I'm sure owning your own business is something that you've thought about before. Why wouldn't you? Being your own boss is a big incentive.I have an acquaintance who has a full-time job, but his entrepreneurial spirit leads him to own several businesses in addition to his regular job. I believe one of them is a walnut producing company. Don't laugh, but that's a great business -- walnuts are great for people on low-carb diets and these diets don't seem to fade in popularity. He also owns at least one restaurant franchise, and last time I talked to him, he was looking into another franchise business.
If I ever have my own business, it'll be something with dogs. I just want to play with dogs all day long! I know there's so much more to do than playing with dogs all day long, but hey, I can always dream.
Anyway, if you need ideas on starting your own business, buying a franchise is a popular option. According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, there are more than 760,000 franchise businesses in the U.S. These franchise businesses provide more than 18 million jobs with over $1.5 trillion in economic output.
Check out the top 10 searched franchise opportunities on AOL below. It's not surprising that most of them are in the food service industry, but it's refreshing to see a fitness business listed in the top 10. I hope more health-related franchise businesses soar so we all get motivated to exercise and eat healthy instead of muching on an oversized burger. As for the number one searched franchise opportunity, no wonder there's seemingly a Starbucks store in every corner of a city!
If you own a franchise business, which industry is it in? Any recommendations for other entrepreneurs who are thinking about buying one?
This month's top searched franchise opportunities on AOL Search:
1. Starbucks franchise
2. Subway franchise
3. Dollar Store franchise
4. McDonald's franchise
5. Dunkin Donuts franchise
6. Dairy Queen franchise
7. Sonic franchise
8. Pizza franchise
9. KFC franchise
10. Curves franchise
More information on franchise business can be found on AOL Small Business. Also search for franchise opportunities on AOL Search.
See sponsored links for: franchise opportunities, business for sale, business loans.
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
21. Stay away from BLIMPIE SUBS (from a 15 year owner with multipe locations) Lost it all after being very successful but franchisor controls your destiny. Over 1/3 of the chain is gone!
Posted at 11:18PM on Jul 30th 2007 by KP
22. If you're interested in a low maintnence higher income type franchise then day cares are a better bet then food franchises. Once it's up and running they run themselves and are probably not going anywhere in today's society. I started working in one, going as a partner in the next and now own 3 within 15 miles and in under 5 years.
Posted at 11:19PM on Jul 30th 2007 by K Ellm
23. i have been a restaurant manager for 27 yrs. it was time to open my own restaurant so i have 6 months ago i have done it with 63k. yea i work 24 7 but its going to pay off.you can do it to www.bluemoongrillbbq.com
Posted at 11:29PM on Jul 30th 2007 by Brenda Lunsford
24. Quiznos is the worst for franchisees. They will do everything they can to stop you from selling your franchise to someone else. They don't care if you loose everything and go bankrupt. They think it makes the "company" look bad when a franchisee tries to sell their business. Their subs are great, their current CEO is good (when he is apprised of what is going on), but the rest of the idiot executives are heartless bozos.
Posted at 11:29PM on Jul 30th 2007 by JRSKK
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Posted at 11:30PM on Jul 30th 2007 by Tom Schmidt
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Posted at 11:36PM on Jul 30th 2007 by douglas vavra
27. We have a sucessfull restaurant serving European and American, bakery and delicatessen/restaurant that has been in business for 30 years this year. We are considering setting up franchise locations. Where do we start?
Posted at 11:46PM on Jul 30th 2007 by Thomas H
28. click on www.paymons.com and you will understand why it will be the next PF CHANG of Mediterranean Restaurants in US. Third and Forth locations in Las Veags under construction...for more information for possible franchising information contact me at psraouf@aol.com
I will forward your information to my brother, Paymon. Thank you.
Posted at 12:03AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Payam
29. my aol is soooo slow and they wont fix it so no franchises for them for sure
Posted at 12:10AM on Jul 31st 2007 by lea
30. click on www.paymons.com and you will understand why it will be the next PF CHANG of Mediterranean Restaurants in US. Third and Forth locations in Las Veags under construction...for more information for possible franchising information contact me at psraouf@aol.com payam
I will forward your information to my brother, Paymon. Thank you.
Posted at 12:12AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Payam
31. I don't think it would be to safe to own a franchise!!!!!!!
Posted at 12:23AM on Jul 31st 2007 by poopoodied
32. Beware, I sell franchises and some are loosers from the beginning. You will work hard, lose your house and they do not care. Lawsuits take years. Find a franchise that is not brand new, but not saturated (too many subways and starbucks already). The integrity of a company means as much as the earnings claims (which must be substantiated from several sources). Elder care is a good bet, pet care will always be popular, any NEW pizza idea is good, old pizza places are under cutting and losing money. Food bring more costs, more health department regulations, parking etc. Tutorials are low over head, think about something you want to do, it does not pay to buy one and pay a manager. You are buying your self or family member a job, to sell later.
Posted at 1:03AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Katy
33. have 4 subway shops for 18 years. yes it is a lot of work and b.s. sometimes, but has made life quite comfortable for us. while it is true franchises take a good percentage of your income, if you are not business savy, it is the way to go with training and support. we got in early on and have seen a ton of changes, good and bad. lots of growth. too much in our area, highs and lows, but it helped to put my son in the college of his choice without having to take a loan. not bad for two young adults with a high school education looking to get started in a business 18 years ago. hopefully if things keep going well, it will work the same for our daughter in a few years as well. hope this doesn't jinx our success so far. su
Posted at 2:16AM on Jul 31st 2007 by subman4
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Posted at 3:35AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Anthony Decker
35. Curves is not what it is 'cracked up' to be. They put too many close together which limits the ability to get new and retain business. Very few are successful.
Posted at 4:07AM on Jul 31st 2007 by bever1
36. Me and my husband just opened our own Restaurant... No Franchise because thats the reason we open up our own business so no one can dictate what we should do with our business. Our profit is all ours, we shop wherever we want, we do whatever we want in the place.
A friend of ours franchise an Ice Cream House paid 275 thou and spend their arm and legs just to follow the company's policies. They were open 3 years and everymonth pay the franchise company their commission. 3 years later they closed without even getting 1/10th of their capital.
I think Franchise is not a good idea. You will stabilized your name too if your food and service is good and at the same time you can give your product for reasonable price.
Posted at 4:29AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Jewella
37. A friend of mine went to bankcrupcy with a POST NET franchise..!! he invested all his money and his home on this crazy business..oh well..
Posted at 4:33AM on Jul 31st 2007 by parrotjustback
38. We are about to lose everything because we bought into a franchise.Though not one listed here, I would not recommend the experience to anybody! However, if anybody out there has some advice please help!-gina
Posted at 5:52AM on Jul 31st 2007 by gina
39. Many of the negative comments are true. Few franchisors care about their franchisees bottom line.
If your interested in a fun profitable business that posts very impressive earnings, check out:
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Posted at 9:12AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Dan Boronico
40. very, very intelligent feedback for a change. Thanks.
I sold my business at 55 and moved to Florida. Ever since I have been looking for a new opportunity. These franchises are ridiculous. You cannot get a Starbucks so forget it. MacDonalds is minimum 750k so is Dunkin Donuts. That's for cash on hand.
Really if you have an idea just do your own thing, if you fail you will lose at lot less. If you need there roadmap you sshouldn't be in business in the first place. Need to leran how to make a burger? A deli sandwich? Please.
Posted at 9:28AM on Jul 31st 2007 by Steve