Franchise Canada Show Toronto - Fall 2026
About this Event
Saturday October 24th 11:00am-4:00pm
Sunday October 25th 11:00am-4:00pm
Join us at the Franchise Canada Show Toronto, the ultimate destination for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to embark on a successful small business ownership journey! This event will take place at the Toronto Congress Centre, where dreams become reality and possibilities are boundless.
Are you ready to unlock a world of opportunities? Here's why you can't miss the Franchise Canada Show:
Explore a Diverse Franchise Showcase: featuring a wide range of franchise opportunities from various industries, discover cutting-edge concepts, well-established brands, and innovative business models that are ready to be embraced. Find the perfect fit for your entrepreneurial aspirations at the show!
Engage with Industry Experts: Interact with seasoned franchise professionals and industry experts who possess extensive knowledge and expertise. Gain valuable insights, ask burning questions, and receive personalized guidance to make informed decisions about your franchising journey.
Attend Informative Seminars: Get inspired and equipped with essential tools for success through our series of informative seminars and workshops. Industry leaders will share their experiences, strategies, and insider tips, empowering you to navigate the franchising landscape with confidence. From financing and legal considerations to marketing and operations, our sessions cover all aspects of franchising.
Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to ignite your entrepreneurial journey and step into the exciting world of franchising. Register now for the Franchise Canada Show Toronto and unlock endless possibilities!
ABOUT THE FRANCHISE CANADA SHOW:
The Franchise Canada Show is a free franchise exhibition for individuals looking to start, own, and operate their own local small businesses. Since 1996, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) has helped thousands of Canadians realize their dreams of building successful businesses and taking control of their financial situations. As Canada's ultimate franchise exhibition and the official show of the CFA, it's the place to meet leading national brands and franchisors face-to-face, connect with industry experts, attend free seminars, and explore franchise business opportunities in every industry and at all investment levels!
The franchise industry encompasses over 60+ sectors, including food, beauty, construction, and more. Begin your franchising journey at the Franchise Canada Show! Start your search now and make your dreams of starting your own business a reality. Get into business for yourself, but not by yourself, with the support of a credible franchise system!
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Get ready for the show—these outstanding Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) brands and successful franchisees will inspire your franchise journey!
Day 1
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
What Successful Franchisees Do Differently: What Ownership Really Takes
Host: Gordon Haslam, Ledgers
Info: Franchise ownership offers the support of an established system, but success still depends heavily on the owner. This session looks at what franchise ownership really requires, how different ownership models work, and the habits and approaches that tend to distinguish stronger franchisees over time.
Participants will hear what experienced franchise professionals see across their networks, from the level of involvement and commitment required to leadership, execution, use of franchisor support and responding when performance is off track.
What Will Be Covered
• What franchise ownership really requires day to day
• Owner-operator, semi-absentee and multi-unit ownership models
• Independence versus following a proven system
• The level of involvement successful franchisees typically have
• Following and executing the franchise system consistently
• Managing people and building a strong team
• Understanding and monitoring business performance
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
The Price Tag Behind the Promise: What Franchise Ownership Really Costs
Info: The franchise fee is only one part of the investment required to open and operate a franchise. This practical session looks at startup costs, working capital, ongoing expenses and cash-flow needs, and helps prospective owners understand what financial readiness really means.
What Will Be Covered
• Franchise fees versus total investment
• Startup and opening costs
• Working capital
• Ongoing operating expenses
• Royalties and other recurring fees
• Cash-flow planning
• Financial readiness
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Finding the Right Fit: What Franchisors Look For
Host: Cailin White, Boston Pizza International
Info: Choosing a franchise is a two-way decision. While prospective franchisees are evaluating brands and opportunities, franchisors are also deciding who they believe is likely to be a good fit for their system. This session takes prospective buyers inside the candidate selection process to understand what franchisors assess, what makes an applicant stand out and what can cause a system to decide not to move forward.
What Will Be Covered:
• Financial qualifications and available capital
• Experience versus transferable skills
• Motivation for buying a franchise
• Fit with the ownership model and level of involvement required
• Alignment with the brand, culture and expectations of the system
• How candidates approach the discovery and due diligence process
• What makes a prospective franchisee stand out
• Common candidate red flags and reasons applicants may be declined
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Read Before You Sign: The Franchise Agreement, Decoded
Info: Disclosure documents and franchise agreements can be unfamiliar territory for first-time buyers. This practical session explains the purpose of these documents, introduces some of the terminology prospective franchisees are likely to encounter, and explores what it means to operate your own business within someone else’s franchise system and brand.
What Will Be Covered
• The franchise disclosure document
• The franchise agreement
• Initial and ongoing fees
• Territory
• Term and renewal
• Transfer and resale
• Termination
• System standards and operating requirements
• Use of the franchisor’s brand and trademarks
• The role of independent legal advice
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Ask the Experts: Finding Your Fit
Host: Gordon Haslam, Ledgers
Info: Bring your questions and join CFA-member franchisors and professional advisors for small-group conversations about the issues that matter when considering franchise ownership.
Discussion Topics
• First-Time Business Ownership
• Finding the Right Franchise Fit
• Lifestyle & Ownership Models
• Financing Your Franchise
• Franchise Law
• Ask a Franchisor
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM
Money Talks: Are You Financially Ready to Buy a Franchise?
Host: James McCannell, Meridian Credit Union
Info: Before asking a lender for financing, prospective franchisees need to understand their own financial position and what lenders will expect. This session explains how to prepare financially for franchise ownership and the factors that can affect how much financing may be available.
What Will Be Covered
• Personal investment and equity expectations
• Net worth and liquidity
• Credit history
• Documentation lenders may request
• Preparing before approaching a lender
• Common financing misconceptions
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Franchise Spotlight: How I Chose My Franchise
Info: Curious what it’s really like to run a franchise? Join us for the Franchise Spotlight and hear from a UPS Store franchisee who’s been in your shoes. From navigating the surprises of the first year to sharing practical tips for day-to-day success, this fireside-style chat offers real-world insights, lessons learned, and the inside scoop on franchisor support. Perfect for anyone thinking about taking the leap into franchise ownership!
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Location, Location, Location: What Makes a Great Franchise Site?
Host: Shawn Saraga, CFE, The Franchise Academy
Info: For many franchise concepts, the right location can have a significant impact on performance. This session explores how markets and sites are evaluated, what factors influence location potential, and what prospective franchisees should understand before becoming committed to a particular site.
What Will Be Covered
• Market and trade-area analysis
• Demographics
• Traffic and accessibility
• Visibility and exposure
• Competition
• Site characteristics
• Common site-selection mistakes
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Top Mistakes New Franchisees Make and How to Avoid Them
Host: Cailin White, Boston Pizza International
Info: Many problems that arise after opening can be traced back to decisions made before the franchise was purchased. Experienced franchise professionals share some of the most common mistakes they see and what prospective franchisees can do to make better-informed decisions.
What Will Be Covered
• Inadequate due diligence
• Underestimating capital needs
• Choosing for the wrong reasons
• Unrealistic expectations
• Misunderstanding the franchise relationship
• Ignoring warning signs
• Failing to seek professional advice
Day 2
🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:45 AM
How to Choose the Right Franchise Fit
Host: Shawn Saraga, CFE. The Franchise Academy
Info: With opportunities spanning different industries, investment levels and ownership models, finding the right franchise requires more than choosing a familiar brand. This session explores how prospective owners can narrow their options and determine which opportunities deserve a closer look.
What Will Be Covered
• Goals and motivations
• Lifestyle and time commitment
• Investment level
• Ownership model
• Brand recognition versus system fit
• Culture and values
• Narrowing a long list of opportunities
🕑: 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
From National Brand to Local Customers: Marketing Your Franchise
Host: Shawn Saraga, CFE, The Franchise Academy
Info: An established brand can give franchisees a head start, but local customers still need a reason to choose their business. This session explores how franchisors and franchisees work together to build awareness, what marketing support may come from the system, and what prospective owners should understand about their own role in attracting and retaining customers locally.
What Will Be Covered
• National and system-wide marketing
• Local marketing responsibilities
• Marketing funds
• Grand-opening marketing
• Social media and digital marketing
• Community involvement
• Local partnerships
• Franchisor support versus franchisee responsibility
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Show Me the Money: What Lenders Want from Franchise Buyers
Host: Sandro Giannini, RBC
Info: Once you have identified a franchise opportunity, how will a lender assess the investment and your application? This session looks at financing from the lender’s perspective, including the franchise system, borrower qualifications, equity contribution, business plan and supporting documentation.
What Will Be Covered
• How lenders assess the franchise opportunity
• Borrower qualifications
• Equity contribution
• Business plans
• Financial projections
• Supporting documentation
• Common financing challenges
🕑: 12:45 PM - 01:15 PM
Read the Fine Print: What Your Franchise Disclosure Document is Telling You
Host: Amy Delisle, CFE, KMB Law
Info: The franchise disclosure document is one of the most important sources of information available to a prospective franchisee. This session will help buyers understand what the FDD is designed to tell them, which sections deserve particularly close attention, and how to use the information it contains as part of their due diligence before signing a franchise agreement.
What Will Be Covered
• The purpose of the franchise disclosure document
• Key financial, system and ownership information contained in the FDD
• Fees, estimated investment and other financial commitments
• Franchisee turnover, closures, transfers and system history
• How the FDD connects to the franchise agreement
• Questions to discuss with independent franchise counsel
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:45 PM
Know the Numbers Before You Buy
Info: You do not need to be an accountant to own a franchise, but you do need to understand the financial fundamentals. This practical session looks at revenue, expenses, profit, cash flow, working capital and break-even, and the questions prospective owners should ask when evaluating the financial side of an opportunity.
What Will Be Covered
• Revenue and sales
• Gross versus net profit
• Cash flow
• Fixed and variable costs
• Working capital
• Break-even
• Financial information to review
• Questions for an accountant
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:15 PM
Ask the Experts: Due Diligence & Choosing Well
Host: Sandro Giannini, RBC
Info: Bring your questions and join CFA-member franchisors and professional advisors for small-group conversations focused on evaluating opportunities and preparing to make an informed decision.
Discussion Topics
• Due Diligence & Validation
• Franchise Agreements
• Banking & Financing
• Accounting & Business Planning
• Commercial Leasing
• Ask a Franchisor
🕑: 02:15 PM - 02:45 PM
Before You Sign a Lease: What Franchise Buyers Need to Know
Info: For many location-based franchises, the commercial lease can be one of the largest and longest commitments the owner makes. This session explores what prospective franchisees should understand about lease structure, occupancy costs, renewals, guarantees, assignments and the difference between leasing directly from a landlord and subleasing from a franchisor.
What Will Be Covered
• Base rent and additional rent
• Lease term and renewal options
• Personal guarantees
• Tenant obligations
• Head leases and subleases
• Direct lease versus franchisor sublease
• Assignment and resale
• Lease negotiations
• Common first-time tenant mistakes
🕑: 02:45 PM - 03:15 PM
Franchise Spotlight
Info: Hear directly from a franchisee about how they moved from exploring business ownership to selecting a franchise, including how they researched opportunities, compared brands, conducted due diligence and ultimately decided which system was right for them.
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What Will Be Covered
• Beginning the franchise search
• Comparing opportunities
• Due diligence
• Speaking with franchisors and existing franchisees
• Key decision factors
• What influenced the final choice
• Lessons learned
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Before You Decide: Your Franchise Buyer's Checklist
Host: Sandro Giannini, RBC
Info: Before making a franchise investment, prospective buyers should be able to answer some fundamental questions about fit, finances, due diligence, legal commitments and the franchise system itself. This closing session brings the day together into a practical roadmap for making an informed decision.
What Will Be Covered
• Personal fit and ownership expectations
• Financial readiness
• Comparing opportunities
• Due diligence
• Speaking with existing franchisees
• Legal review
• Financing
• Building an advisory team
• Unanswered questions
• Knowing when to proceed or walk away
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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