equity industries to the excited audience of this sold-out event.

Ongoing networking and educational opportunities

  • Over the course of 2025, over 60 educational events so far have been held with the aim of educating our membership, the public, and the franchise industry at large.
  • At these events, we welcomed hundreds of speakers who offered their knowledge and best practices to those just entering the industry as well as to those considered well-seasoned veterans.
  • Valuable resources such as EDI best practices, checklists and tool kits are also shared through our e-learning courses and other asynchronous options (i.e., online educational resources).

Advocacy

Through the CFA’s ongoing advocacy efforts, your membership gets you a seat at the table to fight for issues that affect your business. The CFA actively lobbies governments from all levels across Canada in defense of the franchise business model and on issues that directly affect your businesses each and every day.

With the CFA in your corner, and the ability to join us as we petition the government on everything from employment law to environmental legislation, your brand will be a part of an elite group making a difference in the lives of Canadians, from those working behinds the scenes in your franchise development department, to small business owners like your franchisees, to your customers themselves.

Franchise Awareness Day

  • The CFA’s annual Lobby Day, held at either Queen’s Park in Toronto or Parliament Hill in Ottawa, takes place at the end of May and marks the start of Franchise Awareness Month. This event brings together franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers of all experience levels to build relationships with decision-makers in defense of the $128-billion Canadian franchise industry.
  • At our 2025 event, meetings were held with 19 MPPs, Cabinet Ministers, senior policy staff, and advisors, resulting in several follow-up conversations with decision-makers.
  • This year the CFA’s advocacy efforts resulted in meetings with the Premier of Ontario, the provincial Minister of Finance, and Ontario’s Attorney General.

Franchise Awareness Month

  • Every year, the CFA embarks on a multi-channel campaign to highlight the impact of franchising on the federal and provincial economies, the labour force, and other important metrics.
  • In 2025, the campaign garnered more than 166,000 social and digital media impressions, further promoting the organization’s mission to amplify public awareness and understanding of franchising, spreading the word to everyday Canadians about the power of franchising.

Government pre-budget submissions

  • The CFA, along with input from its members, Board of Directors, and committees, provides the federal government with recommendations as it shapes its annual budget. This feedback aligns with the Association’s goal of lobbying for issues that affect the franchise community, including changing workplace demographics and the impact of legislation and current affairs on Canadian small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Lobbying priorities

  • The CFA consistently fights for our members and the industry in areas that impact franchisors and small business owners from coast to coast. These priorities include:
    • Common employer
    • Access to labour
    • Access to capital
    • Fair treatment under environmental legislation
    • Burdens of small businesses:
      • Minimum wage
      • Taxation
      • Employment standards legislation

Input on provincial employment standards and franchise legislation

  • The CFA has been instrumental in helping guide updates to employment standards acts in several provinces, such as Ontario and Saskatchewan, as well as reviewing employment rights for gig workers in British Columbia.
  • Our staff and members have also successfully lobbied for the amendment of draft regulations regarding anti-poaching and wage-fixing agreements from the Competition Bureau Canada.
  • The CFA and its members have advised the Government of Saskatchewan on the development and implementation of Franchise Disclosure Legislation in the province.
  • The CFA has also been working with the Ontario Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery to make recommendations to modernize the Arthur Wishart Act, the legislation governing franchising in Ontario.
  • Additionally, the CFA has lobbied respective governments across Canada to recognize the independence of franchised small businesses regarding Extended Producer Responsibility legislation. Most recently, the CFA made submission to the Government of Ontario on proposed amendments to the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act and the Blue Box regulations under the Act.

CFA Golf Day for Advocacy

  • The CFA Golf Day for Advocacy is a highly anticipated event each year, giving members the opportunity to enjoy a fun-filled day of golf and networking, all while supporting the CFA’s ongoing efforts to defend and advance franchising in Canada.
  • At the 2025 event, more than 170 participants raised funds for advocacy through registration fees, raffles, 50/50 tickets, and donations.

Brand Awareness

The CFA is the number one way to extend your brand’s reach to the audience you want to influence: over 805,000 prospective franchisees across the Association’s channels. With a variety of promotional products to suit your needs, the CFA offers several ways to build your brand within the franchise community—and they are all exclusive to CFA members. Plus, in addition to the products listed below, we actively promote our members through our social media channels to more than 25,000 engaged followers—and counting!

The CFA has also continued its work in raising awareness of Canadian franchising through its public relations efforts. Last year, the organization amassed more than 169.6 million positive media impressions, about 57 million more than the number of impressions in 2023. In 2025, these efforts included leading the promotion of the inaugural World Franchise Day on June 11—garnering more than 22 million positive media impressions, 1.1 million social media impressions, and engagement from 65 countries across the globe! The CFA’s efforts have put Canadian franchising on the map, as the second largest franchising community in the world, and we continue to celebrate this powerhouse industry and the CFA’s superstar members through an annual Awards Program, Look for the Logo campaign, national and local PR pitches, and social media campaigns including Franchise Awareness Month, Franchisee Appreciation Month, Small Business Month, and more.

CFA Awards Program

  • The CFA’s annual Awards Program celebrates the pinnacle of excellence in franchising. Awards include the Awards of Excellence, awarded to CFA members who have demonstrated the strongest and most mutually beneficial relationships with their franchisees, Franchisee of the Year, celebrating franchise partners that demonstrate a commitment to excellence and community engagement, and Recognition Awards, that recognize significant achievements and contributions to franchising by organizations and individuals.
  • The CFA Awards also include the Franchisees’ Choice Designation, the ultimate marker of franchisee satisfaction. Drawn from the CFA Awards Program survey, the award honours member systems with exceptional ranking in franchisee satisfaction.
  • Media impressions from the 2025 CFA Awards topped 58.3 million, and 326 media clips.

Look for the Logo campaign

  • This year, the CFA launched its Look for the Logo campaign, promoting the importance of seeking a CFA member brand for prospective franchisees. The campaign highlights the CFA Member logo and encourages all member brands to prominently display the logo on their website and promotional materials.
  • The Look for the Logo campaign promotes awareness of CFA members as qualified brands who sign on to a code of ethics and is committed to excellence in franchising and targets our engaged audience of more than 805,000 prospective franchisees.

Franchise Canada magazine

Franchise Canada Directory

Franchise Canada E-News

  • A twice-monthly digital newsletter for prospective franchisees and CFA members featuring industry news, success stories, and the latest franchise opportunities
  • The newsletter’s average open rate is 30%, above the industry standard, which is evidence of the quality of its recipient list.
  • In 2025, we’re already garnering recognition for our high-quality content: Franchise Canada E-News recently took home the Gold at the 2025 National Magazine Awards: B2B for Best Editorial Newsletter!

Franchise Canada TV

Franchise Canada Chats

Join us in our mission amplify the understanding and power of franchising in Canada while enhancing your business. Renew your CFA membership today to access these valuable benefits, and many more.