The restaurant industry has displayed remarkable resilience and growth since the pandemic, with establishments adapting to new norms and innovating to attract and retain customers. As a result, the industry is growing across all sectors. The most recent numbers from Statistics Canada show that full service restaurants are on the rise, growing by 1.3 per cent from 2021 to 2022.
Owning a restaurant can come with many challenges, but joining a franchise system offers benefits such as access to a proven business model and established brand recognition, which can significantly reduce the risks associated with starting a new restaurant from scratch. Franchisees can also tap into the resources of a larger organization, whether by joining the supply chain or benefitting from the collective marketing efforts of the franchise network to attract a broader customer base.
Fortunately, there are many restaurant franchises to consider, serving every type of food you can imagine. So, dig into this comprehensive list of full service restaurants across Canada to take the first step towards making your dreams of owning a restaurant come true.
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar
Applebee’s is the largest casual dining restaurant franchise in the world, with close to 2,000 locations across 18 countries. Founded in Decatur, Georgia, Applebee’s delivers a classic grill and bar menu in a wholesome restaurant atmosphere. It has an international reputation for providing a quintessential American dining experience. The brand has 14 locations across Canada and is seeking qualified multi-unit developers with management expertise to expand its Canadian footprint.
Support for franchisees includes training, site selection assistance, restaurant design planning assistance, restaurant opening assistance, and ongoing operations and marketing consulting.
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BÀCARO Pizzeria
BÀCARO Pizzeria is a neighbourhood-style eatery based in Quebec. Its unique, expansive menu features imported Italian wines, imported and domestic beers, and speciality Italian pizza, pasta, and desserts. BÀCARO’s atmosphere is inspired by Venetian pizzerias, creating a relaxed and inviting sanctuary for patrons to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine or two.
Franchisees have the option to purchase one of BÀCARO’s existing locations or “dive into a new adventure” by building BÀCARO’s next location. The BÀCARO team assists in both the training and operational needs of each location to help foster the success of its new franchisees.
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Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery
Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery is the largest craft brewery in Ottawa, serving a growing selection of artisanal beers and comfort food favourites to loyal customers. Shortly after its founding in 2012, Big Rig Brewery won multiple Canadian and Ontario Brewing Awards, including “Brewery of the Year in Ontario” in 2013. As Big Rig Brewery continues to expand into the Greater Toronto Area, the franchise’s innovation and creativity make it one to watch in the brewery market.
With the backing of industry-leading franchisor Foodtastic, Big Rig Kitchen & Brewery sets its franchisees up with support in site selection, leasing, design, training, along with ongoing marketing and operational assistance.
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Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse
Big T’s BBQ and Smokehouse is a Southern-inspired, Calgary-based BBQ restaurant with locations across Alberta. For 20 years, the award-winning establishment has operated on a mission to bring Big T’s good food and strong family values to more Albertan communities.
Big T’s is offering franchise opportunities in the West Hills, Crowfoot, Sunridge, Beacon Hill, Country Hills, and East Hills areas of Alberta, but its call for driven investors is Canada-wide. Big T’s offers new franchisees construction and real estate assistance, training and operations support, top-tier suppliers and distributors, and award-winning marketing and agency partners.
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Café 22
Café 22 is a contemporary Italian restaurant franchise based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The menu offers classic Italian favourites, such as stone-fired pizza, and a wide selection of wines, cocktails, and beer. Its collaboration with local winery Banville and Jones allows restaurant-goers to order ahead and receive their selected wine chilled and waiting at their table when they arrive.
Café 22’s local partnerships and community involvement make investing a unique and exciting opportunity for franchisees. With more opportunities coming soon, new franchisees are encouraged to contact Café 22 directly to find out more about the benefits of joining the growing franchise.
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California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen is a global eatery dedicated to making upscale pizza accessible for everyone. For almost 40 years, the franchise has committed itself to innovating California-style pizza and pushing boundaries by being the first to introduce gluten-free crust, cauliflower crust, and the world-famous BBQ chicken pizza to the culinary industry. With nearly 200 restaurants worldwide, California Pizza Kitchen continues to grow and evolve as a franchise.
Currently, California Pizza Kitchen offers location opportunities for Canadian franchisees in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Committed to the success of its franchisees, California Pizza Kitchen offers franchise partners flexibility in the location, design layout, and choice of menu offerings.
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Carlos & Pepe’s
Carlos & Pepe’s is a Montreal-based restaurant franchise devoted to serving Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. For more than 30 years, Carlos & Pepe’s has delivered a vibrant menu featuring tacos, fajitas, empanadas, Mexican-style cocktails, and shooters. Guests can enjoy the carefree, energetic atmosphere as they dine under colourful skulls and alebrije installations, a tribute to el Dia de Las Muertos.
With four booming locations, the party isn’t stopping at Carlos & Pepe’s anytime soon. As a Foodtastic brand, new franchisees are set up with support for site selection, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational guidance.
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Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill
Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill is a Canada-wide restaurant franchise with a mission to make all travellers feel at home. The traditional roadhouse spirit is demonstrated in its feature menu, restful atmosphere, and affordable pricing. With 61 franchise units and counting, Chuck’s Roadhouse is expanding rapidly.
Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar & Grill has opportunities available in its new Toronto, Trenton, and Gravenhurst locations. New franchisees can take advantage of the low royalties, low marketing costs, and easy operation with a small, efficient menu and simple processes. Chuck’s also offers financing to eligible franchisees to support their success.
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Crabby Joe’s Bar-Grill
Crabby Joe’s Bar-Grill is a sports bar and casual dine-in restaurant. Since 1996, Crabby Joe’s has been serving high-quality food to customers across southern Ontario. Its unpretentious atmosphere and look make it the perfect place to sit and enjoy a beer with good company and great food.
With more Ontario locations coming soon, Crabby Joe’s is on the lookout for new franchisees to build up the brand to new levels. Potential franchisees are encouraged to contact Crabby Joe’s to find out more about its franchise opportunities and available financing options.
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Eggsmart
Eggsmart is a fast-growing Canadian breakfast franchise with 45 locations and counting. With an expansive menu of savoury and sweet breakfast, brunch, and lunch items, Eggsmart is the ideal spot to enjoy the most important meal of the day–or even just a cup of coffee.
Eggsmart’s franchise system includes site selection and lease negotiation, a three-week business and restaurant training program, food and equipment sourcing, restaurant opening assistance, marketing and promotion support, and more. Eggsmart’s website also lists approximate budget costs for new location development and provides options for available financing.
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Enoteca Monza
Enoteca Monza is a family-oriented Italian restaurant and wine bar. The franchise prides itself on the authenticity of its menu which features traditional dishes, family recipes, and modern takes on traditional cuisine. Guests can choose from a fine selection of wine, cocktails, and champagne to pair with dinner.
Enoteca Monza is expanding to new locations beyond its home base in Quebec. The franchise is looking to expand in Canadian shopping centres, as well as urban, suburban, and downtown streetfront locations. Enoteca Monza’s franchisees receive assistance in site selection, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational support, all backed by parent company Foodtastic.
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Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar
Famoso Italian Pizzeria + Bar is a casual, full-service restaurant that draws from culinary traditions originating in Naples, Italy. Since 2005, the brand has served Neapolitan pizza in a lively, familial atmosphere. Over the years, Famoso has expanded across the Canadian market, with locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Famoso sets up its new franchisees with premium site selection and leasing support. It also provides a comprehensive eight to 12-week training program for management, which includes an introductory week in Naples, Italy. After opening each new location, Famoso continues to provide operational and training support.
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Humpty’s
Humpty’s Restaurants is a renowned Canadian franchise chain specializing in classic comfort food with a modern twist. The concept blends a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with a diverse menu offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. From all-day breakfast favourites to hearty burgers, sandwiches, and salads, Humpty’s caters to a wide range of tastes.
As a Humpty’s franchisee, you’ll benefit from a time-tested brand, hands-on training programs, and ongoing support. The established reputation, menu variety, and dedicated customer base make becoming a Humpty’s franchisee an exciting opportunity in the hospitality industry.
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IHOP
IHOP is a full-service family restaurant chain known for its world-famous pancakes and its sprawling breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Since its founding in 1958, IHOP has grown to nearly 2,000 locations worldwide. IHOP’s promise of warm service and comfortable atmosphere has built the foundation for an internationally renowned, award-winning brand.
IHOP is offering exclusive locations for franchise development throughout limited Canadian territories. Potential franchisees must be experienced in multi-unit restaurant ownership or retail development and operations. IHOP franchisees receive training, site selection assistance, restaurant designing and planning assistance, restaurant opening assistance, and ongoing operations and marketing consulting.
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Jacques Cartier Pizza
Jacques Cartier Pizza is a family-owned and operated pizzeria business. Since 1968, Jacques Cartier has served pizza, pasta, and submarine sandwiches to its loyal customer base. The franchise’s mom and pop concept has supported its growth across the Quebec region, bringing more customers to the familiar but constantly evolving brand.
With 15 locations and counting, Jacques Cartier Pizza provides an opportunity to own your own business with all the perks that come along with a well-established franchise system. Prospective franchisees are encouraged to reach out to Jacques Cartier Pizza directly through its website to learn more.
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Joey’s Fish Shack
In 1985, husband and wife Joe and Theresa Klassen opened the first Joey’s Seafood Restaurant in Calgary. Thirty-five years later, after growing into the largest seafood restaurant brand in Canada, Joey’s Seafood Restaurant rebranded itself into Joey’s Fish Shack with a new menu of reworked fan favourites.
With 45 units and counting, Joey’s Fish Shack is looking for franchisees to take advantage of its single- and multi-unit ownership opportunities. On top of the franchise’s competitive fee structure, Joey’s Fish Shack also handles real estate selection, lease negotiations, construction, and project management. Franchisees can also expect ongoing training support, including help with daily operations, food ordering, staff management, and onboarding.
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KINTON RAMEN
KINTON RAMEN started in 2012 as one of the first Japanese ramen restaurant concepts in Toronto. The brand is known for its signature soup recipes, which guests enjoy with their choice of thick or thin noodles, mild or spicy broth, and meat or vegetarian options. With more than 30 locations in Canada, KINTON RAMEN is growing rapidly.
KINTON RAMEN has franchise opportunities available in cities across Canada in regions such as southwestern Ontario and the Golden Horseshoe, Simcoe Ontario, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, and Edmonton, Alberta. KINTON provides its franchisees with collaborative site selection, an individualized on-site training program, and continual consulting support.
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L’Gros Luxe
L’Gros Luxe is a restaurant franchise focused on creating customized restaurants for each community it services. The Montreal-based franchise pairs its adaptable concept with its distinctive, warm atmosphere, which each location recreates using its signature antique furniture, chandeliers, and old portraits—bringing a touch of luxury to each new location.
L’Gros Luxe is looking to expand to new locations across Canada, everywhere from shopping centres to free-standing buildings in urban, suburban, and downtown areas. The restaurant’s longstanding partnership with Foodtastic guarantees support for its franchisees in site selection, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational assistance.
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La Belle & La Boeuf
La Belle & La Boeuf is a sports bar franchise with a menu built around its signature Angus burger. Guests enjoy cocktails and table games with nostalgic rock music and decor inspired by the spirit of the ‘70s.
La Belle & La Boeuf is looking to grow its franchise presence across North America with locations in urban, suburban, and downtown sectors, as well as shopping centres, entertainment centres, independent buildings in outdoor plazas, and street locations. Franchisees are immediately set up with assistance in site selection, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational support.
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La Chambre
La Chambre is a sports bar-restaurant, with an atmosphere inspired by the adrenaline-fuelled energy of a locker room during a hockey tournament. The brand is known for its poutine, wings, nachos, ribs, and burgers—all foods that are easy to wash down with a micro-brasserie beer.
With five successful locations in Quebec, La Chambre is a growing franchise. La Chambre offers assistance in site selection, leasing, design, training, and marketing and operational support through its parent company Foodtastic.
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Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation
Mandarin is one of the leading all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant franchises in Ontario. For more than 40 years, Mandarin has served Chinese and Canadian favourites to generations of customers. Guest can enjoy its endless buffet options and bright, familial atmosphere complete with a beautiful koi pond at each location.
With Mandarin, franchisees can become a part of a growing, reputable brand with 29 locations and counting.
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Milestones Grill + Bar
A leader in the fast fine dining industry, Milestones Grill + Bar (Milestones) provides guests with a refined dining experience. Since opening its first location in Vancouver in 1989, Milestones has grown into a booming franchise with locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and New Brunswick. With 22 restaurants and counting, Milestones wants to bring its celebratory atmosphere to the rest of Canada.
Milestones’ franchisees are set up in partnership with Foodtastic’s restaurant franchise department, which provides new franchisees with assistance in location selection, leasing, construction and design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational support.
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Nickels Delicatessen
Nickels Delicatessen (or Nickels Deli) is a bistro-diner known for its signature smoked meat sandwiches, plus burgers, sandwiches, poutines, salads, pastas, and more. With its cozy, relaxed atmosphere it’s become a local favourite and a must-try for tourists who want to enjoy some iconic Montreal smoked meat.
Franchisees who are interested in a taste of the smoked meat franchise can work with Foodtastic’s restaurant franchise department, which provides support for finding a location, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational assistance to new owners.
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Pacini
Pacini is an Italian restaurant franchise with three values behind its concept: love, sincerity, and creativity. These values drive the constantly changing menu, which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an all-you-can-eat bread bar. For more than 30 years, guests have enjoyed the lounge-like dining ambience and the mini mercato, Piazza Pacini, in the atrium featuring a variety of wines, cheeses, and charcuterie.
Pacini is now operating 30 restaurants in Canada, with new locations in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec, six of which operate out of hotels. Franchisees have the option to take advantage of Pacini’s partnerships with several hotel chains or franchise autonomously.
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Pizza Hotline/Pizza Hotline Stone Fire’d
Pizza Hotline is a pizza takeaway and delivery concept that has operated in the Manitoba market for more than 30 years. Its sister restaurant, Pizza Hotline: Stone Fired Pizzeria, marries the convenience of the Pizza Hotline model with a fast-casual restaurant concept.
New franchisees can expect a comprehensive training program and ongoing marketing, accounting, and operations support. Pizza Hotline also takes care of store construction and its omnichannel order-taking centre manages all customer inquiries.
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Prime Pubs
Prime Pubs is a pub franchise inspired by the Irish pub culture. With a shareable menu of pub classics like ribs, wings, burgers, and fish and chips, Prime Pubs is an ideal meeting place for a bite to eat or a pint with friends.
The Prime Pubs franchise network is made up of 25 locations across Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta, which include its sister restaurants D’Arcy McGee’s, Paddy Flaherty’s, and Tir Nan Òg. Under Foodtastic, Prime’s franchisees receive support for site selection, leasing, design, training, and ongoing marketing and operational assistance.
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Ramen Misoya
Ramen Misoya has been serving its trademark ramen with a miso base for more than 10 years. After just five years in business, Ramen Misoya was Michelin Guide recommended. Ramen Misoya’s mission statement is to deliver health and wellbeing through the benefits of miso.
Ramen Misoya has 30 locations worldwide, six of which are across Alberta, Quebec, and Ontario. Currently, the brand has franchise opportunities in Montreal and Toronto, but is planning for Canada-wide expansion.
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Ricky’s All Day Grill
Ricky’s All Day Grill is a casual dining concept with an expansive menu of comfort food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus drinks and dessert. The brand is a member of the Ricky’s Family-Style Restaurants, a franchise group with more than 80 locations in Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.
Ricky’s All Day Grill supports its franchisees with ongoing training and support, accounting and financial guidance, ongoing leadership and training programs, marketing support, and more.
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Shoeless Joe’s
Shoeless Joe’s is a sports and grill franchise with its own twist on the casual dining restaurant concept. Since 1985, Shoeless Joe’s has been the place for camaraderie during those edge-of-your-seat moments and final buzzer countdowns.
At 23 locations and counting, Shoeless Joe’s is looking to bring the fan favourite franchise to the rest of Canada. New franchisees of Shoeless Joe’s benefit from being part of the Foodtastic network which helps handle site selection, leasing, design, training, and provides ongoing marketing and operational assistance.
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Sunnyside Grill
Sunnyside Grill is a breakfast restaurant offering sweet and savoury dishes for the most important meal of the day. Since 2004, Sunnyside Grill has spread to 14 locations, bringing its all-day breakfast concept and cozy atmosphere to neighbourhoods across Ontario.
Sunnyside Grill is looking for qualified entrepreneurs to bring the franchise to communities across North America, and is welcoming single-unit deals, master franchises, multi-unit deals, and territory development deal enquiries. All franchisees receive support through the Sunnyside Program, which includes support for site selection, lease negotiation, construction, recruitment, training, operations, and marketing and advertising assistance.
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Sunset Grill
With 38 years in the business and more than 100 locations, Sunset Grill is one of Canada’s leading breakfast restaurant franchises. The brand’s all-day breakfast concept and menu have remained consistent for nearly 40 years, creating a loyal fan base of breakfast lovers in Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick.
Over the next year, Sunset Grill is planning to open at least 20 new franchise units, focusing on high traffic and highly visible street locations in Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick markets and in select markets in the U.S., primarily California. Sunset Grill provides support for site selection, lease negotiation, construction, recruitment, training, and ongoing operational guidance.
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Symposium Cafe Restaurants
Symposium Cafe is a local favourite casual dining restaurant. With cozy interiors and beautiful decor, guests can sink into a booth or lounge chair, enjoying gourmet comfort food and drink options, from wine and beer to coffee and cocktails.
As a CFA two-time Best Traditional Franchise grand prize award winner, Symposium Cafe is a success-driven franchise focused on innovation and customer satisfaction.
In the next two years, two to three new prime locations are forecast to be available in select Ontario markets, as well as existing locations in Ajax, Barrie, and Cobourg. Franchisees receive training, site selection, marketing, and opening support.
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The Enchanted Poutinerie
The Enchanted Poutinerie reimagines the traditional fries, cheese curds, and gravy dish. The menu offers innovative flavours like chicken shawarma and jerk chicken, and its trademark unicorn poutine with multi-coloured gravy. The brand has established itself as innovative and fantastical, with trees and unicorn decor straight out of an enchanted forest.
The Enchanted Poutinerie provides new franchisees with a four-week extensive training program, diversified advertising strategy, and site selection and construction assistance.
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Twin Peaks Restaurants
Twin Peaks is a sports bar and restaurant franchise that serves burgers, brisket, wings, and cold beverages in a lodge atmosphere with an all-female waitstaff.
Since its founding in 2005, Twin Peaks now has nearly 100 locations in the U.S. and Mexico. As it expands into select Canadian markets, Twin Peaks is seeking multi-unit restaurant developers and operators as franchise partners. Franchisees will receive pre-opening and opening training on-site for a minimum of three weeks and participate in the 17-week Twin Peaks Corporate Certified Training program.
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White Spot Restaurants
White Spot is an iconic B.C. brand that has served communities for more than 95 years. Famous for their award-winning Legendary Burgers with “secret” Triple ‘O’ sauce, the family casual dining chain continues to grow and maintain relevance with guests of all ages at their full service restaurants across B.C., where it serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night eats, and takeout.
“As the bronze winner of CFA’s Award of Excellence for 2023 and the recipient of the Franchisees’ Choice Designation for the last 10 years, White Spot knows what it takes to form great partnerships with its franchisees,” says Karen Dosen, business development manager. White Spot provides support with all aspects of the business including menu development, marketing, supply management, design and construction, and training.
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Wing’n It Restaurants
Wing’n It is a one-stop wings spot, featuring more than 100 different flavours and dips, not to mention an express menu with fast favourites like poutine, onion rings, and burgers. With something for everyone, guests who dine in at any of its 18 locations will experience a hospitable, family focused atmosphere.
With new locations set to open all over Canada, the growth of the Wing’n It brand promises franchising opportunities for anyone interested in getting their foot in the door.