World Franchise Day

Today is World Franchise Day, and we're tipping our hats to the local heroes behind all these big brands. In Edmonton, franchisees do a lot more than just dish out your favorite meals or retail experiences. They're a major engine in our city's economy. They create thousands of jobs. And in fact, I'm here right now in West Edmonton Mall. West Edmonton Mall alone employs over 24,000 people. Yeah, you heard that right, 24,000 people here in West Edmonton Mall. It's the largest shopping mall in North America and the 8th largest mall in the world. It's home to more than 800 stores, many of them are franchises. Franchise businesses do amazing things. They boost consumer spending, they attract tourism, and they help our city buzz with vibrancy. Province-wide, Franchisers make up 3.5% of Alberta's GDP and employ 9% of the workforce. And their impact is even bigger in the retail and service sector, which contribute together about 8% of Alberta's economy. But there's so much more, really. I mean, franchisees bring fresh investment, they spark new business opportunities, and they help build more diverse, more resilient economies. From all the big brands that you see, from KFC and Staples and Boston Pizza to Bold Ventures, Edmonton franchise community keeps our neighborhoods vibrant and our economy super strong. And of course, they keep our workforce thriving. So today, let's recognize the passion, the innovation, and the incredible impact that they make right here at home and around the world.