Step-by-Step Guide to Owning a Convenience Store in Ontario

In case you ever had a dream about owning your own business, a convenience store franchise in Ontario is one of the best places that you can start with. Whether you’re searching for the best convenience store to own in Canada or exploring small business franchise opportunities under $100K, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the process and start strong.

Step 1: Why Convenience Stores are a Good Investment

The convenience store is a guaranteed source of income that has flexible operations and regular customers. These shops provide snacks, drinks, lottery, necessities among other needs that cater to daily needs so that there is a steady flow of traffic.

Franchises, such as Infinity Mart, are transforming the concept of convenience retail by integrating the grocery, fuel, and café-style stores into a single modern experience in 2025. No wonder, numerous investors are opting to invest in a retail franchise in rapidly-growing franchises rather than creating a business out of nothing.

Why it works:

  • Entry costs are low in comparison with other businesses.
  • High customer retention.
  • Franchising possibility after being established.

Step 2: Selecting an Appropriate Franchise Model

The choice of the business model will be that of the profitability of your store. The two main options are:

  • Independent Ownership: You control form suppliers to branding which is flexible but more risky in the beginning.
  • Franchise: One of the most successful models is the convenience store franchise Ontario program by Infinity Mart which offers brand help, marketing, inventory establishment, and continuous training.

When you are in need of a business franchise that will cost you less than 100,000 dollars, then you want a low overhead/ high profit model that will give you brand recognition and operational assistance on the first day.

Step 3: Research the Location

Location is the profit-making factor. Toronto, Hamilton, and Mississauga are the urban centres of Ontario and can be seen and experienced in terms of high visibility and foot traffic. In choosing the scouting locations, take into account:

  • Access to residential and commercial locations.
  • People can easily park there and use public transportation.
  • Inside 1 km radius, there is a limited competition.

The best convenience store to own in Canada is one that’s located in a high-demand neighborhood with consistent customer flow. A large number of Infinity Mart franchise owners also enjoy the elaborated site selection support provided by the brand that guarantees the highest returns on investment.

Step 4: Secure Financing

After you have chosen your franchise and location, then you need to finance. You’ll need funds for:

  • Franchise fees
  • Lease or property purchase
  • Inventory and initial stock
  • Machines (fridges, point of sale systems, etc.)

Loans and small business support programs with specific interest to new franchise owners are available through banks and financial institutions in Canada including BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada).

The inside trick is that financing approvals are much easier in franchise models whose profitability has been proven and whose costs are clearly broken down such as the Infinity Mart franchise program.

Step 5: Establishing Licensing and Operation

It is advisable to make everything legal before your store is opened. The owners of convenience stores in Ontario are required to receive:

  • Municipality business license.
  • Retailer permits of tobacco and lottery.
  • Food certification in case of selling ready-to-eat food.

The support team of Infinity Mart can assist franchisees in handling all these steps easily, and thus, new owners can be easily able to launch their businesses without any hitches.

Step 6: Stock Smart and Market Locally

After licensing your store, it is time to select a product mix. An effective convenience store franchise in Ontario has the necessary goods that customers require on a daily basis including the necessities of groceries, cold drinks, packaged snacks, phone accessories and hygiene products.

In the case of marketing, concentrate on the local presence:

  • Provide social discounts or loyalty plans.
  • Create an account on Google Maps and local directories.
  • Collaborate with delivery applications to increase coverage.

The marketing team at Infinity Mart also offers franchisees local advertising templates and other branding materials ready to use to fast track the visibility.

Step 7: Performance and Scale Monitoring

The initial six months are important. Monitor sales and inventory turnover and customer response daily. After stabilizing, think of expanding to a second site or also provide other services such as in store coffee, ATM machines or even parcel drop-offs.

By having a rapidly expanding retail franchise, such as Infinity Mart, most of the owners expand to multi-location within the first two years by riding on the brand’s systematic training, supplier base, and consumer confidence.

Final Thoughts

One of the best small business investments in 2025 is the ownership of a convenience store franchise in Ontario. Low start up cost, and a steady demand by customers, it is an opportunity to enjoy a steady income and long-term growth.

Under Infinity mart, the franchisees will enjoy a turnkey business structure, country-wide assistance, and an established retail business model with a high profitability. Whether you’re seeking a small business franchise in Canada or a business franchise under $100K, Infinity Mart gives you the foundation, brand power, and strategy to succeed.

It is time to begin the process of ownership and join one of the most rapidly developing retail franchises in Canada.

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