6 Canadian Franchise Association http://www.cfa.ca | http://www.LookforaFranchise.ca
I
t’s no secret that Canadians have a
taste for food franchising – 45 per
cent of Canadian Franchise Associ-
ation (CFA) members are involved
in the food industry, and with food
franchises flourishing in communities
from coast to coast, consumers regu-
larly come across franchised food ser-
vice brands as they dine out or pick up a
snack or meal ingredient.
This Food Issue explores some of the
freshest and most fascinating franchise
brands and opportunities in the food
sector and beyond, starting with a close-
up look at Symposium Cafe, the Ontario-
based one-stop-restaurant brand that
just took home the CFA Award of Excel-
lence Grand Prize for Traditional Fran-
chises. Hear all about the evolution of
this community-focused restaurant
brand on page 24, and how its focused
franchisees helped in achieving this
major milestone.
We also cover a smorgasbord of the
tastiest food categories, ranging from
more indulgent dessert franchises on
page 29, to franchises offering healthier
fare on page 38, and franchises focusing
on Canadian specialty foods on page 43.
We also highlight sports bar franchises
that are bringing sports lovers together
on page 50, and take a tour of burger
franchises from British Columbia to
Newfoundland on page 55 (bring your
own napkin!).
With so many franchising opportuni-
ties to discover, it can help to hear how
others have found their own delicious
path to success. On page 93, Good Earth
Coffeehouse franchisee Joe Angotti
shares the story of how he fulfilled his
dream of owning his own café, and on
page 90, we explore how Pacini Owner
and Innovator Pierre Marc Tremblay
is helping to bring authentic Italian fla-
vours to Canadian diners.
While franchisees are certainly find-
ing success with food-focused systems,
other categories across the board are
also thriving. Black Bear Trades, forexample, is emerging as a franchise
hub for professional tradespeople, and
you can learn all about how it’s bring-
ing franchising to the trades on page 97.
You can also learn a thing or two from
Fairway Divorce Solutions franchisee
Colette Fortin, who outlines a typical
day in the life as a franchisee focused on
divorce mediation and negotiation on
page 87.
Your own successful career in fran-
chising can start with a trip to The
FranchiseCanada Show (formerly The
Franchise Show), the premier fran-
chise trade show held in major cities
across Canada each year. There, you
can meet with representatives from
some of the most exciting franchises
that are looking for franchisees in your
market. Turn to page 63 to learn more
about how you can make the most of
your tradeshow experience, and head to
http://www.FranchiseCanada.show for upcom-
ing trade show dates and locations.
Your foray into franchising can also
start with franchising your business,
and Futurpreneur Canada outlines its
advice to help young entrepreneurs
establish their own franchise on page- The Careers in Franchising article
on page 67 is another valuable resource,
as it helps map out the corporate struc-
ture of a franchise system, including the
many possible job positions within that
structure.
We hope that this issue provides you
with a flavour for the range of appetizing
opportunities available in franchising,
along with the information you need to
help you make your franchising dreams
become reality.
Lorraine R. McLachlan
President & CEO
Canadian Franchise Association
Explore the Flavours of Franchising
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