As the saying goes, ‘health is wealth’—that’s true for everyday Canadians who want to live full, healthy lives, but more than ever it’s also true for the businesses that support those goals. The health and wellness sector is not slowing down; more and more consumers today are looking to keep active, relieve stress, take charge of their mental health, and otherwise find enrichment in their lives.
For our Health and Wellness issue, Franchise Canada explores the brands that are expanding the meaning of health to a holistic focus on feeling good. In our cover feature, find four businesses that do just that, helping Canadians be active, nourish themselves, relax, and get creative. We also look to franchise systems in the wellness industry that are just starting their franchising journey in Canada.
As a prospective business owner, your health is also important. As you consider franchise opportunities and weigh what brand is the right fit for you, you may wonder about how to preserve a work-life balance as a business owner. To find out, we turned to franchisees from four different systems who have struck this balance for themselves and got their top tips. And for more franchisee insight, turn to the multi-unit franchisee feature, which looks at three owners who run multiple franchise locations.
Even more franchisee success stories await in this issue! Read about MOLLY MAID franchisee Val Shijaku, whose two Ontario units were the perfect way to find success in a flexible industry while raising her three children. Our First Year article follows new franchisee couple Christina and Justin Dabu through the ups and downs of running a Massage Addict franchise. We also take a look at a Day in the Life of a Subway franchisee.
This issue we spotlight Orangetheory Fitness, another herald of health, in our Iconic Brand feature. Find out how this established brand brought its iconic orange storefront to every province in Canada. And in our Leadership Profile, we follow Jaime Weeks, the first woman to head up Wendy’s Canada, on her journey through the restaurant industry, from serving burgers herself to leading a quick service restaurant (QSR) empire.
As always, we spotlight Canadian-founded franchise systems in our Homegrown and Locally Owned feature, including a family-run QSR business, a new eco-friendly spa, and a fast casual salad chain. And don’t forget to read about how M&M Food Market is investing in communities across this country through its charitable initiatives with BGC Canada in our Giving Back feature.
With all this inspiration, you may be feeling ready to take the leap into investing in your own franchise. If you don’t know where to turn, flip to Ask an Expert for a step-by-step breakdown of what comes next, with notes from experts in the legal, financial, accounting, and consultancy sectors. Our Ask a Legal Expert section breaks down why you need a franchise lawyer, and in our Ask a Franchise Expert section, franchise consultant Mackenzie Allsop offers advice on how best to present yourself to potential franchisors.
As always, Franchise Canada and FranchiseCanada.Online are there along the way, with a wealth of resources to help you through the process of selecting and buying a franchised business. Browse the listings on LookforaFranchise.ca or the Franchise Canada Directory for a full list of potential investments—and don’t forget to look for the CFA member logo! This logo signifies that a brand is a Canadian Franchise Association member, abides by the CFA’s code of ethics, and is deeply committed to excellence in franchising, which includes recognizing the importance of the franchisee-franchisor relationship.
It’s this relationship that we’ll be celebrating June 11, on the first-ever World Franchise Day, a new initiative of the World Franchise Council pioneered by the CFA. We invite you all to engage with your favourite franchise brands, support local franchisees, and highlight franchise small business owners on that day, using the hashtag #WorldFranchiseDay.
The health and wellness of a community is important—and it’s clear that Canadian franchising is thriving!