Pizza is big, as are other fast foods.
But there's also a realtor, cleaning services, waxing, tools, lawn services and a barber shop.
We're talking about what's on the top 100 list of franchises in Canada for 2026.
And, Kelowna is well represented on the list -- home to 24 of the top 100 from No. 1 Pizza Pizza, No. 2 A&W and No. 3 McDonald's to No. 9 PropertyGuys.com, No. 18 Molly Maid and No. 43 Tommy Gun's Original Barbershop.
The list was compiled by Elite Franchise based on franchise performance, franchisee support, systems and potential for long-term success.
Let's start with Pizza Pizza because it's in the top spot for the second year in a row.
Pizza Pizza has 750 locations across Canada, including 515 Harvey Ave. in Kelowna, Dobbin Road in West Kelowna, Kamloops, Merritt, Penticton, Vernon and Victoria.
The first Pizza Pizza was opened in 1967 in Toronto by MIchael Overs and quickly spread through Ontario.
It became famous not just for its quality pizza and fast and friendly service, but for its centralized order phone number 967-1111.
Remember, this was the 1970s and you ordered pizza by phone, not online.
So, the rhyming 967-1111 jingle, used heavily in all advertising and promotions, became a sing-a-long ditty in Ontario in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
As a boy growing up in a small central Ontario town that didn't have a Pizza Pizza, I remember being jealous of those in bigger towns that had a Pizza Pizza and singing along to the jingle when ads came on the Toronto radio station I listened to.
And, of course, me and my brother and sister would hound our parents to pick up Pizza Pizza whenever we visited the big city.
By the way, decades ago, Pizza Pizza pioneered the insulated delivery bag.
Anyway, back to Pizza Pizza modern day in Kelowna.
It opened in 2022 on Harvey Avenue (Highway 97) in 2022 and 2024 in West Kelowna.
Besides pizza (with traditional, thin, super-pan, stuffed, Gluten-free and cauliflower crusts) it's expanded to pizza-related stromboli and panzerotti, chicken wings, fries, poutine, and desserts.
For Valentine's Day, it will have a special heart-shaped, two-topping pizza for $13.49 with a portion of proceeds going to local childrens' hospitals.
“Being named Canada’s No. 1 franchise two years in a row is a tremendous achievement, and one that we do not take lightly,” said Pizza Pizza CEO Paul Goddard.
“I am incredibly proud of the team behind this result and grateful to be a part of a company that continues to raise the bar for itself."
Besides the previously mentioned franchises in Kelowna that made the list there are a bunch more -- Snap-On Tools at No. 4, No. 5 Boston Pizza, No. 6 Booster Juice, No. 12 Montana's, No. 16 Cobs Bread, No. 19 Thai Express, No. 24 Certa Pro Painters, No. 29 Cora, No. 32 ServiceMaster Restore, No. 35 Blenz Coffee, No. 45 Fully Promoted, No. 49 Weed Man, No. 50 Steamatic, No. 51 Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual, No. 52 ServiceMaster Clean, No. 68 Fibre New, No. 69 The Ten Spot and No. 82 Kekuli Cafe.
For the full top 100 list go here: https://
