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HOW ANGUS VALLEY MONTESSORI IS CHANGING THE FRANCHISE LANDSCAPE AVMS founder Murtaza Hasan is creating space for children to feel cared for, understood, and excited to learn. Clothing provided by The Source Menswear.
EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON AI
2026 ECONOMIC FORECAST FOR FRANCHISEES
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FRANCHISING TRENDS Experts share industries on the rise, consumer spending trends, the tech tools you need, and more.
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CONTENTS FRANCHISE
CANADA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
19 COVER STORY
19
Looking for a franchise? Discover
the best franchise business opportunities available now
Start a business for yourself with the support of a credible franchise system! With hundreds of franchise opportunities, LookforaFranchise.ca is the most comprehensive online directory of legitimate franchises available in Canada. We make searching for a franchise easy— you can find franchises by company name, location, investment, or industry. Begin your search now and realize the dream of running your own business.
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• Information you can trust • Credible franchise opportunities • Narrow your search • Contact franchisors directly • Get the info you need
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4 Canadian Franchise Association
2026 Franchising Trends Experts share industries on the rise, consumer spending trends, the tech tools you need, and more.
20
New Year, New Heights of Franchising The franchise industry is poised for growth in 2026. Where will you find your franchise opportunity?
24
The Canadian Economic Outlook for Franchise Owners in 2026 CIBC experts weigh in on where 2026 will take us
26
Small Business, Big Future An RBC poll says entrepreneurial ambition is at an eight-year high. Is 2026 the year of the small business owner?
28
Expert Roundtable: AI Innovation and Integration in Franchising The tech tools every franchise owner needs to know
www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online
31
Must-Know Business Terms and Trends for the Year Ahead Update your business vocabulary for 2026
34
The Role of Consumer Spending Data in Decision Making During Economic Uncertainty Moneris digs into consumer spending trends for 2026
36
Trends in Franchise Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Franchisees What to know about franchise learning and development
38
Portrait of a Prospective Franchisee
39
The Wide World of Wellness Franchises The brands keeping new year’s resolutions on track
45
Cozy Cuppas Baked goods and coffee franchise opportunities across Canada
Franchise Canada is published by the Canadian Franchise Association www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online
DEPARTMENTS
50
HOMEGROWN & LOCALLY OWNED 100% Canadian Franchise Systems
53
LEADERSHIP PROFILE Business Excellence, Brick by Brick From franchisee to owner and CEO, Christopher Rego is building Bricks 4 Kidz up to new heights
56
A DAY IN THE LIFE A Charming Business Two Gem Studio franchisees making their business sparkle
59
FIRST YEAR Diving Into New Opportunities Water Babies franchisee Brittany Torres is helping grow swimming skills and community
62
ICONIC BRAND The Sweet Spot Dairy Queen Canada’s recipe for modern franchise success
65
GIVING BACK Custom-Tailored Kindness Pearce Bespoke is helping others look and feel good with a free custom suit fitting experience
68
SHOW ME THE MONEY 4 Franchises for $50K-$150K
SEASON 9 IS NOW AVAILABLE!
71
FRANCHISE TUTORIAL Tutorials 7 & 8 This issue: • Intro to Initial Training • Intro to Ongoing Training
COLUMNS
6 PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE 10 CFA CODE OF ETHICS 14 INDUSTRY NEWS 69 ASK THE EXPERTS 74 MARKETPLACE 77 ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 78 FRANCHISE ROUNDUP
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Franchise Canada
January | February 2026
5
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
J
NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES
anuary is the time to look ahead at what the coming year will bring. If you’re picking up this magazine, you’re probably one of the many Canadians who hopes 2026 will be the year you fulfill your dreams of owning your own business. In fact, the desire for entrepreneurship is higher now in Canada than it has been for the past eight years! According to a recent RBC poll, 59 per cent of Canadians want to go into business for themselves. We sat down with Karen Svensen, RBC senior director, small business and partnerships, to find out what’s causing this high level of interest, and to unpack the findings, which speak to a high level of optimism among small business owners (page 26). Franchising is a perfect way for first-time business owners to go into business for themselves, but with the support of a proven system. That’s why this issue, The Trends Issue, is packed full of insights meant to prepare new and prospective franchisees for the year ahead. Starting on page 20, franchise consulting experts Gary Prenevost and Mackenzie Allsop share what’s trending in the franchise industry in 2026, and great tips on finding the perfect business for you this year. We’ve also collected expert forecasting on what the year will bring for our country’s economy (page 24), consumer patterns and spending (page 34), and cutting-edge business concepts (page 31). On page 36, the Canadian Franchise Association’s (CFA) own head of education, Mary MacDonald, shares the latest trends in franchise education, to help you go deeper on your franchising journey. Finally, one of the biggest shifts in the business landscape in recent years has been the rapid advancement of AI technologies. On page 28, you’ll find a roundtable Q&A with three Artificial Intelligence experts who share how these brand-new tools are impacting franchise systems, and what small business owners can do to harness this emerging power. While it’s important to stay on the pulse of trends, we can’t lose sight of what franchising is all about: the people. In this issue you’ll also find inspiring stories of
franchisees like Brittany Torres, who found success with a Water Babies swimming instruction franchise (page 59), or Fenton and Matthew Jagdeo, who are bringing DIY jewellery brand Gem Studio to Toronto (page 56). And you’ll read about menswear brand Pearce Bespoke and how they’re giving back through a program that provides free custom suits to those in need (page 65). A new year often means resolutions, and to build these new habits, Canadians turn to franchise brands in the ever-growing health and wellness space. On page 39, we explore four such brands providing nutrition, health, fitness, and relaxation to their communities. We also take you behind the curtain at DQ Canada, an iconic brand celebrating 85 years of delivering sweet treats and satisfying eats to customers. And on page 50, you’ll find three Canadian-founded franchise systems offering homegrown business opportunities. There’s plenty to explore in these pages—but it’s only half the story! Find exclusive online content, including learning videos and the Franchise Canada Chats podcast on FranchiseCanada.Online, and bookmark LookforaFranchise.ca, the CFA’s online directory of franchise opportunities, an essential resource to your business journey. As you go forth and explore the many franchise opportunities available, don’t forget to Look for the Logo—the CFA Member logo tells you that a franchise brand has signed on to the Canadian Franchise Association’s Code of Ethics, a sign that they are committed to ethical franchising and fostering franchise excellence. We hope this new year brings you opportunity and success. With an industry poised for growth, 2026 may just be the Year of the Franchise.
Sherry McNeil, CFE President & CEO, Canadian Franchise Association
6 Canadian Franchise Association www.cfa.ca | www.FranchiseCanada.Online
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