b'COVER STORYembrace diversity and inclusion if theyrelated to enhancing youth education, want to be successful. reducing youth homelessness, and fighting Jen McCain quit her corporate job to become theThe message is clear: a franchise brandshunger. The announcement was met with owner of multiple Dogtopia locations in the GTAattitude to diversity and inclusion cancautious optimism by LGBTQ+ groups, including the one to the right ultimately impact its bottom line. This wasand the company has since successfully not lost on Chick-fil-A, a Georgia-basedexpanded its presence in Canada. chicken-sandwich chain, when it faced not collect statistics regarding the sexualsignificant protests when opening its firstSHOWING THE WAYorientation of its members, it sees growingCanadian store in Toronto in 2017, as wellFortunately, more uplifting stories opportunities for franchise owners of as similar protests south of the border.of franchising success can be found all backgrounds. At issue was the companys long-runningthroughout Canadas LGBTQ+ community, Franchising is very diverse, and thathistory of donating to organizations withwith franchisees and franchisors alike representation is not only important toalleged anti-LGBTQ+ positions, mostchampioning diversity, equity and the larger conversations surroundingnotably the Salvation Army, the Fellowshipinclusion (DEI), and with openly gay diversity and inclusivity, its also betterof Christian Athletes, and the Paulfranchisees running successful franchise for business, says McNeil. Data from theAnderson Youth Home. businesses that reflect this new openness.Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber ofThe message did not fall on deaf ears.Jen McCain is among those franchising Commerce states that the annual buyingIn 2019arguably, two years too latetheleaders. In 2017, she quit her previous job power of LGBTQ2SA+-owned businesses isfast-food giant announced it would beas a management consultant at a global $90 billion. halting donations to these and like-mindedaccounting firm to open a Dogtopia Overall, says McNeil: Any franchiseorganizations. Instead, it said it wouldlocation in Toronto, a business offering brand operating in Canada needs tofocus its financial support on initiativesdoggie daycare services. Today, she is With people spending more time at home, they are investing more in their outdoor living spaces.PROFIT FROM A PROVEN SYSTEMWork from homeUse industry leading technology and marketingReceive ongoing training and support1.800.263.4774decks.ca/franchiseIssue 2 2021 | QBiz CANADA |5'