As a reader of Franchise Canada magazine, you know just how diverse franchising is as an industry. The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) counts more than 60 different industry categories among its membership, from retail to pet services to home repair. There are large franchise brands and emerging systems, traditional brick-and-mortar shops and home-based or mobile businesses. Whatever kind of business you’re looking for, there’s a franchise for that!
When it comes to the public’s first interaction with a franchise brand, often it’s through food. The average Canadian interacts with three to five franchised brands per day, and it’s no surprise that quick-service restaurants (QSRs), coffee shops, bakeries, specialty food retailers, and full-service restaurants make up many of those touchpoints.
The foodservice industry is an economic powerhouse, making an estimated $114 billion in sales each year, according to Restaurants Canada, which also estimates that Canadians make 23 million visits to restaurants every day. It’s a growing industry not only for consumers, but prospective entrepreneurs—36 per cent of Canadian adults (18-54) say they have dreamed of opening a restaurant!
If you count yourself among that number, this issue is for you. In our annual Food Issue, Franchise Canada explores the fantastic food franchises operating across the country. In our cover feature, longstanding restaurant brands share the secrets to balancing a commitment to tradition with new innovations to keep their brand thriving. How are other brands keeping up with the latest trends? Read about franchises embracing consumer trends toward clean, veggie-forward eating—or check out the brands taking fusion food to the next level.
We also highlight food service franchisees who are finding their own success one bite at a time. You’ll hear from three franchisees of food service brands who have bought multiple franchise units, who share how they’ve grown their empires with the support of a proven brand. We take a look at Edo Japan, the iconic brand that brought accessible teppanyaki dining to Canadians. And in our Home Grown and Locally Owned section, three Canadian-founded restaurant brands share their tasty tips for successful business ownership.
We also look beyond the wrapper to the heart behind these businesses. Turn to our Giving Back article to read the story of the Primuccis, the Italian immigrant family behind Pizza Nova, and how they’ve used their success to give back to the causes most important to them. In our Leadership Profile, we take a deep dive into the career of Ruthie Burd, founder of The Lunch Lady, sharing her story of growing a humble business into a franchise that helps feed thousands of children every year. Then, HOT Perspectives consultant Maliesa Cadogan breaks down the benefits of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), for franchisees and franchisors alike.
September is Franchisee Awareness Month, an important annual celebration of the franchisees who make this industry the thriving sector that it is. As we always say, franchising is a community, and the hardworking business owners who serve their local clientele, give back to their community, and help enrich their neighbourhoods are at its heart. We spotlight some of the franchisee stories we’ll be sharing online, in our email newsletters, and through the CFA social media feeds throughout the month. Visit the Franchisee Appreciation Month webpage to see more, and share your appreciation for franchisees online with the hashtag #JointheFAM!
If all these stories of entrepreneurship and innovation have whetted your appetite, be sure to visit LookforaFranchise.ca, the CFA’s online directory of franchise opportunities, to find your next business venture. Like all the brands featured in Franchise Canada, franchise systems included in this directory are members of the CFA, meaning they are qualified franchise opportunities and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in franchising by signing on to the CFA’s Code of Ethics. As you peruse future opportunities, always Look for the Logo—the CFA Member logo will tell you which franchise brands meet these criteria and help you on your journey to finding the perfect franchise fit!
There’s more to explore in this issue, so don’t wait—dig in and get a taste of all the Canadian franchise industry has to offer!