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The 50 Largest Franchises in Canada (2020)

The 50 Largest Franchises in Canada (2020)
The 50 Largest Franchises in Canada (2020)

The 12th largest sector of the Canadian economy, franchising contributes over $100 billion CAD per year to the country’s economy. It also, according to the Canadian Franchise Association, creates jobs for almost two million Canadians directly.

With the industry’s impact on the overall economy, it might leave you wondering: Which franchises dominate the Canadian franchising scene?

Below is a ranking of the 50 biggest franchise systems in Canada. The ranking only takes into consideration the number of franchise units each business has in operation in Canada. Many of the franchises below also operate in several other countries.

It won’t come as a surprise that Tim Hortons is at the top of this list.

The Canada-born coffee franchise has become one of the most recognizable brands in the world. Also heading the list are worldwide franchising behemoths Subway, Circle K, McDonald’s, and Jan-Pro.

But just a little further down the ranking, you’ll come across some domestic favorites such as food franchises Canada Bread and Pizza Pizza, as well as retail franchise Gateway Newsstands and travel franchise Marlin Travel.

Overall, food franchises are very well represented (24 of the 50)—as is the case with most general franchise lists. However, a glance at the list reveals a strong showing for automotive franchises as well.

As for country of origin, more than half the list—26 to be exact—call Canada their birthplace.

Unsurprisingly, the United States follows as the next most common country of origin with 23. Japan is the single other country of origin to break the top 50. (Note: Some franchises featured are the Canadian subsidiary of a larger franchise brand (e.g. Jan-Pro Canada). For the count, the parent company country of origin was used.)

The whole list of 50 follows.

The 50 Largest Franchises in Canada*

Franchise
Year Founded
Units in Canada (2020)
Country of Origin
Industry

Tim Hortons

1964
3665
Canada
Food

Subway

1965
3112
United States
Food

Circle K

1951
2201
United States
Convenience Store

McDonald's (of Canada)

1955
1480
United States
Food

Jan-Pro Canada

1991
1427
United States
Cleaning

Shell Canada

1911
1369
United States
Convenience Store

H&R Block Canada

1955
1100
Canada
Accounting & Financial

A&W (of Canada)

1919
974
United States
Food

Canada Bread

1911
920
Canada
Food

RE/MAX

1973
920
United States
Real Estate

Pizza Pizza

1967
750
Canada
Food

Jani-King

1969
700
United States
Cleaning

Dairy Queen

1940
668
United States
Food

KFC

1953
650
United States
Food

Gateway Newsstands

1983
554
United States
Retail

Domino's

1960
520
United States
Food

Marlin Travel

1987
506
Canada
Travel

CARSTAR Canada

1994
480
United States
Auto

Mr. Lube Canada

1976
480
Canada
Auto

Booster Juice

1999
401
Canada
Food

Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership

1976
400
United States
Real Estate

Boston Pizza

1964
393
Canada
Food

Canadian Tire Gas+

1922
390
Canada
Auto

Wendy's (of Canada)

1969
376
United States
Food

Snap-on Tools (of Canada)

1920
369
United States
Retail

Kumon

1958
361
Japan
Child Education

Pet Valu

1976
360
Canada
Pet

Belron Canada

1965
350
Canada
Auto

The UPS Store

1980
350
United States
Mailing & Shipping

Pizza Hut

1958
330
United States
Food

Sunbelt Business Brokers

1978
318
United States
Business Services

Country Style Foods

1962
301
Canada
Food

Thai Express

2000
298
Canada
Food

Yogen Fruz Canada

1986
296
Canada
Food

Harvey's

1959
290
Canada
Food

M&M Meat Shops

1980
285
Canada
Food

Freshii

2005
283
Canada
Food

Burger King

1954
281
United States
Food

Fix Auto

1992
269
Canada
Auto

Mr. Sub

1968
252
Canada
Food

Sutton Group Realty

1983
240
Canada
Real Estate

Budget Rent-A-Car

1960
237
United States
Auto

Pita Pit

1995
233
Canada
Food

Medicine Shoppe Canada

1992
228
United States
Health & Beauty

Uniglass Plus/Ziebart Vitro Plus/Uniban Cda

1977
227
Canada
Auto

Liberty Tax Service

1972
220
Canada
Accounting & Financial

Swiss Chalet

1954
218
Canada
Food

Panago Pizza

1986
200
Canada
Food

ServiceMaster Clean & ServiceMaster Restore

1929
200
United States
Cleaning

Coffee News

1988
199
Canada
Advertising & Marketing

*The information above was compiled from published industry sources such as the Canadian Franchise Association, franchise websites, and more. Estimates were used in limited cases. The list isn’t exhaustive.

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