The annual CFA Awards gala, which takes place at the Canadian Franchise Association’s National Convention each year, has been called “the Oscars of franchising.” Sure, there are statues and prestigious awards—and our franchising community can certainly pull out some red carpet-worthy looks. But the real highlight of the evening is that CFA Award winners are truly chosen by their community, whether industry peers or franchisees of their systems.
Franchisee feedback from CFA member systems is collected through an extensive third-party survey, the results of which provide the basis for nominations for the Franchisees’ Choice Designees and Awards of Excellence. This process is what makes these awards the ultimate indicators of franchisee satisfaction—which in turn is a key indicator of a franchise system’s health and success!
This issue of Franchise Canada is chock full of brands who’ve received these prestigious designations, making this issue not only a celebration but an invaluable resource for those who are on their journey to franchise ownership. Readers looking to invest in a franchise brand with a high standard of excellence should turn to our Special Franchise Focus section, which outlines all the 2025 CFA Awards winners.
You’ll also find plenty of inspiration from the success stories of other franchisees. This issue’s cover feature profiles the winners of the CFA Awards for Franchisee of the Year. Nominated by their franchisors, these inspiring entrepreneurs have done their system proud through their dedication, business acumen, and community engagement.
For more inspiring franchisee stories, follow Abdujabbor Mehrubonsho through a Day in the Life owning a Pizza Pizza franchise, and learn how Glenn Clark makes his Driverseat franchise run. We also look at the different forms that franchise business ownership can take. Check out the Brands on the Run feature for a round up of three unique franchise opportunities that operate as remote or mobile businesses—from window washing to home improvement to children’s enrichment. And, we hear from franchisees who’ve made franchising a family affair by going into business with a loved one.
As always, our network of experts are eager to help you on your franchising journey. In our Ask A Legal Expert column, you’ll find out what you need to know about the necessary disclosures that come with buying a franchise resale. Constant Contact marketing expert Amanda Parker shares which responsibilities fall to the franchisee and to the franchisor when it comes to advertising and marketing. If you want to dig deeper into the ins and outs of local store marketing, franchise expert Shawn Saraga lays out the tips and tricks you need to showcase your business to your local community.
Franchisees are local business owners who give back to their communities, and it was a Sunset Grill franchisee who pioneered the brand’s annual Pancake Tuesday fundraiser. Learn more about this initiative in our Giving Back feature. We also profile iconic brand Kumon Learning Centres, Pet Valu’s marketing whiz Tanbir Grover, and three Canadian-founded brands making waves in different industry sectors.
Surely all this excellence in franchising will have whetted your appetite for finding your own business opportunity! As you research franchise opportunities, tradeshows (like the Franchise Canada Show coming to Toronto this fall) are a helpful place to start, offering you face-to-face interaction with the brands that interest you. To help you navigate your trade show experience with ease, check out our list of handy tips and important questions to ask.
Of course, there are plenty of other resources available for you to find your perfect franchise fit, including the Franchise Canada directory and the CFA’s online resource, LookforaFranchise.ca. While you research, don’t forget to Look for the Logo: our CFA Member logo tells you which brands have joined the CFA community and signed on to our Code of Ethics, meaning—like all the brands you’ll find in this issue’s pages—they are a qualified brand committed to excellence in franchising and to the importance of the franchisee-franchisor relationship.
As every successful franchise professional knows, it’s not all about the glitz and glam of awards night—success in business ownership comes through hard work, day-to-day adherence to a proven system, and the implementation of innovative strategies. And that payoff is more than worth it.