About Franchise Bancorp
Our Mission is to help our franchisees succeed
in a business that is profitable and fun to operate!
The original company was Living Lighting founded in 1968 by Edward Loyst who is now the chairman and CEO of Franchise Bancorp Inc. Living Lighting grew into Canada's largest chain of franchised residential lighting stores. In 1978 Loyst launched Panhandler Gift Stores which over the years has grown to include Rafters Home Stores. In 1997 Franchise Bancorp Inc. was created to consolidate existing corporate businesses and to acquiring growing chains. The company went public and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange as FBI. In 1998, Franchise Bancorp acquired the Ryan's Pet Food company and Global Pet Foods company. These two speciality pet food companies were merged into the Global/Ryans Pet Food company and a new natural pet food niche was targeted. The division has grown to over 100 stores across Canada. Franchise Bancorp continues to explore new opportunities; in franchising and potential acquisitions in growth concepts.
Ted Loyst, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Franchise Bancorp Inc., is passionate about franchising. "It's the only way the little guy can compete in today's wild world of retailing. We can provide a brand name, a business format that works and buying power that independent stores cannot match. We have focused on niche areas of retail business, and with an owner in every location, we have a major advantage in understanding the customer and reacting quickly to their needs. We are a small business franchisor. If you have a million bucks cash", says Loyst, "you probably don't need us. If you want to operate a business, small, medium or large that can give your family a good living, then give us a call. If you want a lifestyle change, a challenge and the opportunity to control your own destiny, then one of our concepts will fit the bill and the budget. We can put you in a business for as little as $90,000 up to $450,000."
Paul Thomson President of Franchise Bancorp Inc.; has been in the franchise industry for 26 years. With his years of experience in the management of franchise companies in different retail sectors, Thomson knows first hand the difficulties present in today's retail environment. "Retail doesn't have a lot of barriers to entry", he says, "but it does have a lot of barriers to success. Our job is to knock down those barriers. We feel that the best motivator for retail ownership is having a stake in the ownership and having the ability to be a decision maker". Franchise Bancorp was founded on the belief that franchisees want and need guidance and training, but they also want to be involved in the decision making process.
Franchise Bancorp believes that franchising will continue to dominate specialty retail growth.
It's the only way you can give individual storeowners the independence and the tools they need to be competitive.
Our franchised stores are owner-operated with an independent business person on the scene daily to make decisions.
Franchise owners have the latitude to use their own initiative, energy, taste and style.
Franchise Bancorp contributes the major elements of accumulated experience, sound training, marketing and advertising expertise, as
well as the purchasing power of a large chain.
The franchisee's desire and enthusiasm to own their own business will be linked with our experience, systems and buying power. Our retail training and guidance, from location selection to store opening and beyond, allows the franchise owners to operate effectively from day one. Unlike many of our competitors, we treat each and every franchise associate as a full business partner. Franchise Bancorp offers as much support as the franchisee needs on an ongoing basis. Home Office is never more than a phone call away. Owner networking, active merchandising and advertising committees keep us focused on the development and growth of our brand names. Other components of our ongoing professional support include:
- Marketing Programs - such as the tremendously successful Air Miles Reward Miles Loyalty program available in our pet food division, as well as, flyers, posters and gift cards.
- Merchandising and display updates
- Cash flow planning and analysis
- Inventory planning and control
- Staff hiring and human resources management guidance
- Lease negotiations and construction management
Franchise Bancorp currently owns the following four (4) companies:
- Living Lighting Inc. established in 1968, is Canada's largest franchised chain of residential lighting stores operating in Ontario, Alberta, and the Maritimes.
- LIV Canada Gift Group Inc. established in 1978 operates nationally under the brand names Rafters Home Store and Panhandler.
- Global Pet Food Stores Inc. established in 1976 is a chain of corporately owned and franchised pet food and pet supply stores, operating as Global Pet Foods and Ryan's Pet Foods coast to coast.
- Franchise Bancorp Consulting Ltd. specializes in franchise marketing and sales activities for all divisions of Franchise Bancorp, as well as providing franchise consulting services to developing franchise companies.