Elite Franchise Canada

Just Cuts: Hair, there, and everywhere

Just Cuts Global COO David Mathie, explains how the success of the Canadian launch of the hair Salon franchise depends on systems, local relationships, and getting the fundamentals right before scaling…

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

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.

SPONSORED FEATURE

A great brand isn’t enough

Sponsored Article

Jul 28 '26

When evaluating a franchise opportunity, the most important investment isn’t the concept – it’s the franchisor behind it and the partnership they create

From one small Ontario restaurant to 250 locations: the family behind one of Canada’s fastest-growing franchise brands

Sponsored Article

Aug 26 '26

Osmow’s Shawarma celebrates its 25th anniversary and the opening of its 250th restaurant, tracing growth from a single Streetsville shop founded by immigrant Sam Osmow to a North American franchise led by his children

Do not buy a job: plan your exit now

Fay Chapple

Aug 26 '26

Most people think about how to start their franchise, not how to end it. Here is why your exit strategy is the most important decision you will make

Why local video content is one of the most powerful marketing tools for franchisees

Alex Colthart

Aug 25 '26

Alex Colthart explains how local video content enables franchisees to build trust, engage communities and strengthen brand consistency across Canada

The franchise industry’s most overlooked challenge

Angela Coté

Aug 24 '26

Angela Cote argues that the franchise sector’s most persistent problem is not recruitment or technology, but the quality of support franchisors provide to franchisees day to day

Two lead generation metrics your franchise sales team needs to analyse

Mackenzie Allsop

Aug 21 '26

MacKenzie Allsop of Cadence Franchising explains the two lead generation metrics franchise sales teams should review at the midpoint of 2026

The franchise marketing tech stack is broken

Steve Buors

Aug 20 '26

Steve Buors of Reshift Media argues that franchise marketing technology has become fragmented and counterproductive, and explains how to rebuild a simpler, more effective stack

Advertising rents attention. Marketing earns it.

Brian Bazely

Aug 19 '26

Brian Bazely explains how franchisees can move beyond advertising to build personal, local and community-focused marketing assets

Buying a franchise is not buying success

Tim Morris

Aug 19 '26

Tim Morris explains that purchasing a franchise offers structure but does not guarantee success, urging franchisees to adopt an internal locus of control

The two Ss that separate great franchises from the rest

Colin Sprake

Aug 17 '26

Colin Sprake explains why prospective franchisees should prioritise robust systems and ongoing support for sustainable success

The cost of waiting: why franchise ownership is about more than business

Ken LeBlanc

Aug 14 '26

Ken LeBlanc argues that the true risk for aspiring franchisees is not taking action, highlighting the long-term cost of hesitation

Choosing the right franchise category: why fit matters more than passion

Shawn Saraga

Aug 13 '26

Shawn Saraga explains how aligning personal experience with franchise category, rather than passion alone, leads to sustainable success