Franchising is a popular and successful business model, with the Canadian franchise industry contributing $120 billion to the annual GDP and creating jobs for approximately two million Canadians. It’s also an inclusive industry that reaches every Canadian from coast to coast. Franchised businesses can be found in every community across the country, with people connecting with an average of three to five franchised businesses every day, whether it’s the coffee shop down the street, the tutoring program that provides support for their children, the local fitness centre, or the restaurant where they connect with family and friends.
Franchises can be found across more than 50 different sectors, from food service and retail to education, health and fitness, and home services. They are also available at a wide range of investment levels, from under $50,000 to more than $1 million, and in different formats to suit different lifestyles, including home-based and mobile franchises and the more traditional brick-and-mortar businesses with a physical location.
With such a diversity of opportunities, anyone can find success through franchising! This Diversity in Franchising issue highlights how people from all backgrounds, with a strong drive for success and the right brands behind them, can thrive as local franchise owners.
This means that as a franchisee, you not only have the support of a franchisor, but of an entire community of likeminded business owners: a diverse network of Canadians who are growing the franchise industry from coast to coast.
Our four-part Diversity in Franchising feature showcases 15 franchisees across the country who are helping to build this Canadian franchise community. We shine the spotlight on owners across a range of different backgrounds, female franchisees, and families that are franchising together. Read through our slate of stories to learn more about how these franchisees found success, along with their insight into the benefits of being part of the diverse franchise community.
Beyond the cover story, we have even more inspiring franchisee success stories to share. We introduce you to WingsUp! franchisee Karan Arora, who started working with the brand after he moved to Canada in 2011, and now owns a franchise location in Guelph, Ontario, with another location on the way. Jani-King franchisee Manjinder Bal has his own unique growth story, and he outlines how he joined Jani-King as a franchise owner in 2010 and is now the master franchise owner of the Vancouver-Fraser Valley region. We also explore the process of starting a franchise through PuroClean franchisees Jeff Ellis and Andrew Chapman, who recently completed their first year as owners in Kelowna, British Columbia, and are already receiving accolades within the PuroClean network.
The diversity in franchising extends beyond franchisees, with more women joining the ranks of franchise executives. Michèle Boudria is the first female CEO of McDonald’s Canada. We take you through her journey from working behind the counter at the quick service franchise all the way to becoming the president and CEO.
We hope this issue inspires you to learn more about franchising. Don’t forget to explore other Franchise Canada resources, including online-exclusive content, educational videos, and podcast episodes (season 7 launches in March!), all available at FranchiseCanada.Online. You can also subscribe to Franchise Canada E-News to receive the latest news and information (and get a free digital subscription to Franchise Canada magazine), search our online member directory at LookforaFranchise.ca, and connect with the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
The many success stories found in this issue demonstrate how anyone, regardless of their age, gender, race, or place of origin, can achieve franchise success with the right brand and a whole lot of passion and hard work.
We encourage you to explore the diverse range of franchise opportunities so you can connect with the right opportunity and make your business dreams become reality. We look forward to welcoming you into the diverse franchise community – franchising is for everyone!