Across the country, Canadians are turning to franchising as a way to gain control over their income, alignment with their lifestyles, and ownership in businesses that serve their communities.
Franchising now employs nearly two million Canadians, and its growth is present in more than 60 different industry categories. Beyond the stalwarts of foodservice and retail, growth is being driven by essential services, lifestyle-driven brands, and highly specialized concepts that reflect how Canadians live, age, and spend. Heading into 2026, this evolution is revealing more than emerging business opportunities. It offers a snapshot of how Canadians are redefining work itself.
For consumers, this shift is also influencing how they choose where to spend. The Canadian Franchise Association’s Look for the Logo campaign helps Canadians identify franchise brands that have signed on to the CFA’s Code of Ethics. Choosing a CFA member brand means choosing a franchise system that is committed to ethical business practices, consumer trust, and supporting the franchise industry, an industry made up of independent small business owners who live and work in their local communities.
One of the strongest signs of growth is coming from essential-first industries. Home services, property maintenance, senior care, and automotive services are seeing sustained demand as households prioritize reliability and necessity over discretionary spending. These businesses are often recession-resilient, locally embedded, and operationally scalable, qualities that make them particularly attractive to entrepreneurs looking for stability in an unpredictable economy.
At the same time, lifestyle-led franchises are gaining traction, especially among millennials and younger investors. Wellness concepts, pet care services, and boutique fitness brands appeal to a generation that expects work to align with personal values. For these owners, financial return is only part of the equation. Flexibility, purpose, and the ability to build a business that fits alongside family life and long-term wellbeing are equally important drivers.
Another notable shift is the rise of micro niche concepts moving into the mainstream. Mobile repair services, eco-friendly solutions, and children’s education and enrichment programs are drawing first-time entrepreneurs who may not have previously seen themselves as business owners. These models often require lower upfront investment, operate with leaner footprints, and cater to highly specific consumer needs, proving that specialization, not scale, is increasingly where opportunity lies.
Just as notable as what Canadians are investing in is who is investing. Data from the CFA’s recent Franchise Canada shows revealed that more than 60 per cent of prospective franchise investors are now between the ages of 18 and 40, signaling a growing appetite for entrepreneurship earlier in people’s careers. For younger Canadians facing wage stagnation, housing challenges, and limited advancement in traditional roles, business ownership is becoming a proactive alternative to long term employment uncertainty.
This younger wave is being mirrored by a significant rise in interest among older Canadians. Investors over the age of 60 are increasingly viewing franchising as a viable second-career option. Many are leveraging decades of professional experience to transition into business ownership later in life, seeking autonomy, supplemental income, or a more flexible way to stay engaged in the workforce without starting from scratch.
While quick service restaurants remain a cornerstone of the franchise economy, the fastest growth is now coming from business-to-business and service-based models. This shift is often overlooked in discussions about small business in Canada, yet it reflects a broader economic reality. Services that support households, aging populations, and other businesses are becoming the backbone of local economies.
Taken together, these trends point to a change in entrepreneurship in Canada. Franchising is not confined to a single demographic or sector. It is a dynamic ecosystem responding directly to how Canadians want to live and work. These changes, and the people driving them, will be present at the Franchise Canada Show 2026, taking place February 7 and 8 at The International Centre in Toronto.
