Canada’s franchising industry is inherently diverse. With more than 60 different categories for entrepreneurs to consider—from hospitality and food service to education and senior care, and so much more—country-wide and across varying business models, there truly is something for everyone.
In fact, the average Canadian interacts with a franchised business three to five times a day, resulting in an industry that’s deeply engrained in Canadian lives. At the heart of these businesses are the people: the customers supporting a local business, the franchise owners servicing their community, and the head office staff supporting the franchisees. Each of these individuals demonstrate the diverse stories weaving through the industry, creating opportunities and building up local economies.
The 14 entrepreneurs showcased in this cover package represent the depth and the diversity found across the Canadian franchise industry. They shared with us their journeys into franchising, the inspiration and ambition that brought them here, and their unique perspectives on fostering ongoing growth for both their businesses and the industry as a whole.
In our first three features we introduce 11 franchisees from a myriad of industries, including Furniture and Upholstery Repair, Automotive Services, Janitorial Services, Education, Food Service, Senior Care, and more. Each of their stories is distinct, whether they’re women making their mark and carving out a space for female business owners; BIPOC entrepreneurs sharing their experiences and highlighting the impacts of diversity in franchising; or newcomers supporting themselves and their communities by providing goods, services, and local jobs.
Read on to learn more about three franchise brands founded under a desire to offer inclusive services and supportive spaces for their customers: automotive shops centering women and gender diverse clientele, a senior care franchise focusing on empathy and culture in their care planning, and a children’s hair care services provider ensuring that their customers with autism and other disabilities feel at ease.
We’re proud to showcase the many unique, inspiring stories behind the franchise industry in Canada, and to demonstrate that franchising is for all. If you’d like to learn more about franchise opportunities available, check out LookforaFranchise.com and look for the CFA logo to see what brands have signed on to our Code of Ethics, committed themselves to excellence in franchising, and are part of the CFA community. As an industry we are, after all, connected by community and strengthened by diversity.