2018 Canadian Franchising Year in Review

🕒 3 min read

With the New Year just around the corner, there is no better time to reflect on the past year in franchising than now. We’re looking back at the trends and changes in the franchising industry in 2018 and the effect these events have had on business.

Franchise Trends and Topics

Have you stayed up to date on the lastest trends? Find out the main topics that have been trending in the Canadian franchise industry this year:

• Technology and Travel: Every industry has to deal with advancement in technology in different ways. For travel franchises, and hotel franchises in particular, technology has affected the way travelers search for accommodation and what they look for in their hotel amenities. This may mean anything from LEED-certified design to voice-activated hotel rooms.
• Working From Home: Working from home has become more popular in business across Canada, and there are a growing number of home-based franchise opportunities across all industries. A home-based business allows for lower investment costs, a flexible work schedule, and improved productivity.
• Rise of Restoration Cleaning: While many don’t think of a restoration business when they think of cleaning franchises, this is a segment of the cleaning industry that’s on the rise. Restoration franchises have a difficult task of cleaning and restoring properties after disaster, but disaster can strike anywhere anytime, leading to a rise in the industry.
• Quality and Ethical Coffee Consumption: Canadian consumers want quality in their coffee, and this applies to quality ethical sourcing and serving practices as well. This trend in the coffee franchise industry is driven by younger consumers, aged 18-34, who are interested in fair trade and organic coffee in local coffee shops.

Franchises in the News

Did you miss any of these top franchise news stories this year?

• Ontario’s minimum wage increase means changes for some franchises. In January 2018, Ontario’s minimum wage was increased to $14 per hour. Some of the factors affecting franchises included a rise in prices and cut backs in hiring. One major example was major coffee franchise Tim Hortons, who cut back on offering employee benefits and paid breaks, causing public outcry.
• Minuteman Press celebrated 40 years of franchising in Canada. The printing franchise’s first Canadian location opened in Mississauga, Ontario in the summer of 1978. The franchise has grown since then to 74 franchises operating in Canada supported by regional teams in Toronto and Vancouver.
• More global franchises are coming to Canada. Franchises with a strong reputation in the United States are making their way into the country. Chick-Fil-A’s first Canadian restaurant will open in Toronto, while Jersey Mike’s and Eat the Frog Fitness are also setting into motion their move across the border and into Canada’s growing franchise market.
• FASTSIGNS received the CFA’s Franchisee’s Choice designation. The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) has recognized FASTSIGNS for its strong franchise system that fosters mutually beneficial relationships. This year marked the sixth year in a row the printing franchise has received the honor.

There you have it — the biggest topics in Canadian franchising in 2018. We look forward to seeing what 2019 has in store for the franchising industry, and we’ll see you next year!