TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From the coffee shop around the corner to the fitness studio down the street, franchised businesses are part of everyday life in communities across Canada. Behind these businesses are local entrepreneurs who have invested their time, money, and passion into building businesses of their own.
This September, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is celebrating these entrepreneurs through Franchisee Appreciation Month (FAM), recognizing the hard work, dedication and contributions of franchisees across the country.
“When you walk into a franchise business, you’re walking into someone’s dream, investment, and livelihood,” said Sherry McNeil, CFE, President & CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association. “Behind every location is a franchisee who has taken the leap to build a business, create jobs, and contribute to the community they call home. Franchisee Appreciation Month is our opportunity to recognize these people.”
Celebrating the people behind franchising
Through the “Join the FAM” campaign, the CFA is sharing the stories of franchisees from across Canada and highlighting the many ways they contribute to their communities, whether that’s creating employment opportunities, supporting local charities, sponsoring sports teams, participating in community events, or building relationships with the customers they serve every day.
While franchising is often associated with familiar national and international brands, 93% of franchises in Canada are locally owned, according to the Canadian Franchise Industry Economic Outlook produced by the CFA in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA). Behind those brands are independent small business owners who invest in their businesses, hire local people, and contribute to their communities.
“Franchisees are the local face of some of the brands Canadians know and love, but their impact goes far beyond the products and services they provide,” said McNeil. “They are employers, mentors, neighbours, volunteers, and community supporters. They know their customers, they hire people from their communities, and they give back to causes and community groups near to their hearts.
A local impact with a national reach
The impact of franchising extends well beyond the storefront. The sector represents a significant part of Canada’s economy and provides employment opportunities for millions of Canadians.
But the contribution of franchisees can also be seen at the local level.
However, the local contribution of franchisees is an important part of that broader impact. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), 97 per cent of small retailers contribute to their communities or provinces, while 74 per cent donate to local charities and causes. More than half sponsor local events or sports teams, and 55 per cent provide employment opportunities for youth.
“The strength of franchising is that it brings together the power of a proven business model with the passion and entrepreneurial drive of a local owner,” said McNeil. “That combination creates a ripple effect. A successful franchisee can mean more jobs, more community investment, and a stronger local economy. When franchisees succeed, their communities benefit too.”
Join the FAM
Throughout September, the CFA is encouraging Canadians to Join the FAM by recognizing and supporting the franchisees in their own communities.
From the local restaurant owner who knows their regular customers by name, to the fitness studio owner creating jobs and building a community, to the retailer sponsoring a local team, franchisees are making an impact every day.
“We want Canadians to take a moment this September to look a little closer at the businesses they visit every day and recognize the person behind the counter, behind the desk, or behind the business,” said McNeil. “These are people who have chosen entrepreneurship, taken on risk, and invested in their communities. They deserve to be celebrated.”
This Franchisee Appreciation Month, the CFA is inviting Canadians to celebrate the people behind the brands and recognize the local entrepreneurs who help make their communities stronger.
Follow the CFA’s #JoinTheFAM campaign throughout September to discover franchisee stories from across Canada and learn more about the people behind the businesses Canadians know and love.
About the Canadian Franchise Association:
The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) helps everyday Canadians realize the dream of building their own business through the power of franchising. The CFA advocates on issues that impact this dream on behalf of approximately 650 members and over 40,000 franchisees from many of Canada’s best-known and emerging franchise brands. Beyond its role as the voice of the franchise industry, CFA strengthens and develops franchising by delivering best-practice education and creating rewarding connections between Canadians and the opportunities in franchising. Franchising is the 12th largest industry in Canada and franchised businesses contribute almost $150 billion per year to the Canadian economy, creating jobs for almost two million Canadians. Learn more at: www.cfa.ca or http://www.FranchiseCanada.online.
Media Contacts:
Akanksha Patil PUNCH Canada akanksha@punchcanada.comAthena KalkanisSr. Manager Marketing & CommunicationsCanadian Franchise Associationakalkanis@cfa.ca
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