Driverseat Blog

What is Driverseat? Driverseat is an award-winning transportation franchise based out of Ontario, Canada. We have been operating since 2012 and have franchise locations across Canada and the U.S. We provide charter and shuttle transportation services in 7 to 24 passenger vehicles. Our leisure services are Charters & Tours, Wedding Shuttles, Airport Transportation and Care+

Get the neighborhood ready Our Halloween trick or treat hacks can help make your home and neighbors’ properties safer and more fun. Fall is here, and if you are like us when we were kids you have fond memories of free candy and costumes. There are lots of people out there who may be new

Planning a corporate holiday party can be a complex task, but with some strategic hacks, you can streamline the process and create a memorable event. Here are some corporate holiday party planning hacks to help you: Set Clear Objectives Begin by defining your party’s purpose. Is it a team-building event, a year-end celebration, or a

Back to School Shopping Trips: Driverseat can save you time, frustration and money Alright, let’s talk about that time of year again – back to school shopping! While the thought of new beginnings is exciting, we all know that the shopping frenzy that comes with it can be a real headache. Heading out of town

Microbrewery Tour: Exploring the Craft Uncover the Magic of Microbrewery Tours: Sip, Savor, and Explore Hey there, beer aficionados and adventure seekers! We have an exciting topic to delve into today – microbrewery tours! If you’re a resident of Kitchener or just passing through, this blog post is for you. We’re about to uncover the world

Fall and winter weddings Fall and winter weddings are just plain enchanting. They’ve got this special vibe that you just can’t recreate in spring and summer ceremonies. Let’s dive into why these seasons are great for weddings and what sets them apart from the more traditional events. First off, nature’s color palette is on point.

Sports and Dinner in the City Unleash the Fun and Convenience of Driverseat’s Custom Shuttles for an Epic Night Out! Sports and dinner in the city is always a great time, but, let’s face it, planning a night out in the city can often be a headache. From traffic congestion to parking nightmares, it can

The Game-Changer: How Generative AI is Shaking Up Business Communication How Generative AI is Shaking Up Business Communication: In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, one innovation is making waves and transforming the way businesses communicate. Enter generative AI, a cutting-edge technology that holds the potential to revolutionize the way we create content, engage with customers,

the Benefits of Charter Shuttle Services for Seniors Smooth Rides, Happy Lives: Seniors Rejoice in the Benefits of Charter Shuttle Services! What are the benefits of charter shuttle services for seniors? We all know as we age, our mobility may become more limited, making it challenging to go about our daily routines or enjoy the

Packing for Air Travel Packing for air travel is always a challenge; it doesn’t matter if it’s for work or heading out on a vacation. What do you pack, and what bag does it go in? How many bags to pack and how? After slinging hundreds (thousands?) of bags to and from the airport, we

Wedding set up hacks – I Said Yes, Now What – Pt 2 Wedding set up hacks save time and stress! Organization is always the key to an event moving smoothly and with as little stress for you as possible. As soon as you have selected your venue and decided on how you will decorate,

Charters: Shopping Superheroes Shopaholics of Kitchener – charters, shopping, oh my! They say transportation isn’t as exciting as finding something awesome buried in the clearance bin. That’s what they think. A great shopping trip starts with getting there and returning with your loot. Next time you plan a day of shopping, give one of our shuttles

 I Said Yes, Now What? Pt. 1: 4 Answers from Kristi The ever-present wedding tip! Everyone has advice and there is information all over the place. How do you cut through the noise? The team at Driverseat Kitchener East are working to make life easier for couples with our amazing partners. You already know planning

Business With A Coach: How we support our franchisees Business With A Coach: How we support our franchisees. This post is a transcription of the video on YouTube. Our goal is to provide the coaching and the training and the tools and the resources that our franchisees need. The Coach Leanne here for business with

Entrepreneur Energy Hacks: Calendar Let’s have a look at how entrepreneurs like you can hack your calendar for more energy. Have you ever participated in a first aid course or looked at the aircraft safety card while flying? The message is simple: you have to be safe and healthy in order to help someone else.

Driverseat’s Secret Recipe by Luke Bazely We don’t make fried chicken with “11 herbs and spices”. In fact, we find it difficult to articulate what our secret recipe is because frankly, it can sound like lip service.  How do you explain, in a meaningful way, that you simply want to have a greater impact on

Top 5 Pro Tips for Wine Tours Top 5 Pro Tips for Wine Tours – what a great start to spring and summer planning! Driverseat Kitchener East spends a lot of time in Niagara’s wine country with our guests. A winery tour is a great way to spend the day with friends or coworkers. Every

4 Tips for Starting a Business Leanne Shanks, Dir. Franchise Support   How are you going to make money? How are you going to advertise it? These are all things that you want to start thinking about before you even start. Leanne here for business with a coach. In this session, I’m going to offer

What is Microtransit? Microtransit is a more demand-responsive transit system Microtransit is a term most members of the public don’t know, but it’s growing into a significant industry buzz. When public transit is mentioned, most of us think of large city buses, subways, trains and streetcars on set routes. The challenges with this model in

Unique Wedding Party Gift Ideas I have great wedding party gift ideas. Wait, I should introduce myself, I’m Drew and I work at Driverseat. One of the best things about my job is connecting with people and discussing their ideas. This year, Evonne (amazing CES – Client Experience Specialist) and I started attending the local

As Driverseat exits the pandemic it is important to review the milestones and lessons learned that allowed the forward-thinking company to thrive in an unexpected environment.   This year Driverseat made a name for itself in the airline transportation industry by having a forward-thinking culture to identify and service the needs of travelers in a

Driverseat believes that you should judge a book by its cover … when it comes to their shuttles of course!   Importance of Sanitization The vehicle’s upkeep will reflect on how people or customers view your business or your well-being. Having a dirty car can make people feel that your business is sloppy or even

How is Driverseat Supporting Elderly Freedom?   Canada’s Baby Boomer population is aging and growing rapidly. Over the past 40 years, the population of Canadian seniors ages 65+ has tripled. This is due to advancements in healthcare technologies that allow for people to live longer. With this improved quality of life, people are retiring later

Driverseat spearheads tactics that will create efficiencies for their franchisees and will continue to elevate their business model. In the implementation of one of their tech tools, Tanic Call Tracking, Driverseat Franchise Partners have completely recorded call logs, detailed history of client relationships, and ongoing communication automation. Tanic is also leveraged at both the corporate

One of the many tools that Driverseat has integrated into their business model is Tanic Call Tracking. As a client-facing business, we track every interaction between us and our clients, including phone and SMS contacts.  Through our integrated CRM software, Tanic tracks and logs, calls and client contact history into Hubspot. This creates the ability

Partnerships are a key component to growth and relationship building at Driverseat. Driverseat franchisees leverage the national brand and business model of Driverseat, while building localized relationships with referral partners in their communities. Through these integrated partnerships, local franchisees are able to connect businesses with highly sought after transportation services and Driverseat franchisees are able

Wine Tours are Back in Season! Wine tours are back in full swing and the Driverseat team is looking forward to assisting you in planning the perfect wine tour and activities!   Start Here The first and most important thing that you need to consider when booking your wine tour is what wineries you want

One of Driverseat’s core services is our Door-to-Gate Airport transportation, for both business and leisure travelers.  At Driverseat we have developed a reputation as one of the key providers of airport transportation and now with the pandemics coming to a close travelers will require our services more than ever.  According to the International Air Transport

By now, you know how Driverseat optimizes for high profit margins on our shuttle services through some of our main methods that include purpose-building our fleets, frequent shuttle turnover, precise expense management, and comprehensive dispatch software. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg on what we will now delve into for you, one

At Driverseat, one of the five principles of our governance model is profit. As a transportation franchise, we tightly manage the operation of our shuttles and as a result, procure significant profit margins. With a laser focus on top-line revenue, we also ensure to never lose sight of the profit we are generating. How do

As an essential transportation business, being socially responsible is a principle we integrate into our business model, not a separate initiative. We empower our customers to take the lead on where they want to go and how they want to do it. How has being socially responsible impacted the Driverseat business? And how do we

“The Awards of Excellence are the most coveted recognition we can receive.” said Driverseat’s CEO Brian Bazely. “It is the confirmation that we are fulfilling our commitment to ensuring the success of our franchise partners. Our head office team executes our vision every day with the understanding that everything we do has to, in some

If you needed more evidence that Driverseat is one of the top franchises out there, look no further. For the sixth year in a row, Driverseat has won the Franchisees’ Choice Designation Award! “At Driverseat, our passion is for our Franchise Partners, their success, their growth and ultimately, their unit economics,” said Driverseat’s CEO Brian

We introduced the innovative CRM software Hubspot to you in our last post, but how do our Franchise Partners actually put it to use? As one of our top engagers, we want to answer this question for you by providing previews of what it looks like on the Driverseat side. Using Hubspot is one of

Why Is Now Ideal For a Sarnia Franchise? Driverseat is experiencing tremendous growth right now which is why we are reaching out to Sarnia. Sarnia has just over a population of 70 000, the perfect size for a Driverseat franchise. Being established right next to the United States-Canada border, there are amazing opportunities for transportation

Why Open Now? Driverseat is experiencing tremendous growth right now, which is why we are reaching out to Portland. Portland has just over a population of 68 000, the perfect size for a Driverseat franchise. Being established close to multiple international and regional airports, there is an absolutely outstanding market for airport transportation. Having a

Why Open Now? Driverseat is experiencing tremendous growth right now, which is why we are reaching out to Asheville. Asheville has just over a population of 91 000, the perfect size for a Driverseat franchise. Nationally renowned for its unique architecture, the tourism sector is an amazing hotspot for Driverseat activity. With Asheville Regional Airport

Why Open Now? Driverseat is experiencing tremendous growth right now, which is why we are reaching out to Greenville. Greenville has just around a population of 76 000, the perfect size for a Driverseat franchise.  In the heart of the largest metropolitan area of South Carolina, Greenville is the cultural and entertainment center for the

Why Open Now? Driverseat is experiencing tremendous growth right now, which is why we are reaching out to Santa Fe. Santa Fe has just over a population of 86 000, the perfect size for a Driverseat franchise. As one of the world’s top travel destinations with an extraordinary concentration of arts and entertainment, there is

As a highly successful transportation franchise dominating a gap for care-based transportation in the industry, our motto is to out-care the competition. Higher quantity usually comes hand-in-hand with lower quality, but not at Driverseat. With the high demand we face for essential transportation, we ensure we utilize innovative software that allows us to provide continued

We want to let you in on one of the secrets to our success: out-caring the competition. But what does this really mean? In the multi-billion dollar transportation industry, there is a huge gap in the transportation industry between rideshare and large coach buses. That is where Driverseat comes in. In a rather transactional industry,

News flash! Canada’s largest franchise convention is taking place live in Ottawa, Ontario this year, and Driverseat will be speaking. This annual conference is an amazing opportunity for Canadian franchising brands like Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, and of course Driverseat, to network and meet others in the industry. Featuring 3 days of education, networking, and

“I had to become a wartime CEO and really push people outside their comfort zones, but still remain empathetic because this was more than just commerce. This was health.” – Brian Bazely     Recently, CEO Brian Bazely spoke to The Globe and Mail about navigating the pandemic while operating a business. Driverseat was highlighted

Driverseat fosters an environment where we support and encourage development in all of our locations. Over the last quarter, we have seen an exceptional increase in demand for our services. Many of our franchise partners have tackled this increase in ride bookings by adding new vehicles to their fleet and bringing in more Chauffeurs.   

At Driverseat, we like to get to know the people we work with, whether that be our franchise partners, our Chauffeurs, or our customers. We believe that forming personal relationships with the people involved with our business fosters a stronger community. That being said, a relationship is a two way street, so we figured it

The pent-up demand for air travel is creating a boom in the airport shuttle market. Our franchisees are reporting significant increases in trip requests for airports across Canada and the U.S. In some cases, major airports could have a dozen bright orange Driverseat vans from multiple franchise locations simultaneously picking up groups returning from their

There is nothing like a black executive class SUV driven by a professional Chauffeur to add a touch of luxury to an event. We suppose you could say it makes the experience elite.  Driverseat Elite is the Elite service for everyone that is now being offered at select locations. These Terminals will provide the opportunity

Diversity and inclusion are a part of Driverseat’s core values as we highly value the genius in diversity. Incorporating these initiatives is crucial as a diverse organization that has BIPOC franchise partners and female leaders on our management team. We strive to cultivate a space where individuals can be the best version of themselves. Here

With the growth of approximately $5 billion in the wedding industry just in Canada alone, and over 160,000 weddings taking place each year our franchisees are able to capitalize on the rise in demand for our wedding services. In doing so, they have expanded their teams of professional Chauffeurs to accommodate the significant increase in

The availability of transportation options for children, seniors, those living with cognitive impairment is sparse. Oftentimes an appointment has to be made days or weeks in advance, making the service inaccessible.  The Driverseat Care+ service is designed for the vulnerable sector. Anyone who needs more care, compassion, or diligence around safety can rest assured that

Our franchisees are able to take advantage of the high demand for our chartered services and have expanded their team of experienced Chauffeurs to meet the increasing number of chartered tour bookings.   Our chartered tours are ideal for outdoor activities such as vineyard and brewery tours and can accommodate groups of any size. Small

1. Track Leads  The process of determining the source of leads, actively monitoring where leads are in the sales funnel, and taking the necessary steps to move the lead towards closing the sale are known as lead tracking. Doing so allows you to make informed decisions to improve lead quality and enhance sales productivity. A

Schedule Using a calendar to plan each day and colour-coding activities like work sessions and planned meetings can help you keep track of your tasks. At Driverseat, we make extensive use of the Google Suite workplace. We use Google Calendar, Shared Drive, and Gmail. Doing so allows us to stay organized and keep our communication

Despite the numerous lockdowns, we have seen significant growth in the consumer services we offer. These include airport transport, wedding packages, charters and tours, and Care+ (designed for the vulnerable sector).    We are focused on moving people both physically with our transportation solutions but figuratively towards their success. At our corporate terminal, we put

Daily Tasks of a Franchisee As a franchisee, you wear several hats, and some of your early responsibilities may include networking, company development, marketing and sales growth, and developing an employment brand. As your company matures and your team expands, your everyday tasks will change. Hiring an administrative, marketing, or sales assistant will let you

Becoming A Franchise Partner Opening a Driverseat franchise is a journey. At first, the process is quite formal and includes due diligence, being disclosed, validation, legal review, and several consultations with our franchise development team. As you better understand the business model, excitement builds and you confirm for yourself that this is the opportunity you

When starting a business, you wear many hats, and it can be overwhelming when you discover how much you don’t know. To make this process easier for you, we have highlighted four key factors to consider initially to save you time and money. As a new franchise owner, Driverseat can assist you in bridging the

Moncton needs far better transportation options, and you can be the one who brings them to town. Driverseat is a franchise that provides private and public shuttle services to over 400 communities across North America. We specialize in transportation to the airport, wedding shuttles, assisted medical transportation, tours and charters, wine tours, brewery tours, and

Bend needs far better transportation options, and you can be the one who brings them to town. Driverseat is a franchise that provides private and public shuttle services to over 400 communities across North America. We specialize in transportation to the airport, wedding shuttles, assisted medical transportation, tours and charters, wine tours, brewery tours, and

When asked, many people who are looking at opening a franchise business will say that the greatest benefit in a franchise system is brand recognition. It is commonly believed that franchises have a much higher success rate when compared to independent businesses because the brand is well known, and therefore will generate more revenue faster. 

When working through a large proposal for a client, or building strategies to generate revenue, the last thing you want to experience is technical challenges without resources to resolve them.   A franchise system provides you with a systematic approach to technical support that allows you to focus on your business, not the widgets.   

Many entrepreneurs have trouble curating a strong marketing plan because of how intimidating all the factors may be. What does a marketing plan need to include? How can our plan be strategically executed to success? What role do the objectives and tactics play?  Marketing is often confused with an advertising/promotion strategy – but with marketing,

As a franchise owner, you want to work in an autonomous way using strategies and methods that have been tried and tested. When it comes to business operations, a Driverseat franchise does exactly that. You’ll benefit from many collective years of experience in operations to help you run your business while you exercise your entrepreneurial

When starting a business, you naturally focus on a few things… what you are passionate about (sales vs. operations vs. marketing vs. management, etc.), how to fund the business and manage cash flow in the early days, who your clients are going to be, how much money you can make, etc.  Oftentimes, you neglect to

There is a power in an identifiable and trusted brand, and that’s what Driverseat is to its clients North American-wide.  When folks see our shuttles, they know that there is reliable, comfortable and caring transportation in their midst. When clients see the blue and orange colour palette online or on the road, it integrates with

The internet is a crowded space, and standing out is becoming more and more difficult. Given that more than 60% of purchases start with an online search, and that most millennials will research a company on Instagram before making a purchase, it has never been more important to build your online brand presence.  Here are

Instability is one of the most frightening things you face as a business owner. Not knowing what will happen in the market, how your business will survive a pandemic or when you’ll be able to open your doors again are all significant contributors to stress and anxiety. When these things happen to independent small business

  Starting a business is a dream for many people, and it can be the most rewarding adventure you’ll ever pursue. One of the most significant barriers to success is inefficiency or a lack of true productivity. When you are starting out, you play every role in the business which makes time management and being

What is operational excellence? The business dictionary defines it as “A philosophy of the workplace where problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership results in the ongoing improvement in an organization. The process involves focusing on the customers’ needs, keeping the employees positive and empowered, and continually improving the current activities in the workplace.”   At Driverseat, we

Running a business is only complex in the sense that it requires a significant amount of knowledge or experience in many different areas. When you first start out, you might play every role and so you develop the strengths or capabilities that are required to be successful.  You soon realize that operations management is the

There are so many advantages to opening a franchise. Along with the brand awareness, recipe for success, and coaching and support you receive, you’ll also get an incredible suite of software and technology tools that would be unattainable for a small independent startup.  Technology has immensely changed the way a business operates and stays competitive.

Business is highly competitive and requires you to create efficiencies so that your time can be focused on strategy and growth. Technology plays a significant role that, in automating repetitive tasks, assisting with scheduling and time management, and creating bridges between you and your clients.   Innovation causes technology to change rapidly, so choosing platforms and

In a typical franchise system, interested franchise partners pay a certain fee to obtain and utilize a format or system developed by the franchisor to be able to use their brand name and offer their products or services – it’s really as simple as that!  The franchise system at Driverseat takes a different approach. While

Do you have a desire to start your own business? Work on your schedule? Have unlimited opportunities for income? Aspiring entrepreneurs have endless opportunities but starting a business is not easy and outside of a franchise, the failure rate is quite high. With the emergence of ‘thought leaders and business coaches on social media, the

Monday, March 8th, 2021 marked International Women’s Day – a global day to celebrate and honour the achievements of women throughout history and across the world. Millions of people all over the world take part in this day – if so many people are honouring a day to empower women, doesn’t it only make sense

Luke Bazely, the co-founder of Driverseat, joins Bourke & Farwell on 570 NEWS to explicate the major shift that businesses face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an obvious toll that the pandemic has put on small businesses, and they have had to adapt to either change their focus entirely or double down on

So you have a business idea… and you’re going to go for it. Congratulations! You are excited and convinced that people will line up to buy your product or service, and confident you can weather the road ahead… even if there are a few bumps along the way. You can find traditional tips online, like

Start Your Business Journey at Red Deer!  Driverseat has been experiencing massive growth in the transportation industry. We are always searching for the best opportunity to pursue our business in and our next target location to start a Driverseat franchise is in Red Deer, Alberta.          Why Red Deer? Red Deer is

Driverseat was crafted with two dual missions: (1) elevating the transportation industry by creating innovative transportation solutions through a care-based approach and (2) developing a franchise system that gives like-minded entrepreneurs the opportunity to start and pursue their business journey.  Driverseat is experiencing massive growth and is currently operating in over 100 cities where we

Driverseat wasn’t founded by People of Colour. We acknowledge that this comes with a plethora of undeserved social privileges. While racial obstacles aren’t in our lived experience, it’s our responsibility to support anti-racism in our community in the form of allyship and continuing to provide People of Colour with opportunities to own their own business. 

Customers are at the center of any business and are crucial for growth. This means that is important for any business to satisfy their existing customer base. Customer relationship management (CRM) allows you to measure the success and performance of your business. It also determines brand loyalty by taking a look at whether or not

How Driverseat is Optimizing the 2021 Ontario Gas Tax Program   During the COVID-19 pandemic, having safe access to transportation has been a struggle for many. It’s crucial to have access to reliable transit services to meet basic needs such as buying groceries and utilizing other essential services. At Driverseat, we take COVID-19 precautions very

On January 28th, 2021, it’s Bell Let’s Talk Day. Bell’s #BellLetsTalk campaign is an annual cause to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around mental health and mental illness in Canada. At Driverseat, we are advocating for mental health awareness by engaging in discussions about its importance and taking action to promote a positive, lasting

Instagram (IG) has evolved to be one of the best social media platforms for engagement and promotion. Millions of users have the ability to get to know brands/businesses organically through their profiles – this means it is important to advance your online presence. Instagram gives businesses the opportunity to market themselves for free while offering

At Driverseat we work hard to be efficient. Like many people over the past year, we have had to move from a structured office environment to working remotely, and it isn’t as easy as it seems. Some common challenges are distractions, miscommunication, and feelings of social isolation. These simple tips may be just what you

At Driverseat, we were already well underway with an online learning strategy before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Our learning management platform was secured, we had people on the team with experience in creating online learning, and content was already being developed.  However, like most organizations, this content was augmented with face to face learning, both

How Do You Acquire a Franchise? The process for acquiring a franchise can be intimidating and create uncertainty, if not managed correctly. The process can be a fun part of the journey if with the right franchisor. The following is the process for acquiring a franchise, including 6 great tips from a subject expert, our

What It’s Like Being an Employee at Driverseat Head Office During a Pandemic   Rising cases of COVID-19 have resulted in many newfound uncertainties and anxieties among employees of businesses all over the world. Rising cases, with the possibility of looming lockdowns are taking a big toll on employees who fear job loss. As an

Driverseat franchisees start as a home-based business. They hire a team of Chauffeurs to provide services in customer’s vehicles, eliminating the need for a fleet of vehicles. They then launch the shuttle service and build the fleet of mid-sized commercial vans as they build the business, sometimes needing only a few vehicles in the first

I have always surrounded myself with optimistic people; it lines up well with my personal values and to be honest, it just makes my days more fun.    That doesn’t mean we ignore challenges or crises… it simply means we choose to be hopeful.   As we navigate the final months of 2020, a year

Driverseat is a transportation company that doesn’t hire “drivers”. Franchisees hire “Chauffeurs”, not drivers – and there is a difference.    What makes your business stand out? What makes it memorable and what makes it different from the competition? Well it isn’t just one thing, it is a series of things that when combined, make

Good news in business is pretty hard to come by these days, for obvious reasons. The leadership at Driverseat has consistently instilled a sense of optimism in the face of adversity, and for many franchise owners, this has led to unexpected results.    While some businesses and entire industries are being completely shut down, Driverseat

Across the country, employers that are located in remote rural areas are finding it more challenging to recruit people. In particular, factories, meat processing plants, automotive assembly plants and packaging facilities are attracted to the rural areas to take advantage of the tax incentives and lower cost of land acquisition. The challenge is that these

The population is aging, community services are overwhelmed, and rural areas are under resourced. The result is a significant gap in transportation options for those who need it most. People who are aging, needing medical treatment, living with mobility challenges, or cognitive impairment find it extremely difficult to get to appointments or run errands.  

Why doesn’t Driverseat have any direct competitors? The shuttle and related transportation industry is an incredible $7 billion dollars industry in Canada. The number is much higher in the U.S. but on a per capita basis, is similar. This makes for a significant opportunity, and one that you would think many companies would want to

Does your municipality have adequate public transit? High percentages of the population live some distance from their municipality’s fixed route transit system and travelling across longer distances often require several transfers. Public transportation has become expensive, inefficient and in some cases, ineffective. Particularly in smaller towns or more rural areas, funding a transit system is

Building trust with your team is critical for productivity, engagement, and employee retainment. The following five tips are methods Driverseat has implemented to build trust in their teams.    -Talk About Yourself- In order to build trust, you must form relationships with those in your workforce. An important aspect for developing those relationships is to

What makes entrepreneurs different?  This is a question I often get from people. It is extremely difficult to articulate exactly what makes someone entrepreneurial, but there are some clear qualities that give them this distinction. The Oxford Dictionary defines an entrepreneur as “a person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater

Driverseat is an award-winning company, which strives to out-care the competition and ensure the success of others. Driverseat is a franchise system that has you, the Franchisee, employ teams of Chauffeurs who will then provide services to customers. When it comes to starting a business, many questions and concerns may arise. This is completely reasonable

The pandemic as a result of COVID-19, has caused health and safety concerns for many. Here at Driverseat, we are following the correct safety protocols to ensure the safety of both of our passengers and our Chauffeurs within our shuttles. We are taking the appropriate safety measures to do our part in stopping the spread

How does a franchise that has an initial cost of under $50,000 to open have the ability and capacity to land a $2.7 million sale?  Read more here to find out.   When Driverseat launched in 2012, it was designed as a consumer services brand, providing chauffeur services with a goal to incorporate shuttle services. 

What Driverseat New Franchisee Training (NFT) Looks Like The training and development of franchisees at Driverseat never stops.  However, what happens during NFT sets the stage for the franchise location opening and helps the franchisee prepare to run their business. Franchisee training is an essential investment for Driverseat and its franchisees. Effective training, along with

Why you should buy a franchise instead of opening up your own business    Starting a new business is fun, but it isn’t easy.. It takes hard work, dedication, motivation, and commitment. There are many reasons why buying a franchise is the better, simpler, smarter and more successful option for entrepreneurship.   When you start

If you want great cookies… follow the recipe   I love to cook, it is one of my passions. When I can open up my schedule on a Sunday afternoon and prepare several meals it makes for a great day. I learned to cook by developing an understanding of the theory behind certain methods, what

What is it like to work with Driverseat Franchisees?   As Director of Franchise Support with Driverseat, I am privileged to help our Franchisees discover breakthroughs, implement proven best-practice systems, and ultimately profit. I have always enjoyed interacting with different people, and contributing to the success of others, so I find this work to be

Why You Should Incorporate Diversity and Inclusivity Practices and Programs into Your Organization Incorporating diversity and inclusivity initiatives is really important.  As a leader, I want to foster the most diverse and welcoming environment within my organization. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I want to cultivate a space where individuals can be the

3 Reasons why you Should Open a Driverseat Franchise After COVID-19   During these unique circumstances driven by the pandemic, the need for leaders has been greater than ever. Many of us have seen the need to step up in our households, our communities, and our businesses.  For Driverseat franchisees, they are able to fulfil

Meet Driverseat’s Corporate Head Office Team   Driverseat was founded in 2012 by Co-Founders Luke and Brian Bazely. Since then, Driverseat now serves over 400 communities across North America and continues to be leaders in the transportation industry. The team at Driverseat understands that “anything worthwhile doing takes hard work, commitment, and dedication.” This translates

Corporate Culture and Client Experience   Why it is even more important during these times, particularly for our team.   I have been given the honour of hosting the final session of the Driverseat Brand Launch, Wine and Dine Driverseat Time. This interactive cocktail hour hosted virtually is an opportunity for us to gather and

What it is like to Deliver a Brand Launch During COVID-19   During these challenging times, it has seemed nearly impossible for brands to focus on marketing development and growth, but at Driverseat, growth was the only path.  After months of curating our new branding, inclusive of new logo designs, new colour palettes, as well

Why We Did A Brand Launch During COVID-19   In the middle of 2019, we embarked on a journey to evolve our branding. While most would assume that means a new logo, colour schemes and brand elements to create a cohesive look and feel, we amplified that to include our governance, goals, mission, vision and

Two really significant changes in transportation are emerging from COVID-19.   1. Companies, schools and governments are forward thinking in terms of what ‘the new normal’ looks like. We have been receiving a significant number of inquiries related to transportation which will allow for continued social distancing. Vehicles will operate with a reduced capacity to

Adjusting, Learning and Growing During COVID-19 as a Driverseat Co-op Student   Thinking back to my first class in my first semester of school when I began learning the basics about communications seems like a lifetime ago. I always thought about how excited I was to apply for my first co-op job and gain work

Becoming self-employed post-Covid19 Have you lost your job?  Is your company struggling?     No one wishes that upon you, your co-workers or your organization, but it is the reality at times, especially during this post-Covid time.  We talk to a lot of people about opening their own business and during times of uncertainty, the volume

Everything is OK… or is it?    Christmas Day 2019 was extraordinarily normal. When I look back at the photos of that day, leading into the New Year, I see family and friends holding hands, hugging, squeezing together for a great photo, and sharing food and drinks.    Since then, there has been a complete

I just got fired from my job … and from life.   When a person is let go from the life they know, it can be devastating. They may face a finite amount of time where a combination of emotions and fear can paralyze them.   On March 17th 2020, in response to Covid-19, the

  Driverseat has now opened the first two of six territories in two states, Georgia and Tennessee.  This milestone is important for this brand for three reasons.   REASON #1   Canada will soon be 50% sold out of territories.  The only way for Driverseat to continue its incredible growth is to develop the business

Four reasons our shuttle service is growing by 100%   In a mature category (shuttle services exist in an industry that is decades old), seeing a low single percentage increase year after year is generally seen as reasonable.   Then why is Driverseat shuttle services growing by over 100%?  We have identified four key components

Income is the Second Best Part of Being a Franchisee     Owning a franchise, in particular a Driverseat franchise, is the greatest role in the world.  There are so many benefits to being a franchise owner and until you have been one, you often only think of a few.   When my team talks

Mandatory Fun Lunch at Driverseat   Every Friday, our head office team and corporate Chauffeurs get together for Mandatory Fun Lunch – MFL (where the fun is mandatory). This has become an important tradition in our culture because it is the one time that everyone shuts down their computers and phones, to sit together and

Well? What are you waiting for?   It is that time of year again, when you are likely pining over your New Year’s resolutions, setting lofty goals for 2020 (even though you may subconsciously believe you won’t achieve them), or pumping yourself up to get back to the fitness club to hit those fitness targets.

2019 has been an incredible year of monumental changes and extreme growth for Driverseat.   We launched in the U.S. 2019 brought perhaps one of the most significant milestones we have hit in our history. After only 6 years of franchising in Canada, we awarded the first U.S. territories. Located in Middle Tennessee (Nashville area),

Driverseat Owns the Shuttle Business   Driverseat has made some incredible advancement in the shuttle industry over the past 8 years.  The shuttle industry has been around for decades, however, had not changed much in how it was being serviced.   Until Driverseat came into the light.   The shuttle industry is a $7 billion

Benefits of being a Franchisee!   I started my franchising career as a franchisee.  Leaving a top job at a multi-billion dollar company to start my own business was exciting.  Doing it as a franchisee was something I didn’t expect to do, but it was life changing. That was 12 years ago. I became so

1. Discipline A common word, often incorrectly applied. Discipline is about training yourself to do the little things, the seemingly unimportant things correctly and routinely. Managing email, invoicing clients, managing accounts receivable and auditing the performance of your business or team (among other things) are all tasks that require a disciplined approach to be done

Two Driverseat franchisees shared big news today. Our franchisee in London, ON started a significant contract transporting students between their residence and the University of Western, while our franchisee in Barrie, ON was awarded a contract transporting students to Georgian College campuses. Driverseat franchise owners all across Canada are being pursued by schools, municipalities, government

Following explosive growth in Alberta, Driverseat franchisee Adam McKeachnie adds another location to the list of Ontario Terminals. Owen Sound will officially open this summer, and will be offering the many great Driverseat services to the region. Like on Facebook here – https://www.facebook.com/driverseatowensound/ Follow on Instagram here – https://www.instagram.com/driverseatowensound/

At this year’s Canadian Franchise Association annual conference, we were humbled to receive the Grand Prize for a non-traditional franchise (franchise systems that operate without bricks and mortar). This is an award that took us by surprise, but also reaffirmed for us that we are doing some great things, attracting extraordinary  people, and building a

When we launched our Shuttle service only months ago, we knew we were meeting a unique demand in the marketplace, but had no idea what the demand truly was. Over the past few months, we have seen triple digit growth in our specialized shuttle offering. Demand has been so great, that we have been declining

  An Amtrak commuter train may have been travelling a bit too quickly into the station after snow from Stella. Nick Colvin filmed the whole thing in slow motion, in a Kamikaze move that resulted in him taking the blast himself.

Driverseat co-founder Luke Bazely was featured on CTV’s ‘Made Right Here’ in Kitchener. The interview was on the heels of Driverseat winning the Innovation Award at the KW Chamber of Commerce Gala.

In an area so vibrant with innovation, we were extremely proud and humbled to be recognized at the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce with the Innovation Award. Our technology, service offering, and franchise model are certainly innovative and we very proud of that, but we did not anticipate this level of recognition. On behalf of

Putting your finger on what makes someone a great Coachman with Driverseat is very difficult, if not, impossible. Every person who has or is working with us does so for different reasons. We have had a number of people over the years who have said, “I never thought I would do a job like this,

Change is always tough, and the launch of our new mobile app was no exception. Going from a system where you can call 24/7, pay cash, and not worry about downloading app-thingy’s, to a system where you create your profile, enter your credit card and book a Coachman in a matter of seconds seemed like

There are definitely some challenges in franchising, both for franchisees, and franchisors. When posed with those challenges, I often remind our franchise partners, staff, and vendors that if it were easy, everyone would do it. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t always comfortable, but when you embrace the brand, the essence of the brand’s DNA,

Driverseat is changing the way people look at transportation. Heading out for an evening with friends or family, and taking a driver with them is becoming a common occurance. It wouldn’t be possible without the amazing Coachmen and Coachwomen who provide the service through our Driverseat franchise. In nearly 400 communities, thousands of drivers, working part

Reflecting back on when I was younger, life was simple, lots of fun, and my wife and I were DINK’s (dual income no kids). Because we did not need extra income at that time (which is not the case today with three kids), I would not necessarily have ever considered driving as Coachman for Driverseat. Our

We have provided Designated Driver services to over one hundred thousand people in a short three years, and we couldn’t be more proud of that. What we have learned as we have built and expanded our business, is that while there is no shortage of advocacy and education around the dangers of impaired driving, thanks

Check out this feature article in Canadian Franchising Magazine which was done on Driverseat.  

  DRIVERSEAT OPENS IN OAKVILLE ONTARIO Franchise Owners Kirk Teeple and Maria De Palma announce Grand Opening. Kitchener, Ontario – Driverseat is proud to announce the opening of the Oakville Ontario franchise. “We are fortunate to have Kirk and Maria as our Franchise Partners in this important market,” states Brian Bazely, Co-founder Driverseat Inc. “We

New franchise partners Mike and Patti McMillan have launched three new territories in Burlington and Milton, Ontario. The two bring significant experience and knowledge to our brand, and we couldn’t be happier to have them on board. Look forward to upcoming information on their official launch. Mike and Patti are currently looking for Coachmen to

Check out this article by co-founder, Luke Bazely, talking about things to consider when determining if you should be in business for yourself. Everyone says you should be in business… But should you?

Last weekend, we held our first annual conference for our franchise partners. Perhaps the most incredible element was the fact that when we decided to hold the conference and started working on it, there were 6 locations. That was in November of 2014. By the end of December 2014, there were 12 locations, and by

March 21, 2015 DRIVERSEAT NOW SERVICES DOUBLE THE MARKETS SERVICED IN 2014 With the growth experienced in the past 12 weeks, Driverseat has big plans for 2015 Kitchener, Ontario – Driverseat doubled in size in December of 2014, and has since sold the rights to 4 more territories. The Kitchener-based franchise now has 16 territories

    WILLIAM LUI OPENS DRIVERSEAT MARKHAM ONTARIO Franchise Owner William Lui to also open Richmond Hill North and Richmond Hill South Territories Kitchener, Ontario – Driverseat services continue to expand to new communities with the recent opening of Markham Ontario, located north east of Toronto. Franchise owner William Lui has also purchased the rights

  DRIVERSEAT SET TO OPEN IN DURHAM REGION Franchise Owner Rick Fisher has secured 3 territories Kitchener, Ontario – Driverseat is pleased to announce that Rick Fisher has secured the rights to Driverseat and will be opening in York East and in Durham Central, both areas located on the east side of Toronto Ontario. Rick

Whether its part time work to generate supplemental income, or more regular work you are looking for, becoming a Driverseat Coachman is a great option for anyone who loves to create a great customer experience. In the cities we operate in, we are always on the prowl for self motivated, professional people to serve our

January 30, 2015 MATT AND ALISON STOVOLD EXPAND SERVICES IN NEWMARKET FRANCHISE Franchise Owner Matt Stovold provides services in Newmarket, Aurora and Bradford Kitchener, Ontario – Driverseat is pleased to have Matt Stovold take over the Newmarket franchise and expand the services offered. The Newmarket site was originally a test site for Driverseat corporate, offering

The most significant growth in our business comes from B2B (Business to Business). Many business owners, managers or executives are setting up accounts to utilize professional driving services with their Driverseat franchise owner. The following are the 5 most common used services by businesses: i) Airport Drop-off Driverseat drives managers or employees to and back

Last night marked the busiest night (with exception to New Year’s Eve) in Driverseat’s history. This is very encouraging given that it was a typical December Saturday night. Many Holiday parties were booked, which kept our teams extremely busy in all communities, and call-in traffic was at an all time high, as our collective dispatchers

2015 will bring further growth to our business as people look to find alternative methods of transportation. 2014 is coming to an end and was a foundational year for Driverseat, as 4 new locations launched and the cities we service grew from 22 to more than 50! Looking ahead, we have a new franchise partner

In 1981, in Kitchener, ON, the first household recycling pilot was launched. Prior to this time, all waste generated in a household was taken to landfill in plastic garbage bags. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_in_Canada. While it may seem like that was a lifetime ago, and we could not imagine life without recycling today, it took a significant shift in

I don’t get frustrated with many of the bad driving habits I see daily on our roads. After spending over 20 years commuting to Toronto, I believe I have more experience with traffic than the average person who commutes, as an example, 5 or 6 km to work. I logged over 2 million kilometers during

How often have you made it to the Holiday season, and said “I wish I were more prepared?”. It happens to many of us, and often is driven from our loathing of the cold winter months. In preparing for the Holidays, we are actually admitting that the cold weather is imminent. Here are a few

In the face of increased competition for jobs, and a decrease in the number of jobs available, many North Americans are fleeing the office or factory for a home based business. While everyone has a different set of circumstances giving them the push for self employment, there are a few common threads weaving them together.

Over a recent family dinner, I had an interesting conversation with my wife’s parents, her grandfather and my two daughters, both of which have their driver’s license but both of which are subject to the graduated licensing system. My daughters grew up knowing that if you drink, you are not to drive.  Even in the days

Wine is “King” in Canada.  Well, it isn’t yet but it is likely to become King if the current trends continue.  Canada is known as a country that loves our beer.  The funny video from Tim Hicks called “Stronger Beer” speaks to the differences between the U.S. and Canada but focuses on our love of

We have all had experiences when dealing with companies that are either exceptional, or make you wonder how the business is still in existence. While there certainly is an enormous gap between mediocre companies and exceptional companies, there is typically one common thread across them all. They actually want your feedback. The question is, would

En Route to Success – CFA Magazine Driverseat was the focus of an “Emerging System” article in the CFA Magazine recently. Click on the link to read the entire article.

On a recent road trip to Northern Ontario, I was faced with a situation that I had long been worried would happen. With my three children in the back seat of the truck, and the box of the truck completely filled with “travel necessities”, we picked up a sharp piece of metal on the highway

I was recently asked to speak at a conference on how to transition from corporate life to entrepreneur.  Many Canadians and Americans have a dream of working for themselves, being their own boss and making themselves a lot of money, not working to make others rich.  The explosion of businesses across Canada and the U.S.

A recent article in the Huffington Post detailed the traffic congestion in various North American cities.  Vancouver was found to be the worst city out of all major cities reviewed. https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/06/vancouver-worst-traffic-congestion_n_4228675.html The study goes on to say that the average commuter spends 11.6 days a year on their drive to and from work.  This is

  “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” -Stephen Covey

I spent many years traveling to New York for work.  I really like the city.  It is vibrant, has some amazing architecture, some of the best theatre productions in the world and a selection of restaurants that are second to none. When the 911 attacks occurred, like many of you, I was without words and

Air Travel & The Weather I had a recent flight booked for a business trip from Minneapolis Minnesota to Kitchener Ontario, via Chicago.  Flying back into Kitchener is a treat as the airport is small, not crowded, quick with Canada Customs and close to where I live.  Flying back into Kitchener is a treat as

51 minutes.  How long is that exactly.  It is roughly the time it takes to watch a 1-hour TV program (while fast forwarding the commercials), it is the length of a class in high school, just over the average commute time for someone in a bedroom community outside of Toronto and it is the average

I am an avid traveler. When I am asked what type of travel I like, I have trouble answering becaus e the experience of travel is something that I live for. I am fortunate to have a wife of 21 years who loves to travel as much as I do. I am more fortunate that

The Sandwich Generation is classified as middle-aged people who have to care for their parents and their children. The middle generation between the younger and the older generations. For example, one may be classified as a part of the Sandwich Generation if they have an 18-year-old daughter and an 84-year-old mother. My father recently gave

You are living under a rock if you aren’t aware that Canada’s population is aging, and that trend is expected to continue for the next 25 years, at least. This will present myriad challenges to us as a society. Will it put a strain on our income assistance programs, such as Old Age Security? Of

We are rolling into the colder months, and like many of your neighbours, friends and family, you have started poking around the many available online travel sites to find a great vacation deal. Will it be Cuba, maybe the Dominican Republic, or perhaps you will visit the ancient ruins in Mexico. You’ve probably started to

An estimated 2.6 million people are self employed in Canada; that is 7.5% of the total population! Suffice it to say that this number is drastically under-inflated, given the scale of the underground economy in Canada, estimated to be worth nearly $40 billion.  That, no doubt, comprises a number of ill advised entrepreneurs earning their

Every day, thousands of people across North America make the critical decision, whether or not to drive their vehicle after having a few drinks. Many believe that they haven’t had enough to drink to warrant making the decision to use another means to get home. Or perhaps with some, the intoxication level is so high,