Active Green + Ross
Active Green + Ross (AG+R) is one of Southern Ontario's largest chains of tire and auto care centres. Through over 70 retail locations, AG+R offers customers a complete selection of tires from the world's premier manufacturers, in addition to general automotive service and repairs including brakes, suspension and front-end repairs, wheel alignment, tire balancing, and lube & oil changes.
Since 2006, when SCP first facilitated a loan to a manager at an AG+R in Hamilton to convert the corporate-owned location into a franchise, SCP's investment in the franchise network has steadily grown. Today we have arranged for investment in almost one third of AG+R stores. Click here for a complete list of AG+R investee locations.
Also, in 2007, SCP created a customized employment program and services directory for local Active Green + Ross dealers to source and hire new employees through community based agencies. This tool is a key resource to help AG+R introduce a social hiring & retention program across its entire dealer network of franchised and corporate-owned stores.
We Care
We Care is the largest independently owned home care service provider in Canada. The We Care network is comprised of Canadian entrepreneurs, with years of experience in the health care sector. With over 50 locations across Canada, each office is linked by technology and proven management systems, to ensure national standards are delivered with local passion. Each Franchisee/Branch Manager lives and works in the community they serve, which ensures We Care's services are in keeping with community needs.
We Care offers nursing, personal support, homemaking, cleaning and companionship services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - 365 days a year.
In 2008, Social Capital Partners invested in a pilot project in Montreal and the West Island. Working in partnership with a very socially conscious franchise owner, we are establishing the proper channels though which to hire a significant number of employees from socially and economically disadvantaged populations.
Two Men and a Truck
Two Men and a Truck (TMAT) is one of the largest moving companies in the United States with over 200 locations in 31 different states and 1400 trucks on the road. Recently, the company began expanding operations to Canada and is actively granting franchises across Ontario.
Social Capital Partners arranged for loan financing to a franchisee with the TMAT license in Burlington Ontario. The loan has helped finance working capital requirements in the early stages of franchise growth. Although this loan has performed well from an economic perspective, it is a challenging HR model for the social hiring program to replicate due to the high turnover rates in the moving industry and a lack of career advancement opportunities. While we have been very pleased with our relationship with TMAT, it is unlikely that we will facilitate finance for other companies in this industry. This experience has helped SCP further refine our criteria for what makes a successful franchise investment.