When you’re considering various business ideas, the advantages of buying a franchise are hard to ignore. What a good franchise company offers is a blueprint to a successful venture. They’ve done it before, they know what works, and they benefit from helping you find success. The best franchises even provide hands-on training to further assure you’ll be ready when your doors open, and ongoing training so you’ll continue to thrive. Because you’ll be operating under someone else’s ideas and standards, to an extent, franchising isn’t for those who want to develop their own unique idea, but even then, they’ll give you a lot of insight into what it takes to be successful, so they’re worth looking at. While you can spend hundreds of thousands, and even millions of dollars on a franchise, As part of our series, detailing 100 great businesses to start now, the franchise opportunities outlined below are each available for a startup of less than $15,000.
Bonus Building Care This commercial cleaning opportunity comes from a company that has been selling their franchises since 1996 and had over 2,400 franchises as of 2009. In addition to being a low-cost franchise, Bonus Building Care gives you the chance to work out of your home, which reduces your ongoing overhead. You’ll also have the option to purchase an exclusive territory, so you’re not competing against other BBC franchisees. Startup Costs: As low as $9,000
Breath Testers USA Help prevent drunk driving, while building a profitable business with a low initial investment. Breath Testers USA (and Breath Testers International) lets you start small and expand as big as you want. Simply place your machines in bars, restaurants, or anywhere that serves alcohol, and collect your money. With DWI laws becoming tougher everywhere and people waking up to the tragic affects of drunk driving, people are more than willing to pay a little to test their blood alcohol level before getting into a car. And you can reap the benefits! You’ll get protected territories, a 5 year warranty on the machines, and more. Startup Costs: As low as $9,000
SuperGlass Windshield Repair Mobile windshield repair is another business you can run from home with fairly low overhead. With this business, you have the option of targeting commercial fleets, car dealerships, insurance companies, car rental companies, or individual consumers. Or you can serve all of the above. SuperGlass provides comprehensive training at their Orlando, FL headquarters, and they offer ongoing support for as long as you are a franchisee. Startup Costs: As low as $9,500 (Not including a vehicle, if you don’t already have one.)
PosiGrip We live in a litigious society where people are likely to sue if they slip and fall on your property. This fact is in your favor when you own a PosiGrip franchise through which, you’ll apply non-slip coatings to surfaces in homes and businesses. PosiGrip represents one of the fastest growing segments of the service industry, and due to a new federal mandate, as a PosiGrip operator, you can offer your customers a federal tax credit just for using your cost effective services. Plus, they will receive a two-year guarantee. Startup Costs: $8,000 – $10,000
Critter Control Being a recipient of Franchise Business Review’s Franchisee Satisfaction Award shows that Critter Control takes good care of its franchisees. As a franchisee for Critter Control, you will be performing work related to extracting wild animals from people’s homes and businesses, and taking steps to prevent their return. You don’t have to be the next Steve Irwin though. We’re talking small furry critters like squirrels, raccoons, and birds for the most part. If this sounds interesting to you, Critter Control will provide you plenty of training, and give you the ability to work from home. Startup Costs: As low as $12,250
The BrickKicker Home Inspection The BrickKicker was founded in 1989 with the goal of offering homebuyers and sellers professional and timely home inspections. As a franchisee for The BrickKicker, you will immediately be associated with a nationally recognized industry leader offering the competitive edge you’ll need. You’ll also be able to work from a home office, and you’ll receive training, not only in the nuts and bolts of home inspection, but in marketing your business effectively as well. Startup Costs: As low as $12,100
CruiseOne, Inc. Unlike air travel and hotel reservations, most people book cruises with companies like CruiseOne, vs. sites like Expedia or Orbits. That’s good news for you. Founded in 1992, CruiseOne’s Franchise Model has revolutionized the cruise industry. They’ve got outstanding relationships and credibility within the industry, and that reputation is yours too, when you sign on to become a franchisee. With a high level of support in marketing, technology, and ongoing training, CruiseOne franchisees are backed every step of the way to ensure success. Startup Costs: As low as $4,600
Proforma Even in a world where many companies are moving toward paperless operations, printing is still big business, and always will be. For instance, think of the marketing pieces, brochures and catalogs that you just have to hold in your hand to appreciate. Proforma is a national leader in the print industry, and they allow you to offer promotional items (pens, cups, wearables, etc.) in addition to printed materials. They encourage working from home, and they offer second-to-none support, so check them out. Startup Costs: As low as $4,700
The Drug Test Consultant Illegal drugs are a problem that employers, schools and parents around the world need to deal with every day. You can help them by offering your services as a Drug Test Consultant. While DTC is on this list of franchise opportunities, they’re different, in that they do not charge any royalties or ongoing fees beyond the initial fee to get started. They do however offer ongoing training, and because you’ll buy your testing supplies from DTC (they’re cheaper than you’ll get them anywhere else), your success is their success, so they offer great support. Startup Costs: $12,995
Global M.A.R.S. MARS has grown to become a world leader in the automobile appearance reconditioning business and the highest ranked and most comprehensive aftermarket reconditioning company in the world. If you love cars, and more specifically, making them look great, this might be the franchise for you. Yet another franchise you can work out of your home, MARS lets you provide your customers a quick, economical way to remove every scratch, chip, ding, tear, burn, discoloration, odor, or any blemish on paint, plastic, leather, vinyl, velour, metal, carpet or glass on any vehicle, while they wait. Global MARS is known for their comprehensive training and support. Startup Costs: As low as $500
Hopefully this list gave you some good ideas and has you thinking about the possibilities of owning your own franchise. Of course, when considering a specific franchise, you’ll want to conduct plenty of due diligence, including talking to current franchisees and having an attorney look over the company’s franchise agreement.
