As every small business owner knows, owning a business is hard work. Entrepreneurs are renowned for their grit, determination, and persistence—working long days, strategizing about the future, and devoting themselves wholeheartedly to their dream of business ownership.
Franchising means this hard work and dedication pays off. Franchisees are small business owners, but they don’t have to go it alone; as we like to say, they’re in business for themselves, not by themselves. The support, knowledge, and proven systems offered by a franchise brand help franchised small business owners weather all kinds of storms, from the difficulties of start up to the pinch of economic uncertainties, to unprecedented moments like natural disasters.
That’s why franchising is such a resilient business model. As you’ll read in these pages, franchising has stayed strong through the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downturns, and political uncertainties—and has actually grown! Franchising is the 12th largest industry in Canada and is projected to contribute $133 billion to the country’s GDP by 2026. That’s in contrast to the $120 billion projected by 2025, which in reality the industry topped, coming in at $128 billion.
As we reach the end of the year and look forward to 2026, it’s important to celebrate the ways our industry has not just survived but thrived through difficult times. If you’re looking to open your own small business through the power of franchising, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this, the Resilience Issue!
In our cover feature, three brands and their franchisees share how recession-resistant services, an adaptable business model, and franchisor support have carried through to business success in hard times. We also explore home restoration services, the indispensable brands helping Canadians recover from disaster.
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from hardship; it’s about imagining a better world. We take a look at three franchise systems that are embracing eco-friendly products and practices to help customers live greener.
November also marks Remembrance Day, and you’ll find stories of former military veterans who found a second career through franchising, going from serving their country to serving their local community.
As the year comes to a close, we also celebrate the new brands that have joined the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) community over the past year. By joining, these brands have exhibited their commitment to excellence in franchising and to making the franchising community in Canada even stronger. Like all CFA members, they have signed on to the CFA Code of Ethics, showing their dedication to industry best practices. As you begin your journey into franchising, always Look for the Logo—the CFA member logo is your sign that the franchise system you’re considering is a qualified brand that meets this high standard of excellence.
There’s plenty more to explore in this issue, so read on! Don’t forget to visit FranchiseCanada.Online for more franchisee success stories and educational content, and to follow the CFA on all social media platforms. Together, we’ll help the franchise community continue to grow—into 2026 and beyond.