The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is focused on promoting excellence in Canadian franchising, which is why every year, the CFA’s awards program celebrates the best of the franchise industry. This program highlights franchise systems and franchisees—small business owners who have the strong systems and support of a franchise brand behind them—across the country. These winners are overcoming challenges, succeeding in business, and giving back to their communities. This November/December 2021 Excellence in Franchising issue of Franchise Canada celebrates their success!
Throughout this issue, we highlight best-in-class systems and flourishing franchises. In the cover story, we shine the spotlight on the Franchisee of the Year award winners. Nominated by their franchisors, these winners have shown creativity, drive, and acumen in running their businesses, even through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The success of any franchise system depends not only on a strong relationship between franchisee and franchisor, but between the franchisee and the customer. These business owners have risen to the task of serving their community and delivering on the brand promise of their franchise. As we have seen throughout 2021, adapting to uncertain times takes a lot of ingenuity and leadership, and we celebrate that in this issue.
You’ll find the full list of 2021 CFA Franchisees’ Choice Designees, Membership Milestone recipients, Awards of Excellence winners, and the recipients of the CFA Recognition Awards.
Our focus on excellence in franchising also continues throughout rest of this issue. You’ll learn about how The UPS Store found continued success even through the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on relationships. We explore the ‘secret sauce’ of success for iconic Canadian brand White Spot/Triple O’s, and spotlight the inspiring and successful business pivots of brothers Luke and Brian Bazely of Driverseat.
We also follow along on a day in the life for MaidPro franchisee David Buckler, who shares his accomplishments as a multi-unit franchisee, and show you an example of the next generation of franchising success with Jen McCain of Dogtopia.
You can also read about how Mr. Lube is giving back with charitable donations to help causes near and dear to its franchisees’ hearts. And in our Franchise Fun section, Oxford Learning Centres president Lenka Whitehead shares her passion for franchising, education—and ski doo!
These successful brands and their franchisees show the strength of Canadian franchising, which has proven to be resilient enough to weather the tough economic storm brought on by the pandemic. This issue also highlights two industries that have come back strong from the pandemic, with a close look at real estate franchises and mobile/home-based businesses that are increasing in popularity as Canadians’ lifestyles have adapted and changed throughout the past year.
In addition to this showcase of award winners, we spotlight franchise brands that have shown their dedication to franchising excellence by joining the CFA as new members in the past year.
When reading the success stories in these pages, remember that these examples of excellence in franchising all started as eager, entrepreneurial Canadians looking to make their business dreams become reality. If that describes you, be sure to access our online member directory at LookforaFranchise.ca, follow us on social media, and visit FranchiseCanada.Online for web content, videos, and podcasts with tips to help you find the right franchise business for you.
We hope this excellence in franchising issue inspires you to reach your goal of owning your own business!