Healthcare Franchise Sector Ripe for Growth

From The Vancouver Sun: The latest entrant into the increasingly competitive field of home health-care proves the industry is not only ripe for rapid growth, it's also maturing and evolving in new directions that cater to a changing generation of seniors: they want to live in their own homes and on their own terms, but that comes at a price.

It's fast emerging as one of the few truly booming industries, fuelled by an aging Baby Boom population and the resulting need for home care services, along with the reality of skyrocketing public health care costs. It wasn't the bottom line, however, that lured Brian Evans to help lead a major U.S. player into the Canadian market last month.

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Canada Small-Business Confidence Edges Up

Taken from The Wall Street Journal. An index measuring Canadian small-business confidence edged up to 63.6 in October from 62.7 the prior month, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says.

“Judging from past history, index levels in the low 60s are still associated with economic growth in Canada, but only just,”

CFIB vice-president and chief economist Ted Mallett said in a statement.

The lobby group publishes the monthly business barometer readings.

The index stood at 61.7 in August when concerns about the euro-zone debt crisis started to mount.

It typically ranges between 65 and 75 when the economy is growing.

Business owners in Saskatchewan and Alberta are the most upbeat with index levels just under 74. Ontario and Quebec businesses are slightly below the national average. Those in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are the least upbeat with scores below 60.

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The hidden realities in franchise financing

There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding franchising. None, however, are as pervasive and as dangerous as those dealing with financing.

It is certainly important to the franchisor to "get a handle" on franchise financing issues, but it is equally important for the franchisees who buy the franchises, the landlords who rent space to the franchisor and the franchisees,

the bankers who lend money to both, the suppliers to the system, purchasers of existing franchises and entire systems, and the stock analysts and investors who have to make some determination about the future prospects of public franchisors.

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Expanding Through Franchising

From The Globe and Mail: Every week, we will seek out expert advice to help a small or medium-sized company overcome a key issue it is facing in its business.

In the seven years since Trish Ronan started her direct-selling company, she has managed to build its sales force at a steady clip.

Now, Toronto-based Enjo Canada Cleaning Inc., which sells chemical-free cleaning products through Tupperware- or Mary Kay-style home parties, has grown its sales force to 350 consultants, helping the firm reach an expected $4-million in sales this year – its best year ever, says Ms. Ronan, the company’s co-founder and chief executive officer.

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Real Estate Franchise Market News

From EdmontonJournal: The Canadian real estate franchise market got more competitive with the merger of two discount home-buying and selling companies, says the head of PropertyGuys.com.

Ken LeBlanc, president and CEO of the Moncton, N.B-based privatesale franchise network, says a partnership announced this month with Toronto-based discount brokerage Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. levels the playing field with traditional real estate agents.

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