Buying or selling an existing SpeedPro studio in Ontario means buying a project-based B2B graphics and installation business — large-format printing equipment, a mobile installation crew, and an active book of commercial clients such as vehicle fleets, trade show exhibitors, and retail chains move with the studio. Many SpeedPro locations operate from light-industrial or flex space rather than street-level retail, which changes what the lease side of the deal actually looks like.
SpeedPro resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and terms, conditioned on SpeedPro's consent to the transfer and a review of the studio's commercial contract pipeline and repeat-client base.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the buyer and deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal to take over the studio itself instead of approving your purchase.
3–6 weeks, typically†Arthur Wishart Act disclosure may still be required even where the deal is framed as a private resale — Ontario courts read the resale exemption narrowly, so this gets confirmed early rather than assumed.
assessed early, in parallel†Getting to closing
Landlord's consent where the studio leases light-industrial or flex space, plus confirming ownership and financing on large-format printers and installation vehicles.
2–6 weeks†Training on production standards and on-site installation practices is typically required ahead of the franchisor's final sign-off.
1–3 weeks, often overlapping†Funds, keys, and the new franchise agreement change hands together, with an equipment count settled the same day.
1 day, once conditions are met†CFA listing confirms an established Canadian franchise network, CFA member since 2012; described as a major B2B marketing graphics and signage franchise.
Ontario studios within its established Canadian franchise network.
This is the first real decision in a SpeedPro resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The studio's assets — large-format production equipment, installation vehicles, leasehold improvements, the commercial client and project pipeline, and the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent. | The shares of the corporation operating the studio — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific studio changing hands — often the pacing condition on the whole deal. | Required for the change of control itself, with the franchisor reviewing who is actually taking over. |
| Production & installation equipment (PPSA) | Large-format printers and installation vehicles are itemized, valued, and checked against PPSA registrations for liens or financing. | Equipment and vehicles stay with the corporation; existing financing continues as a company liability. |
| The lease / premises | Light-industrial or flex-space lease needs landlord's consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own consent. | Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for a single studio changing hands. | Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds multiple studios under one company. |
The studio's assets — large-format production equipment, installation vehicles, leasehold improvements, the commercial client and project pipeline, and the existing franchise agreement, subject to consent.
The shares of the corporation operating the studio — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Required for the specific studio changing hands — often the pacing condition on the whole deal.
Required for the change of control itself, with the franchisor reviewing who is actually taking over.
Large-format printers and installation vehicles are itemized, valued, and checked against PPSA registrations for liens or financing.
Equipment and vehicles stay with the corporation; existing financing continues as a company liability.
Light-industrial or flex-space lease needs landlord's consent to assign, timed alongside the franchisor's own consent.
Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for a single studio changing hands.
Less common — sometimes used where an operator holds multiple studios under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single SpeedPro studio changing hands between one buyer and one seller — production equipment, an installation vehicle or two, and a standard franchisor consent process.
Start my file →An operator selling several studios as one operating company, or a resale where a right of first refusal, equipment financing, or a disclosure question needs to be worked through first.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
It can. Light-industrial and flex leases are negotiated differently than street-retail leases — permitted-use clauses, loading access, and assignment terms all get checked specifically for a production-and-installation business, not assumed from a standard retail template.
On an asset sale, the buyer generally takes on the ongoing business relationship and its insurance requirements going forward, while liability for work the seller's crew already completed generally stays with the seller. We confirm how this is allocated in the purchase agreement rather than leaving it to assumption.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in the resale can trigger a full disclosure requirement regardless of how the deal is framed. We confirm whether it applies early.
They're typically itemized and valued as part of the asset sale, with PPSA searches confirming what's financed or leased rather than owned outright. What's included in the sale price, and payout of any liens, is negotiated as part of the purchase agreement.
Often, yes. An operating company holding multiple studios is more commonly sold as shares, keeping every location's franchise agreement and equipment financing intact at once, rather than re-consenting each individually.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by SpeedPro or its franchisor.
Tell us about your SpeedPro resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.