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Canadian Franchise Association to Mark World Franchise Day

Vitaly Gariev photo
Vitaly Gariev photo

The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) is celebrating World Franchise Day on June 10, a global initiative to raise awareness of the industry and the vital role it plays in local economies. 

The day celebrates the people, brands, and systems that drive entrepreneurship, economic growth, and thriving local communities. At its core, it is about small, locally owned businesses – people who live, work, and actively contribute to the communities they serve, said the Association.

“On World Franchise Day, we recognize the people behind the brands — local business owners who are employing Canadians, investing in their neighbourhoods, and helping their communities thrive,” said Sherry McNeil, President and CEO of the Canadian Franchise Association. “Franchising is a powerful contributor to Canada’s economy, but more importantly, it’s built on local entrepreneurs making a difference every day.”

Sherry McNeil
Sherry McNeil

Fast Facts About Franchising in Everyday Canadian Life

  • A new franchise opens in Canada every two hours, year-round
  • There is one franchise for every 450 Canadians
  • The average Canadian interacts with 3–5 franchise businesses daily
  • One in 20 Canadians is employed directly or indirectly in franchising

New data from the 2026 Canadian Franchise Industry Economic Outlook highlights the scale and strength of the industry nationwide. Produced in partnership with the Canadian Franchise Association and the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA), the report shows that it is not only a recognizable part of everyday life — it is a major driver of economic activity and employment across the country.

According to the report, the sector is entering a period of steady, sustainable growth, supported by strong consumer demand, rising wages, and increased productivity.

A Growing National Footprint

  • The industry in Canada contributed over $143 billion to the national GDP in 2025—far exceeding the previous projection of $133 billion
  • Canada’s franchise sector is the 12th largest industry in the country, with more than 1,100+ brands operating at least one establishment in Canada
  • Nearly 70,900 establishments are expected to be in operation by 2027
  • 457 net new locations are projected in the coming year alone
  • Strongest growth areas are anticipated to be professional and technical services and construction

Jobs, Wages, and Economic Impact

  • Employment expected to reach 1.83 million jobs by 2027
  • Nearly 11,800 new jobs are projected in the coming year
  • Wages expected to total $75.7 billion
  • $19.3 billion in federal and $17.2 billion in provincial tax revenue forecast

“While Ontario continues to lead in overall expansion with the highest number of new franchise locations, growth is being seen across the country,” said the Association. “Western provinces such as Alberta and British Columbia remain strong contributors, while Eastern Canada is experiencing steady momentum, with increasing franchise development supporting local economies, job creation, and small business ownership opportunities in communities across the region.

“Franchising offers a unique pathway to entrepreneurship allowing individuals to be in business for themselves, but not by themselves. Behind every location is a local owner who is deeply connected to their community.

“World Franchise Day, first launched in 2025, was created to spotlight this very impact bringing global attention to an industry that blends brand strength with local ownership.”

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VIDEO: Canada’s economic uncertainty driving entrepreneurs toward franchising: TD explains why

Vitaly Gariev photo
Vitaly Gariev photo

Today’s economic landscape is proving to be challenging for business owners in Canada.

A recent TD survey found that 27% of Canadians say the economy is too uncertain to start a business and 24% are not comfortable with the financial risk involved.

During this time of economic uncertainty, some prospective entrepreneurs are considering becoming franchisees to help reduce the risks of starting a business by leveraging a proven model and established brand.

According to the Canadian Franchise Association, franchises make up Canada’s 12th largest industry and is projected to contribute nearly $150 billion to the economy this year, creating jobs for almost two million Canadians.

With World Franchise Day on June 10, Terry Thrower, National Manager, Franchise Banking at TD, discusses the trend and offers tips for people interested in becoming entrepreneurs and franchise owners.

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Roku launches new Soccer Zone in Canada

Roku image
Roku image

Roku has launched its new Soccer Zone, a dedicated destination that brings live matches and related content together in one place, as Canada prepares to co-host the FIFA World Cup, the world’s biggest soccer tournament alongside the United States and Mexico.

“With Canada hosting matches in Toronto and Vancouver, and fans across the country rallying behind teams from around the world, the tournament is set to be one of the biggest cultural moments of the year,” said Mitch Ward, Head of Partner Growth – Canada. “Roku’s new Soccer Zone cuts through the clutter by showing fans where to watch, when to watch and how to jump straight into the action, all in
one simple destination. It’s built to make following the tournament feel effortless, whether you’re catching a late-night match or tuning in with friends.”

Mitch Ward
Mitch Ward


Roku said the Soccer Zone includes full access to this summer’s live soccer matches available through subscriptions to TSN, RDS, and Crave, in one simple, centralized hub on Roku devices. Fans can also stay
up to date with a dynamic scoreboard covering all matches, alongside a leaderboard tracking the tournament’s top goal scorers. Built for a streaming-first audience, the Soccer Zone shows where matches are available across supported apps, so that fans can focus on watching soccer, not searching for it.

“Beyond live coverage, the Soccer Zone curates a selection of soccer-related films, series, and documentaries, giving fans more ways to engage with both the tournament and the sport,” it said.


“The Soccer Zone will be available on all existing and new Roku players, Roku TV models, and Roku Smart Projectors in Canada. Viewers can access it directly from the Roku Home Screen menu, as well as through featured placements on the Home Screen and within the What to Watch destination, ensuring the next game is always within easy reach.”

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BarBURRITO launches “bold” new brand platform

BARBURRITO LOCATION AT BRAMALEA CITY CENTRE IN BRAMPTON, ONTARIO. PHOTO: BARBURRITO

barBURRITO, Canada’s largest Mexican-inspired quick-service restaurant chain, has unveiled a new national brand platform and Daily Crave value program promoted by Canadian Men’s National Team defender Alistair Johnston and Toronto creator Lucas Lopez.

The company said the new brand identity introduces an updated logo, refreshed visual system and a new Built for Craves positioning. Designed to highlight what has long differentiated the brand – fresh ingredients, in-house preparation and food built to order – the move pairs with a more current reflection of its spirit and service culture, it said.

Launching as Canada prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the company said the campaign affirms barBURRITO’s commitment to serving fresh, made-to-order food every day across its growing network of restaurants.

“This summer marks an important milestone for barBURRITO,” said Marina Baric, Vice President of Marketing.

Marina Baric
Marina Baric

“Consumers have increasingly come to expect convenience at the expense of freshness. At barBURRITO, we’ve always believed great food should deliver both. BarBURRITO has partnered with two distinctly Canadian personalities to expand the brand’s fan base.”

Johnston brings a reputation for consistency, preparation and performance at the highest levels of the sport, explained the company, adding that Lopez is known for his comedic digital content and four-million online audience.

Lopez introduces Coach Burrito, an original barBURRITO campaign character – part motivational coach, part burrito enthusiast – fully committed to helping Canadians satisfy their cravings.

“Proudly Canadian-owned and operated, we’re excited to celebrate a summer when soccer will capture the attention of the entire country,” added Baric. “Alistair and Lucas don’t seem like an obvious pair – a Celtic FC defender and a comedian with four million followers – but they play well together, and that’s so on-brand for us.”

The campaign will run nationally across TSN, Sportsnet, CTV, Global and Crave throughout the summer starting today. Until July 5, customers can also enjoy free delivery on the barBURRITO app and website.

barBURRITO has more than 400 locations in Canada.

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Subaru Canada announces new Chairman, President and CEO

Subaru Canada Inc. (SCI) has appointed Yoichi Hori as the company’s new Chairman, President and CEO.

He replaces the previous Chairman, President and CEO, Tomohiro Kubota, after his three-year and four-month term.

Yoichi Hori continues to serve as Managing Executive Officer of Subaru Corporation and Chairman and CEO of Subaru of America, Inc.

“I would like to express my gratitude towards Tomohiro Kubota for exceptional leadership and dedication, making significant contributions to the growth and success of the Subaru business in Canada,” said Hori. “I’m excited to build on this strong foundation and lead Subaru Canada.”

SCI is excited to be under Hori’s leadership, benefitting from his depth of experience and multi-market positions, said the company.

Subaru Canada, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of 96 authorized dealers across Canada.

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Accencis Opens Osha Mookata Thai Restaurant in Scarborough

Osha Mookata, Scarborough. Credit: Osha Mookata

A new Thai-inspired tabletop barbecue and hot pot restaurant is introducing Toronto diners to Thailand’s popular mookata dining format as Accencis Group expands its growing portfolio of hospitality and lifestyle brands in Canada.

Located at 390 Silver Star Boulevard in Scarborough, Osha Mookata soft-opened earlier this spring and centres around communal tabletop cooking, combining barbecue grilling and hot pot dining in a single interactive experience. Diners grill meats on a raised dome-shaped surface while broth simmers around the perimeter, allowing juices and rendered fat from the proteins to gradually enrich the soup throughout the meal.

The restaurant occupies half of a roughly 10,000-square-foot space shared with sister restaurant Susu Siam, another Thai-focused dining brand operated by Richmond Hill-based Accencis Group.

The opening reflects growing consumer demand for social and experience-driven dining formats, particularly concepts that combine food, atmosphere, and interaction in a highly visual setting.

Brandon Lee, Chief Operating Officer at Accencis Group, said the idea for Osha Mookata emerged through the company’s ongoing research into hospitality concepts across Asia.

“Eugene Chan, co-founder of Accencis Group, spends a lot of time travelling throughout Asia looking at concepts that are successful locally but still underrepresented in North America,” said Lee. “When we experienced mookata in Thailand, we immediately saw the potential because it combines food, interaction, and a very communal style of dining.”

Lee said the company recognized an opportunity to introduce a more refined Thai-focused version of the experience to the GTA market.

“There are tabletop barbecue and hot pot restaurants across Toronto, but we didn’t really see a strong Thai-focused version that felt elevated,” he said. “We wanted to create something authentic to Thai dining culture while still making it modern and approachable for Toronto diners.”

Osha Mookata, Scarborough. Credit: Osha Mookata

Communal Dining Meets Premium Ingredients

Unlike conventional restaurant formats, Osha Mookata centres around shared cooking and group dining. Guests prepare meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles directly at the table using customized grill and broth stations featuring soup options such as tom yum and coconut broth.

The menu includes premium meat and seafood platters designed for sharing, including the Osha Premium Set featuring pork jowl, pork belly, beef short ribs, ribeye, jumbo shrimp, scallops, vegetables, and sides. Appetizers include Crab Rangoon, Som Tum Tod, and Pork Jowl Salad, while the beverage menu features fruit slushies, Thai tea drinks, and desserts including mango sticky rice and Thai tea ice cream.

Accencis intentionally positioned the restaurant differently from the all-you-can-eat tabletop grill operators that dominate much of the GTA market.

“A lot of restaurants compete on quantity, but our focus was always quality and authenticity,” said Fadi Hammound, Vice President of Operations and Marketing at Accencis Group. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis into the marinades, sauces, ingredients, and flavour profiles so the experience feels closely connected to Thai cuisine.”

Hammound said the company has continued refining the restaurant since opening, making adjustments to menu items and preparation techniques based on customer feedback and operational experience.

“We’re constantly improving the experience,” he said. “The response so far has been very encouraging, especially considering most of our growth has happened organically through word of mouth.”

The company plans to introduce alcohol service as part of the restaurant’s upcoming grand opening, adding cocktails and curated beverage offerings designed to complement the interactive tabletop dining experience.

Osha Mookata, Scarborough. Credit: Osha Mookata

Silver Star Boulevard Emerges as Dining Destination

The opening of Osha Mookata adds to the growing concentration of destination dining concepts in the Silver Star Boulevard area, which has increasingly become known for Asian restaurants and highly specialized food offerings drawing visitors from across the GTA.

Osha’s contemporary interior blends industrial finishes with references to Thai street barbecue culture, creating an environment designed for social gatherings as much as dining itself. Sizzling tabletop grills, bubbling broth, colourful drinks, and communal preparation all contribute to an atmosphere built around interaction and shared experiences.

Lee described the restaurant as a more premium interpretation of the tabletop dining category.

“You still get the fun and interaction of grilling at the table, but with stronger Thai culinary influence and more attention to ingredient quality,” he said. “That’s what we felt was missing in the market.”

Osha Mookata, Scarborough. Credit: Osha Mookata

Accencis Continues Expanding Hospitality Platform

Accencis Group was officially established in 2020, though several brands within its portfolio trace their roots back more than a decade. Today, the company has expanded into one of Canada’s more active hospitality and lifestyle operators.

The company’s portfolio includes brands such as % Arabica, HeyTea, The Captain’s Boil, Midori Ramen, Bakebe, Dear Saigon, and several emerging concepts spanning wellness, fitness, entertainment, and immersive hospitality experiences.

Accencis describes its business model through three primary pillars: international brand integration, proprietary brand development, and expansion of established concepts across North America.

The company is also preparing additional projects including AKUA, an immersive Japanese-inspired wellness concept, and Altitude, a premium indoor golf simulator brand.

Lee said Osha Mookata is already being evaluated for future expansion opportunities.

“This is our first proof of concept for the brand, and we’re very encouraged by the early response,” he said. “We’re already studying additional locations and looking at how the restaurant can continue evolving and scaling.”

As consumers increasingly seek out immersive and socially driven hospitality experiences, Osha Mookata reflects Accencis Group’s broader strategy of identifying internationally successful dining formats and adapting them for North American audiences through design-forward, culturally rooted restaurant experiences.

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Daily Synopsis: Jun 8, 2026

Welcome to the Daily Synopsis by Retail Insider. We hope you enjoy the 10 articles we published most recently, covering key developments in Canadian retail.

Canada’s labour market posted strong overall job growth but retail employment fell by 35,000, reflecting ongoing workforce challenges as retail expands. Canada’s luxury retail market entered a more strategic era focusing on flagship optimisation and experiential environments in major urban centres including Toronto and Calgary.

 

Retail Insider also covered expansions and partnerships such as Endy expanding its retail partnership with Silk & Snow through a new store in Winnipeg, and Open Farm partnering with PetSmart to expand premium pet food reach. Technology updates include Instacart enhancing its Fulfillment Pro platform and AWS launching an AI shopping assistant service for retailers.

🗞️ The Day’s Retail Insider Article List

 

🌐 Canadian Retail News From Around the Web

Apple Canada Launches Enhanced Siri AI Features

Apple is launching Siri AI, a profoundly more capable and personal assistant. This iteration offers conversational abilities and personal context understanding, giving users enhanced support in managing everyday tasks and information retrieval.

The newly designed Siri AI will leverage Apple Intelligence, allowing the assistant to facilitate a broader range of application actions and improve user experiences significantly. Users can expect an improved understanding of personal context, enabling Siri to locate information across emails, messages, and images seamlessly.

Siri AI’s architecture supports enhanced privacy protections, ensuring user data remains secure during interactions. According to Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, “With access to broad world knowledge for up-to-date answers on virtually any topic, along with onscreen awareness and personal context understanding, Siri AI can help users take action across apps more naturally than ever.”

Key Features of Siri AI

The new version of Siri includes systemwide app actions that allow users to perform tasks such as drafting an email or editing photos effortlessly. For instance, when users inquire about a text message regarding a gathering, Siri can suggest recipes and integrate with the user’s Notes app.

Usability Across Apple Devices

Accessibility improvements mean users can start conversations with Siri through various Apple devices, including iPhones and Apple Watches. iPad and Mac users will have Siri integrated into the Spotlight interface, creating a more natural interaction when searching for information.

Visual Intelligence and Multimodal Capabilities

Siri now offers features such as image understanding, providing users the ability to ask about what they see through their devices. This new functionality extends across iPhone and now includes iPad and Mac, allowing users to employ Siri’s capabilities directly within the visual context of their tasks.

Writing Assistance and Editing Tools

The assistant will also contain a dedicated app for revisiting conversations and a suite of integrated writing tools to aid users across various applications. Features such as automatic proofreading and customized suggestions based on user communication patterns aim to streamline the digital writing process.

Availability and Language Support

Siri AI will be available for developer testing immediately through the Apple Developer Program and will be accessible as a beta to users later this year. Support for multiple languages, including French, German, and Spanish, is also planned.

As Apple continues to innovate its product offerings, Siri AI seeks to enhance user interaction with technology while reinforcing the company’s commitment to privacy and security.

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Creative Production Supports Retail Growth in Canada

When retailers expand across Canada, the attention often falls on store openings, leasing activity, and market share growth. Less visible, but equally important, is the operational layer responsible for ensuring that a brand appears consistent across every customer touchpoint.

This behind-the-scenes work, increasingly described as retail creative production at scale, has become more important as retailers manage growing volumes of digital content, promotional campaigns, and in-store materials across hundreds of locations.

The growing complexity of omnichannel retail has significantly increased creative production demands across the industry. Retailers are now expected to maintain cohesive branding across e-commerce platforms, social media, digital advertising, mobile channels, physical stores, and localized marketing initiatives simultaneously, often within compressed campaign timelines.

For many organizations, maintaining that level of coordination internally can become both resource-intensive and operationally complex.

It is within this environment that Brandomatic Studios has positioned itself as a scalable extension of in-house retail marketing teams, supporting the execution of creative assets across digital and physical channels.

A Cohesive Extension of Retail Marketing Teams

Based in Vancouver, Brandomatic Studios works with medium to large retailers to support production needs ranging from digital asset adaptation and video editing to signage, campaign execution, and creative rollout.

Rather than replacing internal creative departments, the company operates as an embedded production partner working within established brand systems and guidelines.

“We act as an extension of the internal team,” said Keith Stride, Creative Director and Founder of Brandomatic Studios. “There’s one point of contact, and we manage the execution so clients can stay focused on strategy and growth.”

Keith Stride

Stride has worked with retailers including Best Buy, Mark’s, London Drugs, and Specsavers Canada. Brandomatic has supported Specsavers since the optical retailer entered the Canadian market in 2020, helping execute creative production across digital and in-store channels as the company rapidly expanded nationally. Specsavers has grown to more than 270 Canadian locations in roughly five years, making it one of the faster retail expansion stories in Canada’s optical sector.

Managing Brand Cohesion Across Hundreds of Touchpoints

As retailers scale, the number of required creative assets increases dramatically. Campaigns must be adapted for websites, social media, digital advertising, email marketing, video, and physical store environments, often under tight timelines.

This is where operational bottlenecks frequently emerge.

“A lot of the work happens behind the scenes,” said Stride. “But maintaining alignment across every channel is critical to how customers experience a brand.”

Brandomatic’s work includes adapting national campaigns into multiple formats, resizing assets for different platforms, producing short-form video, and executing in-store signage programs. While much of the activity happens quietly in the background, it plays a central role in shaping how consumers interact with retail brands.

The challenge becomes even greater for retailers operating across multiple regions and store formats, where campaigns often require localized adjustments while still maintaining a unified identity.

“Customers should experience one clear brand regardless of where they engage with it,” said Stride. “At the same time, local markets sometimes need flexibility in how campaigns are presented.”

Brandomatic graphics on screens in a Spescavers store.

Retail Timelines Continue to Accelerate

The pace of retail marketing has intensified significantly in recent years. Seasonal campaigns, promotional events, store openings, and product launches now require increasingly rapid turnaround times across multiple channels.

For many retailers, traditional workflows can struggle to keep pace with those demands.

“Retail doesn’t slow down,” said Stride. “Campaigns move fast, and brands need creative assets delivered quickly and consistently. That’s where a retail-focused production model becomes very effective.”

The ability to scale production capacity during key retail periods such as back-to-school, Black Friday, and holiday campaigns has become increasingly valuable for retailers managing large networks of stores and digital channels.

Rather than maintaining oversized internal teams year-round, retailers are increasingly looking for flexible production models that can expand during peak periods and contract when demand slows.

Brandomatic ad for BMW

Accessing Specialized Creative Talent

The remote production model also provides retailers with access to a broader range of specialized creative talent than many organizations could maintain internally.

Motion designers, editors, retouchers, production artists, and digital specialists can be deployed based on project requirements rather than fixed organizational structures.

For retailers producing thousands of creative assets annually, this approach can create operational efficiencies while also lowering production costs on a per-asset basis.

“There’s a practical side to this,” said Stride. “Retailers need quality work delivered quickly, but they also need workflows that are efficient and scalable.”

Retail and Hospitality Roots Shape the Approach

Stride’s background in both retail and hospitality has influenced the company’s operational philosophy and focus on customer-facing execution.

One of his early jobs was with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, an experience he says shaped his understanding of consistency and presentation.

“That environment really sharpened my understanding of how every touchpoint matters,” he said. “At Four Seasons, quality and consistency aren’t optional. Guests notice the details, and that mindset carries into the work we do today.”

(The image directly below is not an advertisement on this website, it’s an example of Brandomatic’s graphics work)

An example of a GIF design advertisement for Best Buy Canada created from a static image. Image: Brandomatic Studios

Creative Execution Becomes a Competitive Advantage

As retailers continue operating across more channels and customer touchpoints, the operational side of creative execution is becoming increasingly important.

Within that environment, retail creative production at scale is emerging as an operational necessity rather than a secondary support function. Retailers are under growing pressure to move faster, maintain cohesive branding, and adapt campaigns continuously across physical and digital environments.

Brandomatic Studios represents one example of how retailers are responding to those pressures through flexible production partnerships designed around speed, scalability, and executional consistency.

“We’re not necessarily the ones developing the overall brand strategy,” said Stride. “But we help make sure it shows up properly everywhere customers interact with the brand.”

For retailers navigating increasingly complex operating environments, the ability to execute creative efficiently and consistently may become just as important as the campaign ideas themselves.

For more information, visit the Brandomatic Studios website.

Open Farm partnering with PetSmart

Open Farm photo
Open Farm photo

Toronto-based Open Farm, a premium pet food brand, is partnering with PetSmart to bring its portfolio of pet nutrition to stores across North America and expanding access to “responsibly sourced, high-quality nutrition for pet parents.”

Beginning this month, Open Farm’s range of dry, wet, freshly crafted meals, freeze-dried raw, treats, and supplements will be available in nearly 1,700 PetSmart stores across the United States, Canada, and online. The company said the launch will be supported by a significant in-store presence at PetSmart locations, with merchandising displays designed to help pet parents easily discover the brand. With this partnership, Open Farm said its recipes will be available in more than 9,500 retail locations across North America.

“This is a milestone moment for Open Farm and a reflection of the trust we’ve built with pet parents over the past decade by delivering exceptional nutrition, uncompromising sourcing standards, and unparalleled transparency into how our recipes are made,” said Isaac Langleben, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Open Farm. “Partnering with PetSmart allows us to bring Open Farm to millions more pet parents while continuing to lead with the standards that define our brand.”

Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan
Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan (

“We started Open Farm to raise the bar for pet food, and today we’re seeing that vision resonate at scale,” said Jacqueline Prehogan, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Open Farm. “As we grow, our responsibility grows with us—from the standards we set for every ingredient to how our recipes are thoughtfully developed with veterinary and nutritional expertise, and shared transparently with pet parents. We’ve never cut corners, and that won’t change.”

Open Farm said it was founded in 2014 to challenge conventional pet food through the Open Farm Promise, placing exceptional nutrition, animal welfare, sustainability, and transparency at the centre of every recipe. It said it has grown into a category leader in premium pet food, with a strong and expanding presence across both digital and physical retail channels, meeting pet parents wherever and however they shop.

Open Farm photo
Open Farm photo
Erika Tervelt
Erika Tervelt

“As pet parents become more focused on ingredient quality and transparency, we’re excited to welcome Open Farm into our assortment to help us further meet and exceed their expectations,” said Erika Tervelt, Vice President of Consumables Merchandising, PetSmart. “Open Farm’s leadership in responsibly sourced nutrition, ingredient quality, and transparency make them a strong addition to our offering, and we look forward to introducing their recipes to more pet parents across our stores and digital channels.”

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