Did you know entrepreneurial ambition is at its highest point in Canada since 2017? According to an RBC poll published this month, 59 per cent of Canadians are hoping to own their own business, an eight-year high.
For these future entrepreneurs, it can be confusing to know where to start. The good news is, if you’re looking to fulfill your dream of owning your own business, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) was built just for you. In fact, the CFA’s mission is to help everyday Canadians realize this dream through the power of franchising!
Franchisees are small business owners who live, work, and contribute to their local communities. They work for themselves as business owners with the additional benefit of support from a larger franchise system. A franchisor—the corporate body that grants the franchise—is able to help with everything from securing a lease or constructing a physical location, in-depth training on how to run the business, supply and inventory management, advertising and marketing, and more.
There are franchises in nearly every industry, for every size of business. The CFA counts more than 60 industry categories among its membership—whatever your passion, you can find a franchise that fits you.
But how do you know a franchise opportunity is right for you?
At the CFA, we believe strongly that the franchise model is ultimately about people. It’s about franchisors and franchisees working together to share success. Each one of our more than 600 corporate members is committed to this ideal. As members of the Association, CFA member franchises voluntarily pledge to uphold CFA’s core values of excellence in franchising through the CFA’s Code of Ethics.
By joining the CFA, these franchises have made the conscious decision as an organization to be the best franchisors they can be.
Why you should look for the logo
In 2025, the CFA launched its Look for the Logo campaign, encouraging prospective franchisees to spot the CFA Member logo as an easy way to tell which franchise brands have made these commitments to excellence in franchising.
Let’s look a little deeper at why choosing a CFA member is important.
1. CFA Members strive for excellence
Franchisees have made a life-changing financial and time investment in purchasing a franchise. It’s up to franchisors to equip themselves with the right educational and networking tools to support their franchisees. The CFA offers its members a wide range of educational programs to help them become best-in-class franchisors, resulting in happy and thriving franchisees.
CFA members are constantly looking to become better franchise systems. Whether it’s by joining Learn & Grow Webinars to upgrade their skills or attending Franchise Law Day to get up to speed on their legal obligations, CFA members are empowered to grow their network by becoming educated franchisors.
2. The CFA fights for franchising, on your behalf
The CFA is the voice of the franchise community and the only organization fighting to protect and advance franchising in Canada. Our members understand that as a franchisee, your focus is on growing your business, which is why we’re committed to advocating for Canada’s franchising industry on your behalf.
The CFA tackles a wide range of issues directly impacting the operations of a franchised business, including access to capital and labour, lessening the burdens on small business owners, and other issues impacting the industry across Canada to ensure government works to support the growth of your business, not hinder it.
3. More tools to grow your membership
When you’re a franchisee of a CFA-member system, you’re automatically a CFA member, too! This means you have at your disposal a wide range of tools that are designed to help your franchise grow and thrive, including our Member Saving Program, an ombudsman program, access to educational opportunities, mentorship, media opportunities, and more!
The CFA is made up of a community of franchise leaders and small business owners who are committed to sharing best practices, amplifying the understanding and power of franchising in Canada, and ultimately, Growing Together® by promoting franchise excellence. By choosing a CFA member franchise, you’re doing more than just buying a franchise. You’re joining the greater Canadian franchising community, committed to excellence and growth.
To learn more about the franchising opportunities available with CFA member systems, visit www.LookforaFranchise.ca and FranchiseCanada.Online
