Franchise Sizzle!
The Franchise and Biz Op Blog

While many smaller franchises are ideal for those who are interested in getting set up with their own business, some people just have more interest in going big fast. For these franchisees, a look at higher growth franchises is ideal.

There is a good selection of franchises that are getting big at a rapid rate. This is a good thing and it means you can expect to get some pretty good brand name recognition going, too. This is something that automatically occurs when a big name goes nationwide at a breakneck pace.

Jumping in early on a fast growing franchise gives you the opportunity to pay less in fees and to get training quickly. Later on, it can become difficult to get into a big name franchise, but if you`ve already secured your place early on, you`ll be just fine. This can really help you earn your money back in record time, too.

Big growth franchises are definitely something to look into if you are interested in working hard and earning big. You`ll be at the top pretty fast if you choose the right one!

There are franchise opportunities and then there are “franchise opportunities”. You can go with a little-known franchise and enjoy a quiet life that has little potential for earning huge amounts, or you can jump on board a franchise that is definitely going somewhere. The trick here is to ensure that you choose a franchise that hasn`t yet arrived, since they tend to be rather pricey at that point.

Signs of a Great Franchise

• A known brand. If people are talking about the brand, you know it could be good.
• Great reputation. A poorly functioning franchise won`t have many good reviews, so shy away.

• Rapid growth. When rapid growth is combined with long term growth, it usually indicates a good franchise that is on the way up.

• Happy franchisees. Talking to the franchisees who are with the company, as well as those who have left can be a good way to tell if the company is a good one.

The best franchises to get into are the ones that are on the rise and will soon be popular but are still fairly low cost to get into. If you can do this, then you will have a winner on your hands.

The trick to being successful is to find your passion. It`s very difficult to make a franchise that you detest into something that works for you. Find that perfect dream franchise, though and you are going to be amazingly passionate about it and easily find time to make it a success.

Why You Need a Dream Franchise

Humans are pretty predictable. If they don`t like something, they will usually try to avoid it. Which often means that if you`ve chosen the wrong franchise, you will find that you are doing everything possible to stay away from it.

A business that is neglected certainly has little chance of growing, so it`s important to find your dream franchise, the one that you are really interested in and can see yourself spending extra time at. This is an area that many people neglect.

Instead, most franchisees look at how much money they can make. While this is certainly important, it`s not the only thing that matters. You should definitely be looking at how much you actually want to do the work, as well.

Lowering your carbon footprint and being green is something that everyone is talking about these days. The obsession with the environment is not only good for the ecological side of things, it also makes for some very popular green franchise opportunities.

Environmental franchises are booming. People are eager to be more ecologically friendly and if you have a product or service that makes that possible, you can really clean up. Some of the most popular green franchises include cleaning services that only use environmentally friendly products.

Helping the environment while earning a living is a great way to go, particularly if you are already active in the world of living green. You`ll be able to help your franchise clients understand why it`s so important and then provide them with the service they need.

There are quite a few green franchises available, all you need to do is pick one that suits your interests and budget.

Franchises that offer people a chance to have more time to themselves are big. It`s no secret that people are busier today than they were a couple of decades ago. Most families need to have both parents working and with all the activities and classes and extra things that people are doing, there really isn`t much time left over for menial tasks like housecleaning and laundry.

Cleaning and maintenance franchise opportunities give you a leg up on breaking into this very lucrative market. People are desperate to scrape more hours out of their day and for many, this means outsourcing things like cleaning and caring for the plants.

Providing cleaning services though a franchise gives the investor instant credibility, even without any experience in the field. The franchise will offer training, too, so there will be a quality standard maintained across all franchises of this type. It`s a very good method of getting started in the cleaning industry.

Franchise opportunities are just that, opportunities. With the right one, you can really burst onto the scene and make a great living, so choosing a hopping industry like cleaning and maintenance is the key to success.

Not all franchises are alike. Some are set right from the beginning to be hugely successful (think Starbucks or McDonalds), but why is this? Can you tell which franchise is going to be huge while it`s still small enough to be affordable?

While no one can predict 100% which franchise opportunities are going to turn into super franchises, there are a few things that these very successful businesses have in place.

• A system that works. Something that has been honed and refined until it is easily replicated and successful anywhere by anyone is the hallmark of super franchises.
• Great training. You can`t expect franchisees to do well if they don`t know what they`re doing, so training is a must and great training is where great franchises come from.
• Good support. Being there for their franchisees is a sign of a good franchise and one that will likely make it far. Franchisees do better when they have the help necessary to resolve problems and push forward.
• A great concept. All the support, training and planning in the world won`t help a bit if the concept of the business isn`t a good one. Look for a franchise that has a twist on a traditional service, or a brand new idea and you have a franchise that is set to go big.

You won`t be able to predict exactly how successful a franchise is, but you can certainly look for one that has a higher probability of making it big!

Franchises are like any business in that it takes a bit to get going. While you are certainly streamlining the process by investing in a proven system, that doesn`t mean you will be able to instantly start your business. That means that many franchisees will have to set up their franchises while still working their day job.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. You can start up slightly slower, but with a backup as you go. For many, this is ideal. But finding time to set up a franchise in your spare time can be challenging.

• Schedule time for the franchise. Take your sick days now and use them to set up your franchise or oversee building projects.
• Use evenings. No one said this would be easy, you may have to sacrifice a few hours of sleep to get the paperwork done and put things in order.
• Weekends can be very productive. Just make sure that you let yourself have a little fun, as well, or you`ll burn out before your franchise opportunity has even gotten off the ground!

Franchises can be stressful, particularly if you are working at the same time, but it can be done. Stay focused and soon you will be working your very own business.

Looking for the best franchise industry to get into? Well, we have the goods for you . . . here are 5 of the hottest franchise industries at this particular point in time:

1. Pet franchises. These are huge right now. Everything from mobile pet spas to picking up dung has become a raging business. With just a bit of research, you can find the pet franchise that works for you.
2. Fitness franchises. Everyone needs to get in better shape and most people aren`t there yet. That`s why fitness franchise opportunities have amazing potential for growth and success.
3. Children`s franchises. With more and more parents having to both work outside the home, children`s franchises are a great way to go. Parents want fun, friendly activities that their kids will enjoy while they are at work.
4. Environmental franchises. Going green is a big thing these days. People are more concerned about the environment and are looking to do something about it, so any green franchise is going to be pretty popular.
5. In-Home care franchises. As the Baby Boomer generation hits the senior years, more and more need home assistance and these franchises are very much in demand.

While other franchise industries are still going strong, these are some of the hottest industries right now and definitely worth taking a look at if you are considering getting into a franchise.

Franchises offer a new lease on life. If you´ve been wondering what to do with your life and really aren´t happy with work, it is probably time for a change. Many people change jobs these days, it´s completely normal to move on from one position to another. However, there may be a better option.

Rather than jump from one corporate job to another, trading one cubicle for another, many people who are dissatisfied with their jobs are now opting to run their own business. Franchises allow them to do this without the long start-up period. Investing in a franchise opportunity will also lower the risk of failure, since you will be using a proven business system. While it may not work precisely for everyone, the chances of the business going down are far less than starting from scratch.

Also, for those attempting to get out of their 9-5 job, a franchise offers the fast start-up they desire. If you´ve already spent 20 years working in a company, you certainly don´t want to waste much more of your life! Franchises are the ideal way for someone to jump into a new venture quickly and with support.

Since most franchise opportunities also provide training and ongoing support, this makes it easier to begin running a business in a new area. If you´ve always wanted a restaurant, but have been stuck in accounting all your life, it might seem daunting to make the switch, but with the back up provided by a franchise, you can do it. A franchise could be the best option for anyone wanting to get out of a dead end or dull job.

Women are far more likely to opt for a work at home franchise opportunity than men, often because of their families. Having the ability to stay home with your children or to be there when they return from school is a huge advantage for those who take on work at home franchise opportunities. There are plenty of possibilities for women to work at home, too.

Work At Home Franchises

• Painting franchise
• Internet Service
• Vending machines
• DVD kiosks
• Cleaning services
• Home decorating
• Haircuts and hairstyling
• Direct mail
• Mobile photography
• Window treatments
• Tutoring programs
• Art for kids
• Food delivery
• Home and car security
• Leasing franchises
• Shoe repair
• Beverage distribution
• Petcare
• Many more opportunities

As you can easily see, there is something for every woman on the list. If you are interested in a female-friendly franchise opportunity that will allow you to be based out of your home, look no further. Women can also appreciate the fact that there are no overhead costs when you are based out of your own home . . . which means you save money and can start up your new franchise without going horribly into debt.