A Message from Chair of the CFA Board of Directors Gerry Docherty

As we look back on 2020 so far and the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it is clear that the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is made up of a strong community of franchising professionals. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, CFA members have been hosting webinars, writing informative articles, participating in events, and providing peer-to-peer support to guide our industry through these tough times. The contributions from CFA members throughout the last six months are a testament to the strength of this community.

As a franchisor – whether it is under normal circumstances or during the current situation – it is essential for me to continue adding best practices in franchising to my system. Recent months have shown that it is critical that we, as members of a Canadian franchising community, continue to pick the brains of other franchisors and suppliers across the CFA membership base.

The spirit of the CFA’s franchise system and franchise support system members sharing their own best practices continues through the pages of this magazine, the Summer 2020 issue of The Franchise Voice. The content in this digital magazine is a great example of why the CFA is considered the No. 1 authoritative voice of Canada’s franchising industry. As the world flattens the curve of COVID-19 and our economy begins to reopen, our members continue to provide extensive insight into the industry that has proven invaluable as we transition to the “new normal.” From the “Real Life Lessons” (page xx) to the “Bright Ideas” (page xx) featured in this issue of The Franchise Voice, to the CFA’s educational events, Virtual Franchise Canada Shows, Franchise Canada magazine, e-blasts,  LookForAFranchise.ca website, and a wide host of other offerings, it’s easy to see the power of the CFA community.  

Read the insightful articles contained within the pages of this publication with one simple question in mind: What can I learn from this issue that I can implement in my franchise? In this issue, we feature two award-winning franchises: Restoration 1 and MaidPro . The winners of the Grand Prize for Traditional (those with bricks and mortar locations) and Non-Traditional (those that are mobile or home-based) franchises, this award is given to franchises that deliver exceptional support to their franchisees. As franchisors, Restoration 1 and MaidPro share why it is critical to provide comprehensive support to franchisees for the overall success of the brand and what type of support franchisors should provide.

On page xx, PiinPoint Media and Gary Prenevost, president of FranNet of Southern Ontario and Eastern Canada, share insight into what franchises operating in the retail space can expect as we recover from COVID-19, and, Andrew Walters of Stagecoach Performing Arts discusses how his brand successfully maintained operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These articles are just a few examples of CFA members stepping up to the plate to provide their peers with tips and best practices to ensure the CFA and the greater Canadian franchising community remain strong in the face of an unprecedented global crisis. 

Our ongoing hard work to overcome COVID-19 and get back to business cannot be attributed to an individual franchise brand. It took a strong community of Canadian franchising professionals, brands, and systems within the CFA to get through this. We should all be very proud of our contributions to the growth of the franchise industry, as we continue to push forward our mission to help everyday Canadians realize the dream of building their own business through the power of franchising. I love learning and when it comes to franchising, the CFA is the best organization in the country to do it with!