This season is all about franchising, the trials and tribulations, the surprise benefits and the crazy challenges. Franchising is a big part of the expansion plan of the Cupcakes Empire. This season the first outside the Lower Mainland store breaks ground in Victoria and the first of the out-of- province locations are being sought in Toronto. And, as is the case with everything Heather and Lori do in the corporate world, the Cupcakes take on franchising is not the standard view. This brings all sorts of challenges, including finding the right locations, redefining their brand and refreshing their look. The empire is expanding in other ways as well. Adding a little masculine touch to Cupcakes, David has joined the bake team and creative designer Jade will settle for nothing less than perfection when it comes to the Cupcakes brand.