Franchise Your Business in Canada – FMS Franchise Canada

 

1. Introduction

 

Scaling a business through franchising is a complex, multi-step journey requiring strong systems, legal precision, and marketing acumen. In Canada, Franchise Marketing Systems Canada (FMS Canada)—led by Scott McCarthy and Shelley Berman—specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through this process. Drawing on decades of combined franchising experience, they help Canadian businesses build replicable models, attract franchisees, and navigate legal and operational intricacies across provinces and international markets.

 

2. Overview: Franchise Marketing Systems Canada

FMS Canada is a full-service franchise development and consulting firm based in Vaughan (Toronto area), Ontario. The firm helps Canadian businesses design franchise systems, develop market strategies, and facilitate expansion both domestically and internationally. Their services cover system design, operations documentation, lead generation, franchise sales, and ongoing support.

 

The founders, Scott McCarthy and Shelley Berman, are credited with over 60 years of combined franchising experience. They bring skills from executive roles in major brands as well as hands‑on franchise ownership nationalfranchisedirectory.comfmsfranchise.caFMS Franchise Marketing Systems.

 

FMS Canada claims over 537 franchise systems developed, 6,120 franchises sold, and 304 master franchises secured fmsfranchise.ca.

 

3. Leadership Profiles

3.1 Shelley Berman – Co‑Founder & Director of Canada

Shelley’s background combines high-level marketing leadership with strong operational and brand strategy expertise. Her early career included roles at Colgate‑Palmolive South Africa and Mars Canada, and executive marketing leadership at Cara Foods and Mary Brown’s Famous Chicken & Taters FMS Franchise Marketing Systems.

 

With a Master’s in Industrial Psychology, Shelley leverages both analytical and creative skills to help clients position their brands and build robust franchising frameworks. Her global marketing awards speak to her ability to translate brand value into franchise strength FMS Franchise Marketing Systems.

 

3.2 Scott McCarthy – Co‑Founder & Director of Canada

Scott’s foundation lies in operational franchising. He spent over a decade as a multi‑unit franchise owner/operator with Tim Hortons, followed by owning Kelsey’s outlets. As a corporate executive, he led operations for Sunoco, McDonald’s, Medicine Shoppe/Rexall, Luxottica, Pearle Vision, and Mary Brown’s — planning and opening nearly 200 franchise locations and doubling business scale within three years.

 

Scott’s dual experience as both franchise operator and strategic operator gives him a deep understanding of what works from both sides of the franchise relationship.

 

Meet the entire FMS Franchise Team:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyPtK4F1OMY

 

4. Core Services Offered by FMS Canada

4.1 Feasibility and Market Research

FMS begins with assessing whether a business is ready to franchise—examining concept validity, demand in Canadian markets, and competitive fit. They deliver deep-market research at a regional and demographic level to support franchise strategy.

 

4.2 Franchise System Development

They assist with:

 

• Franchise business planning

• Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs)

• Operations manuals

• Financial models and fee structures

• Legal documentation aligned with provincial regulations (e.g. Canadian Provinces)

 

4.3 Franchisee Recruitment & Marketing

Their team builds lead generation, digital marketing, SEO, social media campaigns, franchise portal management, and other tools to attract qualified franchisee investors. They also handle candidate screening and onboarding funnel design fmsfranchise.ca.

 

4.4 Training & Ongoing Support Systems

FMS helps design training curriculums, onboarding processes, and ongoing support frameworks. This includes field support, performance tracking, and systems to ensure consistency and high service standards as the network expands Buy a Canadian Franchise.

 

4.5 Expansion Strategy & Master Franchising

The company supports national expansion strategies and master franchise structures—helpful for entering new provinces or international markets alongside Canadian growth Buy a Canadian FranchiseFMS Franchise Marketing Systems.

 

5. Client Results & Reputation

5.1 Trustpilot Reviews

FMS receives exceptional ratings from clients (4.9/5) on Trustpilot, with 72 independent reviews as of July 2025 Trustpilot. Testimonials reflect appreciation for FMS’s personal attention, guidance, and clarity during what clients describe as overwhelming periods.

 

Example testimonial highlights:

 

• “FMS is exactly that – they have so much knowledge to help present properly.”

• “Launching a new entity… I am so thankful we found FMS to guide us through the process”

• “Game‑changer… they walked me step‑by‑step…” fmsfranchise.ca+2Trustpilot+2fmsfranchise.ca+2.

 

5.2 Franchise Association Recognition

FMS Canada is listed as a franchise consulting supplier with the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA), acknowledging their credibility within the professional franchising network nationalfranchisedirectory.com+3fmsfranchise.ca+3fmsfranchise.ca+3.

 

Their client list includes established Canadian brands like Tim Hortons, Kelsey’s, and Goshenite Seniors Services—underscoring their track record across food service, retail, health care, and home services sectors FMS Franchise Marketing Systems+2fmsfranchise.ca+2fmsfranchise.ca+2.

 

6. Strengths of Scott McCarthy & Shelley Berman

Broad Strategic Experience

Scott’s experience in operating franchise brands and managing multi-unit expansions brings real-world operational insight into what franchisees expect and how systems must function.

 

Shelley’s deep marketing leadership—creating strong brand positioning from CPG to restaurant chains—ensures franchisors can attract quality franchisees and build customer trust from day one.

 

Holistic Franchise Development

FMS Canada supports the entire journey—from feasibility through ongoing franchise support—allowing businesses to focus on operations while FMS handles strategy, marketing, and compliance frameworks.

 

Canadian Market Acumen

Scott and Shelley know Canada’s varied regulatory environment—such as provincial disclosure rules for Ontario and Alberta—ensuring legal compliance from the outset. They also tailor franchise model designs to regional differences across provinces.

 

Proven Results & Client Satisfaction

Independent reviews highlight that clients value FMS’s hands-on, empathetic, and methodical process. Many cite the clarity and confidence FMS brings to an otherwise overwhelming strategic shift FMS Franchise Marketing Systems+1fmsfranchise.ca+1Buy a Canadian Franchise.

 

7. Areas for Potential Improvement

No firm is perfect. Areas where prospective clients might seek clarification include:

 

• Transparency of Costs: While testimonials speak highly, explicit cost structures and service fees are not publicly detailed; clients must request proposals to understand pricing.

• Scalability for Small Startups: Early-stage concepts may find FMS’s scales geared toward mid-sized or established brands; early entrepreneurs may need to probe what pilot-level support is offered.

 

These are common questions when evaluating premium consultants and can easily be addressed during an initial consultation.

 

8. How to Franchise Your Business in Canada—FMS Canada’s Model

Here is how FMS Canada—through Scott and Shelley—typically guides you through franchising your business:

 

Step 1: Feasibility & Research

• Market analysis to validate your concept

• Financial modeling and franchise fee structure

• Competitive benchmarking and brand positioning

 

Step 2: Legal & Structural Framework

• Drafting Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD)

• Creating franchise agreements compliant with Canadian provincial law

• Developing operations and training manuals to ensure system consistency

 

Step 3: Marketing & Franchisee Recruitment

• Designing and executing lead generation strategies (digital and offline)

• Building a qualified candidate screening and onboarding funnel

• Brand-building to support franchise sales and customer awareness

 

Step 4: Launch & Training

• Training the first franchisees, providing site set-up support

• Creating onboarding and operations training programs

• Structuring ongoing support, field visits, and communication systems

 

Step 5: Growth & Scaling

• Implementing growth targets and expansion roadmaps

• Building master franchise models where appropriate

• Monitoring performance and adapting support systems

 

At each stage, FMS Canada integrates legal compliance, operational readiness, and brand integrity—while delivering a cohesive experience grounded in Canadian franchise best practices.

 

Listen to Scott McCarthy on Franchise Radio:  https://franchiseradio.net/tag/scott-mccarthy/

 

9. Real-World Example

One client recounts launching a seniors-care franchise: despite being unfamiliar with the franchise model, they describe FMS as a seamless partner that helped them think through every stage—from system documentation to lead generation and lead nurturing via webinars and outreach Franchise Specialists+2Buy a Canadian Franchise+2fmsfranchise.ca+2.

 

Tim Hortons and Kelsey’s (Canadian heritage brands) are cited as past clients—suggesting FMS Canada has operated at scale with well-known national players fmsfranchise.cafmsfranchise.ca.

 

10. Final Assessment

Franchise Marketing Systems Canada—through the leadership of Scott McCarthy and Shelley Berman—offers a deep, FCL‑led, Canadian‑market‑savvy approach to franchising businesses in Canada.

 

Why they stand out:

 

• Rich combined experience of 60+ years from both franchise ownership and corporate levels

• Holistic service model covering feasibility, legal compliance, marketing, recruitment, training, and scaling

• Proven track record of over 537 brands franchised, 6,120 individual franchise units sold

• Excellent client satisfaction and CFA recognition

• Strong Canadian regulatory knowledge and practical expertise

 

Ideal clients include mid‑sized Canadian businesses seeking to grow via franchising, particularly those looking for a partner to manage strategic development through to execution.

 

Consideration points:

• Service costs are proposal‑based and may not suit early concept stage businesses unless clarified

• Prospective clients should discuss engagement scope upfront to match expectations and scale

 

Recommendation

If you’re a Canadian business considering franchising your brand—whether nationally or beyond—working with FMS Canada, led by Scott McCarthy and Shelley Berman, offers:

 

• Strategic credibility derived from operational and marketing leadership

• A full-service, Canadian‑focused consulting model

• Proven results and enthusiastic client feedback

• Guidance through the legal, marketing, and operational maze of Canadian franchising

 

Their hands‑on, data‑driven, and values‑aligned approach helps franchises launch with confidence, attract quality partners, and expand sustainably. For any business seriously pursuing franchise growth in Canada, FMS Canada stands out as a compelling choice.

 

For more information on how to franchise your business in Canada, contact Franchise Marketing Systems Canada:  https://www.fmsfranchise.ca/