42 Canadian Franchise Association http://www.cfa.ca | http://www.LookforaFranchise.ca
YamChops
As the first plant-based butcher in North America, Yam-
Chops has drawn a lot of attention – so much so that
during its first year in business, husband-and-wife team
Michael and Toni Abramson were invited to appear on
Dragons’ Den. “When we opened in 2014, we knew that
we wanted to franchise,” says Toni. “We were offered a
deal by Jim Treliving, and although we didn’t execute the
deal we made with Jim, the experience helped us under-
stand the tools we would need.”
YamChops is a plant-based marketplace that caters
to vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians (people who still
consume some meat and dairy, but want to cut back).
The brand offers prepared deli items to eat-in or take
home, a selection of vegan groceries, prepared foods
and organic juices, and catering. But what sets this
brand apart is its ‘butcher shop’ offerings – sausages,
burgers, schnitzel, and other items that look like meat,
but are made from plant protein. “We use soy and peas
to create clean protein with a meat-like texture, and add
sauces and flavours that appeal to people who want the
familiarity of ‘meat’ on their plate,” says Toni.
Franchisees do not need to be vegan or vegetar-
ian, but they do need to have a can-do attitude and
an eagerness to problem solve. “Running a business
means encountering any number of issues and chal-
lenges on a daily basis. Inaction is a business killer,
which is why we look for these traits first,” say the
Abramsons. Having an ability to engage customers
and staff is also important.
Training and support starts with four weeks in a cor-
porate store to learn day-to-day operations, and courses
about the market and customer base. Online courses
cover all aspects of running a franchise, from staffing to
managing inventory levels.
The first YamChops franchise opened in 2016, and the
company is now looking to new markets both in Canada
and the United States.YAMCHOPS STATS
Franchise units in Canada: 3 under construction (at press time)
Corporate units in Canada: 1
Franchise fee: $30K
Investment required: $325K-$372K
Start-up capital required: $100K-$150K
Tr aining: 6 Weeks
Available territories: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS,
ON, PE, SK, US
In business since: 2014
CFA member since: 2016FRESH FLAVOURS