TORONTO – On August 1, 2025, Elite Franchise Canada has proudly launched the second annual Elite Franchise 100 (EF100) league table, now recognizing the best and brightest franchises across Canada. Originally founded in the UK in 2017, this prestigious ranking now celebrates Canadian franchises that demonstrate excellence in growth, community impact, and innovation.

Ahead of the launch, Elite Franchise hosted a pre-entry virtual session on July 17, 2025 for franchisors, offering valuable insights into how to successfully submit for the EF100. The on-demand recording is now available, to view click here featuring industry experts, as well as esteemed EF100 judges, notable faces in the Canadian franchise landscape who shared their top tips for a successful submission.

Scott English, Global Brand Director for Elite Franchise, shared his excitement about the Canadian expansion, saying, “Bringing the EF100 to Canada was a major milestone for us, and we are thrilled to expand and continue to showcase the incredible achievements of Canadian franchisors. The EF100 not only celebrates their hard work and innovation but also highlights their positive impact on the communities they serve, and the economy.”

The 2026 EF100 has introduced two new category awards, bringing the total to 12 and including the highly coveted People’s Choice Award. New this year, the Highest Entry Award celebrating new systems to the EF100, as well as Rising Star of the Year, awarded to the system that moved highest up on the rankings from the year prior.

“The EF100 represents the pinnacle of franchising excellence,” English continued. “We are eager to recognize these trailblazers and forward-looking leaders who set the standard for success and innovation within the franchise industry, as well as offer an opportunity for franchise systems of all sizes the chance to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

The jury panel for this year’s EF100 in Canada includes distinguished and recognizable members of the franchise community, including Amy Delisle, Managing Partner at Keyser Mason Ball, LLP; Angelee Brown, Founder & CEO of FranOvation; Brian Bazely, Founder & Operating Director, Bazely Consulting; Gregory M. Prekupec, Corporate and Franchising Lawyer, Dipchand LLP; Larry M. Weinberg, Partner, Cassel’s Brock & Blackwell LLP, Travis Tinning, Chief Development Officer at Franchise GrowthLab. For a full list of judges, please click here.

Alongside earning a place in the EF100, participants will be invited to a black-tie awards ceremony in 2026, where they will have the opportunity to win prestigious awards such as Sustainable Business of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Community Builder of the Year, and Diversity & Inclusion of the Year. “These awards are a chance to celebrate the exceptional achievements of franchisors and their marketing innovation, contributions to the franchise community, and commitment to inclusivity,” added Scott English.

Key Dates for the EF100:

Entries open: August 1, 2025

Entries close: September 30, 2025

Finalist ranking announced: January 30, 2026

Additional Award finalists announced: February 6, 2026 

EF100 Celebration & Awards Evening: March, 2026 at Toronto’s iconic The Carlu

For more information on the EF100, including submission guidelines and the full list of judges, please visit the official Elite Franchise 100 page.

Media Contact:
Lisa Raffaele
lisa@bubblegumcanada.com

647-896-0743
About Elite Franchise Top 100:

The Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) is an annual league table that celebrates the best of Canada’s franchisors. It was established in the UK in 2017 and has since become a prestigious event in the UK franchise industry calendar. 2025 marked the first year the EF100 has launched in Canada. The EF100 recognizes excellence, innovation, and impact in franchising, and entries are judged by a panel of industry professionals. 

The post Celebrating Excellence in Canadian Franchising appeared first on Business Exchange Blog.

The Elite Franchise Top 100 Canada Awards have become the gold standard in recognizing brands that push the boundaries of success, setting benchmarks for growth and leadership within the industry. This year’s awards reflected the exceptional efforts of businesses that continue to elevate the franchising landscape through their commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and community engagement.

Scott English, Founder and Global Brand Director of Elite Franchise, underscored the significance of securing a place in the Top 100: “Gaining a spot in the Top 100 is a remarkable achievement to be truly proud of. Each year, we assess entries based on our six key criteria while also evaluating the strategies the franchises employ to tackle challenges and ensure long-term success. These brands’ forward-thinking attitudes and groundbreaking innovations never cease to impress us, earning them the recognition they wholeheartedly deserve.”

Elite Franchise Additional Award Winners 2025:

• No.1 Award Winner: Pizza Pizza – Setting the industry benchmark as Canada’s top franchise through operational excellence and visionary leadership.
• Exceptional Performance of the Year: Boston Pizza – Recognized for sustained excellence and a legacy of franchise success.
• Sustainability of the Year: JDI Cleaning Services – Honored for its eco-friendly initiatives and commitment to sustainable business practices.
• Diversity and Inclusion Award: The TEN SPOT – Acknowledged for its dedication to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment for staff and customers alike.
• Innovation of the Year: Fat Bastard Burrito – Celebrated for revolutionizing the fast-casual dining experience with cutting-edge innovation.
• Community Builder of the Year: Molly Maid – Applauded for its deep-rooted dedication to community involvement and charitable initiatives.
• Emerging Franchiser of the Year: Let’s Get Moving – Recognized for impressive growth and a dynamic market presence.
• Franchisee Outstanding Achievement of the Year: Caitlin Poulucci of Oxford Learning – Commended for her exceptional contributions and leadership within her franchise network.

Click here to view the Elite Franchise Top 100 

Reflecting on the evening, Fiona Styant, Vice President of Development at Molly Maid, expressed her gratitude for receiving the Community Builder of the Year Award: “What an incredible honor to receive the Community Builder of the Year Award! I am truly grateful for this recognition, especially as Molly Maid has identified ‘caring’ as one of our five core values. We are constantly inspired by our peers in the franchising world and take great pride in staying connected to every community we serve. Building a strong, thriving community isn’t the work of just one person—it takes collaboration, passion, and a shared commitment to growth. I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to contribute and learn from so many amazing individuals in this industry. A heartfelt thank you to the judges, my peers, and everyone who believes in the power of the franchise community. Let’s keep growing together!”

As the EF100 Awards continue to gain prestige, they serve as a beacon of recognition for the game-changers shaping the future of franchising. The road to excellence does not end here—Elite Franchise will open submissions for the EF100 2026 on August 1, 2025.

For more information, please contact Scott English.

The post Celebrating the ‘Le Gratin’ of Franchising at the Prestigious EF100 Canada 2025 Gala appeared first on Business Exchange Blog.

Time sure does fly by when you are having fun. Today, a well-established Canadian brand is celebrating their 25th Anniversary, an impressive milestone worth celebrating. Booster Juice first opened shop in Sherwood Park, Alberta back on November 13th, 1999. Since then, they have built a reputation on providing customers with delicious, feel-good smoothies and food options with top-notch customer service. Today, Canada’s original juice and smoothie bar is successfully operating with more than 450 locations from coast to coast. This type of growth and longevity is rare among Quick Service Restaurants like Booster Juice, something we, as Canadians, are happy to celebrate. 

“I really haven’t reflected on the magnitude of today’s event until now when it sunk in that it’s a big milestone, and it’s been a lot of fun and has changed many people’s lives positively” said Booster Juice President and CEO, Dale Wishewan. “I’m incredibly thankful of our amazing customers, Franchise Partners, and my corporate and store staff who I have the privilege to work alongside. This type of success isn’t possible without being surrounded by amazing people. I am also thankful of my family who have been so supportive during this wild journey.” 

Born and raised in Waskatenau, Alberta, Dale Wishewan has always been driven to pursue and achieve success. Possessing a lifelong passion for sports and fitness, he attended Portland State University on a baseball scholarship. While travelling throughout the United States, he noticed the popularity of juice and smoothie bars, and quickly realized there was an opportunity in the crowded Canadian fast-food market to provide a healthier alternative to consumers with an active lifestyle. Making his own protein concoctions for years, and with his interest in health and wellness, he made it a goal to bring fresh and healthy food to the Canadian market. The hard work began with his own home kitchen serving as the testing ground for one smoothie creation after another – including some of the most popular smoothies on their current menu! 

When the first store opened in Sherwood Park, it was a new concept to Canada. November was not the ideal time either going into the dead of a Canadian winter selling cold beverages. Co-workers, neighbours, and friends thought Dale was crazy to embark on something so foreign to Canadians, but he was determined. As it turned out, people were ready for a healthy fast-food alternative, and there was nothing else like Booster Juice in the market. 

Things moved quickly after that. By the end of year one, fifteen locations were open and in year two, another thirty-five more locations were added. This was such an achievement that it is still a Canadian Franchise Record for opening 50 stores in two years from inception. 

When others in the Food Service Industry have asked how he was able to open 50 stores in two years, Dale’s reply is always the same, “I didn’t know in the first year whether 5 stores were typical, or 25, and everything came naturally from a project management side. The next thing you know we had 50 stores.” 

Now, after 25 years, they are still blending up incredibly delicious smoothies, delivering convenient wraps, paninis, rolling up energizing Booster Balls, and freshly preparing nutritious shots and beverages. 

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BizSold is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new Franchise Directory, a comprehensive resource featuring hundreds of top franchise brands. This all-in-one guide is designed to provide prospective franchise owners with the information they need to make informed decisions about franchise ownership.

Available at over 40 franchise shows across Canada and the United States, the directory offers easy access to a wide range of franchise opportunities in various industries. The magazine is also linked to an online directory, allowing users to connect with franchisors in real time via QR code. Finding franchise information has never been easier!

Pamela Labelle, President and CEO of BizSold, shared her enthusiasm for the new directory: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to connect franchisors and potential buyers. This new directory is our next step in fostering these connections and making franchise ownership dreams a reality.”

Click here to view the new online Franchise Directory.

Franchisors interested in advertising in the directory should act fast as limited spots are available. Don’t miss the chance to be featured in this essential resource that will be distributed at 40+ franchise events to an audience of over 150,000 potential buyers.

For more information on advertising or to reserve your spot, call us toll-free at 1-877-337-1188.

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Celebrating Franchising Excellence in Canada

We are excited to announce that the Elite Franchise 100 (EF100) league table is now open for entries! Elite Franchise Canada will honour the top Canadian franchises through this prestigious ranking. Originally established in the UK in 2017, the EF100 is now coming to Canada to highlight the best in franchising excellence.

This league table evaluates franchises based on various metrics, such as growth rates and community engagement, to recognize their outstanding performance and contributions. On July 17, Elite Franchise hosted a virtual pre-entry meeting for franchisors, providing insights and tips on how to write a winning submission. The on-demand recording features industry experts Scott English, Global Brand Director, and Laura Hill, CMO, along with EF100 judges Pamela Labelle, Larry Weinberg, Corey Nicholson, and Aldrin Fernandes.

You can watch the recording click here.

“Bringing the EF100 to Canada is a significant milestone,” stated Scott English. “We are thrilled to introduce this esteemed ranking to a country with a vibrant franchising scene. Celebrating the top franchises in Canada is not just about acknowledging their success but also about showcasing their positive impact on communities and the economy.

“The EF100 reflects their dedication, innovation, and hard work. We look forward to celebrating these leaders who set the benchmark for franchising excellence.”

The judges for Canada’s EF100 includes notable members such as Mahmoud Chahrour, Tory Kereluke, Pamela Labelle, and Angelee Brown. For a complete list of the judges, click here. 

Participants will not only compete for a spot in the top 100 but also have the opportunity to attend a black-tie awards ceremony in early 2025. Special awards such as Sustainable Business of the Year, Innovation of the Year, Community Builder of the Year, and Diversity & Inclusion of the Year will be presented. “These awards honour marketing innovation, recognize new franchisors’ achievements, and celebrate significant contributions to the franchise community,” Scott added.

Entries for Canada’s first EF100 are open from Thursday, August 1, to September 30, 2024. Finalists will be announced on January 10, 2025, and the EF100 Celebration & Awards event will take place on February 26, 2025, at Toronto’s historic venue, The Carlu. 

For more information on the EF100, visit Elite Franchise Magazine.

About Elite Franchise Top 100:

The Elite Franchise Top 100 (EF100) is an annual league table celebrating the top Canadian franchisors. Founded in the UK in 2017, it has become a hallmark event in the franchise industry. 2025 marks the launch of the EF100 in Canada, recognizing excellence, innovation, and impact in franchising, judged by a panel of industry professionals.

The post Announcing the Elite Franchise 100 League Table: Entries Now Open! appeared first on Business Exchange Blog.

For a limited time, BizSold has secured FREE attendance for you and your guest(s). 

📅 Date: Saturday, July 27th 2024

⌚ Time: 11:00 AM EST

📍 Where: Online (Live on Zoom)

Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 27th, at 11:00 AM EST. Canadian real estate guru Scott McGillivray will be LIVE to personally guide you through the world of real estate investing.

With over 20 years of real estate experience and a track record of success, Scott has transformed the lives of countless investors, guiding them toward financial prosperity and real estate mastery. 

This is a rare chance to have Scott as your personal trainer for 60 minutes. During this private session, Scott will reveal all of his secrets to finding and acquiring the best cash-flowing properties that have allowed him to build his portfolio of over 433 profitable income properties for his shows on HGTV.

We’re almost at capacity so make sure you register now to secure your spot!

Reserve your spot now and be part of this transformative real estate experience.   

PS: We have exclusive gifts prepared for registrants and attendees (it is something you won’t want to miss out on)!

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Business Exchange, the trusted leader in connecting business buyers and sellers for over 25 years, is proud to announce the launch of its new website domain: BizSold.com

This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Business Exchange’s journey towards becoming the #1 platform for selling businesses, franchises, and commercial properties.

Since its inception, Business Exchange has been dedicated to facilitating seamless transactions between business buyers and sellers, fostering entrepreneurship, and providing access to opportunities across various industries. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, the transition to BizSold.com reflects the company’s unwavering vision and dedication to its core mission – getting businesses sold.

“The launch of BizSold.com represents an exciting chapter in our company’s history,” said Pamela Labelle, President & CEO of Business Exchange. “Our new domain underscores our commitment to simplicity, recognizability, and, above all, our primary goal of facilitating successful business transactions. It aligns perfectly with our 10X growth objectives, driving us towards greater efficiency and effectiveness in serving our clients.”

The decision to transition to BizSold.com reflects Business Exchange’s strategic focus on enhancing user experience, streamlining processes, and reinforcing its dedication to providing clients with top-level results. With a simplified and memorable domain name, Business Exchange aims to amplify its visibility, reach, and impact in the ever-evolving landscape of the business opportunity industry.

“We believe that the new domain, BizSold.com, not only captures the essence of what we do but also resonates with our community of entrepreneurs, investors, and industry professionals,” added Kabir Chaudhry, Vice President of Marketing. “It underscores our commitment to getting businesses sold while emphasising our position as the go-to marketplace for anyone looking to buy a business.”

As Business Exchange embarks on this exciting new chapter, clients can expect the same unparalleled level of service, expertise, and support that has defined the company for over two decades. With BizSold.com, Business Exchange is poised to set new standards of growth in the business opportunity sector and beyond.

For more information about Business Exchange and its services, please visit www.BizSold.com

The post Business Exchange Acquires BizSold.com appeared first on Business Exchange Blog.

What to Consider When Buying a Business based on Location!

Accessibility and Parking  

The best area to buy a business comes down to the accessibility. Having an inconvenient location, tough accessibility and little to no parking can be enough for the customer to walk right past your business. Having your business in a high-traffic location can ensure an increase in customer growth and overall foot traffic. On the other hand, accessibility is not only for the customers. Does your business have the ability to allow safe and easily accessible deliveries? Is your business in a wheelchair-accessible zone? Having overall accessibility is key to driving growth and attraction for your business.

Foot Traffic

Good foot traffic can help Businesses gain exposure. You don’t want your business being bypassed by pedestrians if it’s tucked away in a corner. What we want is for business owners to maximize their profits and grow foot traffic for their businesses. To ensure that there is foot traffic, look at maps in the local region and areas that show good foot traffic. 

Having Other Businesses Nearby

Aside from location, consider the building structure, contents, and the work environment of the business. It is also good to have an adverse relationship with other businesses as it can create a prosperous economic relationship. If there are businesses nearby that would benefit your business, it’s a good idea to have your business close by. 

Safe Location

The history of the location is also very important as it can determine how safe the area is. You want to ensure that your business is in a safe and secure location. The safety of your business depends on many factors but the most important one is the location. 

How To Buy A Business

The Business Exchange has been working with brokers for over 25 years with business listings. To view, more businesses go to the Business For Sale section. For more information, questions, or concerns please call 1-877-337-1188. If you’re interested in selling a business, Business Exchange can help make that happen.

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Here are the Most Profitable Commercial Properties.

Student Housing

Student Housing is deemed profitable commercial property due to there being many units sold as well as the high demand for student housing. Students are constantly looking for housing no matter what. You can increase the price to any amount you want. There are also limited working and office hours for deciding how early or late you want to close. There is potential for long-term housing especially if a student doesn’t want to move and find different places each year.

Apartments

Apartments are in high demand and with the housing crisis on the rise globally, this is a great investment as many people are in need of housing. This is extremely profitable as people are paying monthly for rent. Depending on how many units there are in that apartment you can make as much as $150,000+ a month. It is also not a risky investment as people will always be in need of a new home. If you invest in apartments, you can also get tax benefits compared to other commercial properties. It also helps build equity over time as the property appreciates over time.

Office Buildings

Office Buildings are profitable for renting out to many different companies. The only risk with office buildings is that they can create a loss if companies decide to switch to a remote work setting. Getting an office building can help diversify your portfolio and adapt to different industries using the office space. 

Retail Space

With commercial retail space, tenants pay maintenance fees, property tax, and insurance. If there are already tenants in the plaza when you purchased it, you can choose to keep them in the plaza or have them leave once their contract is over. Also when you buy out a commercial plaza, the deposit is lower compared to typical residential properties. There is lots of availability for any tenants to be a part of your commercial retail space.

Flex Industrial Spaces

Flex industrial spaces are a hybrid of office space. It’s a good alternative if you don’t want to commit to having a full office space. Its low-cost renovations allow you to customize it in the way that you want. Flex industrial spaces are triple net leases, which means that it has the potential to bring in more income than the average commercial property. Instead of short-term leases, these tenants tend to stay a very long time which means maintenance fees and other fees will be paid by the tenants. Triple net leases tend to have a really high return on investment (ROI)

How To Find Commercial Real Estate Listings

Business Exchange has been helping Commercial Real Estate Brokers for over 20 years, helping them sell their listings. Find commercial properties for sale, commercial buildings, office space, and land for sale. All commercial property listings can be found here. You can also find commercial brokers and get in touch with them.

The post The 5 Most Profitable Commercial Properties appeared first on Business Exchange Blog.

Here Is a Guide to Help Differentiate Between Commercial and Residential Mortgages.

Personal Income

The key difference between commercial and residential mortgages is that commercial mortgages don’t take your personal income into consideration whereas residential mortgages need to look at your personal income to see if you’re eligible for the mortgage. With commercial mortgages, they believe personal income should not be a factor when it comes to repayments of the loan because they believe the property itself bought from the commercial mortgage is enough to pay for itself

Processing Time

Commercial mortgages tend to have a shorter loaning term compared to residential mortgages. In commercial mortgages, it could take up to 6 weeks in order to process the commercial mortgage application. In residential mortgages, the application is typically faster, only taking 2-3 weeks.

Down Payments

For down payments in commercial mortgages, they expect you to put down a higher down payment compared to residential mortgages. But for commercial mortgages, if you’re purchasing the property with the intent of renting it out to others, the lenders will usually fund 75% of what the property is worth. (Usually houses, office space/ retail properties) Lenders or banks will only fund 65% of an industrial warehouse or other commercial properties.

Interest Rates

When comparing interest rates between residential mortgages and commercial mortgages, the interest rate on commercial mortgages will always be higher than residential. The reason being is that lenders and banks believe there is a higher risk of the borrower failing to fulfill the obligation which is repaying the loan.

Process Of Obtaining a Mortgage (Commercial vs Residential)

The process of obtaining a commercial mortgage will be more costly than a residential mortgage as commercial mortgage lenders tend to ask for more paperwork compared to a residential mortgage. In a commercial mortgage, they require an environmental report and a building appraisal report. An environmental report isn’t cheap, to get a thorough analysis conducted by an environmental auditor, it can cost around $2000 and upwards. As well as getting a building appraisal can cost up to $3000. These two reports play a big part in why the process of getting a commercial mortgage takes longer in comparison to a residential mortgage. If you use a broker with a commercial mortgage, the broker will charge a fee as they aren’t receiving a commission. Whereas, with a residential mortgage, brokers receive a commission.

How To Access Residential And Commercial Mortgage Services

Business Exchange has a section that has all the business services available. If you’re in need of a business service such as getting residential or commercial mortgages, going to our business services page will help. If there’s any questions regarding our business services, please call 1-877-337-1188

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