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Top 10 Low Cost Franchises for 2008
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Great Franchises, Small Investment
No one said starting a business was cheap, but if you think you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, one of these 10 franchise bargains could help your startup dreams come true -- without the startup-funding nightmares. This list was compiled by Entrepreneur.com and each franchise had to offer a way in for less than $50,000.
Next: Merle Norman CosmeticsMore From Small Business:
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Merle Norman Cosmetics
No 10: Merle Norman Cosmetics
Even before she opened her first studio in Santa Monica in 1931, Merle Norman's philosophy of "Try Before You Buy" was being carried out as she offered free samples of her products to neighbors, hoping they?d discover the benefits and return as paying customers.
No. of Franchises: 1,840
Franchising Since: 1989
Franchise Fee: $0
Franchise Details
Next: ServiceMaster CleanMore From Small Business:
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Service Master
No. 9: ServiceMaster Clean
Marion Wade got the idea for his company after an accident left him temporarily blind in 1945. Today, it is part of the ServiceMaster Co. franchise family which includes Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and Terminix.
No. of Franchises: 4,596
Franchising Since: 1952
Franchise Fee: $16,900 - 45,000
Franchise Details
Next: Chem-Dry Carpet DraperyMore From Small Business:
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Chem-Dry
No. 8: Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery
Robert Harris worked as a carpet cleaner to pay for his law school tuition. He found the cleaning methods being used were not getting the job done and set about developing new solutions to get carpets cleaner. In 1977, Harris founded Chem-Dry.
No. of Franchises: 4,285
Franchising Since: 1978
Franchise Fee: $12,950 - 34,900
Franchise Details
Next: Jan-ProMore From Small Business:
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No. 7: Jan-Pro
Jacques Lapointe founded Jan-Pro in Providence, R.I., in 1991. It started franchising the following year. Jan-Pro is a commercial cleaning franchise that operates throughout the United States and Canada.
No. of Franchises: 7,032
Franchising Since: 1992
Franchise Fee: $2,800 - 44,000
Franchise Details
Next: Liberty Tax ServiceMore From Small Business:
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Liberty Tax Service
No. 6: Liberty Tax Service
John Hewitt, founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, acquired a tax company that had been franchising in Canada since 1973. The company changed its name to Liberty Tax Service and now offers franchises throughout the United States and Canada.
No. of Franchises: 2,329
Franchising Since: 1973
Franchise Fee: $17,000 - 34,000
Franchise Details
Next: Jackson Hewitt Tax ServiceMore From Small Business:
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Getty Images
No. 5: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Jackson Hewitt is a full-service, year-round national tax service specializing in computerized federal and state preparation of individual returns. It began franchising in 1986, the same year that the IRS introduced electronic filing.
No. of Franchises: 5,778
Franchising Since: 1986
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: Bonus Building CareMore From Small Business:
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No. 4: Bonus Building Care
In 1969, Arleen Cavanaugh and then-husband Jim founded Jani-King, a commercial cleaning franchise. When the couple divorced, Jim maintained control of the business and Arleen started her own commercial cleaning business, Bonus Building Care.
No. of Franchises: 1,774
Franchising Since: 1996
Franchise Fee: $6,500
Franchise Details
Next: Kumon MathMore From Small Business:
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No. 3: Kumon Math & Reading Centers
High school math teacher Toru Kumon developed the Kumon method of learning 40 years ago in Japan. Today, Kumon franchisees apply a method of daily practice and self-paced advancement to children's math and reading skills. Kumon Centers are now located throughout North America.
No. of Franchises: 25,916
Franchising Since: 1958
Franchise Fee: $1,000
Franchise Details
Next: Jani-KingMore From Small Business:
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No. 2: Jani-King
Jim Cavanaugh worked as a night auditor at a hotel. While there, he came up with the idea for Jani-King. A commercial cleaning service, Jani-King sets up franchisees with a customer base and charges fees depending on the size of that initial base.
No. of Franchises: 12,699
Franchising Since: 1974
Franchise Fee: $8,600 - 16,300
Franchise Details
Next: RE/MAX IntMore From Small Business:
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RE/MAX International
No. 1: RE/MAX International
Founded by Dave and Gail Liniger in Denver in 1973, RE/MAX is now a global network of more than 116,000 real estate agents. In the RE/MAX system, agents are in charge of their own business and operate under a maximum commission concept.
No. of Franchises: 6,973
Franchising Since: 1975
Franchise Fee: $12,500 - $25,000
Franchise Details
Next: Liberty Tax ServiceMore From Small Business:
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The Franchise 500
From the Top
Want a rundown of the best franchises? See more of this year's best franchise businesses from Entrepreneur magazine's
list of top picks.
Browse the Franchise 500
Or Try These Quick Picks:
- No. 103: Geeks On Call
- No. 244: Cinnabon Inc.
- No. 309: Snappy Auctions
- No. 384: Nature's Way Cafe
- No. 452: The Coffee Beanery
From Entrepreneur.com
You Are One-of-a-Kind
Don't you want your business to reflect your individuality? One of these unique franchise businesses might be for you.
One-of-a-Kind Franchises
