This is a ranked list of the most popular franchise opportunities in Canada, ordered by total number of units (locations) across each brand's entire system. A higher unit count signals strong consumer demand, a proven business model, and a mature support network. Whether you are a first-time buyer or a multi-unit operator, this list is a great starting point for your franchise research.
Total Units
729
Founded
1976
Min Cash Required
$184K
Investment
$613K - $874K
Total Units
700
Founded
1969
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
437
Founded
1958
Min Cash Required
$19K
Investment
$64K - $160K
Total Units
415
Founded
1968
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$1.5M - $2.7M
Total Units
400
Founded
1976
Min Cash Required
$15K
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
400
Founded
1988
Min Cash Required
$64K
Investment
$215K - $294K
Total Units
372
Founded
1964
Min Cash Required
$450K
Investment
$1.5M - $2.6M
Total Units
355
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
345
Founded
1931
Min Cash Required
$86K
Investment
$286K - $628K
Total Units
334
Founded
1996
Min Cash Required
$8K
Investment
$25K - $25K
Total Units
273
Founded
1969
Min Cash Required
$300K
Investment
$750K - $1.0M
Total Units
155
Founded
1982
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $1.0M
Total Units
145
Founded
1989
Min Cash Required
$2.4M
Investment
$8.0M - $8.0M
Total Units
140
Founded
1975
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
140
Founded
1984
Min Cash Required
$38K
Investment
$128K - $231K
Total Units
127
Founded
1989
Min Cash Required
$2K
Investment
$5K - $405K
Total Units
125
Founded
2008
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
117
Founded
2018
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
105
Founded
2003
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
103
Founded
2000
Min Cash Required
$29K
Investment
$95K - $95K
Total Units
100
Founded
1966
Min Cash Required
$15K
Investment
$50K - $50K
Total Units
100
Founded
1998
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$400K - $500K
Total Units
97
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
$9K
Investment
$30K - $75K
Total Units
96
Founded
1987
Min Cash Required
$21K
Investment
$70K - $93K
Total Units
94
Founded
1955
Min Cash Required
$2.4M
Investment
$8.0M - $8.0M
Total Units
93
Founded
2013
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$400K - $500K
Total Units
90
Founded
2006
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
80
Founded
1973
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$100K - $150K
Total Units
75
Founded
1953
Min Cash Required
$75K
Investment
$250K - $250K
Total Units
72
Founded
1986
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
67
Founded
1998
Min Cash Required
$15K
Investment
$50K - $125K
Total Units
61
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
$71K
Investment
$237K - $383K
Total Units
61
Founded
1990
Min Cash Required
$90K
Investment
$300K - $300K
Total Units
60
Founded
1999
Min Cash Required
$30
Investment
$100 - $165K
Total Units
50
Founded
2019
Min Cash Required
$90K
Investment
$300K - $300K
Total Units
48
Founded
2008
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$400K - $500K
Total Units
45
Founded
1978
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
41
Founded
1997
Min Cash Required
$97K
Investment
$323K - $447K
Total Units
40
Founded
1978
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
38
Founded
1982
Min Cash Required
$88K
Investment
$293K - $647K
Total Units
37
Founded
1982
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
34
Founded
1990
Min Cash Required
$1.2M
Investment
$4.0M - $4.0M
Total Units
32
Founded
2021
Min Cash Required
$50K
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
30
Founded
2003
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
30
Founded
1981
Min Cash Required
$33K
Investment
$109K - $145K
Total Units
27
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
26
Founded
1974
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
25
Founded
2018
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$30K - $650K
Total Units
25
Founded
2010
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
24
Founded
1990
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
24
Founded
1990
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
23
Founded
1983
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$400K - $500K
Total Units
23
Founded
2012
Min Cash Required
$48K
Investment
$160K - $200K
Total Units
22
Founded
2001
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$25K - $50K
Total Units
18
Founded
2014
Min Cash Required
$20K
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
17
Founded
1991
Min Cash Required
$29
Investment
$99 - $150K
Total Units
17
Founded
2015
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
17
Founded
2015
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $500K
Total Units
16
Founded
2024
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$350K - $450K
Total Units
15
Founded
1996
Min Cash Required
$17K
Investment
$58K - $95K
Total Units
13
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
12
Founded
2021
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
11
Founded
2021
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$500K - $750K
Total Units
10
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
$1.2M
Investment
$4.0M - $4.0M
Total Units
10
Founded
2019
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$300K - $400K
Total Units
9
Founded
2011
Min Cash Required
$9
Investment
$30 - $40K
Total Units
7
Founded
2008
Min Cash Required
$25K
Investment
$83K - $83K
Total Units
7
Founded
2005
Min Cash Required
$195K
Investment
$650K - $950K
Total Units
7
Founded
2021
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$100K - $200K
Total Units
6
Founded
1986
Min Cash Required
$63K
Investment
$208K - $428K
Total Units
6
Founded
1982
Min Cash Required
$72K
Investment
$239K - $449K
Total Units
5
Founded
2023
Min Cash Required
$62K
Investment
$207K - $313K
Total Units
5
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
4
Founded
2024
Min Cash Required
$12K
Investment
$40K - $60K
Total Units
3
Founded
2002
Min Cash Required
$27K
Investment
$91K - $151K
Total Units
3
Founded
1996
Min Cash Required
$2.4M
Investment
$8.0M - $8.0M
Total Units
2
Founded
2006
Min Cash Required
$544K
Investment
$1.8M - $3.7M
Total Units
0
Founded
1992
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$8K
Investment
$25K - $50K
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$45K
Investment
$150K - $150K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$2
Investment
$83K - $83K
Total Units
0
Founded
1990
Min Cash Required
$75K
Investment
$250K - $250K
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$135K
Investment
$450K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$59K
Investment
$102K - $120K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$50K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2007
Min Cash Required
$180K
Investment
$600K - $800K
Total Units
0
Founded
2007
Min Cash Required
$60K
Investment
$200K - $250K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$195K
Investment
$650K - $750K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$25K
Investment
$67K - $119K
Total Units
0
Founded
2022
Min Cash Required
$900
Investment
$3K - $210K
Total Units
0
Founded
2004
Min Cash Required
$9K
Investment
$30K - $139K
Total Units
0
Founded
2012
Min Cash Required
$54K
Investment
$181K - $324K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$120K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2004
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
2022
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2017
Min Cash Required
$114K
Investment
$380K - $620K
Total Units
0
Founded
1976
Min Cash Required
$144K
Investment
$480K - $690K
Total Units
0
Founded
2020
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2020
Min Cash Required
$14K
Investment
$47K - $49K
Total Units
0
Founded
1967
Min Cash Required
$300K
Investment
$1.0M - $1.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
1969
Min Cash Required
$263K
Investment
$875K - $875K
Total Units
0
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2003
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$100K - $150K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$27K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1999
Min Cash Required
$23K
Investment
$75K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
1968
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$55K
Investment
$55K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
2011
Min Cash Required
$75K
Investment
$250K - $350K
Total Units
0
Founded
1980
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$100K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
2013
Min Cash Required
$180K
Investment
$600K - $1.1M
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$10K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2002
Min Cash Required
$210
Investment
$700 - $900K
Total Units
0
Founded
1968
Min Cash Required
$114K
Investment
$380K - $540K
Total Units
0
Founded
1979
Min Cash Required
$900K
Investment
$3.0M - $3.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
2003
Min Cash Required
$210K
Investment
$700K - $700K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$350K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$140K
Investment
$103K - $144K
Total Units
0
Founded
2012
Min Cash Required
$18K
Investment
$60K - $125K
Total Units
0
Founded
1991
Min Cash Required
$600K
Investment
$2.0M - $3.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
2012
Min Cash Required
$360K
Investment
$1.2M - $1.6M
Total Units
0
Founded
1988
Min Cash Required
$135K
Investment
$450K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
1976
Min Cash Required
$450K
Investment
$1.5M - $2.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$25K - $50K
Total Units
0
Founded
1995
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $350K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$270K
Investment
$400K - $1.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
2014
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $800K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
2021
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1986
Min Cash Required
$188K
Investment
$625K - $625K
Total Units
0
Founded
2010
Min Cash Required
$26K
Investment
$85K - $85K
Total Units
0
Founded
2009
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$100K - $200K
Total Units
0
Founded
1995
Min Cash Required
$38K
Investment
$125K - $350K
Total Units
0
Founded
1987
Min Cash Required
$120K
Investment
$400K - $400K
Total Units
0
Founded
1963
Min Cash Required
$165K
Investment
$550K - $650K
Total Units
0
Founded
1963
Min Cash Required
$120
Investment
$400 - $600K
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
1970
Min Cash Required
$113K
Investment
$375K - $375K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$136K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2004
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$45K
Investment
$150K - $150K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$211K
Investment
$704K - $1687275.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$180K
Investment
$330K - $600K
Total Units
0
Founded
1996
Min Cash Required
$195K
Investment
$650K - $850K
Total Units
0
Founded
2024
Min Cash Required
$75K
Investment
$250K - $550K
Total Units
0
Founded
1956
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$100K - $300K
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$210
Investment
$700 - $800K
Total Units
0
Founded
1965
Min Cash Required
$43K
Investment
$143K - $315K
Total Units
0
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
$210K
Investment
$700K - $700K
Total Units
0
Founded
1996
Min Cash Required
$200K
Investment
$665K - $730K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$40K
Investment
$40K - $80K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$50K
Investment
$208K - $438K
Total Units
0
Founded
1991
Min Cash Required
$165K
Investment
$550K - $750K
Total Units
0
Founded
2015
Min Cash Required
$113K
Investment
$375K - $700K
Total Units
0
Founded
1964
Min Cash Required
$30K
Investment
$100K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
1975
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$200K - $300K
Total Units
0
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
$900
Investment
$3K - $3K
Total Units
0
Founded
1979
Min Cash Required
$184K
Investment
$613K - $874K
Total Units
0
Founded
1956
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$20K
Investment
$60K - $60K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$300K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$300K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1985
Min Cash Required
$360K
Investment
$1.2M - $2.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
1960
Min Cash Required
$90K
Investment
$300K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
2008
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $450K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$4K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$4K
Investment
$4K - $69K
Total Units
0
Founded
1998
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2020
Min Cash Required
$60K
Investment
$200K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$43K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1969
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $1.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
2011
Min Cash Required
$113K
Investment
$375K - $375K
Total Units
0
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
$44K
Investment
$145K - $145K
Total Units
0
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
$50K
Investment
$50K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
1983
Min Cash Required
$45K
Investment
$150K - $250K
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$17K
Investment
$55K - $375K
Total Units
0
Founded
2011
Min Cash Required
$75K
Investment
$250K - $250K
Total Units
0
Founded
2017
Min Cash Required
$270
Investment
$900 - $2.2M
Total Units
0
Founded
1956
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $650K
Total Units
0
Founded
2014
Min Cash Required
$33K
Investment
$109K - $119K
Total Units
0
Founded
2015
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $850K
Total Units
0
Founded
2015
Min Cash Required
$120K
Investment
$400K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
1998
Min Cash Required
$15K
Investment
$49K - $49K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$25K
Investment
$25K - $25K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$50K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2009
Min Cash Required
$2K
Investment
$5K - $5K
Total Units
0
Founded
1954
Min Cash Required
$300K
Investment
$1.0M - $1.5M
Total Units
0
Founded
1972
Min Cash Required
$21K
Investment
$70K - $100K
Total Units
0
Founded
2010
Min Cash Required
$135K
Investment
$450K - $650K
Total Units
0
Founded
1987
Min Cash Required
$33K
Investment
$110K - $110K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
$40K
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
1998
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$1 - $2.2M
Total Units
0
Founded
1975
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
N/A
Total Units
0
Founded
2016
Min Cash Required
$128K
Investment
$425K - $550K
Total Units
0
Founded
2011
Min Cash Required
$180
Investment
$600 - $679K
Total Units
0
Founded
N/A
Min Cash Required
N/A
Investment
$100K - $200K
Total Units
0
Founded
1961
Min Cash Required
$120K
Investment
$400K - $400K
Total Units
0
Founded
2003
Min Cash Required
$21K
Investment
$70K - $70K
Total Units
0
Founded
1997
Min Cash Required
$105K
Investment
$350K - $500K
Total Units
0
Founded
1978
Min Cash Required
$98K
Investment
$327K - $327K
Total Units
0
Founded
2013
Min Cash Required
$135K
Investment
$450K - $750K
Total Units
0
Founded
1987
Min Cash Required
$225K
Investment
$750K - $1.0M
Total Units
0
Founded
1993
Min Cash Required
$150K
Investment
$500K - $1.5M
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The most popular franchises in Canada are determined by the number of locations they operate nationwide. Brands in the food and beverage, home services, and retail sectors typically lead the rankings, with well-known names like Tim Hortons, Subway, and McDonald's consistently among the largest franchise systems in the country.
The cost to open a top franchise in Canada varies widely depending on the brand and industry. Quick-service restaurant franchises can require $300,000 to $1.5 million or more, while service-based franchises like cleaning or tutoring may start as low as $50,000 to $150,000. The minimum cash required is what you need to have available upfront, separate from financing.
This list ranks franchises by their total number of units (locations) across their entire system. The more locations a franchise operates, the higher it appears on the list. Total unit count is a strong indicator of brand strength, proven demand, and system maturity.
Most large franchise systems operate across multiple provinces, but territory availability varies. Some brands have exclusive territories already claimed in certain cities or regions. Always check with the franchisor directly to confirm which territories are still available before committing to an investment.
Before investing, review the franchise disclosure document (FDD), speak with existing franchisees, understand the total investment (not just the franchise fee), evaluate the training and support provided, and assess whether the brand's values and business model align with your goals and lifestyle. It is also wise to consult a franchise lawyer and accountant.
Disclaimer: Unit counts and investment figures are estimates based on publicly available franchise disclosure documents and industry data. Actual numbers may vary. StartWithFranchise.ca does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making an investment decision.