Another encouraging sign that business may be ready for a rebound
A trade show called The Franchise Expo was held Saturday in London.
The expo helps partner prospective business owners with a franchise model they think might work for them.
This is the third event this season for the expo, which circulates between fall and spring, with Vancouver and Toronto being the previous two stops.
As has been the case with most business ventures, the pandemic significantly slowed activity for trade shows.
The last expo prior to the Toronto event on September 11/12 was in Winnipeg in March of 2020.
Event coordinator Nadine Thompson says she’s been encouraged by the number of registrations for the most recent expos, "Our event is built on helping the economy and getting people into positions, or jobs, or a business of their own. That’s the unique blend we have going on right now, a lot of people are looking for security and to open their own business."
Thompson believes the franchise model has weathered the pandemic storm well.
"I would say franchising has been a big backbone of the economy, having the franchisor to help with the security of the business, to support their franchisees, to get them through. You know, people who have opened their own 'lone ranger' business are probably struggling a little bit more than the franchise model. So I think it actually worked very well."
Thompson says the event being held in the city’s convention centre, RBC Place London, is a boutique expo geared to businesses that have expressed an interest in launching franchises in the London region.
The Franchise Expo in London will run through Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.