Subscribe
CFA Member
Inside Turtle Jack’s Port Carling success story
For Ben Devlin, Operating Partner of Turtle Jack’s Port Carling, hospitality is never just about running a restaurant. It’s about creating a place people want to return to - whether to work a shift, spend a summer, or enjoy a meal on the water…
Swiss Chalet: How a Canadian Icon continues to set the standard for modern franchising
Few brands in the Canadian dining landscape can claim both deep emotional appeal and sustained franchise growth. Swiss Chalet can
PropertyGuys franchise, Homing in on growth
How one PropertyGuys.com franchise built momentum through adherence to systems, good habits and a very deliberate approach to community visibility…
Taking a leap of faith
Big Frog franchise owners in Barrie, Ontario, Jason and Lisa Evans focus on community connection, onboarding support, and steady growth through systems, coaching, and local partnerships to fuel the success of their t-shirt business…
The right tools for the job
Snap-on Tools’ director of franchising explains how its franchise system blends innovation, mobile service and support to fuel franchisee success across North America…
Celebrating the best of Canadian franchising at the EF100 Canada 2026 gala
In its second year, the EF100 Awards bring Canada’s franchising elite together to honour excellence, growth, and innovation
Brewing up for success
Franchise expansion in Canada is about more than hot exotic beverages - it’s about culture, community, and lifestyle, says Indian street food brand Chaiiwala’s Chief Growth Officer, Ajmal Gundhra. We grabbed a cuppa to hear more…
So good they named it twice
Pizza Pizza COO Philip Goudreau outlines how operational excellence is the catalyst for franchise growth across Canada amid rising expectations for training, tech, and customer experience….
Showcasing the best in Canadian franchising: The EF100 is back!
Now in its second year, the definitive ranking of top franchise systems returns and here are the franchise systems defining Canada’s future
Making a clean start
Owner Esther Otunyenim and operations director Brenda Igbi reveal how resilience, self-financing, and franchise support shaped their Calgary-based Modern Cleaning launch…
Property magnet
Toronto franchise owner Nathan Dautovich explains how brand visibility, hybrid services and market-tested discipline helped his PropertyGuys business grow in one of Canada’s most competitive real estate territories…
Why Oxford Learning is betting big on cognitive learning
Oxford Learning explains how its cognitive learning model aims beyond grades, focusing on how students think, not just what they know…
Performance of a lifetime
Star of stage and screen Mary Long, has found one of her most rewarding roles as the owner of a Stagecoach performing arts franchise in Toronto. She told us more about the legacy she has created by providing young people with an opportunity to thrive…
Becoming promotional
When it comes to the promotional materials market, Fully Promoted is in it to win it, with an offering that mixes flexibility, sustainability and community outreach. We spoke to boss Yousuf Sandeela about his plans to put the name all over the Canadian market…
How Laser Clinics is sharpening its focus on Canada
Over the last three years Laser Clinics has been disrupting the medical aesthetics industry by building momentum and awareness for the brand in the Canadian market
Amphibious assault
Custom apparel franchise Big Frog is banking on Canadian market growth, personalization trends and a community-first ethos to drive its nationwide expansion plan based on local relationships, low start-up costs, and rapid fulfillment
Built to last
Snap-on Tools has maintained its top spot in the global tool market thanks to a franchise model that champions independence, innovation, and owner-led growth opportunities.
No Business like Show Business
Newly installed Master Franchisee for Stagecoach in Canada, Kristi Wenaus, has a simple goal in mind - to put the performing arts school within easy reach of anyone in the country that wants to join. No small order. So, how do you make that happen? We asked…
Masters of disaster restoration
We spoke to the leadership team at ServiceMaster Restore to find out more about its offering, training and plans for expansion in the Canadian market…
Oven ready franchise opportunity
Canadian pizza franchise Pizza Pizza offers a unique Canadian take on the popular takeaway and has ambitious plans to expand both nationally and internationally
The man behind the wheel
Customer-centric transport franchise, Driverseat has ambitious plans for expansion across Canada and into the US. We spoke to CEO Luke Bazely to find out more…
Pizza Nova’s secret sauce for success
Ontario-based pizza business Pizza Nova has been serving up slices since the sixties and is now a 150-strong franchise firmly established in the provinces
Jump on board the rock n’ roll gravy train
If you were trying to predict the next global fast food craze, the Canadian speciality of poutine might not have been front of mind
The clean machine
Investor Jason O’Connor never intended to become a franchise operator until he got involved with JDI Cleaning Services and now he’s on what he describes as a “growth rocket ship” and still climbing. He told us more…
Grounded in success
Founded in Canada, EverLine specializes in comprehensive pavement and parking lot maintenance services.
Bringing colour to the community
Establishing an Allegra Marketing Print Mail franchise enabled Jan Anders not only to realize a dream of business ownership, but also use it as a platform to give back to her local community. She told us more about it…
Baking a difference: Mixing business with benevolence
Brooklin-based COBS Bread is on the rise with a successful bakery franchise that combines business nous with philanthropy. Boss Megan Forbes tells us more…
Complying with Ontario’s franchise disclosure requirements:
Continuous disclosure of all material facts
Pink perfection: Beauty First Spa’s franchise success story
Toronto's beloved Beauty First spa franchise is on a pink-tastic journey of expansion.
Top Shelf tips on acquiring a business or a franchise
Often times we at Top Shelf Franchising see buyers spending a great deal on procrastination and wondering if this is the right time.
Consistency: Is it the ‘heart’ of franchising?
Is being 100% identical everywhere in the world essential, or is there some wiggle room for local culture?
Marketing automation technology is proving faster and better growth
Very excited to be contributing to Elite Franchise online, I wanted to introduce myself and how we currently support the franchise community.
The new franchise marketing challenge: scaling a brand without losing local relevance

The new franchise marketing challenge: scaling a brand without losing local relevance

Steve Buors
Jul 2 '26
Franchising is built on standardisation. Digital marketing rewards local relevance. Steve Buors of Reshift Media explains how franchise brands can find the balance between the two
franchise marketing

Why franchise marketing breaks down when no one owns the funnel

Liane Caruso
Jul 2 '26
Franchisees want more leads. Franchisors want better local performance. But when marketing responsibilities are unclear, both sides end up frustrated. Liane Caruso CFE explains why funnel ownership is the missing piece
The Search Begins for Canada’s Top Franchise Brands

The search begins for Canada’s top franchise Brands

Lisa Raffaele
Jul 2 '26
Applications for the 2027 EF100 Awards, Canada’s premier Franchise Recognition Program, Open July 6 Elite Franchise Canada has launched the call for entries for the 2027 EF100 Awards, recognizing outstanding franchise brands across Canada
Why thought leadership is becoming a competitive advantage in franchising

Why thought leadership is becoming a competitive advantage in franchising

Jess Parker
Jul 2 '26
As content volume rises across every platform, the franchise brands that stand out are the ones contributing meaningful perspectives, not just producing more
The Power of Franchising 

The Power of Franchising

Todd Wylie CFE
Jul 2 '26
My very first part-time job at the age of 14 was working in a Sam the Record Man. To this day, this job remains one of my favourites!  Who wouldn’t love playing 45s and talking about music all day long?
Developing your right-hand person

Developing your right-hand person

Brian Bazely
Jun 30 '26
Every franchise owner reaches a point where they cannot do everything themselves. Brian Bazely of Bazely Consulting on how to identify, develop and empower the person who will help you scale
What your US franchise agreement needs that your Canadian one probably doesn’t

What your US franchise agreement needs that your Canadian one probably doesn’t

Tom Spadea
Jun 29 '26
When Canadian franchisors prepare for a US launch, the planning conversation tends to center on the FDD, state registrations, and trademark protection
first year of franchise ownership in Canada

Surviving year one: what they don’t tell you

Fay Chapple
Jun 26 '26
They teach you how to make the product and use the software, but not how to handle the sheer exhaustion and doubt. Here is what you should really expect
purpose-driven franchises

Beyond the bottom line: why values-led leaders are choosing purpose-driven franchises

Kristi Wenaus
Jun 19 '26
For a growing number of franchise owners, success is no longer measured by targets alone. Kristi Wenaus, CEO of Stagecoach Performing Arts Canada, explains why purpose-driven leadership is becoming the defining advantage in franchising
Saskatchewan’s new franchise law

Saskatchewan’s new franchise law: where it aligns and where it favours franchisors

Gregory M. Prekupec
Jun 18 '26
From June 30, Saskatchewan joins six other Canadian provinces with franchise legislation. Greg Prekupec and Rutendo Muchinguri of Dipchand LLP explain what changes
The QSR franchise that looks like a brand but behaves like a product distributor

The QSR franchise that looks like a brand but behaves like a product distributor

Sean Goldsmith
Jun 18 '26
A sharp-looking food concept can still be a poor franchise investment if the real money is made upstream. Sean Goldsmith of GROE Global explains what buyers need to ask before signing
Your grand opening is not a day. It’s a strategy.

Your grand opening is not a day. It’s a strategy.

Liane Caruso
Jun 17 '26
Too many franchisees focus on a single launch day rather than building long-term momentum. Liane Caruso CFE explains why a successful grand opening is a process that starts months before the doors open
Load more