Many franchises have a mandate to make a meaningful impact, and this month, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) shines a spotlight on the often-overlooked contributions that franchises make to their communities. While many franchisees are well-known for driving local economies and creating jobs, their impact often extends beyond business operations, providing support in numerous forms – from sponsoring community events to making donations and raising funds for local causes.

Here are some of the restaurant franchises helping to make a difference in their communities:

M&M Food Market: Over the past five years, M&M Food Market has raised more than $450,000 to support BGC Canada, funding essential programs for children and youth. What began as a pandemic initiative has evolved into a national partnership, with franchisees contributing locally through food and gift card donations, as well as event sponsorship.

Pita Pit: Nationally, the company supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation and invites local franchisees to participate. B.C.-based franchisee Pavneet Singh, who has been a franchisee since 2011 and owns five locations, raised $10,000 for Kelowna General Hospital in 2024 by donating a dollar from each pita sold. In Brantford, Ontario, franchisee Chris Settimi has been supporting Brantford General Hospital by raising approximately $1,500 every February for the last 10 years.

Dairy Queen: The brand has built a long-standing tradition of charitable giving, raising over $52 million for children’s hospitals in Canada since its partnership with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations began 40 years ago. Every year, DQ raises approximately $3 million through efforts like Miracle Treat Day, where net proceeds from every Blizzard sold are donated to local hospitals. DQ franchisees are deeply involved in these initiatives, with nearly 100 per cent of locations participating in Miracle Treat Day.

Osmow’s Shawarma: Through their charity, Osmow’s Hope Fund, the brand raised over $108,000 in 2023, with 100 per cent of funds directly supporting various causes. In 2024, the Osmow’s Hope Fund partnered with a charitable organization to construct four wells and four kitchens in Zambia, providing over 1,000 children with daily meals and access to clean water in places of learning. Locally, Osmow’s donates food to shelters and food banks, helping feed those in need across Canada. Internationally, they have supported over 2,200 children in Zambia and India with school meals and are contributing to sustainable development efforts such as building wells, kitchens, and schools.

These are just a few examples of how franchise owners are giving back in ways that go far beyond business, and how single- and multi-unit operators can help make a difference in their communities.

Source: RestoBiz