For Immediate Release
Expedia CruiseShipCenters Named Top Overall Franchisor
Company Honoured with Numerous Awards at Canadian Franchise Association’s Annual Convention
May 7th, 2010
Expedia CruiseShipCenters came home with a triple win at the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) Annual Convention in Mont Tremblant, Quebec. First, the Vancouver-based company was inducted into the CFA Hall of Fame by Graham Cooke, incoming Chair of the CFA Board of Directors. Then, they were named the Gold Winner in the Traditional Franchises – Mature/Established category. Finally, at the end of the evening, Expedia CruiseShipCenters was presented with the Grand Prize: The 2010 CFA Award of Excellence in Franchising.
The Award of Excellence recognizes the franchise system best able to demonstrate superior franchisee - franchisor relations and is based on independent research of the company’s franchisees conducted by InfoFeedback. As a three time recipient of the top award (more than any other Canadian franchise in history), it’s no surprise that Expedia CruiseShipCenters has earned a spot in the CFA Hall of Fame.
“The survey results clearly demonstrate that Expedia CruiseShipCenters is a company that focuses on building strong relationships with its franchisees and providing the support needed to help them succeed,” says Lorraine McLachlan, CFA President and Chief Executive Director. “In addition, they continue to grow their franchise system and act as a role model within the franchise community by sharing best practices, mentoring new franchisors and raising the profile of the franchise business model.”
The Hall of Fame award recognizes outstanding performance by a franchise company over a significant period of time based on high brand recognition, solid business performance and leadership in the franchise community. As the 2010 inductee, Expedia CruiseShipCenters joins other CFA Hall of Famers including A&W, Tim Hortons, M&M Meat Shops and McDonald’s.
“It is a true honour to win these prestigious awards”, says Michael Drever CEO and Founder of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. “The Award of Excellence Gold Award is important because it represents direct feedback from the Franchise Partners that we serve. Then to be further recognized as the top franchise system in the country is simply amazing as we are competing with the best of the best in franchising in Canada. Our induction into the CFA Hall of Fame for continued, outstanding performance is also tremendous because it places us in the same category as some of the most recognized brands in the world.”
Drever is a central figure in the Expedia CruiseShipCenters story. In 1987, at the age of 26, he purchased a CruiseShipCenters franchise and began selling cruises from a shared office complex in Vancouver. When the original franchisor became insolvent, Drever took action. With a firm belief in the power of franchising and the future of the cruise industry he purchased the trademark, settled the debt and began rebuilding the company from the ground up.
For more than twenty years, the company has dominated the Canadian market with nearly 25% market share. In 2007, Drever entered a strategic partnership with Expedia Inc. and rebranded as Expedia CruiseShipCenters. The company now includes more than 120 franchises from coast to coast including the Yukon and is also expanding into the USA with 6 new franchises already coming onboard this year alone.
The accolades add to an impressive list of accomplishments for the company including being recognized with a #8 ranking in BC’s Best Companies to Work For.
About the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA):
With almost 500 corporate members nation-wide, representing many of Canada’s best-known brands, the Canadian Franchise Association is the National Voice for Franchising in Canada and works with all levels of government to ensure the development of industry-made solutions. CFA promotes excellence in franchising and educates Canadians about franchising, specific franchise opportunities and proper due diligence through its many events, programs and publications. For more information, visit www.cfa.ca.