When searching for a franchise to invest in, most people want a brand that has a unique value proposition, something that makes it stand out from the crowd. The following companies, all born and bred in Canada, show that a one-of-a-kind concept can be the tipping point that takes a prospective franchisee from consideration to signing on the dotted line.
By David Chilton Saggers
Cheezed
Nick Kardos loves to tell the story of how his system began. He and his older brother Dan and their childhood friend Justin Beraldo were in Kardos’ house in Wasaga Beach, Ontario. Kardos says they were talking and “enjoying a couple of cocktails” when the idea of a system that sells grilled cheese sandwiches—the ultimate comfort food for many—came up in conversation. That was in 2019, and by 2022, Cheezed was up and running in Blue Mountain, a resort town a couple of hours north of Toronto and a short drive from Wasaga Beach.
“The success in Blue Mountain has been fantastic,” enthuses Kardos, Cheezed’s president, who’s currently supervising the preparation for another store in Barrie, Ontario. It will also be corporately owned, but franchised locations are soon to follow. “From 2019 onwards, it was always going to be franchising,” he says. “We built the system so it’s as easy to run as possible.”
Easy to run, yes, but that shouldn’t be interpreted as “taking it easy.” Kardos plans to open five franchises per year over the coming years, particularly in areas of Ontario south of Blue Mountain. He’ll let the franchisees choose their own locations, whether in a mall or streetfront, but they’ll have to produce the right numbers to get the go-ahead. “I want to see lots of data to back up their choice,” explains Kardos. The cost of a franchise can be as low as $248,500, which includes fit-out, equipment, and soft costs. Training will take place at both corporate stores, and there will be a further 40 hours of onsite instruction.
Among the qualities he looks for in an investor, Kardos says dedication to the system is a given, and prior business and food experience “would be great.” And as for who his customers are—and who his future customers will be—he says they could be anyone from vacationers to local grandmas and their grandchildren. Another target market he’s looking to court is what he calls “the late-night crowd.”
For prospective franchisees looking to get into a novel brand, the benefits of a Cheezed franchise include a lower cost of entry than traditional restaurants, a cost-effective operation, an adaptable model for any store size, and a unique menu of a dozen sandwiches created largely by Kardos, his brother, and Beraldo. Kardos’ favourite, for the record, is Southbase Chicken, which is prepared with garlic butter, mozzarella, bacon, and ancho chipotle, and costs $13.99 at tourist locations and $11.99 at standard stores. For those who may initially balk at the price, he points out with a chuckle that it’s cheaper than the beer selling for $16 a pop in Blue Mountain. On top of that, a range of premium meats, cheeses, and sauces turn the everyday craving to a decadent affair. And let’s be honest: for those late-night consumers the brand wants as customers, when they stumble into the streets after a carefree night out, the sight of a Cheezed location will likely be the highlight of their evening.
Sabai Thai Spa
When a local business is finding success, it’s easy to rest on your laurels. Sometimes it takes a push—from a partner, a consultant, or even your wife—to take it to the next level. Jacques Goutier is candid when speaking of business growth and the foresight of his wife, Nuttha Goutier. “Nuttha has been prodding me for a long, long time about franchising,” he admits. Now, after a couple of decades of reminders, their brand, Sabai Thai Spa, founded in 2005, is fielding calls from interested investors, and potential franchisees are being considered in British Columbia, Alberta, southern Ontario, and the U.S. Asked why it took so long to start franchising, Jacques concedes, “We probably overdid it on the preparation side.”
Nuttha was born and raised in Thailand and is a huge fan of Thai massage, its surrounding culture, and its emphasis on wellness and rejuvenation. She moved to British Columbia in 2001 to work at a resort before moving to Vancouver four years later where she opened Sabai Thai Spa. Now she and her husband, who is a registered massage therapist, own seven corporate locations, all in the Lower Mainland region, which they run from Port Coquitlam. Looking to the future, the duo are in the market for real estate that would bring their spas to strip malls and streetfront locations of about 2,500 square feet. Why? These areas would lend themselves to “nurturing the neighbourhood,” as Jacques puts it.
The cost of a franchise varies from about $600,000 to more than $950,000, and the company is getting interest from men, women, and couples. They say, too, that some exposure to franchising would be an asset, as would some business experience. However, Jacques notes that first-time franchisees can learn to run a spa if they’re interested in the concept. What’s harder, adds Nuttha, is managing hourly employees, including registered massage therapists. As for Sabai’s guests, Jacques says they’re split equally between men and women, and the system has every age demographic covered. They’ll come in for massages, of course, other spa services such as facials, and the spa’s Sabai Essentials lineup of skincare products, ginger tea, and aromatherapy oils and diffusers. But they’ll come in for something else as well: wellness. Massage isn’t just something to treat an injury, says Jacques, and Nuttha agrees. She says in Thailand, massage is a way of life with a strong element of socializing associated with it.
The benefits of a Sabai franchise are numerous, says Jacques. The system has territories available, is open to multi-unit investors, and can ride the “cultural enthusiasm movement.” On top of that, its team takes a systematic approach to marketing, and Sabai has the advantage of being first to market, too. For those interested in location ownership, they’re ready and willing to bring you along for the journey.
Safe Sweat
At some point, most of us have set fitness goals, only to find that the traditional gym environment makes them hard to keep. Safe Sweat is redefining this experience with a first-of-its-kind concept that’s breaking down barriers to fitness and creating a new option in the fitness industry.
Traditional gyms can be intimidating, and Safe Sweat’s CEO and co-founder, Emre Ozgur, knows this first-hand. Based in Surrey, British Columbia, Ozgur brings years of industry experience, starting as a personal trainer and working his way up to C-level business executive. Alongside co-founder Andrea Kloegman, who has dedicated 30 years to the fitness industry, they’ve set out to build an environment accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level.
Their answer? Safe Sweat’s unique private FITsuites, ranging from 150 to 250 square feet to provide an inviting space for exercisers of all experience levels. “We set out to answer a simple question: ‘Do people truly want a more private fitness experience?’” says Ozgur. “The answer couldn’t have been clearer—a resounding yes. People crave a space where they can focus on themselves, free from distractions, judgment, and the crowds of traditional gyms.”
Safe Sweat’s first location opened in Surrey in 2022, offering eight private, fully equipped FITsuites. Each FITsuite features resistance training, cardio, recovery technology, and a customizable environment to create a space personalized for each user.
The company is looking for franchisees who are not just business-savvy but also passionate about offering welcoming wellness spaces. “Little acts of kindness toward gym-goers make all the difference,” emphasizes Kloegman, noting that franchisees with experience in service industries and who align with Safe Sweat’s values of inclusivity and kindness will thrive in this unique model.
Franchisees benefit from hands-on training from Ozgur and Kloegman, both online and in person at Safe Sweat’s headquarters in Surrey. With an easy-to-operate model that prioritizes members’ well-being, Safe Sweat offers ongoing support to franchisees to better ensure lasting success.
Poised for expansion across North America, Safe Sweat locations are expected to open in 2025, and the brand is currently seeking 2,000 to 4,000 square foot “Grade A” real estate locations to ensure maximum visibility and impact. Supported by lower operating costs, streamlined operations, and a low-labour model, Safe Sweat provides a scalable opportunity that maximizes profitability and offers a chance to own a part of the future of fitness, bringing motivation and results to each client with privacy and personal attention.