Kiplinger’s recently featured 8 franchises that it says enjoy high franchisee satisfaction, low startup costs and that provide innovative products or services for consumers and businesses:
1. Brightway Insurance
Service: Property insurance
Number of U.S. franchises: 108
5-year growth: 414%
Net worth needed: $150,000
Franchise fee: $60,000
2. ComForCare Senior Services
Service: Nonmedical in-home care
Number of U.S. franchises: 165
5-year growth: 75
Net worth needed: $300,000
Franchise fee: $39,500
3. GameTruck
Service: Mobile video-game theaters
Number of U.S. franchises: 70
1-year growth: 49% (Company has been franchising for less than five years)
Net worth needed: $150,000
Franchise fee: $19,500
4. Just Between Friends
Service: Children's and maternity consignment sales
Number of U.S. franchises: 127
5-year growth: 123%
Net worth needed: None
Franchise fee: $12,900
5. Mr. Appliance
Service: Appliance repair in your home
Number of U.S. franchises: 148
5-year growth: 8.5 percent
Net worth needed: $100,000 (with exceptions)
Franchise fee: $27,000
6. Sit Means Sit
Service: Dog training
Number of U.S. franchises: 70
1-year growth: 40% (Company has been franchising for less than five years)
Net worth needed: $50,000
Franchise fee: $15,000
7. Sport Clips
Service: Haircuts for men and boys
Number of U.S. franchises: 1,000
5-year growth: 100%
Net worth needed: $300,000
Franchise fee: $49,500 for a three-store license
8. Young Rembrandts
Service: Art classes and workshops
Number of U.S. franchises: 82
5-year growth: 33%
Net worth needed: $100,000
Franchise fee: $31,500
To learn more about finding your right franchise fit, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
Entrepreneur recently released its list of the 2013 Top 10 New Franchises – those founded less than five years ago – and here are the rankings:
1. Kona Ice – shaved ice carts, kiosks and trailers. Currently has 290 locations; startup costs range from $103,000 to $119,000.
2. Menchie’s – self-serve frozen yogurt including 100 flavors in low carb, gluten-free, nonfat, dairy-free, and no sugar options. Currently has 257 locations; startup costs range from $300,000 to $310,000.
3. Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt – self-serve frozen yogurt. Currently has 227 locations; startup costs range from $274,000 to $408,000.
4. ShelfGenie – design and installation of residential shelving units. Currently has 134 locations; startup costs range from $70,000 to $125,000.
5. Bricks 4 Kidz – offers Lego-brick building activities to educators and consumers. Currently has 233 locations; startup costs range from $33,000 to $51,000.
6. Smashburger – quick-serve burger restaurants. Currently has 165 locations; startup costs range from $317,000 to $790,000.
7. GameTruck – mobile video game theaters. Currently has 64 locations; startup costs range from $119,000 to $310,000.
8. Paul Davis Emergency Services – rapid-response restoration and repair of property damaged by fire, water, mold or storms. Currently has 85 locations; start-up costs range from $41,000 to $148,000.
9. Signal 88 Security – patrol, guard and virtual monitoring security services. Currently has 83 locations; startup costs range from $85,000 to $105,000.
10. Mac Tools – sells automotive tools and equipment. Currently has 122 locations; startup costs range from $88,000 to $206,000.
To learn more about the variety of franchise opportunities available, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
Entrepreneur has just profiled a new franchise concept that provides at-home hospice care for pets in a feature article about Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, founded by a Tampa, Fla.-based veterinarian three years ago.
The American pet industry is a $53 Billion business; vet care accounts for 26% of that total, or $14 Billion annually. More than 62% of American households own a pet, and that number continues to rise. Clearly, we are a nation of pet lovers.
However, when it came to caring for elderly pets in declining health, there was never much choice beyond visits to a sterile exam room – visits that most pet owners find uncomfortable and stressful. Veterinarian Dani McVety decided to solve this problem in her practice and started Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice; a vet school colleague joined her a year later and the decision was made to franchise. There are now 44 locations in 15 states.
Lap of Love provides in-home hospice care for pets that usually have only a few months to live. The vet visits the home to assess the pet and set a course of treatment, which may include pain medication and anti-inflammatories to ease pain and enable movement as well as home health aids like slings or floor mats that can help owners assist their pets in moving. When the time comes for euthanasia, it can be done anywhere the owner wants – at home, a favorite spot in the backyard or at the park – and at a time that is convenient for the owner.
Franchisees are typically veterinarians who work part-time at shelters or as relief vets, or those who no longer want to work in a full-time formal practice.
Lap of Love is a great example of an emerging franchise that fills an unmet need in a major, growing market. There are more of these in other industries as well. To find out more, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
Painting with a Twist. Started by two friends wanting to help their neighbors de-stress in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Painting with a Twist offers painting classes where people bring (and drink) their own wine. Class prices are relatively low -- $35 for a two-hour class and $45 for a three-hour class – and participants only need to show up with a bottle of wine; the franchise furnishes all the art materials.
French Fry Heaven. Store selling gourmet french fries made from regular and sweet potatoes with a choice of over 50 sauces, spices and sea salt toppings.
School of Rock. After-school program that teaches children about music and how to play it. Currently boasts 105 locations in 31 states.
GameTruck. A video arcade on wheels targeted to kids. Accommodates up to 20 children; used primarily as entertainment for birthday parties.
Brain Balance. Brain Balance is a school for children with a diagnosis of autism or ADHD that teaches them using a specially developed program using physical and cognitive exercises and special diets to stimulate brain activity.
To learn more about franchising opportunities, attend our free monthly webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
According to the International Franchise Association's business outlook for 2013, these five franchise industries show promise for meaningful growth this year:
Hair care. This industry in the growing personal services sector is a good bet even in a recovering economy, since most people do not want to cut their own hair. Hair salons are an especially good bet for franchisees looking for multi-unit ownership opportunities.
Fast-casual restaurants. Fast-casual dining is a hot segment since consumers today are looking for convenience and value. These brands include Panera Bread, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, and other eateries that are a more upscale version of quick service restaurants like McDonald's.
Business coaching/staffing. When unemployment remains high, the staffing and temp employment industry grows. More companies concerned with new health care laws affecting businesses with more than 50 employees are looking for outsourced employment to fill vacancies. And those who are unemployed look to business coaches to help them find long-term employment, making this sector a growth industry as well.
Fitness. The growth of smaller, convenience fitness clubs offer consumers both value and affordability, and this sector is gaining market share on the full-service fitness clubs. Youth sports franchises are also growing in popularity due to the growing obesity epidemic among children.
Real estate. When the housing market crashed, many real estate agents left the industry. Now that the market is recovering, there is a need for more brokers to service the rise in home sales.
To learn more about the latest franchise opportunities, attend our free February 28 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
Professional services franchises ranked at the top of the 10 industry sectors, according to a recent International Franchise Association report, growing 2.2 percent in the number of outlets over the past year and 3.5 percent in employment growth.
The reasons for the sector’s growth are twofold: the poor economy and a steady stream of laid-off professionals. Professional service franchise fees are typically much lower than starting a brick-and-mortar business, and can range anywhere from $500 to $30,000, providing a better return on investment in many cases.
Professional service franchise owners also benefit from having experience in the field, and many white-collar workers who have been downsized or are dissatisfied with their current positions are turning to the sector for a new business opportunity.
To learn more about franchising, attend our free January 22 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
According to Forbes, the following are the top 10 fastest growing franchises that maintained steady growth throughout the recession, listed with the number of units each opened between 2008 and 2010:
Subway: 5,900 units
Jani-King: 4,560 units
Jazzercize: 3,080 units
McDonald’s: 2,656 units
Southern Tsunami: (sushi bars inside grocery stores): 2,374 units
Coverall (commercial cleaning): 2,315 units
Liberty Tax Service: 2,177 units
Quizno’s: 2,140 units
Health Mart (pharmacy): 1,931 units
Dunkin’ Donuts: 1,842 units
To get all the information you need to make an informed decision about investing in a franchise, attend our free November 27 webinar,Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
If you think your next big play is to invest in a franchise, you’re not alone. TheStreet.com recently profiled five big sports stars who are investing in franchising as a way to keep that cash flowing long after their playing days are over:
Steve Nash, NBA All-Star – as part of his commitment to healthy living, Nash is an equity partner in Liquid Nutrition, which began franchising in 2011. The first of his stores will open in the next few months.
Keyshawn Johnson, former NFL wide receiver and ESPN commentator – Johnson formed a company called First Picks Management that focuses on food service and hospitality franchise businesses. He has invested in Panera Bread and Cold Stone Creamery.
Shaquille O’Neal, NBA All-Star – O’Neal founded an investor group called The O’Neal Franchise Group and currently owns 19 Auntie Anne’s pretzel franchise locations.
Venus Williams, tennis champion – Williams is a spokesperson and investor in Jamba Juice franchises. She has three stores in the Washington, D.C. area and plans to open two more.
Jarred Jeffries, NBA star – New York Knicks player Jarred Jeffries signed his first franchise agreement earlier this year for a ZIPS Dry Cleaners in northern Virginia. He says that franchising parallels sports, because professional athletes are great executors of a plan.
You don’t need to be a superstar athlete to invest like one. For more information on franchise opportunities, attend our free October 25 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
According to a new Franchise Business Review report, foodservice franchise operators are experiencing growth in profitability as well as job satisfaction.
The report is the result of a FBR survey of 4,000 franchisees from 84 foodservice brands. Overall, FBR found that average profitability rose almost six percent in the past year, with the Top 40 food franchisees experiencing an average 15 percent profitability hike.
While pizza franchises have dominated the FBR survey in recent years, the latest survey shows resurgence in sandwich and sub shop concepts. Subway remains the largest franchisor in this space, with Firehouse Subs emerging with the highest franchisee satisfaction rating for the sector.
The burger market continues to expand as well, with new brands like MOOYAH emerging and older brands like Jack in the Box and Carl’s Jr. improving their product offerings in response to competition. Healthy fast-casual brands are also growing, with the entry this year of three new stir fry/grill concepts, including Genghis Grill, HuHot Mongolian Grill and The Flame Broiler.
Here’s a breakdown of the Top 40 fast food franchise sector:
To learn more about investing in a franchise, attend our free September 20 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
AHuffington Post article yesterday noted that franchising is growing in the U.S., embraced by a diverse group including laid-off corporate executives, military veterans, college students facing a tough job market and retirees looking for a safe place to invest and earn income.
And because the credit market remains tight for small business, many franchisees are investing in businesses that require a lower level of investment – primarily more home-based and less brick-and-mortar businesses.
Some franchisees are tapping retirement accounts now for the cash to start their own business, as well as setting up home equity lines of credit. Some don’t want to take on loan debt; others view it as a means of securing, not risking, their financial futures.
The most popular franchise concepts are self-serve frozen yogurt, gourmet burgers, in-home senior care, cleaning services and pet care, according to the article. Franchises that tend to offer the highest returns for money invested include senior care, business services and cleaning services.
To learn more about investing in a franchise, attend our free September 20 webinar, Franchise Ownership as a More Stable Career Path. The webinar is free, but you need to pre-register, which you can do online by clicking on the linked seminar title.
Kiplinger’s recently featured 8 franchises that it says enjoy high franchisee satisfaction, low startup costs and that provide innovative products or services for consumers and businesses:
Entrepreneur recently released its list of the 
Entrepreneur has just profiled a new franchise concept that provides at-home hospice care for pets in a 
Money magazine online recently profiled 
According to the International Franchise Association's business outlook for 2013, these five franchise industries show promise for meaningful growth this year:
According to Forbes, the following are the top 10 fastest growing franchises that maintained steady growth throughout the recession, listed with the number of units each opened between 2008 and 2010:
If you think your next big play is to invest in a franchise, you’re not alone. TheStreet.com recently profiled five big sports stars who are investing in franchising as a way to keep that cash flowing long after their playing days are over:
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