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As the second largest franchise industry in the world, Canada is a great place to start a franchise business. With the U.S.’s booming industry just to the south, Canadian business are able to grow internationally easily, setting up for global brand recognition and huge amounts of business success.
The Canadian Franchise Industry
According to statistics from the Canadian Franchise Association, over 1.8 million Canadians, or approximately 1 out of every 10 working Canadians, are directly or indirectly employed by the franchise industry. It should come as no surprise then that every time a new franchise opens, it creates new jobs and direct and indirect economic benefit to local communities and the country as a whole.
There are an estimated 1,300 franchise brands operating over 75,000 franchise units across Canada. Thanks to all these small, independently owned businesses, the Canadian franchise industry generates an estimated $96 billion every year, representing almost 5% of the Canadian economy. Franchising fuels the economy so that Canada can continue to accomplish great things.
Top Canadian Franchises
While many of the well-known franchises in Canada are foreign-owned – typically hailing from the United States – a number of indigenous Canadian franchises are at the top of the industry, such as Boston Pizza, Second Cup, and BeaverTails.
When you think of quintessential Canadian franchise brands, you probably think of Tim Hortons. While the coffee franchise has hit a few bumps in the road in recent years, the brand remains the classic Canadian franchise. Other top Canadian franchises include:
- Pizza Pizza: Pizza Pizza began in 1967 and has since become the largest pizza chain in Canada. Responding to the growing number of health-conscious consumers in Canada, Pizza Pizza was the first large pizza chain to introduce whole wheat dough, eliminate added trans fats, and offer gluten-free dough.
- A&W Food Services of Canada: A&W Food Services of Canada opened in 1956 in Winnipeg as part of the American chain but was bought by Canadian-owned Unilever in 1972, making the brand Canada’s original burger chain. This fast-growing burger franchise has over 900 restaurants.
- Booster Juice: Booster Juice was the first premium juice and smoothie bar in Canada and continues to be Canada’s largest chain of fresh juice and smoothie bars. Booster Juice boasts nearly 400 franchise locations.
Global Canadian Franchises
For some Canadian franchises, success is found outside of the country. After establishing a proven business model in Canada, many franchises choose to take their brands across the border into the United States, which has a very fruitful franchise landscape, and then overseas.
- Liberty Tax Service – Liberty Tax Service is an international Canadian brand that has grown across North American. The franchise started when a non-compete clause from a previous business prevented Jackson Hewitt from operating an income tax preparation business in the United States, causing him to set up his business in Canada instead. The first Liberty Tax Service location opened in 1997. The franchise has over 4,400 offices across North America, and 270 of those are located in Canada.
- Yogen Früz – Yogen Früz opened in Toronto in 1986. This revolutionary frozen yogurt concept offers customers a health experience unlike any other, and since then, that small yogurt shop has grown to 1,400 locations in 47 countries. Yogen Früz has consistently ranked on of Entrepreneur’s Top 500 Global Franchises for over 20 years.
- Pita Pit – Pita Pit’s first location opened in Canada in 1995 as a fast casual restaurant that could provide people with food that is both healthy and delicious. The brand began franchising in 1997 and soon expanded into the United States in 1999. Now the healthy, fast casual Lebanese-style pita concept has expanded to 11 countries.
To find more top franchise opportunities in Canada, browse Franchise Direct Canada’s comprehensive directory.