To cap off Franchisee Appreciation Month, Franchise Canada Chats is releasing a bonus episode hosted by Steve Buors and featuring David Druker, president and CEO of The UPS Store Canada.

Join David and Steve on this special bonus episode, sponsored by The UPS Store, as they discuss the world of franchising, the opportunities it affords business owners, and the hard work that franchisees put back into their communities.

On the final episode of Franchise Canada Chats season 9, Renée Boudakian is speaking with Pizza Pizza franchisee, Tahir Siddique, to discuss his 25 years of experience in the franchising industry, from working in the kitchen to owning his own location. Listen in as they dive into Tahir’s transition from employee to franchisee, what goes into operating a top-performing location, the role that community has played in his journey, and so much more!

Franchise Canada Chats and Renée Boudakian welcome Kimberly and Andrew Severson, two franchisees with Wild Birds Unlimited in South Surrey, BC, to talk about their experience as franchise business owners. They share insights from their experience in accounting and finance, buying franchise units through resale, moving locations, proper franchisor-franchisee communication, and everything that goes into the business of connecting people and nature, and doing it with excellence as part of a franchise community.

Renée is talking with Elijah Mack-Stirling about what it’s like to be a franchisee with Canada’s first Indigenous fast-casual cuisine franchise, Kekuli Cafe. Learn more about different financing considerations, leadership tactics integral to multi-unit success, the importance of safe spaces for Indigenous youth, ensuring adequate support systems in difficult times, and more.

This episode was recorded on May 18, 2025.

Content note: This episode includes mention of familial grief and missing persons.

The Canadian Small Business Financing Act: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/canada-small-business-financing-program/en

On Season 9 Episode 12, Renée Boudakian, CFE, is joined by David Everitt, a longstanding franchisee with The UPS Store in Thunder Bay, Ontario. David’s family was part of The UPS Store’s original move into Canada. Today, David shares with listeners the nuances of working in a family business, operating in a rural area, supporting staff to ensure their success, the importance of forming connections with your local community and franchise community, and what it means to be an Area Franchisee.

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa franchisee, Christopher Fisher, joins Renée Boudakian, CFE on the Franchise Canada Chats podcast to share his experience as a multi-unit owner in Ottawa, Ontario. Tag along to hear about Christopher’s decision to join a franchise instead of opening another independent business, various financing options for franchisees, the difference between an Area Developer and a Master Franchisee, and the importance of conducting adequate market research during the discovery process.

Renée Boudakian is sitting down with Justin Enns, a multi-unit franchisee with CertaPro Painters. Justin and CertaPro’s story first began in 2017 when he joined his father’s team. In 2023, he took over his father’s franchise and has continued to grow the business year over year. Justin’s passion really lies in business itself, and in this week’s episode he shares the work that goes into fostering a successful business, curating the right team, taking over an existing franchise, and getting involved with one’s franchise community.

Meet Jesse Pooni, a multi-unit franchisee with Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop in British Colombia’s lower mainland. This week, Renée and Jesse are sitting down to discuss what can happen when one embraces an unexpected opportunity; the differences between taking over an existing franchise location and opening a brand new one; creating balanced partnerships in business; and the impact of forging connections in a local community.

On episode 8 of Franchise Canada Chats season 9, Renée is speaking with Shailen Vadera, a Crock A Doodle franchisee who's seen the system from all sides. As the founder’s daughter, Shailen has worked in the stores, with corporate, and now as a franchisee. Today she’s sharing all the insights she’s gained from this business, and shining a light on how a mathematical mind can help a creative business flourish. Pop in to hear about the relationship between a franchisor and its franchisees, why finding the right location for a unit is integral, different avenues for financial backing, and local store marketing as a key to success.

Renée Boudakian is sitting down with Christina Strudwick, an entrepreneur who’s personal experience with CEFA Early Learning led to her becoming a franchisee with the brand. Christina worked as the manager of a bank branch and oversaw a real estate portfolio before delving into the business world and opening her own CEFA location. Renée and Christina discuss the value of brand awareness, navigating business ownership during a global pandemic, financial preparedness, and the impacts of early learning opportunities on children… plus so much more!