For the last two years restaurant business in Canada has undergone significant changes. Some establishments were closed as they didn't survive the lock down, the others managed to update their services. Restaurant franchises which quickly responded to the changes and implemented food delivery and online ordering services survived in the pandemic. Dine-in services which were very popular several years ago were replaced with drive-thru or take away formats. No matter the changes, there are still a lot of benefits of owning a restaurant franchise. The main one is that people always want to eat tasty food , and they are ready to pay for the emotion they receive from a delicious meal. Restaurant franchises in Canada offer a lot of concepts. There are fast foods and chicken restaurants, pizza cafes and barbecue bars. Today, there is also a trend for healthy food restaurants which offer low fat, wholesome, fresh food. It is high time to fill in the niche in the segment which appeared after the pandemic! Here is a list of the best restaurant franchises to buy now.
| № | Name of Brand | Founded | Initial investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hortons | 1964 | $680,000 - $1,900,000 |
| 2 | Montana's | 1995 | $1.4–1.8 million |
| 3 | Second Cup | 1975 | $350,000 - $550,000 |
| 4 | Mr. Sub | 1968 | from $160,000 |
| 5 | Pizza Pizza | 1967 | from $275,000 |
| 6 | Boston Pizza | 1964 | from $1,500,000 |
| 7 | Coffee Time | 1982 | $100,000 - $360,000 |
| 8 | Booster Juice | 1999 | $244,500 – $254,500 |
| 9 | Smitty's Family Restaurants | 1960 | $350,000 - $1,100,000 |
| 10 | Ben & Florentine | 2008 | $450,000 - $650,000 |
Founded in: 1964
Franchise since: 1964
Franchise units: 4,700+
Initial investment: $680,000 - $1,900,000
Franchise Fees: $50,000
Royalty Fees: 6%
Tim Hortons restaurants sell coffee and other non-alcoholic beverages, baked goods, soups, sandwiches, and related products. Tim Hortons—is Canada’s largest quick service restaurant chain with currently over 3,600 units located just throughout Canada alone. Headquartered in Oakville, Ontario, restaurants can also be found in Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Founded in: 1995
Franchise since: 2015
Franchise units: 25
Initial investment: $1.4–1.8 million
Franchise Fees: $20,000
Montana's BBQ & Bar, founded in 1995 as Montana's Cookhouse Saloon, is a Canadian restaurant chain known for smoked pork ribs, steaks, and burgers. As of 2015, the chain began rebranding as Montana's BBQ & Bar. It is a subsidiary of Recipe Unlimited. With 50+ years of franchising experience developing restaurants in Canada from coast to coast the company has the skills and desire to meet franchisee's needs. Franchisees have a choice to build new restaurants or convert existing ones.
Founded in: 1975
Franchise since: 1963
Franchise units: 300+
Initial investment: $350,000 - $550,000
Franchise Fees: $25,000
Second Cup Coffee Co. is a Canadian coffee retailer, operating more than 300 cafes across the country. Its stores sell hot and cold beverages, pastries, snacks, pre-packaged food items, hot and cold sandwiches, and drinkware including mugs and tumblers.
Founded in: 1968
Franchise since: 1972
Franchise units: 200+
Initial investment: from $160,000
Franchise Fees: $15,000
Royalty Fees: 6%
Mr. Sub offers a range of signature items, including assorted cold cuts, roast beef and Italian salami. Become a MR.SUB franchise owner and you’ll take pride in owning a uniquely Canadian restaurant that’s proven to be successful and yet perfectly poised for expansion. More than just a restaurant with wholesome food and genuine hospitality, MR.SUB restaurants are community-gathering places, where guests can experience a little something extra.
Founded in: 1967
Franchise units: 724
Initial investment: from $275,000
Franchise Fees: $30,000
Pizza Pizza offers you the best opportunity to be your own boss. We have over 750 locations across Canada, operated by professionals who share the same core values that have made Pizza Pizza one of the most successful pizza Franchises in the country.
Founded in: 1964
Franchise units: 348
Initial investment: from $1,500,000
Franchise Fees: $60,000
Royalty Fees: 7%
For more than 50 years, BC-based Boston Pizza has made a name for itself through over-the-top pizza creations and earnest connections with its communities through charity and service. The chain’s dedication to passion and innovation has helped Boston Pizza secure its place as one of Canada’s most coveted franchises.
Founded in: 1982
Franchise units: 100+
Initial investment: $100,000 - $360,000
Franchise Fees: $25,000
Coffee Time locations range from kiosks to free-standing restaurants with a drive through. As one of the largest franchise businesses of its kind in Canada today, Coffee Time has grown from one coffee shop in Bolton, Ontario in 1982 to a brand with locations in Canada and other parts of the world.
Founded in: 1999
Franchise units: 285
Initial investment: $244,500 – $254,500
Franchise Fees: $30,000
BoosterJuice Ltd. is Canada's largest chain of golden fresh juice and smoothie bars. The chain specializes in smoothies made of pure juice, fruit sorbet or vanilla frozen yogurt, frozen fruit, fresh yogurt and ice. The Booster Juice franchise system is strengthened by corporate systems and dedicated local support to guide you through all stages of development and operation.
Founded in: 1960
Franchise since: 1960
Franchise units: 80+
Initial investment: $350,000 - $1,100,000
Franchise Fees: $35,000
Smitty's, founded in 1960 in Calgary, Alberta and was acquired in 2018 by Equicapita Income Trust and Equicapita Investment Corp., is one of Canada's largest all-day family restaurant chains, operating from coast to coast. The franchise also calls itself Smitty's Canada Inc and uses the slogan All Your Favourites All Day Long and Canada's Family Restaurant. Smitty's Restaurants are family owned and operated, and are well-known for their all day breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings. Approximately a minimum of $250,000 unencumbered cash is required to open a Smitty's™ franchise.
Founded in: 2008
Franchise since: 2008
Franchise units: 56
Initial investment: $450,000 - $650,000
Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5%
Ad Royalty Fee: 2%
Ben & Florentine is a Canadian breakfast and lunch restaurant chain, serving around 4.5 million customers per year. Our franchisees benefit from a turnkey concept supported by a well-established team. Owning a Ben & Florentine is a tremendous opportunity!
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To know more about all stages of franchise development read our article Franchise development. How to develop a franchise.