Setting the Trends: Growing Sectors in Canadian Franchising

It’s a new year with new opportunities on the horizon. Every year, the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) compares the growth of franchise listings in the FranchiseCanada directory from 2009 to 2010, which tells us a lot about emerging trends in franchising. So what’s setting the trend this year?

 

With the senior population on the climb, senior and home health care services are up 29%. Though the economy took a plunge early last year, self-employment is on the rise, and with it comes the need for business consultants and training services with an increase of 27 %. Even in times of economic uncertainty, the retail sector is up 24%, proving that people are still indulging in a little retail therapy. Healthy habits have grown with an increase of 17%, and with busy lifestyles, Canadians continue to stop off for a bite to eat, helping the quick service industry grow by 9%.

 

Senior and Home Care Services

   

Wayne Maillet, Franchise Consultant and President of Franchise Specialists, says the rise in this particular sector is not surprising. According to Statistics Canada, between 2002 and 2007, the number of people providing unpaid care for seniors increase by more than 670,000 and the senior population will increase from 13% of the total population in 2006 to 21% by 2026.

 

Maillet says that with government cut-backs and a shortage of beds in senior facilities, the in-home care model addresses a need that will continue to grow. He also says senior home care services provide a realistic and affordable option for seniors that require minimal assistance and want to stay at home.

 

 

John DeHart and Ken Sim, Co-Founders of Nurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services in Vancouver, British Columbia, say they knew nothing about the industry until they needed to hire caregivers and had a bad experience. “It opened my eyes to the industry and why this is happening,” says DeHart.

 

 

With the change in budgets and the shortfalls in healthcare, DeHart says the country is starting to look different. “If we’re not ready to respond to the changes at this point, what will happen in five to 10 years? The senior population is growing very rapidly.”

 

 

While the rising demand for services makes them a trend in the industry, DeHart says one of the biggest dangers is that people think it will be easy to make money. “It’s a 24/7 business and we’re never off. We need to be able to be accessed at midnight on a Saturday, and our system is geared to fulfilling that promise.”

 

 

Since starting to franchising in 2007, Nurse Next Door has opened 30 locations across Canada and, depending on the caliber of prospects they attract, up to 20 new ones are slated to open in the next year. The majority of new locations are expected to be in Ontario, “We’re leading the systemic change in health care. The real change happens at the grassroots level. If you’re passionate and motivated to be a leader of change, it’s one of the greatest rewards.”

 

 

Franchisees Lucie and David Shaw in Mississauga, Ontario knew home health care was a rising concern when they set out to find the right business opportunity. “We’d found out earlier how rough it was to secure good home support for David’s parents,” says Lucie. “The Nurse Next Door philosophy really intrigued us. It just resonated.”

 

 

The Nurse Next Door team offers everything from companionship to medical and health-care assistance in the comfort of the client’s home.

 

 

David says families often don’t know where to look for services, so one of the challenges is educating people. “The franchise offers regular coaching and support, and offers suggestions on how to grow the business, and that’s helpful.”

 

 

The Shaws say the growing need for care is boosted by the job demands of two-income families, and a desire to maintain current lifestyles. “Children want what’s best for their parents but can’t keep taking time off work,” says Lucie. “When a caregiver visits and the patient gets comfortable and that bond forms, it’s the greatest feeling. It’s a lot of hard work but it’s really rewarding.”