So, what exactly is the NBN ?

If you are a CBCL Franchisee, the National Bread Network is your Independent Franchisee Association.
The NBN is an open association where each of us supports the group for our common good. Running a business today is tough, so simply put: the NBN is about you getting a little help from your friends. Who understands your investment of time, money, sweat and tears better than your fellow Franchisees? NBN Membership gives you a chance to leverage the collective strength and knowledge of the network for your own benefit while helping your colleagues.

Participation by Franchisees like you ensures the current effectiveness and long-term stability of the Association.

National Bread Network In short, we —all of us, are the Network.
This site provides a place for you to share information and ideas securely with other Registered Members in our forum and gain access to critical information and updates on our private weblog. We welcome your ideas/questions about Registered Membership in the NBN or about franchise business in general. Send email to

We are Franchisees

In law and "within the four corners of the contract" —We are franchisees. Franchising is a complex hybrid business arrangement which is often characterized by many misconceptions and confusing interpretations.

Under most North American laws, a commercial relationship between parties can function in only one of three ways:

Employer : Employee
Client : Contractor
Franchisor : Franchisee

Which one actually applies to you -and why? *Hover your mouse cursor over the three diagrams on the right to see the basic difference between them. It's clear that as a CBCL Franchisee, only No. 3 applies to you.

In practice, the Franchisor : Franchisee relationship is rarely as "black and white" as our diagram. Our Franchise experts will help you to understand the characteristics of this unique relationship from the perspective of both parties and the NBN will work with all members to help them balance their needs and goals with those of the Franchisor —today and tomorrow.

Freedom of Association

In terms of Membership in the NBN, we believe it's important every Franchisee understands that Independent Franchisee Associations like ours are protected by provincial laws across Canada. Furthermore, our Franchisor has been clear about their acknowledgement and support for our rights under the law.

At present, three Canadian provinces have Franchise Laws which explicitly protect every Franchisee's Right to Associate:

Alberta (*To read an extract, click tab to open, once more to close.)

Franchises Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. F-23

Franchisee’s right to associate
8(1) A franchisor or its associate must not prohibit or restrict a franchisee from forming an organization of franchisees or from associating with other franchisees in any organization of franchisees. (2) A franchisor or its associate must not directly or indirectly penalize a franchisee for engaging in the activities described in subsection (1). 1995 cF-17.1 s8

Ontario

Arthur Wishart Act (Franchise Disclosure), 2000

[ S.O. 2000, CHAPTER 3 ]
Right to associate
4. (1) A franchisee may associate with other franchisees and may form or join an organization of franchisees. 2000, c. 3, s. 4 (1).

Franchisor may not prohibit association
(2) A franchisor and a franchisor’s associate shall not interfere with, prohibit or restrict, by contract or otherwise, a franchisee from forming or joining an organization of franchisees or from associating with other franchisees. 2000, c. 3, s. 4 (2).

Same
(3) A franchisor and franchisor’s associate shall not, directly or indirectly, penalize, attempt to penalize or threaten to penalize a franchisee for exercising any right under this section. 2000, c. 3, s. 4 (3).

Provisions void
(4) Any provision in a franchise agreement or other agreement relating to a franchise which purports to interfere with, prohibit or restrict a franchisee from exercising any right under this section is void. 2000, c. 3, s. 4 (4).

Right of action
(5) If a franchisor or franchisor’s associate contravenes this section, the franchisee has a right of action for damages against the franchisor or franchisor’s associate,as the case may be. 2000, c. 3, s. 4 (5).

PEI

Franchises Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. F-14.1

Franchisee’s right to associate
8(1) A franchisor or its associate must not prohibit or restrict a franchisee from forming an organization of franchisees or from associating with other franchisees in any organization of franchisees. (2) A franchisor or its associate must not directly or indirectly penalize a franchisee for engaging in the activities described in subsection (1). 1995 cF-17.1 s8

* We will be updating this section regularly. Please stay tuned.

No. We use our assets and time and have no labour law protection.

No. We have one customer that determines almost all aspects of your business.

Yes. Our rights and responsibilities are defined by provincial law and our franchise agreement.

Which Relationship Applies?
(*hover over each one to see)

What really matters?

We believe our Franchisees are proud of their work and their system. We also believe that there is a lot more to life than working hard and making money —at any cost. The diagram on the right illustrates out concept of a healthy balance between the major aspects of our lives as CBCL Franchisees.

Personal Life : Physical, Mental and Social
Our Personal lives consist of perhaps our most important commitments, to our Self, our Spouse, our Family, our Friends and our Community.

Financial Life : Business Health, Profitability, Long-Term Success
Our Financial life depends on the Health of Our Business and it's Sustainability, and how well we balance Operating Costs and Product Deliverables on a daily basis in an effort to maintain Profits.

Franchise Life : Franchisor -Franchisee Relationship
Our Working Arrangement with our Franchisor affects each part of our life. As Franchisee-Distributors we are responsible for the Protection of Products and Brands as well as own Safety as Operators. As the last link in the DSD chain we are ultimately responsible for Product Safety and the Reputation of the Franchisor on a daily basis.

These parts of our lives (and others) are difficult to balance at the best of times. *The red section in the centre of the diagram represents the best possible outcome —an ideal balance. We believe such a fine balance is only possible when Franchisor and Franchisees work together for the long-term health of the system. We believe, at the end of the day —that's what matters.

The NBN Model : A Healthy Balance