It’s no secret that Canadians have a taste for food franchising – 45 per cent of Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) members are involved in the food industry, and with food franchises flourishing in communities from coast to coast, consumers regularly come across franchised food service brands as they dine out or pick up a snack or meal ingredient.
This Food Issue explores some of the freshest and most fascinating franchise brands and opportunities in the food sector and beyond, starting with a close-up look at Symposium Cafe, the Ontario-based one-stop-restaurant brand that just took home the CFA Award of Excellence Grand Prize for Traditional Franchises. Hear all about the evolution of this community-focused restaurant brand, and how its focused franchisees helped in achieving this major milestone.
We also cover a smorgasbord of the tastiest food categories, ranging from more indulgent dessert franchises, to franchises offering healthier fare, and franchises focusing on Canadian specialty foods. We also highlight sports bar franchises that are bringing sports lovers together, and take a tour of burger franchises from British Columbia to Newfoundland (bring your own napkin!).
With so many franchising opportunities to discover, it can help to hear how others have found their own delicious path to success. Good Earth Coffeehouse franchisee Joe Angotti shares the story of how he fulfilled his dream of owning his own café, and we explore how Pacini Owner and Innovator Pierre Marc Tremblay is helping to bring authentic Italian flavours to Canadian diners.
While franchisees are certainly finding success with food-focused systems, other categories across the board are also thriving. Black Bear Trades, for example, is emerging as a franchise hub for professional tradespeople, and you can learn all about how it’s bringing franchising to the trades. You can also learn a thing or two from Fairway Divorce Solutions franchisee Colette Fortin, who outlines a typical day in the life as a franchisee focused on divorce mediation and negotiation.
Your own successful career in franchising can start with a trip to The FranchiseCanada Show (formerly The Franchise Show), the premier franchise trade show held in major cities across Canada each year. There, you can meet with representatives from some of the most exciting franchises that are looking for franchisees in your market. Learn more about how you can make the most of your tradeshow experience, and head to www.thefranchiseshow.cfa.ca for upcoming trade show dates and locations.
Your foray into franchising can also start with franchising your business, and Futurpreneur Canada outlines its advice to help young entrepreneurs establish their own franchise. The Careers in Franchising article is another valuable resource, as it helps map out the corporate structure of a franchise system, including the many possible job positions within that structure.
We hope that this issue provides you with a flavour for the range of appetizing opportunities available in franchising, along with the information you need to help you make your franchising dreams become reality.