Business-to-business franchise brands exemplifying franchisee satisfaction
By Jan Jennings
There is no greater satisfaction than being recognized for the hard work you’ve put in. For franchise owners, that recognition carries particular weight, reflecting not only business success but the strength of the systems, relationships, and leadership behind it. Among the industry’s highest honours is the Canadian Franchise Association’s Award of Excellence in Franchising, presented annually to franchise systems demonstrating outstanding performance in franchise relations, leadership, training, and communication.
What makes this award especially significant is that it’s based on direct feedback from a system’s own franchisees, offering an inside-out perspective on what it means to lead with excellence. It signals not only achievement, but a commitment to continuous growth, innovation, and meaningful franchisee support in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Two of 2026’s Awards of Excellence gold winners share an interesting trait in that they’re business-to-business franchise (B2B) operations. These brands—Print Three Franchising in the traditional franchise category and EverLine Coatings and Services in the non-traditional category—focus on offering their services to businesses, directly contributing to the needs of other companies in the marketplace.
Franchise Canada spoke with both brands to explore what sets them apart and how they equip their franchisees for success. Their stories highlight how franchise systems evolve while staying grounded in franchisee success and long-term relationships.
EverLine Coatings and Services
“To receive the Award of Excellence is tremendous validation from both the industry and our peers,” says John Evans, founder and CEO of EverLine Coatings. The recognition comes as the company celebrates its 10-year milestone with the Canadian Franchise Association.
Founded in 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, EverLine Coatings provides parking lot line painting, pavement maintenance, and repair services across Canada. What began, as Evans puts it, “in my backyard in Northeast Calgary,” has grown into a nationwide operation offering services such as crack filling, seal coating, and asphalt repair. This range allows clients to access multiple solutions through a single provider.
Part of EverLine’s strength lies in the essential nature of its work. “We’re not convincing people to fill potholes,” Evans says. “They know they need proper marking on the road for safety and insurance reasons.” As a result, the business remains steady even during economic downturns, positioning it as a recession-resistant model.
Consistency also drives franchisee appeal. Since services are recurring, franchisees benefit from repeat business and long-term client relationships. “Our prospects look at the model and see the scalability, repeatability, and ability to build lasting relationships,” says Evans.
The business is not without challenges. As a seasonal industry, demand peaks between spring and early fall, resulting in long hours during the busy months and a slower winter period. Rapid growth can also create operational pressure around staffing and service delivery. Competition exists, but EverLine focuses on value over discounting. “We don’t play that game,” says Evans. “We uphold the strength of our brand, and we usually win out.”
For prospective franchisees, an entrepreneurial mindset is key. The system offers flexibility while still providing the backing of an established brand. Strong management and financial skills also support long-term success.
Innovation has become a defining feature of EverLine’s operations, particularly through artificial intelligence. The company has developed internal tools that streamline communication and franchisee support. “Instead of searching through multiple systems, franchisees can simply ask questions through our internal AI,” shares Evans. The system has reduced thousands of routine queries and allows support teams to focus on more complex guidance and relationship building. It has also significantly lowered development costs, with technology that once cost millions now costing a fraction of the price, while contributing to increased bookings.
EverLine also supports franchisees in client development. “We provide access to lead-generation software that shows their local area and target clients. It’s then up to them to begin reaching out and building relationships,” says Evans.
To prospective franchisees, Evans advises identifying what you want from a business opportunity; for instance, if you’re looking for a plug-and-play, highly directive environment, but join an innovative company, it might not be the right fit. “Franchisee validation is important,” he notes, “but equally important is aligning with the franchise’s culture and values.”
Print Three Franchising Corporation
“We’ve always been a leader in new and evolving products, while maintaining a strong structure in how we support our franchise owners. That’s always been our strength,” says Andrew Hrywnak, president of Print Three Franchising Corporation, who has been with the company for 37 years.
Founded in 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, Print Three is a business centre specializing in print, web, and marketing services. Today, the company operates 38 locations across Canada, alongside international partnerships in Australia and the U.S. The brand’s longevity is reflected in its network, with many franchise owners remaining with the system for more than two decades.
Having earned multiple nominations over the years, receiving the CFA’s Award of Excellence marks a significant milestone. “We’ve always worked toward this as a brand,” Hrywnak says. “We were often the bridesmaid, not the bride, but finally winning it means a lot to us.”
He credits the achievement to the strength of relationships across the system. “It comes down to how we work together and communicate,” he explains, noting that the recognition arrives at a meaningful moment as the company prepares to bring franchisees together for its upcoming national conference in Niagara Falls, where franchisees will connect, share insights, and align on future growth opportunities across the network.
Print Three has also seen its share of challenges as a company. Hrywnak recalls the difficulty of weathering the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. “It was hard for everyone. I was shocked by how it affected our business.” Because of the range of services Print Three offers, including signage, the company was able to adapt and support demand during that period. “We saw the centres doing signage not drop to a level that was alarming, and in many cases, it actually grew,” shares Hrywnak, highlighting Print Three’s capacity to pivot quickly.
Hrywnak also spoke about the company’s cutting-edge print technology, which incorporates AI and expands reach through web-to-print solutions. “We’re fortunate to have an in-house tech department that’s developed software unique to the Print Three brand but sold worldwide,” he says. “We’re quick to market with innovative ways of helping customers become more productive and save money.”
Supporting franchisees remains central to the brand’s approach. “My role is to develop plans and programs that help them succeed. I wouldn’t introduce anything that wouldn’t benefit them,” says Hrywnak. That support is paired with flexibility, a key differentiator for the company. “One of the things that sets us apart is that we don’t mandate everything,” he adds.
Open, direct communication underpins that philosophy. “If we grow together as a group, we’ll be successful as a group,” Hrywnak says. “We are a B2B business. You need to have an entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable going out and speaking to the business community and coming up with solutions to help them grow.” He adds, “You don’t have to go to those meetings alone. We’re happy to go with you.”
Hrywnak leaves these tips for prospective franchisees: speak to other franchise owners, and learn the brand’s history. “It’s a team effort,” he says.
