Franchise Canada May/June 2020

APPETIZING QSR FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

HOW TO MEET YOUR FRANCHISE MATCH

FOCUS ON CASUAL DINING, PATIOS & BARS

INSIDE! FREE PASS TO

located on the subscription card

A Canadian Franchise Association Publication / FranchiseCanada.Online

QSR franchises are serving up diverse tastes from around the world

ERVICE S K IC U Q E TH TS RESTAURANUE (QSR) ISS

80% 1.5 BWR PD M/J

MAY | JUNE 2020 PM 41043018 $4.99

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS ON THE GO

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Display in business until Jun. 30, 2020

CHICKEN

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100% Canadian Owned & Operated Established in 1969 170+ Stores — Reaching 200 Stores in 2020 Fresh, Local, Hand Cut Chicken and Potatoes

Unique, Proprietary Cooking System Passionate Support across All Functional Areas 15 Consecutive Years of Same Store Sales Growth CFA Member for 38 Years

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Store may not be exactly as shown.

Store may not be exactly as shown.

NEW NEWNAME. NAME.NEW NEWFOOD. FOOD.NEW NEWLOOK. LOOK.

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CONTENTS MAY/JUNE 2020

15

COVER STORY • Innovative concept with competitive advantage • Low royalties starting at 3.75% • Low national marketing at 1.25% • Premium locations available • Industry leading sales and sales growth • Full turn-key EXLOG RXW • Ongoing Operations support • Low investment, JUHDW RSSRUWXQLW\

In house financing Available

15

International Flavours on the Go Four QSR franchises that are serving up traditional dishes from around the world

FEATURES

21

Innovative Burger Franchises Three franchises that are shaking up quick service burgers

37

Mixing Business with Family Four franchising families share how they balance their work and family lives

42

Meet Your Franchise Match How to prepare for and evaluate your meeting with the franchisor

SPECIAL FRANCHISE FOCUS

25 Est. 2015 CONTACT US

905-814-8030 chucksroadhouse.com

4 Canadian Franchise Association

Coffee Connection Three Canadian coffee franchises that are mainstays in their communities

30

To Your Health Revitalizing health and fitness franchise opportunities across Canada

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

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Special Focus: Casual Dining, Bars & Patios Why you should consider a franchise in these sectors!

Franchise Canada is published by the Canadian Franchise Association www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

DEPARTMENTS

45

HOME-GROWN & LOCALLY-OWNED 100% Canadian Franchise Systems

48

MILLENNIALS IN FRANCHISING Following Her Franchise Destiny Millennial franchisee Lindsey Caron finds inspiration in franchising with Quesada

59

10 Reasons to Become a Franchisee

62

A DAY IN THE LIFE A Franchising MVP MVP Modern Barbers franchisee finds her calling giving Albertans a fresh new ‘do’

65

THE FIRST YEAR Top Dogs Young pet-loving couple living their dream as successful Global Pet Foods franchisees

69

ICONIC BRAND Pie in the Sky How Little Caesars used a little dough to build an enviable empire

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SHOW ME THE MONEY 4 Franchises for $500K+

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FRANCHISE FUN Championing Breakfast Cora Breakfast and Lunch’s Dominique Boudreau dishes on his secrets to personal and professional success

BE YOUR OWN BOSS!

HISE INCREDIBLE FRANC BLE A PORTUNITIES AVAIL OP

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FRANCHISE TUTORIAL Tutorials 11 & 12 This issue: • Intro to Inventory • Intro to Approved Suppliers

COLUMNS

10 CFA CODE OF ETHICS 12 INDUSTRY NEWS 76 ASK THE EXPERTS 84 MARKETP­LACE 93 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 94 GIVING BACK

Visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca to find further information about the franchises featured in this May/June issue.

e Join our innovativ concept today!

development@obsidiangroupinc.com

chucksroadhouse.com Franchise Canada

May | June 2020 5

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

I

A TASTE FOR FRANCHISING

t’s a fact: Canadians love to dine with the franchise model! In Canada, 22 million restaurant visits are made every day across the country, and many of these visits are made to quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise locations.

QSR franchises are not only providing Canadian consumers with convenience, but they’re also offering timestarved diners the flavours they crave. In this QSR issue, we focus on this growing sector, including the wide range of opportunities available and tips and advice for how to get started. We’ll also share success stories to showcase how franchisees can thrive in this sector.

As Canada becomes increasingly multicultural, its diners are seeking culinary options from around the world. Our cover story on page 15 introduces QSR franchises that are connecting consumers with international tastes, from perogies and poké bowls to souvlaki and Thai dishes. For those with tastes closer to home, we highlight the burger segment on page 21. This feature profiles three burger franchises with their own take on this traditional fare, who are serving up a premium burger experience for diners on the go.

Canadians also love their coffee: according to the Canadian Coffee Association, it’s the most commonlyconsumed beverage – more popular than tap water! On page 25, we take you on a tour of coffee franchises that are connecting with their customers to become mainstays in their Canadian communities.

While food franchises are catering to Canadians with hectic schedules, health and fitness franchises across the country are focused on keeping Canadians moving.

We take you on a tour of health and fitness franchises from one coast to the other on page 31, focusing on their unique offerings and what you need to know to get started in this category.

In the past two issues, we’ve shared the stories of families who franchise together, and on page 39, we continue this exploration of the family dynamic in franchising.

Here, four families, including those with QSR franchises, outline what brought them to franchise together, and how they successfully mix their business and family lives.

6 Canadian Franchise Association

Beyond the opportunities, this issue also introduces you to the people behind franchise brands. In the Leadership Profile on page 59, we invite you to learn more about Eric Lefebvre, CEO of The MTY Food Group, one of the largest franchisors in the food industry, with more than 50 different leading food service brands. We also provide a glimpse into the motivation and personal side of Dominique Boudreau, director of research and development at Cora Breakfast and Lunch on page 74, along with a look into the past, present, and future of Iconic Brand Little Caesars on page 69.

With so many enticing opportunities available, it can help to learn firsthand from franchisees who have found success. On page 48, millennial franchisee Lindsey Caron shares her inspirational story of determination in launching her Quesada franchise, and on page 62, MVP Modern Barbers franchisee Mercy Carlos reveals how she’s making her business dreams come true through franchising. We also take a look back at the first year of franchising for Global Pet Foods franchisees Ambrose and Maureen Yung, who left previous careers to follow their passion for pets (page 65).

Once you’ve found the right franchise opportunity, it’s important to carry out the proper due diligence before you sign the franchise agreement. On page 42, we share some tips and advice to help you prepare for and evaluate the critical meeting with the franchise support team at their head office. You can also find more resources to help with the due diligence process at www.FranchiseCanada.Online.

Filled with opportunities, success stories, and advice, we hope that this May/June QSR issue gives you a taste for franchising and helps in making your franchise dreams become a reality.

Sherry McNeil President & CEO Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

Become a HOME

MAKEOVER SPECIALIST

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CFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (as of time of print) BOARD CHAIR Gerry Docherty*, Good Earth Coffeehouse PRESIDENT & CEO Sherry McNeil*, Canadian Franchise Association 1ST VICE CHAIR David Druker*, The UPS Store 2ND VICE CHAIR Lawrence Eade, Caffé Artigiano

PUBLISHER

TREASURER Lyn Little, BDO Canada LLP

Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)

SECRETARY & GENERAL COUNSEL

VP, CONTENT & MARKETING Kenny Chan

Larry Weinberg*, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP

EDITOR Lauren Huneault

PAST CHAIR John DeHart*

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Andrea Lee

CHAIR, LEGAL & LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

ADVERTISING SALES Gwen Dunant

Darrell Jarvis*, Fasken

CHAIR, FRANCHISE SUPPORT SERVICES

Kirk Allen, Reshift Media DIRECTORS

Hadi Chahin, Mary Brown’s Chicken & Taters Steve Collette, 3rd Degree Training/Actual Nutrition Sebastian Fuschini, Pizza Pizza John Gilson, COBS Bread Terry Hould, ServiceMaster of Canada Limited Andrew Hrywnak, Print Three Franchising Corporation Rimma S. Jaciw, CFE, WSI Digital Marc Laurin, MTY Group Ken Otto, Redberry Restaurants Ryan Picklyk, A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. Gary Prenevost, FranNet Stephen Schober, Metal Supermarkets Family of Companies Frank Stanschus, Little Kickers Bob Tipple, Expedia CruiseShipCenters Laura Wittholz, THE TEN SPOT Beauty Bars *Executive Committee member

NATIONAL SPONSORS

The CFA wishes to acknowledge and thank these National Sponsors for their support throughout the year.

Find out more about these companies at www.cfa.ca/sponsorship

AD COORDINATOR Andrea Lee CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Georgie Binks, Jessica Burgess, Kristin Di Tommaso, Lauren Huneault, Roma Ihnatowycz, Gina Makkar, David Chilton Saggers, Karen Stevens, Jordan Whitehouse, Kym Wolfe FRANCHISE FUN ILLUSTRATION Sam Gorrie PRINTING Premier Printing FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION:

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visit www.FranchiseCanada.Online or call 1-800-665-4232 ext. 238.

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We invite your comments, questions and suggestions. Please contact us at editor@cfa.ca or 1-800-665-4232.

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All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

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Publications Mail Agreement No. 41043018 Legal Disclaimer The opinions or viewpoints expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). Where materials and content were prepared by persons and/or entities other than the CFA, the said other persons and/or entities are solely responsible for their content. The information provided herein is intended only as general information that may or may not reflect the most current developments. The mention of particular companies or individuals does not represent an endorsement by the CFA. Information on legal matters should not be construed as legal advice. Although professionals may prepare these materials or be quoted in them, this information should not be used as a substitute for professional services. If legal or other professional advice is required, the services of a professional should be sought.

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CODE OF ETHICS

T

he Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is dedicated to encouraging and promoting excellence in franchising in Canada. Each member of the Association agrees to abide by the CFA Code of Ethics and to further the Association’s goals of encouraging and promoting ethical franchising in Canada. Each member of the Association agrees to comply with the spirit of this Code of Ethics in its general course of conduct and in carrying out its general policies, standards and practices. The following are considered by the Association to be important elements of ethical franchising practices: 1.

Franchise system and franchise support services members should fully comply with Federal and Provincial laws, and with the policies of the Canadian Franchise Association.

2. A franchisor should provide prospective franchisees with full and accurate written disclosure of all material facts and information pertaining to the matters required to be disclosed in advance to prospective franchisees about the franchise system a reasonable time [at least fourteen (14) days] prior to the franchisee executing any binding agreement relating to the award of the franchise.

3.

A ll matters material to the franchise relationship should be contained in one or more written agreements, which should clearly set forth the terms of the relationship and the respective rights and obligations of the parties.

4. A franchisor should select and accept only those franchisees who, upon reasonable investigation, appear to possess the basic skills, education, personal qualities and financial resources adequate to perform and fulfil the needs and requirements of the franchise. Franchise systems and franchise support services members of the Association should not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender or any other factors prohibited by law.

5. ­­­ A franchisor should provide reasonable guidance, training, support and supervision over the business activities of franchisees for the purposes of safeguarding the public interest and the ethical image of franchising, and of maintaining the integrity of the franchise system for the benefit of all parties having an interest in it.

6. Fairness should characterize all dealings between a franchisor and its franchisees. Where reasonably appropriate under the circumstances, a franchisor should give notice to its franchisees of any contrac-

10 Canadian Franchise Association

tual default and grant the franchisee reasonable opportunity to remedy the default.

7. A franchisor and its franchisees should make reasonable efforts to resolve complaints, grievances and disputes with each other through fair and reasonable direct communication, and where reasonably appropriate under the circumstances, mediation or other alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

8. A franchisor and a franchise support services member should encourage prospective franchisees to seek legal, financial and business advice prior to signing the franchise agreement.

9. A franchisor should encourage prospective franchisees to contact existing franchisees to gain a better understanding of the requirements and benefits of the franchise.

10. A franchisor should encourage open dialogue with franchisees through franchise advisory councils and other communication mechanisms. A franchisor should not prohibit a franchisee from forming, joining or participating in any franchisee association, or penalize a franchisee who does so.

11. A franchise support services member in providing products or services to a franchisor or franchisee should encourage the franchises to comply with the spirit of this Code of Ethics. A franchise support services member should not offer or provide products or services if legislative or professional qualification is required to do so unless the franchise support services member has such qualification.

LOOK FOR EXCELLENCE As you investigate the many franchise opportunities available to you, you will see a special logo featured in franchise literature, on franchising websites and in franchise tradeshow booths. This logo identifies franchise systems and franchise support services/suppliers as members of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). You should be on the lookout for this symbol when researching franchise systems or assembling a team of franchise support professionals to assist in your search. CFA encourages and promotes excellence in franchising in Canada and members of the Association voluntarily agree to follow the CFA’s Code of Ethics in pursuit of these goals. Start your search for your franchise dream with a CFA member.

Visit FranchiseCanada.Online today.

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Your source for what’s happening in Canadian franchising CFA Member Wins Gold for Best Franchisee of Canada Kelly-Anne Pelly doesn’t mind being sandwiched among the world’s best franchisees. The Subway® Restaurants Canada franchisee won Gold for Best Franchisee of Canada and represented Canada as the country’s finalist at the recent Best Franchisee of the World event in Florence, Italy.

Pelley, a member of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA), also won Gold for the CFA’s 2019 Franchisee of the Year in the Traditional Category.

The CFA is the Canadian sponsor for the Best Franchisee of the World, in partnership with Business Exchange and MFV Expositions. In addition to crowning the Canadian finalist, a representative (John DeHart, past Chair of the CFA Board of Directors and Co-Founder of LIVE WELL Exercise Clinics and Nurse Next Door) was on the panel of judges to determine the winner of The Best Franchisee of the World.

While Pelley won Gold for the Best Franchisee of Canada, Paul and Lyne Bimm from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Canada won Silver, and Seema Ahluwalia from Oxford Learning Centres won Bronze. These winners received this recognition through achieving economic success, customer service excellence, and much more.

“Winning the award was definitely a shock, and surprising, because I don’t think I’m really any more special than anyone else. It was definitely confirmation that maybe I am doing a good job,” says Pelley. “We attend as many local, regional, and national conventions as possible, to make sure we always stay on top of what’s new and how we can make improvements in our restaurants.”

“From growing her small busi-

12 Canadian Franchise Association

ness and taking an active role in her community to personally connecting with guests and employees to ensure a healthy, happy workplace, KellyAnne exemplifies Subway® Canada core values at every touchpoint,” says Cristina Wells, Country Director, Subway® Canada. “Kelly-Anne is a true business leader whose hard work deserves to be recognized with such a prestigious title.”

Being a franchisee is very much a part of Pelley’s identity. She is part of a family with three generations of franchisees and has been a Subway® franchisee since she was 20 years old. Together with her husband, James, and their daughter, Emily, Pelley went from running a single restaurant in Corner Brook, NL, to running six restaurants across the west coast of Newfoundland. In 2017, they purchased nine more restaurants in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where they grew up.

Prep’n Sell Caps Off 2019 with a Bang!

Prep’n Sell saw a record month of December, with three new franchisees joining their franchise family.

“We know the DNA of our ideal franchise candidates – the special people who will take our business model to new heights,” says David Collier, president of Prep’n Sell Franchising Inc. New franchisees in the GTA area of Ontario include Shawn Dallas, who will cover his own Scarborough South neighbourhood. Shawn wanted to turn his love for DIY into a business that was flexible enough to accommodate his growing family’s schedule. Another GTA addition, Shoma Sewdarsan, Prep’n Sell’s new franchisee in Vaughan, has a background in installing flooring

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

and staircases, but wanted to build something solid for herself and her family. Shoma appreciates the fact that she’s in business for herself, but has the head office team and other Prep’n Sell franchisees to turn to for guidance, advice, and support.

“The Prep’n Sell brand and the people at head office made me want to be part of this particular franchise. I can call any one of the team whenever I have a question and they’re always there to listen and help,” says Shoma Sewdarsan.

John and Shawna Feradi, a husband and wife team, are opening Prep’n Sell’s first Alberta franchise in Calgary South. The challenging economic environment in Alberta left Shawna and John looking for a change. Prep’n Sell allows them to work together, combining their different skillsets to build their future.

Having spearheaded a charitable foundation on a volunteer basis, they understand the value and time savings provided by centralized marketing and a proven yet customizable system.

Little Kickers Named Global Franchise Champion at Global Franchise Awards Children’s sports franchise Little Kickers was named Global Franchise Champion at the Global Franchise Awards 2020, which recognize and celebrate the brands that are moving franchising forward.

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®: Used by Amex Bank of Canada under license from American Express.

1. American Express® Maps is intended for general reference purposes only and does not represent a comprehensive list of all Card accepting merchants. Recommendations and other information included on the map are derived from internal American Express and third party data. Data is updated from time to time and may not be 100% accurate. American Express does not accept any responsibility or liability arising from any inaccuracies. You understand and agree that your use of the map is your choice and at your sole risk and that the map is provided to you ‘as is’ and ‘as available’. List of Card accepting merchants is updated monthly.

2. Source: The Nilson Report # 1150 (April 2019). American Express transaction size derived as Canada year-end purchase volume divided by year-end purchase transactions. Average American Express transactions equals $137 US ($178 CAD). Average Non-American Express transaction equals $73 US ($95 CAD), includes Visa and MasterCard credit cards, and excludes Interac and debit volume and transactions. Purchase volume converted to Canadian dollars by multiplying US figures by 1.2957 (average 2018 CAD to USD conversion rate as stated by https://www.x-rates.com/average/?from=USD&to=CAD&amount=1&year=2018) 3. Your business could be recommended to Cardmembers in Cardmember emails sent by American Express.

INDUSTRY NEWS The awards ceremony took place at the Orlando World Center Marriott during the International Franchise Association (IFA) 2020 Annual Convention in February.

Twelve franchises were named winners of their categories, with one going on to become the overall Global Franchise Champion.

Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) member category winners include: Little Kickers – Best Children’s & Education Franchise Dogtopia – Best Lifestyle Franchise Neighborly – Best Property & Home Maintenance Franchise FASTSIGNS – Best Signage & Communications Franchise Pür & Simple Opens 12th Canadian Restaurant in Oakville, Ontario Pür & Simple, the popular breakfast, brunch, and lunch chain, opened its 12th restaurant on January 28, 2020.

Located at 350 Dundas Street East in Oakville, this 4,100 square foot location will employ about 30 people.

Not only is this restaurant larger than the average Pür & Simple, but it will also be the first restaurant to showcase their new menu. Pür & Simple’s artisanal menu takes a creative and elevated approach to traditional breakfast items and also offers a variety of healthy delights and gluten-sensitive options.

The success of the chain is in large part due to the dedication and commitment of the franchise partners.

The new restaurant in Oakville is owned by Mauricio Araque Morales and Eduardo Arroyo Llosa, two Venezuelan businessmen. No strangers to hard work, Mauricio owned and operated a successful chain of restaurants and Eduardo was an orthopedic surgeon. “We are excited to embark on this new adventure with the team at Pür & Simple; we hope this is the first opening of many more to come,” said Mauricio.

The breakfast, brunch, and lunch franchise has experienced signifi-

14 Canadian Franchise Association

cant growth since opening its first restaurant in Laval, Quebec in 2016.

Pür & Simple currently has a presence in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia and will be rolling out an aggressive expansion plan that will include Central Canada. Pür & Simple’s goal by 2021 is to have a presence from coast to coast and aims to be the premier breakfast, brunch, and lunch destination in Canada.

Massage Addict Welcomes Newest Location and Franchise Partner in Kelowna, BC Massage Addict, a Canadian company with an established national network of therapeutic massage clinics, announced the opening of its 98th location in Kelowna, British Columbia. The company welcomes the newest franchise owner, Mohsina Ahmed, to the Massage Addict network of clinics.

“I have owned franchise-based businesses for the last five years.

As I thought about my next venture, I circled in on healthcare because helping people is rewarding,” shares Mohsina Ahmed. “Running any business takes dedication and hard work. After doing my due diligence, it was clear Massage Addict has a tried and tested business model and that they would be there every step of the way.”

“Mohsina has a successful history in operating franchise businesses; it was clear from the start she would

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

make a great addition to the Massage Addict family,” says Caroline Kolompar, president of Massage Addict.

“We continue to advance the company’s growth strategy in 2020 by opening new locations and attracting quality franchise partners. We are excited to announce the addition of Mohsina and the Kelowna clinic to our rapidly expanding network.”

COBS Bread Expands into Nova Scotia Canada’s largest bakery franchise, COBS Bread, expanded into its sixth province with a bakery opening in Bedford, Nova Scotia in February.

This is the franchise’s 123rd bakery in Canada.

The Bedford Place Mall bakery is locally owned and operated by sister-and-brother team Rebecca and Ben Cripps. COBS Bread opened its first bakery in North Vancouver, BC in 2003. Expansion across the country over the last decade has been measured and deliberate, opening in locations with the right demographic mix and where they have found passionate franchisees to support and grow the COBS Bread brand.

“We are so thrilled to officially open in Atlantic Canada,” says Brad Bissonnette, VP of marketing and franchise recruitment for COBS Bread. “We are looking forward to a strong opening and we are very excited that Rebecca and Ben will be bringing our fresh bread to the Bedford community.”

In addition to baking fresh bread and treats all day every day, owners of all COBS Bread bakeries are actively involved in their local communities through the End of Day Giving program, which is a cornerstone of the COBS Bread brand. All unsold product at the end of the day is donated to local charities based on a pick-up schedule coordinated between the charity or community group and the bakery.

COVER STORY

INTERNATIONAL FLAVOURS ON THE GO

Four QSR franchises that are serving up traditional dishes from around the world

BY KYM WOLFE

With the diversity of our population, it’s not surprising that Canadians also love a diversity of foods. When it comes time to order a quick bite – whether you’re on the street, at the food court, or having it delivered – there are a variety of international taste options. Quick service restaurant (QSR) franchises are serving traditional dishes from around the world, sometimes with a uniquely Canadian twist.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 15

COVER STORY

Hula Poké Poké (rhymes with okay) is a centuries-old Hawaiian dish, traditionally made of cubed salmon or tuna served raw in a bowl with rice, kale, vegetables, and spicy and sweet sauces, explains Jason Cunningham, co-founder of Hula Poké and 98 Food Co. “The dish has become popular on the west coast of North America and is a new category in Canada that everyone is excited about,” says Cunningham. He notes that demand is driven by “customers seeking new and global flavours with healthy ingredients. All of our fish is Oceanwise, certified sustainable, sauces are made in house, and there are lots of options for vegan or other dietary preferences. All packaging is recyclable or compostable.”

The first Hula Poké location opened in Vancouver in 2017. By the end of 2019, there were 14 locations in British Columbia and Alberta, with four additional franchises slated to open in Western Canada. The concept can be found in street locations, office towers, airports, and shopping malls, in space as small as 300 square feet and up to 1,200 square feet with seating. While the franchise will consider inquiries from Ontario, Cunningham says the main focus for expansion in 2020 remains in B.C. and Alberta.

Hula Poké franchisees are ideally owner-operators with a full-time commitment to the business. 98 Food Co. has been developing and operating franchise concepts

16 Canadian Franchise Association

since 1998 and has well-developed systems and tools to help franchisees succeed – starting with the right location. “We encourage a location that is high-traffic and visible, with a fair rent,” says Cunningham.

Training begins with two weeks at head office, then on-site before the store’s grand opening. Hula Poké provides ongoing support with store visits and a field team that assists with everything from quality and service check-ins to sales-building initiatives.

“This is not your typical fast food experience – you need to communicate with customers and ‘romance’ the product,” says Cunningham. “We use a lot of grassroots marketing strategies, including social media and serving our product at special events.”

HULA POKÉ STATS Franchise units in Canada: 14 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: Approximately $125K Investment required: Approximately $350K Training: 2 weeks pre-opening, 1 week post-opening Available territories: AB, BC In business since: 2017 Franchising since: 2017 CFA member since: 2018 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

COVER STORY

Loaded Pierogi Bryan Burke and Adam Dolley are classically trained chefs with more than 40 years of combined experience. They have worked in, developed, and operated a variety of food concept restaurants over the years.

The two friends were on a fishing trip in 2014 and made pierogies one night, then decided to load them with all of the random ingredients in the refrigerator. It was surprisingly good, says Burke. “We felt we were really on to something.”

Fast forward to 2020, and they now own three Loaded Pierogi locations in Toronto, and have franchises in Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Edmonton. They also have visions of Loaded Pierogi standalone QSR and food court locations across Canada.

Rooted in Eastern/Central European culture, a pierogi, says Dolley, “is the essence of comfort food But we put a unique twist on it by loading it with an endless choice of toppings like buffalo chicken, wild mushrooms, or crispy fried Brussels sprouts, and a variety of cheeses,” says Dolley.

The franchise offers low entry and start-up costs, easily implemented operating systems, and ongoing training and support from head office. Customer service and restaurant experience are helpful but not required. Rather, says Dolley, the ideal franchisee will follow the Loaded Pierogi system and structure, and understand that producing a quality product in a clean environment with

happy, positive staff are the key elements to finding success. “We have operational control systems in place that have been tested by our corporate locations and limit the risk for our franchisees.”

The corporate team assists with finding a location, inperson and online training, marketing, monthly evaluations, and 24-hour support via phone, email, or text. “We have probably already faced any of the issues that may arise in your location,” says Dolley. “You can ask a million questions if you’re unsure about anything.”

Being first to market for a franchised pierogi concept has both benefits and challenges, he adds. “Unlike gourmet burgers, pizza, or pitas, there is little to no competition. But since we are still a young brand, the brand recognition may not be there yet.”

LOADED PIEROGI STATS Franchise units in Canada: 3 Corporate units in Canada: 3 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: <$25K Investment required: $275K Training: 3 weeks Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2014 Franchising since: 2017 CFA member since: 2018 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 17

COVER STORY

OPA! of Greece OPA! of Greece is the largest Greek food QSR franchise in Canada. Its 100th store opened in 2019, and this year will bring continued growth in Western Canada and Ontario.

“OPA! pioneered the idea of fresh and healthy meal options in the industry when it was founded 20 years ago,” says CEO Dorrie Karras. “We were a champion of healthy, whole foods before it was trendy, sourcing ingredients from reputable vendors as locally as possible.”

Karras became a franchisee soon after OPA! opened its first store in Calgary in 1998, and owned multiple units before becoming CEO. He still has an ownership stake in three OPA! locations, each co-owned with a former employee. “Although I’m not involved in the daily operations, it helps me keep an ear on the ground,” he says.

The most successful franchisees typically work hands-on in the business, as Karras did when he started out. “They don’t need QSR experience. We look for franchisees who are dedicated, motivated, and willing to put in the hard work needed to see their stores grow and thrive. They are good with people and able to connect with the community in a meaningful and personal way.”

OPA! has maintained its competitive edge by adapting to changing technology, trends, and consumer expectations, says Karras. “We have implemented everything from new electronic POS systems to online ordering, we’ve introduced new menu items, adopted

18 Canadian Franchise Association

environmentally friendly packaging, and changed direction from being location driven to being franchisee driven.” There is also a shift towards more street front versus mall food court locations, to ensure franchisees have more flexibility in hours of operation and use of third-party delivery services.

Every new franchisee starts with one month of indepth training delivered by an existing successful franchisee in-store, in conjunction with the corporate training team. When the new franchise is ready to launch, the corporate operational team will be on-site through the first week after opening and conduct regular store visits afterwards. “We don’t take a blanket approach, rather we work hand-in-hand with franchisees to ensure they have whatever support they need to succeed,” says Karras.

OPA! OF GREECE STATS Franchise units in Canada: 102 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: $125K-$200K Investment required: $340K-$450K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 1998 Franchising since: 2001 CFA member since: 2010 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

COVER STORY

Thai Express Thai Express has been operating in Canada for more than 20 years, and was one of the first QSRs to offer authentic Thai cuisine. “The popularity of the brand quickly spread, resulting in a rapid expansion across Canada,” says Dennis Ng, vice president of Thai Express, MTY Food Group, which acquired Thai Express in 2004.

“We have grown to become the largest Thai concept in the world, with over 328 locations, now also found in U.A.E., Bahrain, Qatar, U.K., and the U.S.” With a proven brand that appeals to consumers who are looking for quick and healthy food, demand continues to grow and there are plans to open close to 30 new locations in 2020. “The franchise is easily translatable to different commercial properties,” says Ng, noting that in addition to storefront locations, Thai Express can be found in food courts at malls, universities, hospitals, airports, and highway rest stop areas. “We are often approached by real estate developers who want to include our concept in their space.”

For new stores, the franchisor’s main concerns are finding the right franchisee and the right commercial environment to be successful. The company has a bank of applicants that are assessed when a new location opportunity arises, to ensure the best fit. The ideal franchisee works hands-on in the business, demonstrates

a strong work ethic and leadership skills, and has an entrepreneurial and ‘Thai heart’ mindset, says Ng. The core value of respect – for customers, staff, high-quality ingredients, the processes and practices – is at the root of the Thai Express culture. The brand encourages multi-unit ownership for successful franchisees.

MTY Food Group offers in-depth training that covers all aspects, from food safety and operations to hiring reliable staff. The franchise offers tools and coaching through the corporate team, business development consultants, marketing coordinator, and other resources designed to help franchise owners maximize their performance while being as efficient and profitable as possible.

THAI EXPRESS STATS Franchise units in Canada: 300, US: 9, International: 19 Franchise fee: $30K-$40K Start-up capital required: 30% of total investment Investment required: Mall - $375K-$450K, Street -$450K-$575K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 1998 Franchising since: 2000 CFA member since: 2008 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 19

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INNOVATIVE

BURGER FRANCHISES

Three franchises that are shaking up quick service burgers

BY JESSICA BURGESS

Canadians love their burgers, and these three burger franchises are delivering more than the typical ketchup-and-mustard treatment. Big Smoke Burger, Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers & Poutinerie, and Fatburger serve the modern, discerning burger lover in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 21

INNOVATIVE BURGER FRANCHISES

Big Smoke Burger Since opening its first location more than 10 years ago on King West in Toronto, Ontario, Big Smoke Burger has been serving up premium burgers to hungry customers who want more than the usual fast-food burger experience.

“Big Smoke offers fresh products, charbroiled burgers with no fillers, and amazing signature toppings,” shares Bruce Miller, Big Smoke Burger’s brand leader. “We’re in three provinces in Canada, and we’ve been expanding community by community — we’re slated to be able to open up five more locations this year.” He adds that the company also has four (soon to be five) locations in Dubai, U.A.E. Setting Big Smoke apart from its competitors is its dedication to satisfying customers’ adventurous and deluxe tastes. “We’re always looking to bring out new and innovative limited-time offers,” says Miller. “We are presently running our world tour, which provides a taste from various parts of the world on a burger. We do this for our guests two to three times a year.”

Part of why Big Smoke continues to deliver is its commitment to perfecting the burger. “We don’t do chicken wings, we don’t do pasta, and we don’t do steaks. We do burgers, and we do them incredibly well,” says Miller.

Because of the chain’s focused menu, the brand presents an operational advantage to potential franchisees.

“It’s a lot easier to learn the processes,” says Miller of Big Smoke’s streamlined operations, adding: “This also makes it easier to be able to execute that perfect burger experience every day.”

Big Smoke’s ensures support is always available for its franchisees. “We like to grow with new franchise partners, as well as our current franchise partners,” says

22 Canadian Franchise Association

Miller. “We have a couple of multi-unit franchise owners who have been very successful opening up a second, third, and in some cases a fourth or fifth location. That speaks volumes as to how the brand treats our franchise partners.” The brand also offers extensive centralized marketing and advertising, as well as on-site support on a regular basis.

Miller’s advice to anyone considering a Big Smoke franchise? It’s not necessary to have food service or restaurant experience to be successful with the franchise, as they will provide training to new franchisees. As Miller says, “We have a mix of in-store and in-classroom training, including a one-week university for Big Smoke.”

Big Smoke is also interested in giving back to the communities they’re in. Miller explains that Big Smoke partners with schools in downtown Toronto, like George Brown College. “We’re helping students who are working to add to their resumes with opportunities wherever possible.” With an action plan like that, it’s no wonder that Big Smoke locations are beloved by Canadians on both sides of the counter.

BIG SMOKE BURGER STATS Franchise units in Canada: 13, International: 4 Franchise fee: $35K Start-up capital required: $150K-$200K Investment required: $375K-$500K Training: 5 weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2007 Franchising since: 2011 CFA member since: 2016 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

INNOVATIVE BURGER FRANCHISES

Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers & Poutinerie Looking for tacos with your burgers? You’re in luck!

Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers & Poutinerie and Habaneros Modern Taco Bar is a combined quick service restaurant experience that provides two of the most popular quick service cuisines in one place in premium form.

“We’re cooking most of the food on-site instead of using pre-processed product,” says Bill Pratt, CEO and founder of Chef Inspired, the restaurant group who owns Cheese Curds and Habaneros, among other restaurant brands. Of the benefits of the combined-restaurant approach, Pratt adds: “You have two revenue streams from one location while only paying one rent, one manager, and one build-out cost, while the restaurants look completely different inside.”

Pratt’s passion for serving quality food to the chain’s customers is clear, as is his belief in Cheese Curds’s concept. “Burgers are the number one food in the world right now and will never go out of style. I started my first burger restaurant with a unique concept: allowing customers to choose how they build their burger. It’s the same with our tacos. People get to choose from a wide variety of toppings.”

The franchise offers its franchisees the ability to be a part of two thriving quick service chains in one, guided by a strong training and support system. “We send you to burger and taco school to learn all our systems,” says Pratt. “Then we have a team help launch your store in order to set you up until you’re comfortable on your own.

We also have ongoing support daily and weekly.”

In addition to a dynamic support network, being a part of a bustling franchise means that the brand’s buying power benefits its individual franchisees. “Food and labour costs are critical in the restaurant business,” Pratt explains, adding: “We have experience negotiating leases and rents more than the average person and we have a proven business model that the banks and lending institutions love.”

As for what makes an ideal franchisee? “What you need is the right attitude and the willingness to learn.

You need to be passionate and to want to succeed. You need to be proud of the food that you’re serving. If you are a true entrepreneur, we are going to want to grow more stores with you,” says Pratt, with confidence that owners who find success with one location will no doubt want to expand.

CHEESE CURDS GOURMET BURGERS & POUTINERIE STATS Franchise units in Canada: 1 Corporate units in Canada: 4 Franchise fee: $35K (Combination Cheese Curds/ Habaneros) Start-up capital required: $150K Investment required: $475K-$650K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2012 Franchising since: 2015 CFA member since: 2014 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 23

INNOVATIVE BURGER FRANCHISES

Fatburger Canada Fatburger founder Love Yancey is quoted as having said, “The name of the store was my idea. I wanted to get across the idea of a big burger with everything on it … a meal in itself.” After first opening its doors in 1947 in Los Angeles, California, this quick service burger restaurant has been satisfying customers around the world.

Tracy Frazer, Fatburger Canada’s director of marketing and creative services, echoes Yancey’s sentiment today: “Fatburger has a history of serving big, juicy burgers made to order, with premium ingredients. Our food takes a little longer because it is cooked from scratch, and each burger is prepared one at a time — with love as the secret ingredient.” Using only fresh Alberta Angus beef, each burger is indeed lovingly cooked using the same techniques as those first burgers in Los Angeles all those years ago.

“The quick service restaurant category is experiencing significant growth and it’s expected to continue doing so,” says Frazer. “In today’s fast-paced world, consumers have an increasing reliance on quick meals, but they don’t want to sacrifice quality.”

This sentiment is what drives Fatburger and other premium burger franchises today — the desire to provide quality food that franchisees can feel good about serving to their busy, hungry customers who crave something beyond the standard fast food patty options. “Our guests appreciate that at Fatburger, they can enjoy real food made from premium ingredients served quickly,” Frazer explains. Because of the company’s ability to satisfy this growing customer base’s needs, the brand con-

24 Canadian Franchise Association

tinues to expand rapidly across Canada, and Fatburger Canada is celebrating its 15th anniversary this May. While recruitment and retention can be difficult in the food service industry, Fatburger Canada has a dynamic support system in place for franchisees, helping them manage labour and development. Of the ideal franchisee, Frazer notes that it is always a benefit if you’re willing to “roll up your sleeves — and maybe even get some mustard on those sleeves.”

Beyond that, Fatburger Canada looks for people who are invested in the service part of quick service. “Being a ‘people person’ who loves being part of a team is a huge asset,” Frazer shares, continuing with some advice for those looking for the right franchise fit: “Find something that you are passionate about and do it! We love seeing a new guest’s reaction to how great our food looks and tastes when it arrives at their table. We take joy in making people smile.” And with their premium ingredients and holistic approach, it is no wonder Fatburger continues to thrive today.

FATBURGER CANADA STATS Franchise units in Canada: 56 Corporate units in Canada: 5 Franchise fee: $50K Start-up capital required: $125K-$350K Investment required: $425K-$525K Training: 2 months Available territories: All of Canada CFA member since: 2009 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

Coffee Connection

Three Canadian coffee franchises that are mainstays in their communities

BY GEORGIE BINKS

Canadians are big fans of coffee, with coffee the most consumed beverage in the country: according to the Canadian Coffee Association, 72 per cent of Canadians aged 18-79 drank coffee the previous day. But these coffee consumers are looking for more than just a caffeine fix; they’re also looking for a premium experience that helps to connect them with their communities. That’s where Canadian coffee franchises come in.

Here, Franchise Canada highlights three coffee franchises that are resonating with their communities across the country.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 25

COFFEE CONNECTION Café Depot What’s the best way to know how to really help franchisees and run a great franchise? You can own one yourself, like Maria Elisii, Café Depot brand vice president for The MTY Food Group, who owns her own Café Depot franchise.

“Some of my team, including myself, own a Café Depot franchise,” says Elisii. “What makes us unique is we really understand the logistics of the operations and the market. When we support our franchisees, we’re hands on and we’re present.”

Elisii’s franchise location is, in fact, the first Café Depot established. It was her uncle and her father who started Café Depot in 1994, selling the company to The MTY Food Group in 2014. Elisii kept her franchise location. “I’ve stayed all this time because it’s sort of sentimental to me.

I’m a good example of a franchisee,” she says.

Now with more than 55 Café Depot locations, the company started with a specific idea in mind. “At the time, there were not many specialty coffee shops, so that’s where the brand was inspired. The idea was to have the best quality coffee, freshly roasted, ground daily, and served with a great-tasting dessert. My father, an immigrant from Italy, wanted to bring that European flavour to this concept.”

The benefit to customers, says Elisii, is, “We’re constantly on top of trends. Every season, we add new and unique options to our menu. Right now, plant-based drinks and iced teas are very popular, and we’re still offering that premium coffee we promised back in the 90s.

Today, we have a full breakfast and lunch menu prepared fresh daily, and focus on sustainability and transparency.”

The biggest challenge for franchisees is the shortage of employees and skilled workers. Elisii says the benefit is having competent people in management. “We’re a

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COFFEE CONNECTION small team, but some of us have been in the company for over 20 years. Being a part of the MTY family gave us many advantages – we are a large organization with more resources, but we kept the values that our company was founded on.”

The ideal franchisee needs to have a good work ethic and be present for daily operations. “It’s not just an investment; you need to put in the hours and be dedicated,” says Elisii.

The franchise offers five weeks of training, before and after opening. The company plans to expand to smaller towns outside of the Montreal area in Quebec and the Ottawa region. Elisii’s advice to franchisees looking to succeed? “With the advances in technology, you can click your phone and a coffee will be deliv-

ered to your door, but nothing can replace that in-person experience. In my opinion, personability will always be the key to a successful business.”

CAFÉ DEPOT STATS Franchise units in Canada: 52 Corporate units in Canada: 2 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: $125K Investment required: $285K-$325K Training: 3 weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 1994 Franchising since: 1994 CFA member since: 2003

To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

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Franchise Canada May | June 2020 27

COFFEE CONNECTION

Good Earth Coffeehouse Imagine that one of your baristas is such a hit with customers, that one of those customers composes a song in their honour. That’s exactly what happened a couple of years ago during a national barista contest held at the Good Earth Coffeehouse at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, where customers voted for their favourite barista across the chain through social media. Not only was a barista, named Thomas, the overwhelming winner, but one customer was literally singing his praises.

“It demonstrated to us that even in a hectic, fast-paced environment such as a hospital, being part of your customer’s community means a great deal to them,” says Gerry Docherty, Gerry Good Earth Coffeehouse presiDocherty dent and chief operating officer.

Good Earth Coffeehouse describes itself as a ‘Coffeehouse with Good Food’ serving ethically traded coffees paired with delicious, wholesome foods prepared on site, in a warm, community environment.

The franchise was founded in Calgary in 1991 by Michael Going and Nan Eskenazi, who wanted to open a business reflecting their appreciation of great coffee, simple wholesome foods from family recipes, and community and environment they felt didn’t exist in the market.

“The benefit to Good Earth customers is they can get something delicious and wholesome to eat with great coffee and feel good about their purchase because of Good Earth’s environmental and social initiatives,” says Docherty.

The franchise is expanding in central and eastern Canada and is increasing the number of locations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

28 Canadian Franchise Association

Docherty says the biggest benefit for franchisees is they join a well-respected brand and can leverage 28 years of experience and operational systems. “They’re getting into business for themselves, but not by themselves. The challenge is we’re in a competitive environment and to be successful, you must be committed to managing your business and taking care of your customers.”

Ideal franchisees, says Docherty, have a very strong affinity for the pillars the Good Earth brand stands for – sustainable coffee, fresh and wholesome food, community, and the environment. Franchisees go through an extensive five-week initial training program and receive the support of an opening team, which helps them commission, train staff, and open their store.

Ongoing support from the operations team and marketing professionals, along with ongoing training programs, is also provided.

Docherty’s advice to franchisees who want success is, “To start, find the right franchise that fits with your lifestyle and values. From there, follow the proven system, embrace your customers, and have fun.”

Then be prepared to sit back and listen to the music.

GOOD EARTH COFFEEHOUSE STATS Franchise units in Canada: 50 Corporate units in Canada: 2 Franchise fee: $35K Start-up capital required: $225K-$300K Investment required: $385K-$595K Training: 5 weeks plus opening support Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NS, ON, SK, International In business since: 1991 Franchising since: 2005 CFA member since: 2005 To learn more, visit www. LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

COFFEE CONNECTION

Second Cup Coffee Co. If you’re familiar with the Second Cup Coffee Co., you’re not alone. The company, which is the only Canadianowned specialty coffee retailer in Canada, started in 1975 as a kiosk in a Toronto shopping mall. From there, it’s grown to 243 Second Cup locations across Canada in key cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

“In 2019, we’re proud to note that Second Cup was ranked the No. 3 most trusted restaurant/takeout brand in Canada by the Gustavson Brand Trust Index,” says Kareen Pollard, director of franchising at Second Cup Coffee Co. “The Second Cup concept works beautifully in a wide range of venues, from downtown street front locations, to shopping centres, to strip malls, as well as drive-thru full-service cafés.”

The company’s in-house real estate team sources high-quality locations, signs the head lease, and sublets these locations to franchisee partners. “We also have strong brand presence in non-traditional retail sites such as hospitals, universities, airports, train stations, community centres, and gas stations,” says Pollard.

When it comes to the benefits to customers, “Our coffee is incredible – we source 17 different kinds of premium, specialty coffee beans, and use only the top two per cent of beans from every country we’re in. And all of our delicious pastries are baked fresh and delivered to our cafés daily, never frozen,” explains Pollard.

Benefits to franchisees include good coffee and a strong brand with lots of support. Pollard says the challenge is being ready to meet the unique needs of a food and beverage business. “Quality control, supply chain

management, and staffing can be complex, and the Second Cup standard is high.”

The ideal franchisee needs to be committed to being an active owner-operator, with a desire to be involved in the community. Retail or restaurant experience isn’t necessary, but a minimum of five years in business management and sound understanding of financials is a must, as well as a passion for coffee.

Franchisees undergo a four-week training program, a trip to Costa Rica, and have excellent marketing support.

“My number one piece of advice for our franchisees is to be active owner-operators – that is where we really see them finding success within our system. It really shows when they have a deep passion and enthusiasm for coffee and engage their local communities, delivering on that premium coffee experience we want for our consumers,” outlines Pollard.

Second Cup Coffee Co. is currently looking to expand across the country.

SECOND CUP COFFEE CO. STATS Franchise units in Canada: 250 Corporate units in Canada: 30 Franchise fee: $40K Start-up capital required: Min. Liquid Assets $175K-$200K Investment required: $300K-$500K Training: 4 weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 1975 Franchising since: 1980 CFA member since: 2001 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 29

Health To Your

Revitalizing health and fitness franchise opportunities across Canada

With Canadians more educated than ever before when it comes to health and wellness, they’re looking for products and services that can help to keep their minds and bodies in tiptop shape. Health and fitness franchises across the country are providing a wide range of offerings, from kickboxing and yoga to nutrition, massage, foot care, and so much more.

Read on to learn about the health and wellness opportunities available from coast to coast to coast.

30 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

TO YOUR HEALTH

30 MINUTE HIT The 30 Minute Hit is a high-intensity, action-packed boxing/kickboxing circuit workout designed specifically for women. Fast-paced, challenging, and empowering, this one-of-a-kind workout appeals to women of all levels of fitness in a friendly, non-intimidating environment. With no class start times, flexible schedules, and a dedicated instructor, 30 Minute Hit members enjoy unlimited access to help them achieve their goals and have fun while doing it. ®

The 30 Minute Hit kickboxing franchise is a simple, cost effective, and low maintenance business that offers scalability and taps into a market segment that is identifiable, accessible, unique, substantial, and durable.

Franchise units in Canada: 68, US: 24, International: 4 Franchise fee: $30K Start-up capital required: $50K Investment required: $100K-$165K Training: Training + Equipment is $25K Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2004 Franchising since: 2006 CFA member since: 2018

3RD DEGREE TRAINING/ACTUAL NUTRITION

9ROUND FRANCHISING OF CANADA

When franchisees invest in a 3rd Degree Training and Actual Nutrition franchise, they’re more than a club owner – they’re part of a passionate community dedicated to supporting them with the muscle they need to succeed. With low start-up costs and high profit margins, this is the perfect opportunity for health and wellness enthusiasts to do something meaningful, dynamic, and rewarding.

Founded in 2008 by professional kickboxer Shannon Hudson and his wife, Heather, 9Round is a specialized fitness centre that brings kickboxing fitness training to the average person in a convenient, affordable, 30-minute, full-body circuit format. The program is developed around a proprietary and copyrighted system of nine challenging workout stations developed by Shannon himself.

3rd Degree Training is looking for passionate and motivated people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Its franchisees are driven to nurture a positive, performance-based environment. Multi-unit and area development opportunities are also available.

Whether they’re an owner-operator or a semi-absentee owner, 9Round franchisees receive support from the brand’s Franchise Business Coaches to help get them up and running and support them as their membership grows, providing assistance with vendor coordination, marketing, technology, and much more.

Franchise units in Canada: 8 Corporate units in Canada: 1 Franchise fee: $34.9K-$49.9K Start-up capital required: $50K-$175K Investment required: $100K-$175K Training: 5-7 days at corporate headquarters in Stratford, PE Available territories: All of Canada, US In business since: 2008 Franchising since: 2014 CFA member since: 2016

Franchise units in Canada: 78, US: 574, International: 144 Franchise fee: $30K Start-up capital required: $99,675$143,075 USD Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2008 Franchising since: 2009 CFA member since: 2014

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 31

TO YOUR HEALTH

ANYTIME FITNESS

BIOPED FOOTCARE CENTRES

Founded in 2002, Anytime Fitness provides more than 4,000,000 members with convenient and affordable fitness options at more than 4,000 friendly, well-maintained facilities featuring top-quality exercise equipment. Members who join one Anytime Fitness club can use any of the other clubs at no additional charge. State-of-the-art security and surveillance systems ensure member safety even during unstaffed hours.

For almost 40 years, BioPed Footcare Centres have been aiding individuals who seek relief from foot and lower limb bio-mechanical conditions. Its certified Pedorthists are qualified to evaluate, design, and custom manufacture the highest quality orthotics in its on-site labs. BioPed Footcare Centres carry all types of orthotic friendly footwear, leg bracing for those who wish to remain active, and gradient compression stockings.

BioPed creates a “total patient care experience,” resulting in a truly customized treatment.

After 17 years in business, Anytime Fitness knows how to help its franchisees achieve their goals.

Anytime Fitness offers franchisees a low-cost investment, a simple process for becoming a franchisee, and 360-degree support for each stage of growth.

Franchise units in Canada: 185, US: 2445, International: 1544 Corporate units in Canada: 1, US: 30, International: 1 Franchise fee: $21.5K-$42.5K Start-up capital required: $125K Investment required: $130K-$722K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2002 Franchising since: 2002 CFA member since: 2007

32 Canadian Franchise Association

BioPed gets its franchisees up and running with all of the support systems they need to be successful, along with marketing support, economies of scale, and education.

Franchise units in Canada: 55 Corporate units in Canada: 1 Franchise fee: $29.7K Investment required: $162K-$225K Training: Included Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 1980 Franchising since: 1985 CFA member since: 2006

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

CANADIAN SCHOOL OF NATURAL NUTRITION The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) is a private vocational school offering adult education learning to recognized professional designations. Through its provincially licensed classroom branches across Canada, and online distance education, CSNN offers a foundational Natural Nutrition diploma program, Advanced Nutrition workshops and certificates, and Holistic Culinary workshops (classroom). Franchisees are licensed to distribute CSNN curriculum and administer CSNN policies to students.

In addition to Online Distance Education, CSNN currently has 12 classroom locations across Canada, including three locations in British Columbia, two in Alberta, six in Ontario, and one in New Brunswick.

Franchise units in Canada: 5 Corporate units in Canada: 8 Available territories: AB, BC, MB, ON, SK In business since: 1994 Franchising since: 1996 CFA member since: 2004

TO YOUR HEALTH

FOOT SOLUTIONS INC. Foot Solutions is the world's largest specialty wellness franchise focused exclusively on helping people feel good from the feet up. Its trained professionals offer exclusive premium custom-made orthotics which help to relieve pain, improve comfort, and optimize balance, performance, and alignment. Foot Solutions has helped thousands of people live pain-free.

Along with the orthotics, it provides a holistic foot analysis and high-quality comfort footwear for work, dress, and play that is both functional and fashionable.

Foot Solutions provides franchisees with support when it comes to site selection, financing, buildout, operations, group purchasing, marketing, and more.

Franchise units in Canada: 11, US: 71, International: 55 Franchise fee: $29.5K USD, 5% Royalty USD, $500 Fixed Monthly Marketing Fee USD – Health & Wellness Retail Start-up capital required: $50K-$100K+ USD retail storefront Investment required: $85K-$190K USD Training: 1 week at corporate office/1 week in the field Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2000 Franchising since: 2000 CFA member since: 2004

HAND & STONE MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA A Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchise provides affordably priced, high-quality massage and facial services. Its massages are performed

by Registered Massage Therapists and its facials by certified Estheticians.

Hand & Stone offers a low introductory price to bring customers in and a low-cost, easy-to-join membership program to keep them coming back on a monthly basis.

The Hand & Stone team of experienced professionals helps franchisees in all aspects so they can start and run their new business with confidence.

Franchisees receive start-up support, extensive classroom and on-site training, ongoing operational support, and access to marketing programs and tools.

HERS KICKBOXING Hers Kickboxing is a boutique women’s-only fitness kickboxing studio, focusing on empowering women of all ages and fitness levels and enhancing not only their physical fitness but also their mental wellness.

The core service is aerobic-inspired group fitness kickboxing classes carefully choreographed to the beats of the music, accompanied by a live heart rate performance monitoring system.

Other services include personal training, weight loss challenges, and nutrition and diet programs.

Corporate units in Canada: 2 Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2016 CFA member since: 2019

Franchise units in Canada: 31 Franchise fee: $39K Investment required: $479,730$695,780 Training: Three weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2008 Franchising since: 2008 CFA member since: 2008

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 33

TO YOUR HEALTH

LASERQUIT THERAPIES CORP.

LIVE WELL EXERCISE CLINIC

LaserQuit Therapies helps people quit smoking and fight addictions, with a 95 per cent success rate. It also helps to manage weight, pain, stress, and menopause through the use of cold laser therapy. LaserQuit also helps break bad habits by reducing the urge and desire and providing endorphins such as dopamine.

LIVE WELL is a medical fitness clinic specializing in supervised exercise and healthy lifestyle coaching for people who have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, and for those wanting to prevent these conditions. Its clinics cater to people who have been prescribed a healthier lifestyle but don't know where to start.

LaserQuit is looking for empathetic, motivated, enthusiastic, bright, fun, happy, and helpful people to join its team. The team gets together one or two times a year for advanced training and support and personal development so owners can learn the skills and tools they need to take their businesses to the next level.

Franchise fee: $49,995 Start-up capital required: $10K Investment required: $30K Training: 3-day certification and training plus 9 months Available territories: All of Canada, US In business since: 2011 Franchising since: 2018 CFA member since: 2018

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LIVE WELL is looking for people who want to join a company that is leading a revolution in health care: people who want to be first to market in a business that is going to be around for a long, long time.

Franchise units in Canada: 28 Corporate units in Canada: 2 Franchise fee: $40K Training: 8-12 weeks of online pretraining, three days of in-house training, and ongoing online training post launch Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2011 Franchising since: 2016 CFA member since: 2017

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MASSAGE ADDICT Massage Addict continues to be Canada’s first, and largest, provider of hands-on therapeutic services including massage, acupuncture, and reflexology, and is poised to exceed 100 locations in 2020. Massage Addict has an exceptional record of success accredited to ensuring consistent and high-quality therapeutic treatments, a commitment to superior client service, the continued evolution of the brand, and the ability to attract tier one franchise partners.

Massage Addict is a proven business model, providing franchise partners with low investment costs, recurring revenue, and quick ROI. It offers single and multi-location franchise opportunities and provides ongoing support with site selection, construction, training, therapist recruitment, and marketing.

Franchise units in Canada: 93 Corporate units in Canada: 5 Franchise fee: $39K Start-up capital required: $100K Investment required: $200K-$275K Training: Weekly calls leading up to opening/~two weeks in person (pre and post opening)/ongoing support after opening Available territories: AB, BC, MB, ON, QC, SK In business since: 2008 Franchising since: 2008 CFA member since: 2010

TO YOUR HEALTH

MEDICINE SHOPPE CANADA

NUTRITION HOUSE CANADA

ORANGETHEORY FITNESS

Medicine Shoppe Pharmacists have the freedom to practice pharmacy with a business model that is 100 per cent focused on patient care.

Medicine Shoppe offers comprehensive purchasing programs and a strong private label. Services and programs include site selection, financing, advertising, accounting, business planning, training, and ongoing expert guidance.

Nutrition House is Canada’s premier source for high-quality vitamins, supplements, body care, diet, sports nutrition, and other healthrelated products. Founded in 1979, Nutrition House is now found in shopping centres across Canada.

The franchise system offers initial and ongoing training and support, a proprietary POS system and loyalty program, proprietary and national brand products, and strong national marketing. Franchisees benefit by operating a proven brand in the growing $4 billion natural health industry.

Orangetheory Fitness combines motivational group interval training with a revolutionary exercise system that quickly and efficiently delivers high-calibre fitness results.

Orangetheory Fitness is the first and only heart rate monitored, highintensity interval training system based on science that will build strength, increase energy, and tone and shape the body like nothing else.

This is a business opportunity that will transform the lives of its franchisees.

The Medicine Shoppe objective is to give franchisees the optimal mix of entrepreneurial opportunity, operations support, and financial potential while empowering them to focus their attention on enabling better patient health for life. Franchisees receive access to pharmacy programs, marketing plans, operational tools, and niche services aimed at strengthening relationships with patients.

Franchise units in Canada: 228 Franchise fee: $6K-$25K Investment required: $175K-$200K Training: Provided Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, NU, ON, SK, YT In business since: 1992 Franchising since: 1992 CFA member since: 1999

Nutrition House is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about helping people with their health issues in a natural way.

Franchise units in Canada: 42, US: 3 Corporate units in Canada: 3 Franchise fee: $25K Investment required: $75K-$90K Training: 3 weeks Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 1979 Franchising since: 1993 CFA member since: 1998

Orangetheory Fitness sets both its members and franchise partners up for success. Its science-based workout is proven to produce results, and its tried-and-true development track record is evidence of an effective franchise formula.

Franchise units in Canada: 110, US: 1150, International: 65 Franchise fee: $69.5K Training: Provided Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2010 Franchising since: 2011 CFA member since: 2012

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 35

TO YOUR HEALTH

OXYGEN YOGA & FITNESS Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is Canada's fastest-growing yoga and fitness brand strategically aligned with major Canadian brands. Oxygen offers a fusion of both modern yoga and fitness classes in a FAR infrared heated studio. There are Oxygen Yoga & Fitness studios from coast to coast in Canada.

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is especially appealing to those who are passionate about fitness and a healthy lifestyle.

Those interested in joining the franchise network can share their passion in an environment that benefits them both physically and emotionally, and will give them financial freedom while doing something they love.

Franchise units in Canada: 80 Franchise fee: $46.5K Start-up capital required: $300K-$400K Training: Yes, all training is provided Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, NU, ON, SK, YT In business since: 2011 Franchising since: 2012 CFA member since: 2014

36 Canadian Franchise Association

PLANET FITNESS

SIMPLY FOR LIFE

Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centres in the United States. As of June 30, 2019, Planet Fitness had more than 14 million members and 1,859 stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Panama, and Mexico. The company’s mission is to enhance people’s lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, nonintimidating environment, which it calls the Judgement Free Zone®.

Simply For Life provides one-onone nutrition coaching, weight management, and disease management/prevention. All of its locations have a fully integrated natural market filled with convenient healthy foods, snacks, meals to go, and supplements. Simply For Life is a onestop shop for all health needs.

Franchise units in Canada: 38, US: 1770, International: 9 Corporate units in Canada: 2, US: 80 Franchise fee: $20K USD/$26K CAD Start-up capital required: $1.5M+ Investment required: $1.4M-$5.5M CAD Training: Start-up and ongoing operational support Available territories: QC In business since: 1992 Franchising since: 2003 CFA member since: 2012

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

Its unique business model means franchisees gain access to two complementary revenue opportunities – its leading meal planning and nutritional consulting services and its natural market retail outlet.

Simply For Life franchisees receive training and support, ongoing marketing support, proprietary software and tools, and access to a passionate, knowledgeable, and professional team.

Franchise units in Canada: 38 Corporate units in Canada: 2 Franchise fee: $30K Start-up capital required: $50K Investment required: $100K-$250K Training: Ongoing Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, QC, SK In business since: 2001 Franchising since: 2004 CFA member since: 2015

Mixing Business with Family Four franchising families share how they balance their work and family lives

BY JORDAN WHITEHOUSE

As the old saying goes, business and family don’t mix. But many Canadians clearly disagree. A recent report from the Conference Board of Canada and the Family Enterprise Xchange Foundation found that family businesses generated almost half of Canada’s private sector GDP and almost seven million jobs in 2017.

So what are the keys to successfully mixing business and family? We asked four family franchisee teams to tell us.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 37

MIXING BUSINESS WITH FAMILY Mary Brown’s Chicken & Taters Working with family was nothing new for Michelle Maher when she and her husband Larry bought their first Mary Brown’s location in St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador in 1994. She once operated her family’s Pizza Delight franchise and was later the sales supervisor of another family business, Avalon Bakery. Still, becoming a franchisee with your husband is a whole new challenge, especially when you’ve just had a child.

When Michelle and Larry bought that first Mary Brown’s location, their daughter Caitlin was only six months old. “My husband and I worked opposite shifts so one of us could be at home with her. Quite often we brought her in the office at the store while we worked through the busy times, which wasn’t ideal, but we made it work.”

They made it work again three years later, when they purchased a second Mary’s Brown location four days after they had their second child, Melanie.

So how did they make it all work? For one, with clearly defined roles. “I assumed the administrative, customer service, and human resources side of the business while his primary role was operations and quality control,” says Michelle. Twenty-five years and two more locations

later, they still operate the same way, she adds, though having a solid management team in place and having Caitlin taking on a more active role has also helped Michelle and Larry better balance their professional and personal lives.

It's not surprising, then, that one of Michelle’s pieces of advice for others going into business with their spouse is to not do it alone. “It took us several years to trust other staff members to take on more responsibility in the business, but in doing so we developed mutual respect and appreciation for our staff, all while gaining some much-needed family time for ourselves.”

Find your plan at janiking.ca/franchise

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www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MIXING BUSINESS WITH FAMILY Pita Pit A few years ago, Nathan Douglas was sitting in Phoenix, Arizona when he turned to his dad Randy and told him they should open a Pita Pit, one of their favourite restaurants, in their hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“There’s none in our area,” he said, “and if we don’t do it, somebody else will.”

And so they did, launching their first Pita Pit in Winnipeg in March 2017 and including brother Carson, sister-in-law Adrienne, and mom Sandy. They opened their second Pita Pit in Steinbach last July, and brother Lukas joined the family team of franchisees.

That’s a lot of the same blood in one business, and Nathan says it can be tough to balance personal and work relationships with so many involved. “That’s the risk you run being with family, because sometimes things that should be looked at objectively don’t get looked at objectively and that’s a hoop you have to jump through.”

It's helped, he says, that they all have different talents, but that for the most part they all have the same level of passion and determination to make the business work. “And that’s the advice I’d give to anyone going into business with family: go into business with family members you’re like-minded with but that have

different sets of skills.”

If it works, and if they’re good people, the main benefits of working with family is that you can trust them and that you know you can pivot if need be, says Nathan.

“One thing I always talk about with my family is that we know if this doesn’t work out, we’ll be able to do something else together because we’ve established that we can work together as a unit.”

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 39

MIXING BUSINESS WITH FAMILY PropertyGuys.com Based in Woodstock, Ontario, Kim and Brad Swanson have been PropertyGuys.com franchisees since the summer of 2017, and looking back, the husband-and-wife team know they made the right choice with North America’s largest private sale real estate network. Not only are the company and its franchisees “extremely supportive” and “like a family,” they say, but the business allows them to complement each other’s skills.

“For Brad, it’s the technical piece – things like photos, the website, breaking down data, putting up signs,” says Kim. “For me, it’s the customer-service part and the empathy piece of helping people through these big decisions.”

That doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges, of course, but the support they get from the company is huge in helping them overcome anything, as is the support they give each other. “We absolutely motivate each other,” says Kim. “No matter what’s happening personally, when we’re with clients at the table, we’re very supportive of one another, respectful, and fun.”

As for any guidance they’d give to others going into business with family, they say not only is it important to have clearly defined roles, but it’s crucial to keep each other accountable to those roles. “When you’re both

accountable, you tend to follow through with things and complete tasks,” says Brad.

Kim agrees, adding that you have to make sure you’re taking time for yourself because it’s hard to balance being a parent and spouse while also running a business.

It’s all worth it, though, she says. “We can empower other people through this business, and as a mom, I’d say the greatest thing that we’re doing is showing our children that we can work together and what it looks like to be a team.”

OPENING SOON dq.ca

Franchising Information:

Tammie Verna (905) 637 4741

tammie.verna@idq.com

40 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MIXING BUSINESS WITH FAMILY Simplicity Car Care Morris and Debbie Lawson have been married for 44 years, and for 43 of them they’ve worked side by side in their auto shop in Hamilton, Ontario. Last year they joined the Simplicity Car Care group, a collision repair company that began franchising in 2017 and now has more than 30 locations in Canada.

So what’s been their secret to working successfully together for so long? Keeping work at work, says Morris.

“We have never ever carried a day’s work home with us.

When we go home, I don’t want to talk about business, nor does Deb. We can have a difficult day at the shop, but we don’t have that difficult day turn into a difficult one at home.”

They also credit their faith in God, their strong relationship, and the trust they have in each other and other family members who have worked in the business, such as Morris’s cousin Scott Elliott. “The thing with family is that you can usually always trust family members,” says Morris. “When we take off for a holiday or whatever, Scott is here full time those days and we don’t even think twice about it because it’s a family member; he knows us, we know him.”

The advice Debbie would have for anyone thinking

of going into business with family is to keep clear lines between your work and home lives. “You have to have two separate entities and remember that your relationship with your family member is the most important thing.”

For Morris, it’s to take a long look at your relationship ahead of time. “You have to know the strength of your relationship. If you argue and squabble at home, you probably shouldn’t go into business together.”

Your Business.

Your Community. Your Future.

Find out more at www.theupsstorefranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 41

Meet Your Franchise Match How to prepare for and evaluate your meeting with the franchisor

A

s a prospective franchisee, you understand that carrying out the proper due diligence is critical to your future success. That’s why you’ve conducted thorough research on the franchise brands and opportunities you believe will help you realize the dream of operating your own business.

Through this research, you’ve pinpointed the opportunity that resonates with you best, and have been in contact with the head office team to learn more. With both parties enthusiastic and engaged, it’s time to take the due diligence process to the next level.

They say a franchise agreement is like a marriage, with two different sides coming together to create something of value for all involved. This makes it vitally important for you, as a prospective franchisee, to meet with the key people you’ll work with if you enter into this franchise relationship. Just as you’re evaluating the company, they’ll also be gauging your fit within the system’s culture to help ensure a good match. The best way to accomplish this is by meeting face to face with the franchise support team at their head office, as part of the franchise discovery day.

Here are five tips to help you prepare for this pivotal meeting with the franchise team, so you can put your best franchising foot forward.

42 Canadian Franchise Association

1.

Do your homework. While the franchisor will expect you to have questions about the brand and opportunity, they’ll also want to see that you’ve already done your own research prior to meeting in person. Bring along any documentation of your research, along with any notes you’ve made along the way. You should be ready to talk about your experience and qualifications, along with what you’ve already learned about the brand.

2.

Ask the right questions. Franchisors will be able to learn a lot about you and how well you’ve prepared based on the type of questions that you ask in the face-to-face meeting. Write down any questions you have as you conduct your research and bring them along. Posing thoughtful questions based on the investigations you’ve made shows the franchisor that you’re thorough, proactive, and committed to learning more about their system.

3. Be enthusiastic. Successful franchisees are those who are passionate about their franchise brand and the product or service it provides. Be sure to showcase your knowledge and enthusiasm for the concept in your meeting. Don’t worry about whether you’re an expert yet, because you’ll receive operational training when the time comes. What can’t be trained is a

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MEET YOUR FRANCHISE MATCH

The Importance of Franchise Due Diligence Investing in a franchise is a major decision, and not every franchise will be right for every individual. This is why it’s essential for you to fully investigate the franchise systems in which you’re interested.

Part of the due diligence process will likely include meeting with representatives from franchise systems. Here are a few critical questions that you should be able to answer or have answered to your satisfaction about the franchise system as you research the brand and meet with key members of the head office team: - What makes the franchisor’s product or service unique?

- How many years has the franchisor been operating? How many units do they have?

- How does the franchisor choose franchisees? How are qualifications reviewed?

- What kind of support, including initial and ongoing training and operational assistance, does the franchisor provide?

- Is the franchise system a member of the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA)?

Visit www.FranchiseCanada.Online for more resource articles to help you conduct the proper franchise due diligence. You can also find more information about CFA member franchises at www.LookforaFranchise.ca. genuine passion for the brand and excitement about providing a high-quality, consistent experience for the brand’s customers.

4.

Showcase your professionalism. Franchise systems are looking for franchisees who will act as ambassadors for the brand. This means they’ll be looking for professional candidates who look polished and can communicate clearly. Franchisors want to know that you’re organized, courteous, and would represent their brand well in the marketplace.

5. Be proactive. Choosing to invest in a franchise is a decision that can’t be taken lightly. You can show the franchisor you’re interested and taking the process seriously by enlisting the help of franchise support professionals. In addition to providing you with the support, knowledge, and guidance you’ll need throughout the process, consulting with experts, like a franchise lawyer or accountant, will indicate to the franchise system that you’re a conscientious and serious candidate who is proactively seeking the support needed to make the most informed decision possible.

While each franchise system will have its own unique list of obligations, prerequisites, and requirements, you should always plan to bring along these intangibles, along with the information you’ve gathered as you conducted your due diligence, to all meetings with franchise systems.

Franchise Canada

May | June 2020 43

MEET YOUR FRANCHISE MATCH Evaluating the franchise brand Once you’ve met with the franchise support team at the brand’s head office, it’s time to take stock of what you’ve learned and make a final decision about whether you’d like to move forward with this opportunity. You’ll want to review your notes and everything you’ve learned throughout this process. Do you have all of the answers you need to move forward? If not, plan to follow up and ask any further questions so you can make the best possible decision.

As you evaluate your experience with the franchisor, here are some questions to consider: • Do you have enough passion for this brand and its offering to act as a brand ambassador for the years to come?

• How do you feel about the people you met from the franchise support team? Are you comfortable working with these people, especially as you navigate any challenges?

• Does the culture of the system match your expectations? Does it fit with your own personality and unique requirements?

YOUR BUSINESS. YOUR SUCCESS.

YOUR PIZZA PIZZA. 21937_1/3_CFAAd_Franchising_4.75x4.625_R3.indd 1

44 Canadian Franchise Association

• Do you have any ‘gut’ feelings that are telling you this is the right opportunity for you? Are there any ‘red flags’ that are causing you to rethink any elements of this partnership?

Beyond your meeting with the franchise team, you should also have conversations with existing franchisees to get their take on being a part of the system. It’s important to ask them questions so you can learn about how their experience compares with what you’ve discussed with the franchisor. You should speak with several franchisees as part of this validation process and should include franchisees who are performing at different levels (i.e. speak with those who have lower sales, along with the top performers).

Before you sign the franchise agreement, you need to be 100 per cent ready to move forward with your franchise purchase. Take the full 14 days to review the agreement and all supporting materials, and don’t forget to enlist the help of your team of franchise support professionals.

FRANCHISES AVAILABLE www.pizzapizza.ca/franchising franchisinginfo@pizzapizza.ca

2019-02-26 11:01 AM

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

HOME-GROWN & LOCALLY-OWNED

100% CANADIAN FRANCHISE SYSTEMS

The entrepreneurs behind Canada’s franchise industry continue to show that they can compete with the best systems anywhere. And all three of the brands profiled offer proof of how they compete: an excellent idea, the necessity of strong branding, and the need for close collaboration between head office and franchisees.

BY DAVID CHILTON SAGGERS

MowTime Lawn Maintenance

Franchise fee: $25K Investment required: $42.2K-$64.9K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2008 Franchising since: 2019 CFA member since: 2019 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

If there really is a best place to start a lawn maintenance company, it has to be Victoria, British Columbia. When the rest of Canada is still struggling with snow and cold, the provincial capital on Vancouver Island is already enjoying the flowers, shrubs, and sunshine of spring.

And it was in Victoria that Daniel Smith, president and CEO of MowTime Lawn Maintenance, started his company in 2008 and is now rolling out his franchise plans. Smith is currently looking for the first franchise to work alongside the original corporate location and has controlled growth in mind. “Typically, we’re looking local (for franchisees) to start, but down the road, we’ll be looking across Canada.”

As well as lawn and garden maintenance, MowTime will allow certified MowTime franchisees to do different jobs in their area, such as landscaping and snow removal, and will even hang Christmas lights. The cost of a franchise is between $42,200 and $64,900, an amount based on the franchisee already owning a truck suitable for the work involved. Smith says it would cost another approximately $5,000 to purchase a used truck if the franchisee doesn’t have a suitable vehicle. Despite being regarded as one city, Victoria actually encompasses 13 municipalities, Smith explains, so franchisees will get

exclusive rights when they buy into the system.

Among the benefits of investing with MowTime, Smith says the first franchisees will receive a self-propelled mower, a line trimmer (weed wacker), a hand leaf blower, and a 5x8 trailer as part of their initial fee. Other benefits include providing client leads, close collaboration with head office, and the advantage of being first to market.

Training, which is in Victoria, takes approximately 15 to 30 business days, and includes such instruction as how to operate commercial equipment (self-propelled mower, trimmer, etc.), how to properly quote a property to maximize your revenue, and how to use your time productively.

“Time management is the hardest thing to get people trained on,” says Smith. He says he’s attracting a range of potential investors and is looking for two qualities above others: franchisees should be business oriented, and they should be open-minded about the work and the services MowTime provides to its clients.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 45

Pür & Simple

Franchise units in Canada: 18 Franchise fee: $35K Start-up capital required: $250K Investment required: $500K-$750K Training: Up to 5 weeks theoretical and practical training, 3 weeks of grand opening training and support Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2016 Franchising since: 2016 CFA member since: 2016 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Pür & Simple is a breakfast and lunch specialist that began franchising in 2016. In the short time between then and now, the Montreal-based company has grown to an 18-franchise system, with restaurants in five of Canada’s 10 provinces, including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Further expansion is planned for Alberta, says Ritou Maloni, president and chief operating officer, with locations expected to be open there by the end of 2020, with, she hopes, Pür & Simple adding one franchise a month to its system elsewhere in the country. The brand is part of Eat It Brands, which owns and operates a portfolio of restaurant brands.

Pür & Simple operates from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, says Maloni, which allows franchisees to have a life outside of work, an attractive prospect for potential investors in an industry notorious for its long hours. The majority of

46 Canadian Franchise Association

her investors are career changers, she says, with a lot of them coming from the equally demanding world of IT. So far, most of Pür & Simple’s franchisees have been men aged 35 to 45.

The cost of a turnkey franchise runs between $650,000 and $750,000, and the size of a location depends on the market, with 2,800 to 3,200 square feet as Pür & Simple’s “sweet spot,” says Maloni. And although the system has done retrofits, “We usually build new,” she continues.

Pür & Simple customers range from those in their midtwenties to others in their mid-fifties, and on weekends, families are a common sight. All come looking for Pür & Simple’s eggs Benedict, pancakes and waffles, omelettes, and more for breakfast, and its burgers and other items at lunch. “We also offer vegan and gluten-free choices, and we have a big smoothie bar,” says Maloni.

She says she looks for forward thinkers among potential franchisees, and for those with a strong work ethic and plenty of energy. Although a restaurant background is not necessary, some business exposure would be an asset, “And you have to be passionate about people.” Training takes five weeks in Montreal, and there’s also another three weeks of in-store instruction. “For us, training is key,” says Maloni. “(Franchisees) need to be autonomous and they need to understand the restaurant business.”

Among the benefits of a Pür & Simple franchise are its concept and its market niche, Maloni explains. Its stores are welcoming, and the head office team goes the extra mile for investors. “No one is allowed to be just a number.”

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

Under the GUI Academy

Franchise units in Canada: 13 Corporate units in Canada: 3 Franchise fee: $20K Start-up capital required: $58.5K Investment required: $100K Training: Included in franchise fee Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2015 Franchising since: 2018 CFA member since: 2019 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

The “STEM” subjects – science, technology, engineering, and math – have always been important, but never more so than today, especially for parents who want to give their children an edge in challenging yet rewarding careers.

And that’s where Under the GUI Academy comes in.

Jamie Chang, founder of Vancouver-based Under the GUI, says the school teaches STEM, Coding, and Robotics subjects to children from Grades 1 to 12. “Our goal is to go beyond what the (public) schools are teaching,” he says.

Under the GUI began seven years ago, says Chang, and started franchising three years ago. Under the GUI now has 38 locations – three of them corporate – with seven in British Columbia, seven in Toronto, one in Calgary, and the rest in Asia. Chang says domestic expan-

sion plans will see growth in British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta, and the start of a presence in Saskatchewan.

The cost of a franchise runs from $90,000 to $150,000, and training takes one week. At present, Chang travels to the franchise location to conduct the training, but he says in the future he intends to centralize training in Vancouver. Chang is also present the day the franchise opens, and then he checks in again three months later.

Teachers at an Under the GUI franchise are usually university students in second to fourth year, and the hiring is done by the franchisees themselves. Under the GUI has different pricing models, including summer camp, winter camp, robotics, private, and semi-private classes.

When it comes to Under the GUI franchisees, Chang says, “Educators do best, and they tend to be younger.

Learning new technology is easy; learning how to teach children is hard.” He’s looking for franchisees who are financially stable, reliable, “and people skills are super, super important.”

As for the benefits of investing with Under the GUI, Chang says the system has a long history of developing curriculum that has proven successful for a long time.

“Education is a long-term business. In order to test a curriculum, you need to spend the time and iterate,” he says.

One of their students, he notes, designed a robot that could sort garbage by using image recognition technology.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 47

MILLENNIALS IN FRANCHISING

Following Her Franchise Destiny Millennial franchisee Lindsey Caron finds inspiration in franchising with Quesada

BY LAUREN HUNEAULT

A

t the age of 24, Lindsey Caron was eight months into owning an independent café and lounge.

She had made her business dreams come true, but she wasn’t able to enjoy the success. Feeling overwhelmed, she decided to focus on franchising, and that’s when her life took a dramatic turn.

“I had created a business I loved, but a lifestyle I hated. And that’s what ultimately drew me to franchising,” she explains. “I owned an independent business, which means you do absolutely everything yourself, from creating the menu to marketing and advertising.

With franchising, a lot of this is already done for you, and I wanted that. I didn’t want to live in my restaurant night and day; I wanted to have that freedom, and I thought franchising could be the answer.”

That’s when Caron started researching franchise opportunities. With an extensive background in the hospitality industry, she knew she wanted to open her own restaurant franchise. She came across options she liked, but things just weren’t working out. “I strongly believe if it’s meant to be, things will line up. After a few months of these other restaurants not lining up, I went back to the drawing board and I thought about my city of Kenora, Ontario, and what would benefit its residents.”

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www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MILLENNIALS IN FRANCHISING

Her answer was that Kenora should have a Mexicaninspired, quick service restaurant downtown. On the pages of a franchising magazine, she found her answer in Quesada Burritos & Tacos. After the cursory Google search, followed by more intensive internet research and talking to anyone she could about the restaurant, she reached out to the Quesada franchise development team to get more information.

“I sent them a message and received a response, I’m not even kidding, immediately,” she recalls. “The president’s wife was originally from Kenora, so he was so pumped. He flew to town the following week and met me at my café and lounge, and we chatted about the franchise, including my expectations and his expectations.

We just got along so well and from there, everything fell into place.”

Overcoming obstacles While Caron felt that fate had intervened, she wasn’t on the home stretch yet – she still needed to get financing for her restaurant. “Being a young franchisee – I signed the agreement shortly after my 25th birthday – I didn’t have a ton of savings or assets. And the savings I had went into my café and lounge, which was under a year old at the time, so I didn’t even have a T4 yet. I went into nearly every lending institution in my town and despite hearing ‘no’ after ‘no,’ I didn’t give up.”

That persistence paid off when Caron picked herself up after her disappointing second-last appointment and went to the final institution with complete confidence. This was her final chance, and she ended up securing the financing she needed. “My advice to anyone is just don’t give up.

You don’t need everyone to tell you you’re doing amazing things or to support you – all you need is belief in yourself.

If that bank said ‘no,’ I’d still find a way. I wouldn’t give up, because I knew that was what I wanted, and I knew this would make me happy and successful.”

Facing this major obstacle early on helped put things in perspective when more minor issues came up in the early days of running her business, like delays in building the restaurant, and any staffing issues. “I learned a lot from the ‘no’s and the difficulties prior to opening, so when I did open, it was easy to think long-term instead of short-term at that moment.”

Beyond the business challenges, Caron had to adjust to her new franchising lifestyle, which was a far cry from that of her friends. “I went into hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt and I was only 25 years old. I couldn’t go out to restaurants with my friends, I couldn’t go to the bar, I couldn’t go on vacations to Mexico with them. So that was a huge transition for me. When you go into business at a young age, there is a little bit of sacrifice, in the hopes that long term, you come out ahead and you have to sacrifice less in the future.”

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 49

MILLENNIALS IN FRANCHISING Caron says her leadership role as a young business owner has been bolstered by creating a strong team environment at her location. “It’s always about working together and not necessarily having that barrier between employee and boss. I have employees who are older than me, the same age as me, and younger than me, but we work together, and it’s a team environment. If you treat them with respect, they’ll treat you with respect.”

Quesada’s strong training program and regular updates help ensure Caron has the tools she needs to succeed. “We just recently launched a training app for franchisees and for our team members, which keeps us aligned across the board. They also update the operations manual every year, which I’m obsessed with, because I love everything in writing. You can make adjustments in your own restaurant, but it creates a standard across the board that these are the general expectations,” explains Caron.

“Another favourite is just having somebody, I have my main contact at head office, to bounce ideas off of, ask questions, and get advice from. Just having that second set of eyes on your business is extremely helpful,” she adds.

Seeking inspiration Caron is a go-getter who has embraced every challenge that’s come her way. So how does she stay so positive? “I purposefully surround myself with people who inspire me, who motivate me, who relentlessly chase their goals,” she explains. “My greatest inspiration is the people I aspire to be like and learn from in some capac-

ity. They have something I want, and if they have it, they know how to get it, so they can help me get that, too.”

For those looking to follow in Caron’s footsteps, she advises that you start your journey with a lot of thorough research to ensure you’re making the best possible decision. “You need to do your research on the industry, on your market, and on the franchise, and ask questions.

Also, pick a franchise that’s awesome! Do something you love. You need to believe in the product you’re selling.”

While Caron has certainly faced her fair share of challenges as a young business owner, she’s quick to point out that franchising can also bring big rewards. “My experience has been so good. Ultimately, what I enjoy most about having a franchise is the freedom it provides me to pursue other things in my life that I’m passionate about.

For me, instead of owning multiple Quesada restaurants, I chose to open other businesses, as well,” she says.

Beyond making her Quesada franchise the best it can be, Caron says she has big plans for her future. “I want to continue working on my other businesses and to empower people to create the life that they envision.

That’s what I’m really passionate about – helping other people achieve their dream life, just like I have. Franchising has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; it’s great to be part of something bigger and to have a support system and a family that’s helping you succeed, not only business-wise, but personally, as well.”

To hear more from Lindsey, visit www.FranchiseCanada.Online to listen to her full Franchise Canada Chats podcast episode!

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QUESADA BURRITOS & TACOS STATS Franchise units in Canada: 136 Corporate units in Canada: 3 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: $70K-$75K Investment required: $280K Training: 3 weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2004 Franchising since: 2010 CFA member since: 2010

To learn more, visit bmo.com/franchise Trademarks of Bank of Montreal

™/®

50 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

To learn more, visit www.

LookforaFranchise.ca

is pleased to present

a Special Franchise Focus on

CASUAL DINING, BARS & PATIOS

FEATURED IN THIS EDITION: La Carnita ������������������������������53 vince@monarchandmisfits.com

The Fortunate Fox ���������������52 vince@monarchandmisfits.com

SPECIAL FOCUS

Special Franchise Focus: Casual Dining, Bars, and Patios

Keeping it Casual With the emergence of food delivery apps, it may seem that Canadians prefer to dine in rather than dine out, but based on the latest statistics, that simply isn’t the case. Canadians still love going to a restaurant to enjoy a meal, with 22 million visits made by Canadians to restaurants every day (Restaurants Canada). Whether it’s to celebrate an occasion or milestone or simply to spend time with friends and family, 54 per cent of Canadians eat out once or more a week, according to Statistics Canada.

When Canadians dine out, they also tend to enjoy an alcoholic beverage with their meals. In 2018, the average Canadian over the legal drinking age in their respective province spent $755 on alcohol. Beer, a staple of casual dining and bar establishments, was far and away the popular alcoholic drink of choice. How Canadian!

With a taste for quality eats and alcoholic beverages, Canadians are looking to casual dining restaurants when they want to sit down for a meal. This special franchise focus takes a closer look at the casual dining, bars, and patios category, highlighting the factors that make these restaurants a popular destination for Canadian consumers.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 51

ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE FOX. Join our expanding pack of pubs.

For franchising opportunities: VINCE MORANO VP, Franchise Development vince@monarchandmisfits.com

SPECIAL FOCUS

Eating out: How often and why?

(Stats Canada)

Meals eaten out most often are lunch and dinner

The main reason for eating out are convenience and socializing

10% 33% 49% Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

52%

eat out as a treat, for a special occasion or celebration, to socialize with friends or family

40%

eat out for convenience, no time to cook, do not like or know how to cook

Most Canadians eat out or purchase takeout food

54% 39% 8%

Eat out once a week or more Eat out less than once a week Did not eat out in the past month

When available, canadians use nutrition information to make informed choice

57%

always, often or sometimes changed their order based on nutrition information on menus or menu boards

54 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

SPECIAL FOCUS

The Foodservice Industry in Canada – An Overview

(Restaurants Canada)

Annual Sales:

Share of GDP:

Number of indirect jobs:

Number of direct jobs:

Share of Canadian workforce:

$30 billion

$85 billion 1.2 million Number of establishments (restaurants, bars, and caterers) Almost

97,000

283,700

4.0% 7%

22%

in food and beverage products purchased in Canada every year

of Canadians had their first job in the restaurant industry (highest of any industry)

1 in 5

young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are employed in the restaurant industry

22 million

restaurant visits per day in Canada

Food Service in Canada Canadians love to eat! Restaurants Canada, the national association for food service, reports that Canada’s restaurant industry generates $85 billion in annual sales, which equals four per cent of Canada’s GDP. According to Restaurants Canada’s Food Service Industry Forecast, between 2017 and 2021, commercial food service sales will grow by an average of 3.9 per cent annually. Adjusted for menu inflation, real sales will grow by 1.2 per cent, keeping pace with Canada’s population growth.

$78 billion

3.9%

1.2%

4.5%

By 2021, commercial food service sales will grow to $78 billion.

Adjusted for menu inflation, real sales will grow by 1.2% per year between 2017 and 2021.

Between 2017 and 2021, commercial food service sales will grow by an average of 3.9% per year.

Based on the Restaurants Canada Q1 Restaurant Outlook Survey, the outlook for 2020 remains relatively stable, with commercial foodservice sales forecast to climb by 4.5% to $78.6 billion.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 55

SPECIAL FOCUS

Alcohol Sales in Canada

Number of standard alcoholic drinks sold per week, per person.

As per the guidelines, a drink means: Beer

(Stats Canada)

Total Standard Drinks 9.4

Wine

341 ml (12 oz.)

5% alcohol content

142 ml (5 oz.)

12% alcohol content

Cider/ Cooler

Cider and Cooler 0.4 Spirits 2.4 Wine 2.5

Spirits (whisky, gin, rum, etc.)

341 ml (12 oz.)

5% alcohol content

43 ml (1.5 oz.)

40% alcohol content

Beer 4.2

While most Canadians choose to buy beer, there are regional differences.

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage across Canada. In British Columbia and Quebec, they prefer wine.

Red is the most popular wine across Canada, but Prince Edward Island buys more white wine.

Over 70% of cider sales are in British Columbia and Ontario

In Newfoundland and Labrador, almost 50% of spirits sales are rum.

Average sales of alcohol in Canada were $755 per person

YT

(over the legal drinking age)

$1,261 NT

NU

$1,604

$231 NL

$1,056 BC

$864

AB

$768

SK

$730

MB

PE

$630

QC

$754

$782 ON

$741 NB

56 Canadian Franchise Association

$676 www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

NS

$789

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Resources

10 REASONS TO BECOME A FRANCHISEE

A

franchise provides you with the advantage of a tried-and-true system and an operations manual that fully explains how you’re to replicate the franchise’s system at your location. While it’s impossible to eliminate all risk, if you work and follow that system, you can reduce the risk of business failure and increase your likelihood of success.

Each year, thousands of people across Canada invest in franchise opportunities for a multitude of personal, financial, and vocational reasons. Here, Franchise Canada gives you 10 of the many benefits that becoming a franchisee can bring.

1. NO ‘REINVENTION OF THE WHEEL’ REQUIRED A franchise prides itself on the system that it has developed and tested over time. When you invest in a franchise, you gain access to and use of its operations systems, products/services, logos, and more. If you were starting your own independent business, the onus would be solidly on you to figure out all the aspects of the business, including what works, and what doesn’t.

With a franchise, you’ll have the road map to recreate the brand’s success at your location – providing you follow it to the letter.

2. TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS A good franchisor will have already secured the trademarks and patents related to its brand. Franchisees are then licensed to use the franchise’s branding, trademarks and proprietary products, services, recipes, etc. This can save you time and money during the start-up process, as there will be no need for you to go through the legal and governmental processes to secure the appropriate rights. You can also rest assured that your rights to make use of your brand’s trademarks and patents are enshrined in your franchise agreement.

3. TERRITORY RIGHTS In most cases, you, as a franchisee, will be awarded an exclusive territory, giving you exclusive rights to offer your product or service within your designated area.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 59

10 REASONS TO BECOME A FRANCHISEE The territory is designed to reduce competition, and can vary in size and scope. (A territory can be small, like a specific shopping centre, or large, like a geographic region.) Your territorial rights should be set out in and protected by your franchise agreement.

4. START-UP COSTS ESTIMATED In an independent business, you would be charting new waters. With a franchise, others have gone before you and can provide you with an example of what to expect in terms of start-up costs. Though each franchisee’s experience can vary and there’s always the possibility of unexpected or unforeseen expenses, your franchisor should be able to provide you with start-up cost estimates that are specific to the system.

5. FRANCHISOR SUPPORT AND TRAINING As a franchise system requires consistency in quality and service from location to location, most systems will train new franchisees on the basics of operating their location. The duration, breadth, and depth of the initial training may vary by system, but most will offer education on aspects such as operational procedures, accounting, marketing, computer systems, and more.

6. CONSUMER AWARENESS Any business that opens in a new area, be it a franchise or an independent business, would expect to have to conduct local marketing initiatives to introduce the business to local consumers. A franchise, however, can bring with it pre-existing consumer awareness; though the business may be new to the area, potential customers may already be familiar with the brand, whether through other locations or through its regional or national marketing. While local marketing and community outreach will usually factor into your franchise location’s marketing mix, having an established base of consumers who have experience with your brand can give you a leg up. A brand’s history of success may also give you an advantage when applying to a financial institution for a business loan to finance your location.

7. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Another advantage of a franchise system is working with suppliers and other merchants that have already been vetted for quality, pricing, reliability, and consistency. As a member of a growing franchise network with group purchasing power, you can gain immediate access to established relationships with vendors and may even enjoy perks such as preferred pricing or special delivery.

email away. If you’re experiencing an issue or challenge with your business, chances are there are other franchisees in your system who have encountered the same or a similar issue, and who will have firsthand advice for overcoming it. Some franchise systems have more formalized ways for franchisees to interact, such as online forums, franchisee advisory councils, or franchisee meetings and conventions.

9 . RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Through the franchisor, franchisees can be kept up to date on business trends and consumer tastes and behaviours. They can also benefit from their system’s research and development initiatives for things such as new products and services, technology, and marketing. With the franchisor looking after this side of things, franchisees can focus on the day-to-day operation of their location while knowing that they will still be on the leading edge in their industry and marketplace.

10. SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP In addition to the reasons already mentioned, don’t forget that you’ll also be a small business owner, operating your own business with the brand and support of the franchisor backing you up. As the saying goes, in franchising you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself.

EXPLORE, INVESTIGATE, AND EVALUATE As wonderful as these reasons are (and there are more that could be added to this list), all these advantages may be for nought if a prospective franchisee doesn’t fully investigate the franchise system before signing on.

Franchising is a business model that brings with it many benefits and challenges, so it’s important to make sure you have all the facts and information available before taking the plunge. For more on the franchise investigation process and conducting proper due diligence, visit www.FranchiseCanada.Online.

8. PEER NETWORK AND SUPPORT Being part of a franchise system also means you have a pool of knowledgeable peers who are just a phone call or

60 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

LISTEN & LEARN: Tune in to the Franchise Canada Chats Podcast!

Catch up on Seasons 1 and 2!

Stay tuned for special bonus episodes, coming this summer!

Available on Google Play, iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Stitcher Radio

www.FranchiseCanadaChats.ca

A DAY IN THE LIFE

A FRANCHISING MVP MVP MODERN BARBERS FRANCHISEE FINDS HER CALLING GIVING ALBERTANS A FRESH NEW ‘DO’

BY KRISTIN DI TOMMASO

I

t’s mid-January in Fort McMurray, Alberta and despite the mountainous heaps of snow and belowfreezing temperature, Mercy Carlos can’t help but smile. The MVP Modern Barbers franchisee is celebrating her one-year anniversary as a small business owner and, to commemorate the milestone, is offering customers 50 per cent off all haircuts. For Carlos, the discounted prices are a small gesture she can offer the community that has welcomed and supported her business over the past year.

Carlos, who immigrated to Canada from the Philippines in 2006, always dreamed of opening her own business. After working nearly 15 years in a 9-5 office job, she

62 Canadian Franchise Association

finally decided to take the leap into small business ownership and, in 2018, began researching available franchise opportunities in the Fort McMurray area. Her due diligence eventually led her to MVP Modern Barbers, a men’s hair salon. Carlos was immediately enticed.

“When I came across MVP Modern Barbers, I sent them an email asking for more franchise information,” she recalls.

“That’s when MVP’s CEO, Brian Bonsma, called me.”

After an initial phone conversation with Bonsma and the MVP head office team, Carlos was ready to start her career with the franchise. Today, the first-time franchisee is perfecting her business acumen, gaining confidence, and helping her customers stay in style.

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

A DAY IN THE LIFE Learning the ropes Starting work early and ending late into the night is typical for Carlos, whose MVP location is open seven days a week. From Monday to Friday, the franchisee says she comes in before the doors open at 10:00 a.m. and stays well after they close at 8:00 in the evening. The same can be said on the weekends, when Carlos and her staff of eight welcome customers between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. And, when the entrepreneur isn’t working at the business, she’s working on the business.

“I’m on the job all the time,” Carlos says. “If I’m not at the front desk helping customers, I’m managing everything, including the bookkeeping, marketing, employee hiring, and the day-to-day processes.”

Working behind the scenes for long hours to grow a business is a must for any franchisee, but it especially rings true for the owners at the helm of MVP Modern Barbers. The franchise offers much more than a haircutting service. Customers view the barbershop as providing an experience and the franchise prides itself on offering fair prices, stylish haircuts, and an environment where their male clientele can relax. All haircutting stations include flat screen televisions and clients are pampered with hot face towels and scalp massages before receiving a hair consultation and, finally, a cut and style.

The brand, which is currently franchising in Alberta and British Columbia, has established itself as an exclusive spot where men get the opportunity to treat themselves like an MVP – and get a hall of fame haircut in the process.

As the franchise provides its customers with the ultimate haircutting experience, its business owners want in on the action too, all vying to be crowned an MVP in the Canadian franchise industry. For Carlos, this means becoming the barbershop’s top franchisee. To do this, the

entrepreneur has committed to learning more about the hair industry and actively pushing herself to try new things.

Not long after she started the business, Carlos learned how to professionally cut hair in an effort to better understand the industry and get an idea of what life entails for her employees. It was an advantageous move for the franchisee, especially because MVP does not require its franchise partners to be professional barbers. Though it doesn’t happen often, during peak hours at the barbershop, Carlos can assist her employees with the haircutting duties by taking on her own clients.

“When I first started, I knew I had to do everything I could to help me and my business succeed,” she says.

“For me personally, to grow as a business owner, it was good to have an idea of how to cut hair. But, if you have good employees – like I do – you don’t have to go through that type of training to succeed with MVP.” In addition to helping employees, the training has also enabled Carlos to better determine what type of stylists she should be hiring. In fact, Carlos says the number one challenge of running an MVP franchise is the hiring process. MVP helps onboarding franchisees with initial hires; however, owners are expected to take over quickly to meet the growing needs of their individual business.

Along with her other day-to-day tasks, Carlos says the hiring process has become easier. Still, she’s learning something new every day and admits franchising doesn’t come without its fair share of challenges. Marketing the business, handling its finances, and developing a growth strategy are all obstacles Carlos has had to overcome over the past year.

“I have worked to improve the business and myself,” she says. “But that happened because I pushed myself to be better.”

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Franchise Canada May | June 2020 63

A DAY IN THE LIFE

A change for the better For Carlos, the move from office employee to entrepreneur was nothing short of monumental. An introvert with a naturally shy demeanour, she admits opening a business was a daunting task she wasn’t sure she could handle.

“It was a really big change and I wasn’t sure of myself,” Carlos reflects. “It was actually MVP head office telling me I could succeed. They were with me all the way and that’s what I appreciate about the franchise.”

MVP equips all franchisees with extensive training when they first join the business. Everything from operations and finances to marketing is covered with new owners before they officially open up shop. And although this training is fundamental for franchisees to launch their career with the company, Carlos says it’s the emotional support MVP provides that truly determines their success. She credits the working relationships she has developed with head office and the camaraderie she shares with other MVP franchisees for making her first year as a franchise partner an extremely rewarding experience.

“The overall system and support of the franchise is what I love most about franchising with MVP,” says Carlos. “If I ever have a question, day or night, I know I can call Brian or reach out to the other franchisees. Every week we have a scheduled team call. All the franchisees talk often and we will contact one another directly if we

64 Canadian Franchise Association

have any questions or want to talk about the challenges we experience.”

These working relationships and new friendships have helped to grow and foster Carlos’s business knowledge and have given her the confidence needed to step out of her comfort zone and make her franchise location a success.

For those interested in investing in an MVP Modern Barbers franchise, the best advice Carlos can give is simply to push yourself to try new things and be ready to face the challenges that inevitably come with franchising.

“You need to have a heart,” she says. “At the same time, you need to be serious about what you’re doing and respect the business. Once you accept that, things will come easily.”

MVP MODERN BARBERS STATS Franchise units in Canada: 5 Corporate units in Canada: 1 Franchise fee: $25K Start-up capital required: $60K Investment required: $135K Training: 2 weeks Available territories: All of Canada In business since: 2004 Franchising since: 2010 CFA member since: 2011 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

THE FIRST YEAR

TOP DOGS Young pet-loving couple living their dream as successful Global Pet Foods franchisees

S

BY KAREN STEVENS

ome people are lucky enough to get to bring their dogs to their office, but at Global Pet Foods, pets at work are part of the job. Pet lovers Ambrose and Maureen Yung are two years into their journey as franchisees of this nationwide specialty retailer that focuses on pet nutrition.

The husband-and-wife team’s franchise journey started during a routine shopping trip to their local Global Pet Foods store to buy food for their dog, Mochi.

The couple started up a conversation with the franchisee and had the realization that while he looked youthful, he was running his own successful business. After learning all about his experience, they started to get excited about the idea of owning one themselves. “We asked him about the franchise itself and we thought if this guy can do it, and he’s fairly young, then maybe we can, too,” recalls Maureen.

From there, the couple emailed Global Pet Foods head office to ask some questions and to learn about the process of becoming a franchisee. At the time, Maureen was working in banking, but her dream for retirement had always been to start up a doggy day care, so this opportunity aligned closely with her interests. It wasn’t long

before the couple decided to take the leap into becoming franchise owners. “I said, I’m going to quit my job, and we are going to do this, because the best time to take risks is when you’re young,” Maureen recalls.

Together, Maureen and Ambrose run their business.

Ambrose still has his 9-5 job working for the government, so he covers evenings and weekends, while Maureen covers the daytime shifts. “We do have a lot of staff as well, so we don’t have to be here 24/7,” explains Maureen.

Even with this busy schedule, Maureen gives the experience a glowing review. In fact, the couple loves their new franchise life so much, they opened a second location.

Training for success Coming from the world of banking and working for the government, the couple didn’t have a background in business, so support from the franchisor was key to getting off to a strong start. “We didn’t know anything,” says Maureen. “We are not from the pet industry and I never worked in retail before, and neither had my husband – not even as high school students.” She adds that while there was a lot to learn, head office was there to teach and support them every step of the way.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 65

THE FIRST YEAR For someone who’s considering this franchise, Maureen says that a background in business or retail experience isn’t necessary. However, “One hundred per cent, a background with pets is important so that you can relate to the customer,” she asserts. The rest, she says, you’re able to learn through on-the-job training with the franchisor.

To make sure that franchisees are well-versed in the ins and outs of running a Global Pet Foods location, all new franchisees receive training at the corporate store.

Over the course of a month, rookie franchisees learn everything from ordering merchandise to receiving stock to mastering the computer systems. “You work there as if it was your own store,” says Maureen. “It’s really helpful because when you get your own store, you pretty much do the same things.” She adds that not only does the training include day-to-day tasks, it also includes important bigger-picture duties such as taking care of the finances.

After that initial training, franchisees continue to learn on an ongoing basis. Head office stays in touch with monthly newsletters, as well as email communications. “We hear from them at least every two weeks about something,” says Maureen. Distributors and brand reps from pet food companies also come into the store to educate the staff and franchisees about what’s new with their products and the latest in pet nutrition.

The Yungs found the concept of franchising appealing because it allows them to own their own business with the experience and support of an established system behind them. “You’re self-employed, but at the same time, you have a support system and you don’t

66 Canadian Franchise Association

have to figure out everything out by yourself, versus when you start up your own business from scratch,” says Maureen.

She adds that one of the biggest benefits of owning a franchise is that everything is already set up for you.

“You don’t have to think about the computer system, you don’t think about where you’re going to buy a product because they already tell you which distributors to use, and you don’t need to negotiate discounts because the head office has already negotiated with the distributors,” she explains.

A positive franchise environment The Yungs love their new life as Global Pet Foods franchisees. “It’s a fun industry,” says Maureen. “You go to work, pet dogs, and talk to people about their pets – and you talk about your own pets and share pictures.”

She describes her workplace as a positive, welcoming environment for staff and customers alike. “In a lot of retail environments, you get customers that come in angry already. We rarely have any angry customers here because people come here to get things for their pets – their loved ones,” she says. She notes that even when there’s a complicated situation, customers are pleasant to deal with, and it’s usually possible to find a solution that makes everyone happy.

As with many retail businesses, one of the Yung’s biggest challenges is hiring and retaining staff. The high turnover rate is especially hard for Global Pet Foods since the staff need such specialized knowledge about pet nutrition, which requires a lot of ongoing learning.

“We’re always learning new things, so if you can’t keep

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

THE FIRST YEAR

“IF YOU CHOOSE TO OPERATE THE BUSINESS ALL BY YOURSELF, YOU CAN’T PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT YOU SHOULD FOR THIS BUSINESS, SO DEFINITELY INVEST IN PEOPLE AND HIRE PEOPLE TO STAY.” Global Pet Foods franchisees Maureen and Ambrose Yung

an employee for more than a few months, you’re starting GLOBAL PET FOODS STATS out with a blank slate again,” she says.

Franchise units in Canada: 184 Overcoming this challenge is an ongoing process. Corporate units in Canada: 7 One of the strategies that the Yungs use is to over-hire Franchise fee: $30K staff. “Hire more than you need because not all of them Start-up capital required: $125K will last,” advises Maureen.

Investment required: $309K-$423K Maureen cites the franchisor’s support as one of the Training: Yes biggest advantages of being part of the system. “If you Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, QC, SK ever have any questions, even about the most random In business since: 1976 things like ‘Where do I get extra shelving?’ or questions Franchising since: 1976 about your landlord’s responsibilities, they can answer it CFA member since: 1997 for you,” she says. “You can ask questions if they’re not To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca about operating the business itself. There’s always somebody I can ask If I have a question.” With such hands-on support from the franchisor, franchisees don’t have to worry about making mistakes that may cost them time and money.

Maureen has some advice for would-be franchisees and those just starting out with their business. “Be prepared to work a lot,” she says. She also recommends being generPROUD ous when hiring staff. “If BUSINESS OWNER you choose to operate the With flexible financing options and business all by yourself, no franchise fee on new locations, your dream of you can’t provide the level business ownership could be closer than you think! of service that you should Inquire today! COBSBread.com/StartSomethingGood for this business, so defi-

START SOMETHING

GOOD A COBS BREAD FRANCHISE

nitely invest in people and hire people to stay.”

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 67

Everything you need to create your franchise future!

Buying a franchise can be an overwhelming process.

The good news is you don’t have to do it alone. Franchise Canada is here to guide you through the franchise process, with everything you need in one spot: www.FranchiseCanada.Online

NEW SITE, NEW FEATURES!

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Learn about franchising Easy-to-read franchising articles and tutorials can make a huge difference as you navigate your franchising journey. Our resources have been designed with you in mind, and have helped many other prospective franchisees understand the franchise business model, and what it means for those starting out.

Find financing and legal support Before you sign on the dotted line of the franchise agreement, you’ll need to ensure your finances are in order, and that you fully understand the franchise disclosure document. Learn from franchise professionals, who share their advice to help you through the critical disclosure process.

Discover franchise opportunities Don’t settle your future on the first franchise you see.

There are over 1,300 different franchise opportunities available across more than 50 different industries, and at every price point. Explore the wide range of opportunities available to you in our online directory.

Connect with franchisors Before you sign a franchise agreement, get to know the people behind the brand that you’re set to partner with.

You can speak to them in person and face to face at the Franchise Canada Show, or set up a meeting through our online directory.

Find inspiration in success stories You can hear firsthand from successful franchisees how they’ve built their businesses through articles, the Franchise Canada Chats podcast, and Franchise Canada TV.

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Prepare for business ownership Are you a first-time business owner? Understanding your responsibilities as an owner is very important to your success in franchising. Gain competency in the basics of business ownership so you can run your business like a boss.

GET STARTED TODAY! WWW.FRANCHISECANADA.ONLINE

ICONIC BRAND

PIE IN THE SKY

How Little Caesars used a little dough to build an enviable empire

F

BY GINA MAKKAR

ounders Mike and Marian Ilitch invested their life savings and took a big risk when they opened the first Little Caesars in Garden City, Michigan in 1959. The store sold dozens of pizzas the first day, Marion carefully noting the sales in a spiral notebook.

As they continued to experience early success, the couple realized the need for quality product at a reasonable price point and began growing and expanding through franchising in 1962.

By the end of the 1960s, the company had built more than 50 restaurants, including its first franchise in Canada. Today, thousands of locations can be found worldwide in 26 countries.

Though the brand offered delivery in its early days, it switched to a carry-out model in the 1970s. The move propelled them forward as they quickly became known for their iconic Hot-N-Ready offering, a model that allows customers to walk in and out in 30 seconds or less and purchase a large pepperoni pizza for $5.00.

The concept was so well received, it become a permanent fixture of the chain.

Over the years, the Ilitches continued to grow and expand the business in creative ways, purchasing a mushroom farm to improve quality and pricing. They also launched an offer for two pizzas for the price of one, a concept that spurred other chains to follow suit.

Even the Little Caesar himself, the man in the logo, has received updates to refresh his look, a hidden ‘L.C’ woven into the design of his toga.

The company has come a long way from the days when Marian carefully noted the store’s sales in a spiral notebook. Always innovative, their most recent launch, the Pizza Portal Pick Up, embraces technology and incorporates the needs of today’s customers. The concept provides customers the convenience of mobile or online ordering where they can craft their pizza and pay for it ahead of time. The app sends a notification when the order is ready, and customers can bypass the lines

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 69

ICONIC BRAND

and counter and go directly to the Pizza Portal pick up, where they use a three-digit pin or scan a QR to open a secured, heated compartment. Hot, fresh, easy as pie.

Little Caesars also recently married convenience with value when they launched an all-new delivery option, which allows customers to enjoy the same everyday menu pricing, whether they choose pick-up or delivery.

Where does a brand with no pie-in-the-sky limits go next? In an industry that earns over $145 billion dollars worldwide, Little Caesars brings a lot to the table. They offer 60 years of experience, well-developed processes, a solid business model, and unparalleled support. Their next goal? To be the top pizza chain in Canada. Their plans for growth and expansion include Alberta, Ontario, and the Maritimes.

A model that offers franchisees a piece of the pie After a few years at home with her children, New Brunswick franchisee Tara Charters wanted to segue back into the workforce with an opportunity that offered flexibility. “In our area at the time, there was a Little Caesars on the other side of the city across from the mall that everyone would go to. We thought it would be great to have

70 Canadian Franchise Association

one on our side of the city. We started hearing everyone else say the same thing,” she says. She was first drawn to the brand as a customer, often taking advantage of the Hot-N-Ready offering to help balance the juggle of daily demands by grabbing something on the go with the kids on busy soccer nights.

After looking into Little Caesars further, Charters was sold after the initial one-day training. “We were making dough from scratch and saw the quality of the products.

I felt really good about the fact that I was giving it to the kids, because it was fresh dough, fresh cheese, and I was making the sauce myself.”

Charters opened her first store in 2010, alongside her partner and brother-in-law. In the last 10 years, she’s expanded and opened two additional locations.

“My favourite part of being a franchisee is being in the community and bringing something that is useful and needed,” she says.

As with any new business, there were a few surprises in the early days. “I think what always surprises you the most is when you get in the thick of it,” Charters explains.

“With staffing, you’re always trying to find what’s next.

Labour costs is something that is always our unknown.

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ICONIC BRAND

The recently launched Pizza Portal provides customers the convenience of mobile or online ordering where they can craft their pizza and pay for it ahead of time.

You buy into the system, and you follow the system and you trust the people they have in place to help manage the system so that it all works in tandem.”

Charters says the initial one-day training that Little Caesars offers, a discovery day, was an integral part of helping decide if the concept was a good fit. “The oneday training before interviewing was a day to work in store and see if we liked it and liked the product prior to pursuing it further. That made a lot of sense to me.”

Once on board, six weeks of training in Ontario helped prepare for the store opening, and corporate support on the ground helped ease into the reality of daily operations. Ten years later, Charters still speaks with her area manager at least once a week. “We have great partnerships and great operational support from the franchise. It’s a two-way street. I am really engaged in wanting to maintain that connection and in response, they are very accepting of that engagement. To me, that is why you go into a franchise system. I came in wanting support and wanting a connection with other franchisees and the franchisor.”

With just two franchisees in the province of New Brunswick, the Atlantic region was a playground of possibilities in the early days. Charters became an integral part of expansion, helping train new franchisees as the region grew. “When we came on board, there were no stores in Price Edward Island or Newfoundland, so it was very exciting to help train them and watch them grow as a region.”

She adds that the Atlantic franchisees are exceptionally close, often seeking out one another’s opinions and staying informed on sales and operations. “We feel it’s better to work as a team. When you start a business, nobody else really understands what that’s like, but the other

franchisee in New Brunswick knows exactly what it’s like.

There’s someone else going through the same thing I am.”

Charters advises prospective franchisees to attend the one-day training and really look at the opportunity objectively with open eyes. She adds that it’s important to acknowledge and accept that the franchise is a system and a model, and a part of training is determining if it’s the right fit.

As the concept continues to add new offerings, Charters says it’s an exciting time to be a franchisee. “We have work to do. We are bringing in new technology and delivery for the first time since I’ve been a franchisee. I really think the portal and the delivery option is something that we are just starting to scratch the surface on. It keeps those of us that have been around a long time engaged.”

One of Charters’ favourite things about owning a business is the ability to get involved in the community, whether it’s providing an opportunity for high school kids to broaden their horizons through a cooperative mentorship program or offering a helping hand to a local family during a stressful time. “One of the best feelings is that you can do something quantitative in your neighbourhood. Everyone needs good food,” she says.

LITTLE CAESARS STATS Franchise fee: $20K Start-up capital required: $150K Investment required: $401K-$629K Training: Yes Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 1959 Franchising since: 1962 CFA member since: 2015 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 71

SHOW ME THE MONEY

4 FRANCHISES FOR $500K+ Franchising is about diversity. Franchise opportunities may be found in nearly every industry and business sector. It’s a great way for Canadians from all walks of life to go into business for themselves but with the support of a franchise system behind them.

One of the most important considerations for a prospective franchisee is investment level. Figuring out a budget that fits with your financial situation and goals will help you to zero in on the franchise opportunities that might be the best match.

With so many opportunities, there is a franchise for everyone at a variety of investment levels.

Here, Franchise Canada showcases franchise systems in which you can invest for $500K+.

Browns Socialhouse°

The Fortunate Fox

Browns Socialhouse® is a premium casual dining brand that fills the gap between big-box casual and neighbourhood pub. It provides leading-edge food and drinks in dynamic spaces where guests can get together to socialize with friends and neighbours. It’s fun, casual, and sophisticated. More than anything, it’s SOCIAL. Successful franchise candidates must have proven casual dining management experience.

Franchise units in Canada: 69, US: 2 Corporate units in Canada: 4 Franchise fee: $50K Start-up capital required: $750K minimum (unencumbered) Investment required: Approx. $1.9M-$2.6M Training: 8 week franchisee program (appropriate previous experience is required) Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, NT, NU, ON, QC, YT In business since: 2004 Franchising since: 2006 CFA member since: 2012 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Are you a clever fox? Do you have a keen sense for the fresh and different? From the team that brought you The Fox & Fiddle, The Fortunate Fox is a hip gastropub that offers a familiar yet refreshing experience, putting customers at ease while piquing their curiosity to stay and explore. The Fortunate Fox has created and elevated the pub menu by making everything from scratch and pairing it with a large selection of local craft beers and cocktails.

The Fortunate Fox is on the prowl for individuals who hunger for a compelling franchise opportunity with an emerging brand.

Corporate units in Canada: 1 Franchise fee: $40K Start-up capital required: $400K+ Investment required: $520K-$1.7M Training: Comprehensive initial training, pre and post on-site training, and ongoing support Available territories: All of Canada, US, International In business since: 2018 Franchising since: 2018 CFA member since: 2018 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

72 Canadian Franchise Association

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SHOW ME THE MONEY

IHOP

Pumpernickel’s

Since 1958, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world-famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service.

Franchise units in Canada: 27, US: 1709, International: 100 Franchise fee: $40K USD Investment required: $1.5M-$3M CAD; varies by asset type/size Training: 6 weeks Available territories: ON, QC, NT, NU, YT In business since: 1958 Franchising since: 1969 CFA member since: 2006 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Pumpernickel’s is a quick service restaurant that also offers catering, specializing in deli-style foods including, but not limited to, cold and hot sandwiches, salads, soups, breakfast food items, soft drinks, and desserts. Pumpernickel’s locations can be found in corporate office buildings.

Franchise units in Canada: 8 Corporate units in Canada: 9 Franchise fee: $35K Investment required: $550K-$600K Training: 6 weeks – Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm Available territories: ON In business since: 1986 Franchising since: 1995 CFA member since: 2016 To learn more, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca

Find franchises by investment level on LookforaFranchise.ca

Want to find franchises at a particular price point? Searching by investment level is just one of the search options available on Franchise Canada’s online franchise directory at LookforaFranchise.ca.

This website is powered by the Canadian Franchise Association and part of Franchise Canada’s suite of products for aspiring franchise owners. Build your profile on LookforaFranchise.ca and browse available franchises, request more information directly from the companies you’re interested in, and access exclusive Franchise Canada content online.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 73

FRANCHISE FUN

CHAMPIONING BREAKFAST Cora Breakfast and Lunch’s Dominique Boudreau dishes on his secrets to personal and professional success

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, says Dominique Boudreau, director of research and development at Cora Breakfast and Lunch. With that in mind, he says Cora focuses on serving extraordinary food in a warm family atmosphere using the highest quality ingredients, to ensure Cora customers always enjoy that first meal of the day.

74 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

FRANCHISE FUN Boudreau and Cora are also finding new ways to get customers that essential breakfast. Last year, Cora developed a partnership with the Canadian airline WestJet: the in-flight breakfast meal, served in the premium cabin on the majority of its flights departing after 10:30 pm and before 9:30 am, is now provided by Cora. “It’s a new way for our brand to travel! As the saying goes, ‘the sky is the limit!’ In our case, I would say ‘the sky is where the Cora sun shines!’” says Boudreau.

Here, Boudreau, who trained as a chef and is a self-professed food lover, dishes on the secrets behind a successful franchise, including simplicity, willpower, and teamwork. He also highlights the importance of spending relaxing time with family, his favourite cocktail, what he’s looking forward to in his personal and professional lives, and much more!

The most interesting thing I’ve done recently is…

Moving for more than four years to Alberta to open new Cora locations and to help grow our franchise.

One of the most enjoyable things to do is…

To spend a relaxing moment at home with my wife, reading a book, next to the fireplace. It’s a perfect moment.

In its best form, work is…

Where creation, teamwork, and tomorrow are happening.

The hardest thing for me to do is…

To let go. I sometimes make a decision and keep mulling it over and over again. I should follow my gut more and trust that I have the knowledge to make the right decision. Once my mind is made up, I should be able to let go.

A good franchisee…

Is there for their guests and employees and is fully part of the operations and success of their location(s).

A good franchisor…

Is all about organization, standardizing, communication, and support.

My favourite drink is…

A Moscow Mule, but I’m always up for a good glass of scotch.

My top advice for prospective franchisees is…

Be in your store and work with your employees. This is the key for knowledge, teamwork, and growing your business.

If I could change one thing…

I would remove social media. It can bring lots of great things, but sending letters, going out with friends, and talking was the social before media took over.

My top advice for new franchisors is…

Simplify! Yes, a good system, communication, and procedures are excellent and should be followed, but don’t overthink it.

Less is better.

If I could meet anyone…

I would have loved to meet Steve Jobs. I liked his ambition and his focus. I would have loved to have a chance to walk with him as he did with many. He did not like to wear shoes and I’m the same, so I would have suggested for our walk to be on the grass!

The most important thing in life is…

Willpower. If you have it in you, everything is possible. If any of your colleagues and/ or employees share the same energetic determination, great things will happen

The person who has had the most positive influence on me as a businessperson is…

My brother, who started his own company a few years ago. He showed me that everything is possible and the only limit that should be imposed on you is the limit you set for yourself. Very cliché, but so true.

Canadian franchising is…

Providing the best of Canadians’ ideas, to us and to the world.

My franchise system began because…

Of a brand-new idea and a mother’s agenda and determination.

The most positive influence on my life as a person is…

My wife. She knows what to say and how to say it. Sometimes you know the answer, but you still need someone to tell you, and she’s that person for me.

The key to success is…

Perseverance.

I’d like my friends to describe me as…

An inspiring person.

The accomplishment I look forward to the most is…

Exporting the Cora concept across the border. It is a great adventure and to be part of the process is exciting. I am looking forward to the opening day of the first location outside of Canada.

My personal motto is…

If you always do the same thing, you will always get the same results. If you are willing to change as little as one thing, something different will happen.

One necessary item on my life’s “to do” list is…

To eat at a 3-star Michelin restaurant.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 75

Q A

ASK A FRANCHISE EXPERT What are the biggest mistakes new franchisees make, and how can they be prevented?

WHILE THERE ARE NUMEROUS ANSWERS to this question, let’s talk about the two that we see happening most often: undercapitalization and “build it and they will come” syndrome.

1. Undercapitalization When calculating the total initial investment of any franchise, you must consider these three components: upfront cost, business working capital, and personal working capital.

Underestimating the amount of money one needs to buy and open a business is one of the biggest contributors to business failure that we know of. The root of this problem is that would-be franchisees typically don’t make enough effort to fully understand the amount of money that is required to get to the point of break-even safety (the point where the business is consistently generating enough revenue to cover all the expenses including rent, salaries, inventory, etc.).

Unfortunately, too many people only consider the upfront cost (franchise fee, total buildout, equipment, inventory, etc.) to get to the point of being open on the first day, but they don’t figure out how much business working capital they’ll need to inject into the business before achieving “break even” (the point where revenues are high enough to cover operating expenses).

If these people are also the primary income earners for the family, they also fail to anticipate how much personal working capital they’ll need to fund their personal household and lifestyle while launching the business.

To avoid the mistake of undercapitalization, every would-be franchisee should: 1.

Identify your affordability range: do a thorough financial assessment to figure out how much of your own money you can afford to invest in a business, and how much you are comfortable borrowing.

2.

Understand what loan programs are available for the types of businesses you are considering. Banks are quite supportive of the franchise business model, but they will seek some form of security and/or guarantee for whatever they lend.

3. Only consider those franchises within your affordability and borrowing range: understand each of these components: •U pfront cost: by law in most Canadian jurisdictions, franchisors must give a very accurate picture of the upfront costs.

•B usiness working capital: franchisors generally provide a working capital amount, but you will always want to validate this with existing fran-

76 Canadian Franchise Association

chisees. It is very rare that a business becomes cash flow positive in the first week or even month; instead, for many businesses, it often takes six to nine months to achieve break even.

•P ersonal working capital: this amount can often add tens of thousands of dollars to the total initial investment. Until the business breaks even, you will want to figure out how much money you will need to cover your monthly living expenses, plus a few more months until the business can pay you enough to cover your household expenses.

2. “Build it and they will come” syndrome Unfortunately, far too many people buy a franchise and think that just because they are part of a brand, customers will flock to their location.

It is not the franchisor’s job to bring you customers, it is the franchisor’s job to bring you a business model that has proven systems and processes, part of which enables you to execute a customer generation strategy which includes attracting, engaging, and retaining customers. In other words, engaging the community you become a part of to attract customers, and delivering on the brand promise when engaging and retaining them.

Too many would-be franchisees believe that the brand will bring the customers in. While this is often true, it is only true for the first few times that customer comes in.

If you cannot deliver on the brand promise and create an awesome experience for them, then they are not going to come back; some will even go to social media and broadcast a negative story.

In order to avoid this mistake, you must understand all the critical aspects of what it takes to generate and keep customers for the type of business you are considering. Each business model has its own specific methodologies, but here are some key business generation strategies: 1. location: each franchisor should have specific criteria that must be satisfied before a location will meet their approval. Key things you’ll want to understand include accessibility (parking, access, egress, etc.), visibility (foot/vehicle traffic, signage, etc.), and

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Gary Prenevost President, Southern Ontario and Eastern Canada FranNet gprenevost@frannet.com

ASK A FRANCHISE EXPERT customer comfort (ambience, customer flow, seating, etc.).

2. ongoing marketing: this can include digital (web and social media) marketing, traditional marketing (newspaper/radio), vehicle wraps, etc.

3. engaging the community: top-performing franchisees understand the importance of building relationships and becoming visible within the community, i.e. personally greeting customers in-store, networking with other non-competitive businesses who serve similar customers, attending local community events, sponsoring teams, etc. The more visible you are, and the more familiar you become with the local community, the faster and better you will attract and retain repeat customers!

4. networking: for mobile businesses and B2B service businesses, networking should be a critical part of

Q A

your business generation strategy. This includes attending meetings with other business peers at chambers of commerce, joining BNI and/or other structured networking groups, etc.

5. outbound prospecting: this is traditional cold calling and outbound telemarketing and is often a core requirement of businesses that serve other businesses.

Of course, strong franchisors will provide solid coaching and training in each of the required areas, but it is always up to the franchisee to do the actual work.

The stronger your previous experience base in the work required, the faster it will be to become proficient, and therefore drive success. Conversely, the less experience you have in the critical areas required, the longer and more difficult it will be, and thus will increase your risk of failure.

ASK A LEGAL EXPERT

What are the key components of the franchise agreement?

AS A SCHEDULE to a franchise disclosure document, which you will have 14 days to review, you will receive a franchise agreement from the franchisor. Before you sign this agreement, it is vital that you understand what it contains. This article outlines the key features of franchise agreements. There are others, but the ones shown here are the majority.

System and Trademark(s) – The franchisor’s system should be “proven,” meaning be well established, with a number of established franchises operating successfully. The franchisor should have its trademark(s) registered in Canada. There are two basic types of trademarks - “word” and “design” (or logo). The franchisor’s trademark(s) should have a high degree of goodwill attached to them, which will assist franchisees in finding success. If the franchisor only has trademark(s) that are “pending” for registration and which are not later accepted for registration, then it will reserve the right to substitute other trademark(s).

Tenure – There will be a fixed term and a renewal term in the agreement, often 10 years each, but sometimes less.

A franchisor may want a shorter term so it may impose renewal conditions (see below) sooner, whereas a franchisee may want the longer term for the opposite reason.

Renewal Conditions - Upon renewal, the franchisee will

be required to pay a renewal fee, to sign the franchisor’s updated (“then current”) franchise agreement, and to make renovations to the franchised premises so they comply with the current standards for new franchises.

Training Program and Ongoing Support – A schedule of classes/sessions and a place and costs for training will be provided. The franchisor will often require additional training later, particularly when material changes to the franchise system are being made. The franchisor should specifically agree to provide ongoing support to its franchisees by way of inspections of operations and consultations by telephone and intranet, and perhaps instructional webinars.

Fees – There will be an initial fee payable, plus a continuing royalty and a second royalty for advertising. The (continued on page 79) John L. Rogers Senior Franchise Lawyer Likewise Law john@likewise.law

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 77

FIND YOUR FRANCHISE AT FRANCHISE.ORG

Unleash your potential as a franchise business owner. At the International Franchise Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, franchise.org, you can search, select and compare thousands of franchise businesses by industry, investment level and keywords. Check it out today and be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.

ASK A LEGAL EXPERT (continued from page 77) initial fee will vary, often between $25,000 and $60,000, whereas the continuing royalty will usually be five per cent, but might be higher. The advertising fee will typically be two to three per cent. These are percentages that will apply to the franchisee’s monthly “gross sales.”

Location, Lease, and Protected Territory – The franchisor must designate or approve the franchised location to be established by the franchisee, along with the approval of the lease of that location. The franchisor will normally provide a protected territory or radius around the franchised location within which the franchisor will agree not to grant another, competing franchise. The franchisee will lease from a third party unless the franchisor elects to take a head lease and then sublet to the franchisee. The franchisor must approve the form of lease to be used unless it is providing its own sublease. The length of the initial term and renewal term of the lease or sub-lease must match those of the franchise agreement.

Initial Capital Costs – These will be borne by the franchisee and will cover construction or renovation of the franchised premises. The franchisor will provide draft plans and specifications, which must be followed by the franchisee’s architect.

Controls – The franchisee will be required to follow the training program and the franchise system in accordance with a manual provided by the franchisor, as well as ongoing directions provided by the franchisor. Failure to follow these will constitute a default for which the franchisor may terminate the franchise agreement.

Advertising Program and Websites – An established franchisor will have an advertising program and a website for its system that are accessible to the public. Also, the franchisee will usually be given a “sub-site” for its location by which the public can contact it, and often an “intranet” for private communications between the franchisor and all franchisees.

Potential Early Termination – The franchisor may terminate the franchise agreement if the franchisee commits any one of many specified defaults; for example, failure to pay any royalty, competing with the franchise system, or “under-reporting” any gross sales (and therefore underpaying royalties).

Security – Often, the franchisee will be required to grant a general security agreement or an inventory security agreement (where the franchisor is a major supplier) which will be registered in the local personal property registry and will be enforceable by the franchisor on a default.

Minimum Performance Requirement – The franchise agreement may provide a minimum dollar amount or “quota” of gross sales which must be attained each year.

Failure to meet any annual quota will entitle the franchisor to terminate the franchise agreement.

Confidentiality and Non-Competition – The franchisee will be required to keep confidential the franchisor’s proprietary information, including the contents of the manual, and will agree not to compete with the franchise system during the term and for a number of years (often two) after the franchise agreement expires or is sooner terminated.

Supplies – The franchisee will be required to purchase supplies from the franchisor and/or third party suppliers.

Assignment and Right of First Refusal – The franchisee will be required to meet specified conditions if it wishes to sell and assign its franchise agreement or shares to a third party. An assignment fee will be payable and conditions for the proposed assignee similar to those for a renewal must be met. The franchisor may be given a right of first refusal whereby it may purchase based on terms offered by the third party.

This outline is not to be taken as legal advice by the author. Legal advice in any particular situation would only be provided once an engagement letter with him is signed.

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 79

FRANCHISE TUTORIAL

TUTORIAL 11: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FRANCHISING

INTRO TO INVENTORY WITHIN YOUR FRANCHISE BUSINESS, typically one of the major expenses is the inventory. Inventory is defined as all the goods and materials that are held in stock and used by a business for the day-to-day operations. It may be the products you sell, as in a retail store.

It may be the raw food products that you use to create meals, such as in a restaurant. Or it may be parts or materials you use to provide a service, such as in an automotive repair business.

The amount of inventory that franchisees are required to carry or stock will vary depending on the requirements set out by each franchise concept, and this is usually clearly defined within the operations manual. There are some valid reasons why the franchisor requires franchisees to stock inventory. Sometimes it can take significant lead time for certain suppliers to fill franchisee’s orders, so it’s imperative that the franchisee has inventory to keep the business going. There will be times when some products will be in demand more than others, such as during a promotion. By stocking inventory, the franchisee is creating a safeguard to meet the demands of the customer. By having significant inventory, a franchisee is allowing the customer to purchase what they need when they need it. If you don’t have the inventory to provide products and services, your customer may go to your competition.

Costs of inventory will vary from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the business model. There’s often a tendency for franchisees to gravitate towards getting inventory as cheaply as possible. However, this needs to be weighed against product quality, reliability, and warranties. All of these variables will affect the overall brand. A franchisor will take all of these things into account when sourcing and pricing inventory.

Inventory stocked and used by the business is an integral representation of the entire franchisor’s brand.

The franchisor will usually have clearly defined policies regarding what products can be carried. They will also define an approval process if you wish to add or remove specific items from the approved inventory list. An inventory purchase agreement or supplier agreement will address issues like shipping terms, product warranties, pricing, procedure for placing orders, and return policies. The franchisor will provide a clearly defined supply

80 Canadian Franchise Association

chain, or approved suppliers, from which the franchisee is required to buy all products. (The topic of approved suppliers is covered in more detail in the next tutorial.)

When reviewing a franchise opportunity, ask the franchisor to review inventory policies so that you can better understand the operations of the business and what will typically be a substantial expense. Speak with franchisees and get their perspective. Are they happy with the product quality? What have been their challenges in inventory management, and how have they resolved these challenges? Have the inventory suppliers delivered product in a timely fashion and provided adequate return policies?

As the cost of doing business is on the rise, it’s very simple but important to maintain inventory control.

Shrinkage, a business term that refers to unplanned and unwanted loss of inventory, can be caused by theft, damage, spoilage, and accounting errors. Within the operations manual, the franchisor will typically provide details to assist franchisees on how to store the inventory, minimize loss from shrinkage, and get the most use out of the products.

It’s good business practice to make sure that the entire inventory is insured. It’s possible that the inventory may be covered under a blanket policy for the whole operation. In some cases, depending upon the type of inventory, it may be special coverage that you have to purchase from your local insurance broker. The policies regarding insurance are typically defined by the franchisor within the franchise agreement or operations manual.

Most businesses require inventory to run the business and service the customer, and it often represents one of the biggest expense items. Belonging to a franchise offers some distinct advantages when it comes to inventory, as a strong franchise will often allow franchisees to purchase inventory and products at a lower cost than if they were an independent business, due to volume purchasing. The franchisor will also ensure product quality, good return policies, and will be regularly researching for better inventory sources. While this is being done behind the scenes, it allows you, the franchisee, to focus on building your business and servicing the end customer.

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FRANCHISE TUTORIAL

TUTORIAL 12: THE FUNDAMENTALS OF FRANCHISING

INTRO TO APPROVED SUPPLIERS SUPPLY CHAINS, OR APPROVED SUPPLIERS, are suppliers that a franchisor has identified, investigated, and approved to provide their product or service to the system’s franchisees. The franchisee is typically required, under the terms of the franchise agreement, to purchase only from approved suppliers. The franchisee can order with peace of mind and confidence knowing that the products, equipment, and services meet the franchisor’s specific qualifications, and that they’re getting a good price and level of service.

A strong franchise system will use approved suppliers to maintain control over the quality of products and services that’s delivered to the end user consumer. The franchisor is able to create a duplicable business model and ensure the customer has a consistent experience.

This in turn reinforces the brand. The franchisor often sets high standards and requirements for the suppliers and regularly monitors them through the franchisees.

Strong franchisors will reject suppliers who let their quality control fall below the specified standards that were outlined at the time of approval. Continuing with a supplier that is not up to par affects brand integrity and inhibits optimal franchisee performance.

There are certain considerations that a franchisor will take into account when reviewing a supplier beyond quality. Some considerations include: • Is the pricing competitive?

•W hat is the timeline between ordering and receiving product?

•D oes the supplier provide regular training on product and equipment to the franchisee?

• Is there merchandising assistance for the franchisee?

• What is the warranty policy?

• I s there a time frame for taking back faulty products and equipment?

•W hat is the delivery schedule, and what are the charges?

• What are the payment terms? 30, 60 or 90 days?

Franchise systems will often permit franchisees to introduce new suppliers for review, to ensure that franchisees are getting the best offerings available. If the franchisee finds a supplier they feel is superior to the current supplier, they can send the contact information to the franchisor for screening. If the supplier is found

suitable, they’ll be added to the approved suppliers list.

Some franchisees may find a specific product at a lower price, but it’s important to look at the bigger picture.

Although one or two of the products may be less expensive, one must look at the full “basket of goods” being provided by the supplier. All the considerations listed above need to be taken into account.

Franchisors will regularly monitor approved suppliers. This is often done through a supplier’s evaluation questionnaire provided by the franchisor to franchisees.

If the franchisor doesn’t provide a standard evaluation form, the franchisee can submit a short written evaluation of the service, quality of product, and pricing received from the suppliers. These reports allow the franchisor to ensure that the supplier is delivering on what was originally agreed to.

Many franchisors will negotiate volume rebates from suppliers. These represent funds that are typically paid back to the franchisor based on buying performance.

Rebates are typically disclosed in the franchise agreement, and how these rebates are used will vary. Some franchisors will keep the rebates to offset the costs of negotiating and monitoring the approved suppliers.

Other franchisors will forward the rebates directly to the franchisees. Others will put the rebates, or a portion of the rebates, into the marketing fund for the benefit of the system as a whole.

In general, most Canadian franchisors will use approved suppliers based in Canada. Buying inventory (Continued on page 82)

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 81

FRANCHISE TUTORIAL from American suppliers can sometimes end up being counterproductive. Although the price to purchase American products can initially be competitive, when you add in duties, tariffs, exchange rate fluctuations, and delivery charges, the cost of the product can often become prohibitive.

There are numerous benefits to the franchisee for using approved suppliers. These benefits include: • Ensuring consistency in the brand.

• Providing the best possible prices for franchisees and further discounts based on volume buying.

• Franchisees not having to spend valuable time shop-

ping for products, and instead focused on servicing the customer and building the business.

• Additional benefits negotiated such as warranties, purchasing terms, and after market support.

When a franchisor approaches suppliers to negotiate terms for multiple locations, they will have more clout than if you, as an independent business, approached on your own. An approved supplier program is an integral part of a franchise model, and provides real benefits to both the individual franchisee and the franchise system as a whole.

STUDY QUESTIONS TUTORIAL 11

TUTORIAL 12

1. The amount of inventory that franchisees are required to carry will: a) vary depending on the requirements set out by each franchise system b) usually be clearly defined within the operations manual c) both A and B

1. A strong franchise system will use approved suppliers to: a) provide varying quality of products and services delivered to the end user consumer b) generate income from endorsements and sponsorships c) maintain control over the quality of products and services delivered to the end user consumer

2. T he franchisor will usually have clearly defined policies regarding what products can be carried and: a) will never allow any new items to be stocked at any time b) will also define an approval process if you wish to add or remove specific items from the list c) will provide these products free of charge on an annual basis 3. It is good practice to insure the entire inventory. True or False? a) True b) False

2. F ranchisors will regularly monitor approved suppliers through: a) customer surveys b) suppliers’ evaluation questionnaires given to franchisees c) teleconferences directly with the supplier 3. Franchise systems will often permit franchisees to introduce new suppliers for review.

True or False?

a) True

b) False

4. A strong franchise will often allow franchisees to purchase inventory at a lower cost than if they were an independent business. True or False? a) True b) False

4. I n general, most Canadian franchisors use suppliers based in the U.S. True or False? a) True b) False

Answer Key: 1) c 2) b 3) a 4) a

Answer Key: 1) c 2) b 3) a 4) b

82 Canadian Franchise Association

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MARKETPLACE

Helping you do more business is our business. When you accept American Express® Cards, you gain access to higher spending customers and a greater number of business clients. We also help franchisees grow through business solutions that include cash flow management, providing working capital opportunities and lucrative rewards. Contact us to find out more about how we can help your Franchise grow.

CFA Member Since: 2017 Web: www.amex.ca/canadianfranchiseassociation Email: franchisesolutions@aexp.com

BMO Bank of Montreal Established 1817. CFA-MSS member since 1980. Major Canadian chartered bank, providing a full range of domestic and international financial services. The Bank’s National Franchising Services Group focuses exclusively on the franchise marketplace.

We provide assistance by way of Financial Services Programs and banking arrangements to both the established and emerging franchise systems operating in Canada.

We understand franchising. We have the expertise necessary to fully understand your business and to respond with a comprehensive package of loans, cash management and electronic banking services suited to your network’s distinctive circumstances. The Bank of Montreal recognizes that franchising is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy and we are committed to its continuing success.

For more information, contact us at BMO Bank of Montreal, National Franchising Services, 55 Bloor St. W., 17th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3N5 Contact: Joseph Pisani at 1-877-629-6262, E-mail: franchising@bmo.com Or visit bmo.com/franchise

Browns Socialhouse is more than a restaurant or a bar.

And it’s better than either – combined.

Browns Socialhouse is a fresh, hybrid concept that successfully bridges the gap between upscale casual dining and neighbourhood pub. Blending “local ingredients” such as Owner-Operators that live in the markets they serve with great sites that many of our competitors simply can’t fit into, Browns Socialhouse delivers: • Great experiences to its guests…in their own communities • Industry-leading innovations that create operational efficiencies for franchise owners Our Mission at Browns Socialhouse is to grow a world-class restaurant brand that creates wealth and opportunity for our partners. And we’re looking to partner with top-notch restaurant industry veterans that have paid their dues in the Casual Dining arena but want more than just a paycheque to show for it…

Let’s chat, if you’re “Feeling Social” about the idea of owning your own Browns.

207A-3540 West 41st Ave. Vancouver, BC V6N 3E6, Canada Phone: (604) 630-0885 Fax: (604) 630-0887 Web: http://www.brownssocialhouse.com Email: franchising@brownsrestaurantgroup.com

84 Canadian Franchise Association

Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill® is an innovative concept with a competitive advantage in the casual dining industry – An advantage that places them as one of Canada’s fastest growing franchises year-after-year. Having premium locations throughout Ontario, industry-leading sales and sales growth, low royalties and marketing costs, turn-key buildouts, and optimized operations support; this low-cost investment provides franchisees with exciting returns. Schedule a meeting with their development team to learn about the growing demand from guests across Ontario, your opportunity as a restaurant owner and their continued expansion. Food the way it ought to be, priced the way it used to be!

Franchise Since: 2015 Franchise Fee: $50K Investment Required: $250K-$600K Training: Yes, Included.

Available Territories: All of Canada In Business Since: 2015 CFA Member Since: 2016 For more information about Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill franchise opportunities, contact: development@obsidiangroupinc.com 905 814 8030

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WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL BAKERY FRANCHISE • A trusted brand – Nearly 700 locations worldwide and 35+ years’ experience franchising • A robust model – COBS Bread is built on providing exceptional product, friendly service and a welcoming environment for all customers • Community focused – All bakeries donate to hundreds of local schools, groups and charities across Canada • Authenticity – COBS Bread operates with honesty and transparency • No initial franchising fee for new bakeries • Flexible financing options Awards 2015 Recipient CFA Award of Excellence in Franchising, Silver Award Winner

Crepe Delicious is the largest and fastest growing creperie and gelateria. Specializing in innovative crepes and handcrafted gelato, we take pride in being a leader in the trend towards healthier eating.

Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert, Crepe Delicious offers fresh, nutritious and tasty food for people on-the-go. All of our Crepes are made in a open concept kitchen for customers to witness their food be prepared fresh before their eyes. Not only do we offer our numerous sweet crepes, we also offer savoury Crepes with hearty veggies and proteins to satisfy any craving.

Our premium gelato is a perfect complement to Crepes, which is proudly made in house with fresh ingredients, while also offering vegan options.

Our unique concept combines low food costs with excellent site selection to provide our franchisees with the recipe for success.

2010 & 2012 Recipient CFA Award of Excellence in Franchising, Bronze Award Winner

Single-unit, area development and master franchises available for this innovative specialty food concept.

2011–2019 Recipient CFA Franchisees’ Choice Designation

www.crepedelicious.com

Contact the COBS Bread Franchising Team E franchise@cobsbread.com P 1 866 838 COBS (2627) W www.cobsbread.com/franchising

Phone (905) 326-2969 Toll Free (877) 582-7373

We are a world-class franchisor with a commitment to quality,

Driverseat Driverseat Chauff eur Services Chauffeur Services

Driverseat having more Chauffeur than 7,100 stores Services in more than 29 countries. DQ

Grill & Chill® offers a variety of soft-serve treats along with a full Driverseat is the emerging trend in home basedand franchise linelatest of hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken salads. As an ongoing systems, blazing a new industry in personal transportation.

Our applications for expansion program, we are presently accepting franchise partners marketing, strategizing andmust growing DQ®specialize franchisesinacross Canada.

Candidates have business their business,acumen, while their Coachmen (drivers) on transporting superior people skills focus and desire to work with a proven ® customers andfranchise their vehicles, through unique services. system.

A DQ4Grill & Chill has aProtected total investment of terrritories available throughout Canada- and the U.S.or more. The candidate approximately $800,000 $1,200,000 must have a minimum of $400,000 cash available. A DQ® Treat location can be in major shopping malls or as a free-standing required $35kis between $300,000 unit. TheTotal totalcapital investment for a- $20k retailto store Innovative Technology Platform $500,000 and up to $800,000 for a free-standing unit. Applicants $21,000 franchise must have a minimum of 40% project costfee in cash to invest.

Home based www.dq.ca No need for inventory Contact: Tammie Verna at tammie.verna@idq.com or 905.637.4741 Significant industry size No capital real estate leases 4 tier extensive training program

info@crepedelicious.com

Driverseat emerging trend trendininhome homebased basedfranchise franchise Driverseat isis the the latest latest emerging systems, in personal personaltransportation. transportation.Our systems,blazing blazing aa new new industry industry in Our franchise partners specialize in marketing, strategizing and franchise partners specialize in marketing, strategizing and growing growing their business, while their Chauffeurs (drivers) focus their business, while their Coachmen (drivers) focus on transporting on transporting customers and their vehicles, unique customers and their vehicles, through 4 uniquethrough services.4Protected services.

Protected throughout territories available territories throughoutavailable Canada and the U.S. Canada and the U.S. Totalcapital capitalrequired required-- $20k • Total $40Ktoto$35k $52K InnovativeTechnology Technology Platform Platform • Innovative $21,000franchise franchisefee fee • $19,000 Homebased based • Home Noneed needfor forinventory inventory • No Significant industry size size • Signifi cant industry Nocapital capitalreal realestate estate leases leases • No tierextensive extensivetraining training program program • 4 4tier

Designated Driver

Airport Chauffeur

• Assisted Transport • Airport Chauffeur

Assisted Transport

Vehicle Chauffeur

• Designated Driver Vehicle • Vehicle Chauffeur Designated Driver Chauffeur

1-855-DRIVE-90 | info@driverseatinc.com www.driverseatinc.com

Assisted Transport

Contact Contact 1-855-DRIVE-90 1-855-DRIVE-90 info@driverseatinc.com info@driverseatinc.com www.driverseatinc.com www.driverseatinc.com

Airport Chauffeur

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 85

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Grab the Day by the Eggs® Eggspectation is an innovative upscale-casual dining restaurant concept. Founded in 1993, Eggspectation restaurants are known for their brunches. With an extensive all-day menu choices, Eggspectation offers a unique experience. From breakfast to brunch, lunch to coffee & dessert time to happy hour and dinner, Eggspectation is the place to kick back in style with friends, family and business associates and enjoy good times in this unparalleled environment.

Franchise Units: Canada 13, USA 7, International 8 Corporate Units: Canada 2, USA 1 In Business Since: 1993 Franchise Since: 1998 Franchise Fee: $50K Investment Required: $500K-$1M Training: 10 weeks Available Territories: All of Canada, USA, International CFA Member Since: 2011 7960 rue Saint-Denis, 2nd. Flr., Montreal, QC, H2R 2G1 Phone: (514) 282-0677 x 225 / (833) 838-EGGS (3447) Fax: (514) 282-8115 Web: www.eggspectation.com Email: sr@eggspectation.ca Contact: Sanjeev Rohailla, Director of Operations

Fatburger has been serving up the freshest, biggest, juiciest burgers for over 65 years. With restaurants in 37 countries, prospective franchisees benefit from investing in a concept with a proven track record. Prime ownership opportunities are available across Canada. We provide: • A highly recognized trademarked brand • Extensive initial training • Ongoing operation & training support • Marketing/advertising support • Excellent return on investment capital An upper tier quick-casual restaurant serving fresh, never frozen custom made Alberta Angus beef burgers and Buffalo’s™ World Famous Wings and Tenders, Fatburger is a recognized leader in the premium burger category. We are passionate about quality, food and service - and it shows! We offer an extensive menu and dynamic décor that brings food, fun and style together. Each meal is cooked to order using fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods. The taste and quality of Fatburger has been inspiring fierce customer loyalty since its inception in 1952.

60 locations across Canada and growing!

For more franchise information, call us at 1-888-597-7272 or email franchise@fatburgercanada.com.

Elite Trade Painting is built on 30+ years of experience in the painting contracting business. Providing high quality residential and commercial painting services in markets across Canada.

Our support, training and custom mobile software establishes a competitive advantage for all of our franchisees. Franchises have an opportunity for business success with a lifestyle to enjoy that success. We are looking for entrepreneurs to join us today in the highly rewarding home services industry.

Franchise Units: Canada: 10 Investment Required: $85K - $110K Franchise Fee: $48K In Business Since: 1991 Franchise Since: 2012 Available Territories: All of Canada CFA Member Since: 2016 For further information: 1.877.663.5483 info@elitetradepainting.com elitetradepainting.com/franchise

“It’s Gonna Be Great” Great Clips is the world’s largest and fastest growing salon brand with 4400 salons throughout North America. Our salons are conveniently located in strip malls in over 130 markets.

What really makes this business concept unique is the fact that it is recession-resistant, with steady growth and multi-unit opportunity. Manager-run salons allow for flexibility in how you transition into business ownership. No haircare experience necessary!

Franchise Fee: $20K (USD) Investment Required: Net Worth $500,000 ($1,000,000 in select markets) Available Territories: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, United States Training : Yes Franchise Units Canada: 150 USA: 4250 In Business Since : 1982 Franchising Since: 1983 CFA Member Since: 2006 Find out more at www.GreatClipsFranchise.com.

For locations and more visit www.fatburgercanada.com.

86 Canadian Franchise Association

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Jani-King is the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchise with over 6,500 franchisees in 10 countries and over 50 years of experience!

The unique Jani-King Franchisee Concept, available for as low as $11,900, provides our franchisees with an edge over the competition.

By offering unparalleled support and training, Jani-King works to ensure that every franchisee has an opportunity to be successful.

Initial and on-going training, 24-hour operational support and administration assistance are all provided by Jani-King.

Ready to be your own boss? Contact us today and join the more than 6,500 other Jani-King franchise owners worldwide.

La Carnita is a Mexican street-food concept with a “gringo” twist. Everything from street corn, ceviche, and churros to ribs, empanadas, and paletas. Oh, and tacos. Lots, and lots of tacos.

The Fortunate Fox is a hip gastropub that offers a familiar yet refreshing experience, putting you at ease while piquing your curiosity to stay and explore. We have created and elevated pub menu by making everything from scratch and pairing it with a large selection of local craft beers and cocktails.

For franchising opportunities: VINCE MORANO VP, Franchise Development vince@monarchandmisfits.com

1-800-565-1873 or visit our website at www.janiking.ca or e-mail info@janiking.ca Special Note: Master Franchisor opportunities available in Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Thunder Bay.

Loaded Pierogi, founded in 2014 by two classically trained chefs and friends, brings a unique twist to a classic dish. We take a base of potato and onion pierogi and load them with an endless choice of toppings, like wild mushrooms, avocado, smoked bacon, and buffalo chicken. For as little as $275000, Loaded Pierogi offers three business models to choose from; Restaurant/Bar (20-45 seats), Quick Service Restaurant (up to 20 seats, with optional liquor license), and Food Court. Take advantage of dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering opportunities as well as off-site events and food truck possibilities.

Franchise Fee: $25K Start-Up Capital Required: <$25K Investment Required: $275K Franchise Units: Canada: 3 Corporate Units: Canada: 3 In Business Since: 2014 Franchising Since: 2017 CFA Member Since: 2018 Training: 3 weeks Available Territories: All of Canada, US, Int INQUIRIES franchise@loadedpierogi.com (416) 528-0452

For almost 40 years, M&M has helped Canadians put delicious meals on the table by offering consumers easy-to-prepare, top quality foods and personalized customer service, all within a uniquely convenient shopping environment. We’ve taken this task to heart and have grown to become Canada’s leading retailer of frozen foods, a truly iconic Canadian brand and a trusted guest at dinner tables across the country. We are very proud of our major achievement -the removal of all artificial colours, flavours, and sweeteners from our food portfolio. Our Food Promise is a game changer and key differentiator from our competition and we are proud that 100% of the products in our stores coast-to-coast meet this Food Promise. Following a significant rebranding effort in 2016 - including the name change from M&M Meat Shops, a new store design, new products and packaging, a new website, a revamped loyalty program and new training platform for Meal Advisors - M&M Food Market is poised for franchise growth.

Now is the time to rediscover this trusted, iconic Canadian brand.

For more information, visit our website at www.mmfoodmarket.com/en/franchising or call us at 1-800-461-0171.

loadedpierogi.com/franchising

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 87

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Welcome to the largest Canadian-owned quick serve chicken restaurant and one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country.

Oxygen’s proven systems help new entrepreneurs be successful

Mary Brown’s Chicken continues to expand across Canada with about 170 stores now open. We expect to have 200 stores in 2020. It’s a growth plan we’d love you to be part of!

• Far Infrared Technology

Our food is exceptional and our numbers are impressive. We’ve enjoyed 15 consecutive years of same store sales growth and are destined to continue this trend.

Our genuine hospitality, 100% Canadian heritage and Made Fresh from Scratch menu keep our Guests coming back again and again.

Our Chicken is fresh Canada Grade A, hand cut and hand breaded in-store. Our Taters are also handcrafted in-store from farm fresh Canadian potatoes. Even our Coleslaw is made fresh in-store! Our approach is time-proven, with a 50-year record of success dating back to 1969.

Add to that our comprehensive Franchisee support including Training, Financing and Marketing and you’ll see that Mary Brown’s is an exciting opportunity that you don’t want to miss.

Email franchising@marybrowns.com and get started today.

• Established Brand • Cloud based POS • Teacher Training • Franchise Meetings • Major metro, high density and prime territories still available Franchise Fee: $46,500 Startup Capital Required: $250K to $300K Available Territories: Various, throughout Canada Training: Yes Franchise Units Canada: 79 In Business Since: 2011 CFA Member Since: 2014 If you are ready for health and wealth, it is time for you to put your passion to work. Become our next Franchisee and fill out the application franchise.oxygenyogaandfitness.com

marybrownsfranchising.com

With over 30 years of innovation and a modern store design, Panago is a national brand that delivers a unique pizza experience.

Panago offers a diverse menu that can satisfy a number of dietary restrictions. The menu includes a variety of fresh, quality toppings, 8 meats raised without the use of antibiotics, 100% organic tomato sauce and dough made from Canadian wheat, as well as vegan and gluten-free options.

With over 200 locations, the systemwide sales exceed $170 million, and 1 in 5 Panago stores have annual sales exceeding $1 million.

Panago is fully committed to extensive training and education for owners and staff about products, procedures and store management. All franchisees continue to receive ample support from Panago, even after opening to ensure ongoing business success.

For further information on Panago’s franchise opportunities, and our incentives in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, and Oshawa, visit www.panagofranchise.com.

Franchise Units: 193 | Corporate Units: 7 Franchise Fee: $25k | Total Investment Required: $560k average Training & Support: Yes | In Business Since: 1986 Territories Available: BC, AB, SK, ON

The Pizza Nova story began in 1963 when a young Italian family opened the very first Pizza Nova restaurant. Today Pizza Nova is still family owned, represents 150 locations across Ontario and specializes in handtossed Italian style pizzas that are complemented by an extensive menu of proven favourites.

We provide comprehensive training, easy ordering from our HAACP approved commissary, location identification & design, operations support and innovative marketing initiatives that bring customers through your door.

Pizza Nova is the Official Pizza of the Toronto Blue Jays™, Toronto International Film Festival, and the CNE. Our 57+ years of success continues as a direct result of our uncompromising commitment to providing the highest quality product made from only the finest quality ingredients. In 2015 we became the first Canadian pizza company to introduce pepperoni sourced from beef and pork raised without the use of antibiotics or added hormones. We have since expanded our ‘Raised Without Antibiotics’ profile to include bacon, chicken wings , chicken pollini, grilled chicken, and smoked ham.

For more information on Franchise Opportunities please contact Meraj Jamal, Franchise Development Manager Phone: 416-439-0051 ext. 216 Email: meraj@pizzanova.com

PANAGO PIZZA INC. 33149 Mill Lake Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 2A4 Ph: 877-731-0310 / 604-859-6621 / Fax: 604-850-1244 E-mail: development@panago.com Website: www.panagofranchise.com

88 Canadian Franchise Association

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MARKETPLACE

TM

IT PAYS Grab Your Slice of Life!

Pizza Pizza began in December 1967 in a 300 square foot store in Toronto at the corner of Wellesley and Parliament Street. Since then we became the biggest pizza chain in the country.

Our success stems from our customer focus. Our commitments to freshness, quality, and innovation have led us to the top of the pile in the pizza industry. Pizza Pizza delivers on its goals time and time again as we strive to make the best pizzas around at reasonable prices. Moving forward, we will continue to hold our leading position through community involvement and environmental stewardship.

Consider what Canada’s most successful pizza chain has to offer you: • A commitment to quality, • Comprehensive training freshness, customer • Site selection, lease satisfaction and innovation negotiation and professional • Superior marketing and architectural design promotional support • Knowledgeable support staff • State-of-the-art technology • Administrative systems • Ongoing professional • We supply the ingredients development • Be your own boss!

Franchising information: franchisinginfo@pizzapizza.ca www.pizzapizza.ca/franchising

BECOME A HOME MAKEOVER SPECIALIST PREPPING HOMES FOR SALE – AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Do you like Real Estate, Design, Staging and Renovations?

Do you enjoy Networking and want a Flexible Work Schedule?

Join The Future of Real Estate

Join the Quesada franchise team and discover the Joy of Mex!

The Internet has transformed everything we do. It allows visionary companies to move faster and make things happen for less money. That’s why you don’t see many ads for video store or travel agent franchises in this magazine like you once did.

QUESADA FRANCHISEE BENEFITS:

If you’ve often thought that the real estate industry is also ripe for major transformation, then it’s time to join the club.

At PropertyGuys.com we leverage people and technology in a way that makes real estate better. Our national network of over 100 franchise owners enjoy being on the cutting edge of innovation, have exclusive territories and represent a real estate platform that creates raving fans. While we’re already in over 600+ communities coast-to-coast, we’re not done growing. This could be your chance to be part of something amazing.

If you want to learn more about how you can own a piece of the Future of Real Estate please let us know by email to opportunities@propertyguys.com, phone 1-844-333-7017 or by visiting info.propertyguys.com/franchise-cfa.

PREP’N SELL COULD BE THE RIGHT FIT FOR YOU Prep’n Sell Franchise owners provide a convenient, hassle-free “One Call” service to Real Estate agents and home owners who are looking to sell or buy a home. We provide a full spectrum of home improvement services and specialists – everything that’s needed to prepare a home for sale. Our Prep’n Sell Franchises have hundreds of Real Estate Agents promoting our business.

What a WIN / WIN Concept!

• Home-based business with low overhead costs • Family-friendly business • In-demand, niche market in an $80 billion industry • Contractor opportunity for trades • Complete turnkey system • Prep’n Sell custom operations software • Complete training and ongoing support • Management of digital & social media marketing • Franchisees just like you connect online every two weeks PARTNER WITH US TO START YOUR OWN FRANCHISED BUSINESS Contact David Collier today.

416.201.1010 or 844.299.1104 dcollier@prepnsell.com www.prepnsell.com

• Affordable entry cost • Proven business model • Canadian owned company with hands-on franchisee support including: ° Site selection, lease negotiation, and restaurant design expertise ° Operational and management training ° Advertising and promotional support ° Systems to build sales, reduce operating costs and increase profitability Three corporate locations and over 125 franchises from coast to coast – with more locations opening every month.

Steve Gill Founder & CEO

franchising@quesada.ca www.quesada.ca/franchising/

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 89

MARKETPLACE

With approximately 250 cafés across Canada, Second Cup Coffee Co. is Canada’s largest specialty coffee franchisor, proudly serving premium coffee and amazing opportunities since 1975.

Our Mission is to deliver an unforgettable coffee experience that celebrates life’s moments and gives good vibes! Together with our franchisees we create the most joyful coffee experience.

Customers come to us for our friendly, knowledgeable, skilled and passionate baristas, and our warm and inviting environment.

If you have the ability to provide an inspiring in-café experience to your customers along with the know how to make a retail business succeed, we would like to talk to you. Second Cup Coffee Co. provides intensive management training and ongoing marketing and operational support. You can also look to us for product innovation and exciting developments in café design and customer service.

To learn more, please visit secondcup.com E-mail franchising@secondcup.com

Recipient of the 2011 CFA Hall of Fame Award

TACO TIME CANADA Canada’s leading Mexican fast food restaurant chain. We prepare great food in our stores, in a fast and friendly environment. Join our growing list of successful franchisees and participate in the continued expansion of the Mexican segment.

We have unit types to fit different investment and operational criteria. From drive thrus, in-line and food courts, TacoTime delivers real mexican food with flare. We provide training, site selection and ongoing operations and marketing support for all stores.

Total investment ranges between $225,000 and $400,000, depending on unit type. Cash requirements are $75,000 to $125,000, again depending on unit type.

Web site: www.tacotimecanada.com Call Toll Free Steve Nickerson 1-800-471-5722 A4, 416 Meridian Road SE, Calgary, Alberta T2A 1X2 Phone: 403-543-3490 Fax: 403-543-3499

Welcome to the home of the original Famous All Day Breakfast™ Canada’s leading full-service breakfast restaurant franchise Fresh is Tastiest™ is the Sunset Grill philosophy. Our guests are loyal to our brand and love our food because we use quality ingredients, healthy cooking methods and our meals are freshly prepared and cooked to order.

Our award-winning formula has been perfected through decades of experience operating and franchising successful restaurants.

For over 30 years, our owner-operators have enjoyed healthy returns and high profit margins (up to 20 per cent on net sales).

We set you up for success with our turnkey build-outs and handson training program. You’ll learn the ins and outs of running a successful and sustainable breakfast restaurant, and you’ll benefit from ongoing professional guidance.

Partner with Canada’s # 1 breakfast brand today as we continue to expand over the next 12-month period, opening at least 20 new franchised units across Canada and select markets in the U.S. Join the breakfast revolution today and let us find you a home at Sunset Grill.

Visit us: www.sunsetgrill.ca Email us: franchising@sunsetgrill.ca Call us: (905) 286-5833 Sunset Grill. A business that works for you.

Join The UPS Store franchise network and count on the support from our experienced Home Office and in-field teams to get you to your grand opening and beyond. Many offer printing or shipping services, but our dedication to innovation and convenience are what keep The UPS Store at the top of our industry. With over 350 franchise locations across Canada (and continuing to grow), we have a proven track record of success!

As a franchisee you will enjoy an established system to get your business started off on the right track; in-depth training programs and ongoing support to make sure you continue to succeed; and an internationally recognized and award-winning brand to help you build instant credibility in your community. The UPS Store is there at every stage of your franchising journey.

Visit us at theupsstore.ca. We Print, Ship & More!

Locations, North America: Over 5000 Locations in Canada: Over 350 Minimum cash investment: $100,000 Total cash investment: $174,000 to $198,500 plus working capital.

For more information on The UPS Store opportunity, call 1-800-661-6232 or visit www.theupsstore.ca.

90 Canadian Franchise Association

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

MARKETPLACE

The Future is Wellness!

Community-based, health-focused multi-media marketing.

Our approach is simple. We help health-related local brands foster meaningful connections and provide them with multi-media marketing platforms that include: print & social media advertising, branding & visual identity, design, copywriting, and community management. Wellnessnews Choices for Healthy Living® is currently found in 11 communities in Manitoba, 9 in Saskatchewan, 2 in Alberta, and 8 in BC. Area developers, master franchises, multi and single-unit territories are now available for entrepreneurs who are looking for a homebased business that provides them with independence and flexibility to suit their lifestyle. Benefits include in-house creative design, an editorial team, a great reputation, initial training and ongoing support, very low overhead, and long-term residual revenues!

Call today to find out if you qualify to own YOUR own exclusive publishing territory. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others.

FRANCHISE CANADA PUBLICATIONS 116-5399 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M9C 5K6 Phone: (800) 665-4232 ext. 238 / (416) 695-2896 ext. 238 Fax: (416) 695-1950 Web: FranchiseCanada.Online Email: editor@cfa.ca Contact: Lauren Huneault, Editor Franchise Canada is published by the Canadian Franchise Association and reaches a wide spectrum of potential and established franchisees and franchisors. Franchise Canada Magazine is published bi-monthly and the Franchise Canada Directory is published annually. Franchise Canada is available across Canada through distribution channels that include Chapters-Indigo, CFA tradeshows, select newsstands, and Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.

For advertising information, contact Gwen Dunant, (877) 254-0097 or gwen@cfa.ca.

In Business Since: 2000

Scaling Franchise Fee Starting at 21,500 Investment Required: 36,320 WELLNESSNEWS CANADA, INC. Website: WellnessnewsFranchise.com E-mail: opportunity@wellnessnews.ca • Phone: 1-800-840-4309

Associate your brand with the quality and credibility that only the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) can offer by advertising in Franchise Canada.

Benefit from your CFA membership and reach sophisticated prospective franchisees Advertising in Franchise Canada gives you access to our readers – your target audience – in a trusted editorial environment.

Put your brand in the hands of discerning and educated Canadians who are looking for exceptional franchise opportunities. Your advertisement will reach readers across the country through a comprehensive distribution plan and a loyal subscriber base.

Be seen across Canada and beyond In addition to being on newsstands and in bookstores across Canada, Franchise Canada is distributed in Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, reaching 350,000 affluent passengers in major cities around the globe.

Align your brand with a winner. Franchise Canada is the only franchise magazine to be recognized for best newsstand sales by the Canadian Newsstand Awards and excellence in business journalism as the recipient of a Kenneth R. Wilson Award and by the National Magazine Awards: B2B.

FOR ADVERTISING CONTACT: Gwen Dunant TEL: 877-254-0097 | FAX: 416-695-1950 | EMAIL: gdunant@cfa.ca WEB: cfa.ca | FranchiseCanada.Online

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 91

WHAT’S NEXT

DON’T MISS OUR JULY/AUGUST 2020 ISSUE! The Franchise Guide The July/August issue of Franchise Canada is The Franchise Guide, the ultimate resource for anyone looking to start a career in franchising. From understanding the fundamentals of franchising to learning how to conduct the proper due diligence, this issue is your comprehensive guide to help you become a successful franchisee.

Through this July/August issue, take a 3600 tour of the world of franchising with expert advice, real life experiences of successful franchisees, a checklist that every franchisee should have in their back pocket, and much more.

WATCH FOR THESE INFORMATIVE ARTICLES IN OUR JULY/AUGUST 2020 ISSUE:* THE FRANCHISE GUIDE: Investing in a franchise is not a decision to be taken lightly, but we’ve got you covered. We guide you through every step of the process, including finding your right fit, navigating due diligence, and working with franchise professionals, so you’ll be equipped to succeed once you begin your franchising journey.

CHECKLIST FOR FRANCHISEES: Franchising requires careful planning - do you have all your bases covered?

Just refer to this checklist, filled with questions to ask the franchisor and current franchisees, and you’ll be well on your way to effectively building your franchise business.

FAMILIES IN FRANCHISING: Canadians are known for their family values, but what happens when you add business ownership into the mix?

We share the stories of four families who have taken the leap and now own successful franchise businesses together.

FRANCHISE LAWYERS ACROSS CANADA: Get to know more about the franchise lawyers in the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) network.

Whether you’re in the city or in the remote corners of Canada, we introduce you to the lawyers who can help you navigate the legal aspects of franchising.

PLUS A SPECIAL FRANCHISE FOCUS ON AWARD-WINNING FRANCHISES! IN EVERY ISSUE: • Industry News • Show Me the Money • Franchise Tutorials • Leadership Profile • Giving Back • Home-Grown & Locally-Owned • Ask the Experts • Day in the Life • The First Year • Franchise Fun *Editorial subject to change

SALONS & SPAS: Salons and spas are a go-to for many Canadians looking for a bit of selfcare. Readers are in for a treat with these salon and spa franchises that provide Canadians the pampering they deserve.

FRANCHISE CANADA MAGAZINE Published by the Canadian Franchise Association

92 Canadian Franchise Association

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SAVINGS 2 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (12 Issues) for $29.99. SAVE 50% ANNUAL DIRECTORY for $9.99. (Available in print & digitally)

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www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX American Express.. .................................. 11 & 13 www.americanexpress.ca/ canadianfranchiseassociation

Great Clips, Inc.......................................................... .............................................. Outside Back Cover www.greatclipsfranchise.com

BMO Bank of Montreal............................... 50 www.bmo.com/franchise

International Franchise Association ............................................................................................... 78 www.franchise.org

Chuck’s Roadhouse Bar and Grill®........ ........................................................................................ 4 & 5 www.chucksroadhouse.com

COBS Bread............................................................. 67 www.cobsbread.com/franchising

Dairy Queen Canada.. .................................. 40 www.dq.ca

Driverseat...................... Inside Back Cover www.driverseatinc.com/franchise

Elite Trade Painting. . ...................................... 26 www.elitetradepainting.com/franchise

Fatburger................................................................... 27 www.fatburgercanada.com

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness............................... 39 franchise.oxygenyogaandfitness.com

Panago. . ...........................................................................9 www.panagofranchise.com

Pizza Pizza................................................................ 44 www.pizzapizza.ca/franchising Jani-King................................................................... 38 www.janiking.ca Prep ‘n Sell.................................................................... 7 www.prepnsell.com La Carnita.. ................................................................ 53 vince@monarchandmisfits.com PropertyGuys.com...........................................43 www.propertyguysfranchise.com Loaded Pierogi.................................................... 20 loadedpierogi.com/franchising Second Cup............................................................. 63 www.secondcup.com M&M Food Market.. .............................................. 3 www.mmfoodmarket.com/en/ new-shopping-experience

Mary Brown’s Chicken & Taters................ .................................................. Inside Front Cover www.marybrownsfranchising.com

The Fortunate Fox.. ........................................... 52 vince@monarchandmisfits.com

The UPS Store......................................................... 41 www.theupsstore.ca

AWARD WINNER!

Franchise Canada won Gold at the inaugural National Magazine Awards: B2B for the “Millennials in Franchising” regular editorial department.

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Franchise Canada is an award winner in the Canadian Newsstand Awards, which takes into account a magazine’s newsstand sales performance. We are also proud to be the only franchise publication to win a Kenneth R. Wilson award for excellence in business journalism.

For advertising information contact: Gwen Dunant Tel: 877-254-0097 | E-mail: gwen@cfa.ca

Franchise Canada May | June 2020 93

anad

ian Busin ess M

GIVING BACK

A Vision for Success

Pearle Vision and OneSight set their sights on providing eye care to those in need throughout North America

BY LAUREN HUNEAULT WHEN DR. STANLEY Pearle founded Pearle Vision back in 1961, his mandate was “Take care of the people.” Today, his legacy lives on at Pearle Vision, with its now-iconic slogan, “Nobody cares for eyes more than Pearle.”

Pearle Vision’s passion for providing quality eye care can be seen in its partnership with OneSight, an independent non-profit dedicated to creating a world where lack of access to vision care is no longer a barrier to human achievement and potential.

OneSight was started by LensCrafters employees more than 30 years ago, and when Luxottica acquired Pearle Vision, Pearle Vision’s foundation joined forces with OneSight to increase their ability to do good together.

Alex Wilkes, General Manager of Pearle Vision, says this partnership is founded on a shared understanding of how critical access to highquality eye care is in helping children unlock their potential.

“According to the American Optometric Association, one in four school-age children in the U.S. has an undiagnosed vision problem.

Because approximately 80 per cent of learning is visual for children, it can become a challenge for children with vision problems to achieve their full potential in school and in life. We know that getting a pair of glasses can be life-changing for a child with a vision problem,” he explains.

That’s why, last fall, Pearle Vision and OneSight teamed up to launch the ABSee (pronounced “A-B-C”) program to provide quality eye care to school-age children in need. Over the next year, ABSee will provide free access to eye care and eyewear to children in neighbourhoods across North America where Pearle

94 Canadian Franchise Association

Vision EyeCare Centers are located.

At these clinics, volunteers will conduct vision tests and optometrists will perform eye exams on board OneSight’s state-of-the-art mobile vision unit. Students who need glasses will get to choose their frames, and many go home with their new glasses on the same day.

“Every day, we see patients in our EyeCare Centers who have vision care needs, and we are there to help them see more clearly. But if we truly are the brand that cares for eyes more than anyone else, we also have an obligation to improve the lives of the community outside of our doors, and especially for the most vulnerable members of the community,” notes Wilkes.

Wilkes says the ABSee program is already making a difference in the lives of youngsters. “When a Pearle Vision doctor performed the first comprehensive eye exam for an eight-year-old boy at one of our clinics, he found that he had a minuseight prescription. That means, without glasses, he probably could not see something clearly if it were more than six inches away from him.

This child is among the hundreds of students whose lives were changed

www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online

through the first four ABSee vision care clinics.”

Ultimately, an initiative like ABSee is only as strong as those who are championing it, and Pearle Vision franchisees have certainly stepped up to make this program a success.

“Our franchisees have been very excited to support this initiative and are getting involved by volunteering at ABSee clinics in their area and soliciting support at the point of sale. Our franchisees are committed to not only caring for the patients that walk through the doors of our EyeCare Centers, but also those people in our communities who need help,” says Wilkes.

While franchisees are keen to support the ABSee program, Wilkes says they also participate in other charitable efforts in their communities. “Over the years, our licensed owners have developed relationships with non-profits and charities in their communities, making donations, sponsoring events, and participating in health fairs. We are supportive of those efforts and fully expect that our licensed owners will continue to nurture those local relationships even as they support ABSee.” Wilkes says Pearle Vision and OneSight hope to expand the scope of the ABSee program beyond the original plan, to reach more North American communities.

“We started with an initial list of 10 sites for ABSee clinics over the first six months, and we are working with OneSight to bring ABSee clinics, as well as other programming, to many more communities across North America.”

The mobile ABSee clinic is scheduled to come to Toronto, Ontario this May.

Chauffeur Franchise

Shuttle Franchise

No fleet required Care based approach Work from home Highly scalable Low cost of entry

Build your fleet $20 billion industry Corporate contracts Custom solutions Purpose built free

Contact us for more information! www.driverseatinc.com/franchise 855-374-8390

CFA Franchisees Choice Designation 2 Consecutive years

Winner of CFA Awards of Excellence

9 weeks of online and in-classroom extensive training

State of the art business technology solutions

Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award

Cut Hair, Grow Business with Currently franchising in Winnipeg and Ottawa!

•

Largest Salon Brand in the World

• Recession-Resistant

•

Over 150 Salons in Canada

• No Hair Experience Required

•

4,500 salons throughout the U.S. and Canada

• Multi-Unit Business