It feels a bit disingenuous to call our July/August edition “The Excellence in Franchising Issue.” Not because the brands contained in these pages don’t warrant the title—many are 2024 CFA Award winners, and deservedly so—but, because of the high standards and code of conduct that all CFA members adhere to, we believe each and every member is truly a cause for celebration. From new brands on the market to established systems, CFA members embody what the association stands for: a dedication to continuous learning and improvement, and a willingness to share best practices.
Of course, there are certainly plenty of standouts within this jam-packed issue. At the 32nd CFA National Convention in Montreal this April, we handed out awards to the individuals and brands that exemplify the characteristics the CFA and its members hold in high esteem. You can learn about the hardworking franchisees who captured the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Franchisee of the Year awards for 2024. Up next, Franchise Canada sat down with the brands who eclipsed the others to become this year’s Grand Prize Awards of Excellence winners. Be sure to read this article if you want insight into what makes an award-winning franchise system—you may be surprised at what Willowbrae Academy and MaidPro report!
We also take you behind the scenes to our awards gala luncheon and dinner in our Special Focus on the 2024 CFA Award winners. In this section, along with the awards finalists, we’ve highlighted the CFA Membership Milestone designees (those who have been members for five years or longer) and the brands that have received the Franchisees’ Choice Designation this year. The franchisees of these companies have championed the benefits of their franchise system, reflecting their stellar relationships with and support for their franchise owners—you can find out even more about the brands across Canada that have received the designation for multiple consecutive years. Congrats to these fantastic franchisors and their systems!
We also take a moment to reflect on the life and legacy of Ryan Smolkin, Smoke’s Poutinerie’s exuberant founder and “chief entertainment officer,” and the recipient of the CFA’s 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. After passing last October at the age of 50, he has left an indelible hole in the franchise industry, and at the CFA. Those who knew him best pay tribute to an amazing leader who continuously advocated for the franchise model and regularly took start-up brands under his wing, imparting his invaluable knowledge and expecting nothing in return.
Along with features packed to the brim with franchise success, our regularly scheduled content dives into some of our member brands that offer cleaning services, from residential to commercial and beyond. Four other companies, each of which contribute to the home sales and moving industries, tell us what makes their business unique—if you’re interested in an investment that can stand the test of time, this one may be for you.
In this edition, we also profile a few unique and notable franchise opportunities. UROSPOT is likely a familiar name to Franchise Canada readers, as it operates in a unique sector: pelvic floor health. Franchisee Kris Ouimet brings us through a typical day in her clinic. Later, we explore the history of one of the most recognizable sandwich brands in the world when we sit down with Subway Canada to discuss how it reached its iconic status. And UCMAS Canada founder Megha Karia tells us why she felt it important to bring attention to issues surrounding diversity and equality here in Canada and in other areas of the world.
When any of our member brands are recognized for their efforts, whether through the CFA’s awards, other industry honours, or word-of-mouth referrals, the franchise community wins too. The more people who understand the benefits of franchising—for themselves, their communities, and our country—the more we can emphasize the reality that business ownership is within reach for everyday Canadians, thanks to franchising. And in the end, isn’t that what the CFA is all about?