FBR Issue 3 - 2018
Summer issue featuring the Top Low Cost Franchises for 2018, as well as our 2018 Top Franchises for Women, and our annual Franchise Leadership Awards.
Summer issue featuring the Top Low Cost Franchises for 2018, as well as our 2018 Top Franchises for Women, and our annual Franchise Leadership Awards.
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Franchise Business
REVIEW
Ratings and Reviews of Today’s Top Franchises
Summer 2018
Top Franchises
for Women P. 5
Meet the Franchise
Leaders of the Year P. 20
SPECIAL REPORT
TOP 80
LOW-COST
FRANCHISES
SOCCER SHOTS
FIRSTLIGHT HOME CARE
PAYROLL VAULT
JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS
HOUSEMASTER
MAIDPRO and more... P. 16
FRANCHISEE SPOTLIGHT:
LORI VANDAMME,
CAREPATROL P. 27
JONITA & ADAM WHITE,
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
AUTOMOTIVE P. 31
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Features //Summer 2018
+
Reviews, interviews, satisfaction awards,
and more resources are available at:
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
5 12 13
3 From Dreamer to Doer
Letter from the editor
5 Finding Freedom, Work-Life Balance
Through Entrepreneurship
Women Weigh in on Best Franchises for Females
10 Top 50 Franchises for Women
Best of the Best
12 Choosing a Low-Cost Franchise Investment
80 Top-Rated Franchise Opportunities
That Won’t Break the Bank
16 Top 80 Low-Cost Franchises
Best of the Best
20 FBR’s Top Franchise Leaders of 2018
The Visionaries Behind Today’s Most Successful Franchises
26 Marketplace: Franchise Opportunities
More on the franchisee-approved opportunities for 2018
26 2018’s Top 200 Franchises
Franchises with high franchisee satisfaction
in every industry sector
Franchisee Profiles
27 Lori VanDamme, CarePatrol
31 Jonita & Adam White,
Christian Brothers Automotive
32 Nickell Beach, Expedia CruiseShipCenters
33 Lisa Coleman, Westaff
35 Roger Sunner, Senior Care Authority
BE YOUR OWN BOSS.
Choose your franchise business today from ones
rated highest by the franchisees who own them.
Visit FBR50.com
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 1
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Turn your passion for travel into your own
home-based business. Discover how you can
start planning Dream Vacations today!
Get started for as low as $3,500 * down!
Contact us today!
HOME-BASED TRAVEL FRANCHISE | LOW COST, HIGH VALUE
www.OwnaTravelBiz.com
800.650.5576
*Financing available for those who qualify
2 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
From Dreamer to Doer
Business ownership is a dream that so many of us share. For women, that dream is becoming
more of a reality as female business ownership continues to increase. In fact, female franchise
ownership has increased 54 percent since 2008! As women continue to make their voices heard
both in the franchise world and in our society, we thought it appropriate to examine the best
franchises for women in 2018—as rated by female franchise owners, themselves.
While women are making their dreams of entrepreneurship come true in greater numbers
than ever before, there are still many women and men who are fearful of making the leap—and
for good reason; starting a business can be a daunting prospect. That’s why franchising is so
appealing, offering the perfect balance of risk with a proven system, continuous support and
an accelerated path to success. As Kristi Janman, owner of a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise
in Kennesaw, GA, said, “If I had known how rewarding this is, I would have done it sooner!”
Low-cost franchise opportunities, in particular, can be a great starting point for first time
franchisees who may be more risk averse or are simply looking to start with a smaller initial
investment. In this issue of Franchise Business Review, we’ll also dive into some of the best
low-cost opportunities for franchisees—and hear from the leaders at some of the highest rated
franchise brands to learn what makes their organizations so successful.
Armed with the right information and an entrepreneurial mindset, you’ll be able to find the
perfect franchise for you and begin your journey of entrepreneurship with confidence—and
support! You’ll stop dreaming and start doing!
Hopefully the reviews and ratings in this guide prove helpful. For more information on
specific brands, visit our website, www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
Female franchise
ownership has increased
54 percent over the
last decade.
Happy Franchising!
Sarah Brady, Editorial Director
Franchise Business Review is the leading franchise market research firm that performs
independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences.
Before you invest in any franchise opportunity, read our reports to get the facts
from those who know best — franchisees. We publish quarterly research reports,
examining segments of franchising including the Top 200 Franchise Opportunities,
Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Multi-Unit Franchises, Top Food & Beverage Franchises,
and Top Franchises for Veterans. All publications are available digitally at
FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
Eric Stites, CEO & Managing Director
Michelle Rowan, President & COO
Sarah Brady, Editorial Director
C.J. Fleck, Senior Web Developer
Ali Forman, B2B Marketing Manager
Nicole Kenney, Client Operations Manager
Linda Lorrey, Client Consultant
Wes Graves, Client Consultant
Amy LaLime, Client Services Manager
Margot Doering, Accounting
The Secret Agency, Design and Production
Call us at 866-397-6680
HOW WE IDENTIFY THE TOP FRANCHISES
Participation in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction research is free for all North American franchise systems with a
minimum of 10 franchisees. For this report we looked at franchisee satisfaction from over 27,000 franchisees representing over 300 brands that
we collected between November 2016 and May 2018. We asked each franchisee to answer 33 benchmark questions ranking their franchise in
the areas of financial opportunity, training and support, leadership, operations and product development, core values (e.g., honesty and integrity
of franchisor), general satisfaction, and the franchisee community. We also asked them to answer an additional 16 questions about their market
area, demographics, business lifestyle, overall enjoyment running their franchise, and role in the franchisee community. From this data, we
identified our list of top low-cost franchises and top franchises for women with the highest franchisee satisfaction. More detailed information
about our research methodology is available at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. Surveys to determine the Top Franchises for 2019 are
underway. If you are a franchisor and would like to participate, please call 866-397-6680 or contact info@FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 3
TM
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Women Are
LEADING The Field
In Photography
Franchise Opportunity:
Sports, School & Event High-Volume Photography
“
Personally, my
single favorite thing
is that I can make
my own schedule.
”
- Lindsay Verdun, TSS Franchisee
The Perfect Franchise For Women:
Six of the top ten TSS franchisees are women
Be your own boss
Low intro cost
Home-based (no lease)
Instant business tools: a website,
email, marketing materials & more!
Annual reward trips & incentives
No photo experience necessary
Innate understanding of what the buyer wants –
women are the majority of buyers.
The Leader in Sports, School & Event Photography
Visit tssfranchisebusiness.com/FBR
ournew 10,000 sq ft cash register!
■ Designed for broader
consumer appeal and
operating efficiency
■ Bold, contemporary exterior
elevates curb appeal
■ Inviting interior with a
roomier, more comfortable
dining area
CONTACT
Annette Bagwell
abagwell@goldencorral.net
800-284-5673 ext. 4479
See more pictures and information
regarding the new prototype at
www.goldencorralfranchise.com/fbr
4 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Above: Kristina Bucci, trainer at 30-Minute Hit, West Island, Quebec.
Right: Renee Friedman, CEO of FASTSIGNS, Orlando, FL; Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS International.
Finding Freedom, Work-Life Balance
Through Entrepreneurship
Women Weigh in on Best Franchises for Females
In 2007, Rochelle Carrington left a successful
sales career to purchase a Sandler Training
Franchise in Armonk, NY. In less than two
years, Carrington was not only turning a
profit, but she had found a freedom not typically
available in the corporate world. “I broke
even in one year and was profitable in a year
and a half,” she said. “I work quite a bit, but
absolutely love what I do. I love the product
and working with business owners and sales
teams every day. From a personal perspective,
I get to set a great example for my kids of
what you can accomplish as a business owner
and I have the freedom to be with them as
much as possible.”
Carrington has realized the dream of so
many women who seek greater financial and
personal freedom and the ever-elusive worklife
balance. In the decade after Carrington
opened her first franchise, between 2008
and 2018, female franchise ownership has
increased by 54 percent.*
It’s not just franchise ownership that is
increasing among women. Women-owned
businesses are growing 2.5 times faster than
the national average, with women opening
The beauty of starting a
franchise is that there is
no glass ceiling to break
through because you are
your own boss—it is very
empowering.
— Catherine Monson,
CEO of FASTSIGNS
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 5
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Left: Kim Burbank owns two Rhea Lana stores in Arkansas.
Right: Sonali Morris, owner of Goldfish Swim School in Cleveland, with Olympic Gold Medalist Diana Munz.
an average of 849 businesses per day, according
to a report commissioned by American
Express. “There is a tremendous increase in
the number of female franchisees. Women are
feeling more empowered,” remarked Charles
Willis, co-founder & president of the Pinot’s
Palette franchise. “They continue to break
down the long-held stereotype that business is
a man’s world.”
FASTSIGNS CEO, Catherine Monson,
says over the past few years their brand has
also witnessed an increase in women franchisees.
“In addition, we have seen a number of
franchisees transition their business to their
daughters, as well as more female spouses who
have chosen to become active in the management
of the business,” said Monson. “The
beauty of starting a franchise is that there is no
glass ceiling to break through because you are
your own boss—it is very empowering.”
The well-known fitness franchise based
out of Boca Raton, Florida, Orangetheory
Fitness, has been one of the fastest growing
women-owned/led companies in the U.S. for
a few years running, according to The Women
President’s Organization.
“You will often hear me say, ‘the only
thing you have control over in your life is the
effort you put into things,’” said Ellen Latham,
co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness. “Women
The only thing you have control over in your life
is the effort you put into things.
make great franchisees because they do not let
their ego get in the way, so there is more bonding
with fellow franchisees and not so much of
beating their fellow franchisees out, but rather
just improving upon their last best effort.”
To be clear, it’s not just women who are
finding success with franchising. Thanks to
a healthy economy, recent tax reform and a
favorable regulatory environment, the franchise
industry is currently witnessing its eighth
year of expansion, with the International
Franchise Association (IFA) predicting that in
2018 franchise establishments will grow by 1.9
percent, franchise employment will increase
by 3.7 percent and gross domestic product
from franchising will increase by 6.1 percent.
But for women, who still struggle to secure
funds from venture capitalists [when compared
to men—receiving just two percent of
venture capital funding despite owning 38
percent of businesses in the US], hold just 20
percent of board seats at Fortune 500 companies
and represent a mere six percent of CEOs
— Ellen Latham, co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness
at S&P 500 companies—the growth in female
franchise ownership is especially encouraging.
A TEAM MENTALITY
Franchise ownership offers an attractive
option for women who are looking to make
a career change, explore their dreams of
entrepreneurship or for those who are simply
frustrated with the corporate world.
“Women are sometimes underestimated or
get passed by on opportunities, remarked
Rachel Sherman, owner of TSS Photography in
Margate, Florida. “Owning your own franchise,
being your own boss while having an incredible
corporate office that always has your back is the
best of all worlds! Anyone is capable of anything
they set their mind to and work for.”
Being in business “for yourself, not by
yourself,” is a popular saying in the franchise
world, and has been a contributing factor
to the ongoing success of the franchise business
model. “As a franchisee, you’re never
alone. It’s not a lone wolf venture—it’s a
6 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
As a franchisee, you’re
never alone. It’s not a lone
wolf venture—it’s a true
team mentality.
— Katherine Daniel, director
of people operations and
marketing, N2 Publishing
true team mentality,” said Katherine Daniel,
director of people operations and marketing at
N2 Publishing.
Renee Friedman, who bought her first
FASTSIGNS franchise in 1993, was the preferred
signage vendor for the 1996 Olympic
Village and currently owns and operates a
FASTSIGNS franchise in Central Orlando,
explained, “Being part of a strong franchise
provides opportunities and resources that
would not be available as an independent
owner. If I need help, have a question about
a product or budget or hiring or anything,
there’s someone standing by to assist me. We
have so much training at our fingertips!”
Franchising also offers a faster path to business
ownership that is especially appealing to
women [and men] looking to kick off a second
career or venture into entrepreneurship for
the first time.
After spending 25 years in the hospitality
industry, working as an executive for a global
hotel brand, Kristi Janman decided it was
time to pivot her career. She knew she wanted
to build a business that enriched the lives of
others, but she also knew that she did want
to start from scratch. “I wanted to invest in a
smaller franchise with growth potential where
I didn’t need a 10-year runway to build a business.
The franchise model was perfect for me,”
she explained. In 2015, Janman bought her first
Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise in Kennesaw,
GA. “If I had known how rewarding this is,
I would have done it sooner!” she exclaimed.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
From part-time to remote work to the ability
to make your own schedule, franchising offers
a unique opportunity to realize both financial
freedom and work-life balance. “So many of
How Satisfied Are Women in Franchising?
Franchise Business Review compiled survey feedback collected over 18 months from
5,723 female franchisees representing 240 franchise brands.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Overall Satisfaction of Female Franchisees
90 % 88 %
85 %
74 %
I enjoy operating this business
I would recommend
my franchise brand
to others
84 %
I respect my franchisor
80 %
I enjoy being part
of this organization
I would “do it again”
knowing what I know today
I believe my franchisor acts with a high level of integrity
* % indicates positive responses.
Additional data and a list of the top franchises for women can be found at
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 7
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
our franchisees have left professional careers
to open a Pinot’s Palette,” said Willis, citing the
flexibility in franchising as a primary driver.
“As a single mom for the last 12 years,
having my own franchise has allowed me
the flexibility to be great at being a mom
and a business owner,” said Friedman. “If I
need to take off to volunteer at school, take
my daughter to the doctor, get my hair done,
make phone calls or pay my personal bills, for
example, I get to make that decision.”
Lindsay Verdun, owner of TSS Photography
in East Peoria, IL, echoed Friedman’s
sentiment explaining, “I have been able to
Rhea Lana’s 92%
Nothing Bundt Cakes 90%
Just Between Friends 89%
Drama Kids 84%
Young Rembrandts 82%
KidsPark 79%
Burn Boot Camp 58%
Cruise Planners,
an American Express
Travel Representative
58%
Estrella Insurance 58%
Pinot’s Palette 56%
N2 Publishing 56%
Snapology 55%
Dream Vacations 55%
Showhomes
Home Staging
work from home with my children here and
can adjust my schedule as needed. I never
have to worry about making class parties, field
trips, or missing some of those ‘baby firsts.’
I love being my own boss who can make sure
my family comes first over our business.”
For men and women, work-life balance
matters. But for women in particular, the
responsibilities can really stack up. “It’s easy
[for women] to take on so much responsibility—
both at work and at home. Despite working
full time, many women still find themselves
carrying the lion’s share of at-home tasks like
preparing dinner, taking care of a sick child,
Brands with High Female Franchisee Ownership Rates
52%
0% 50% 100%
Percent Female Ownership
and the list goes on,” said Daniel. “What’s so
great about being a franchisee is that the extra
support—the mentorship, the operational
playbook, the training and support staff—
is there for the using, if only the franchisee is
humble enough to take advantage of it.”
At Rhea Lana’s, a community event-based
consignment business, 92 percent of franchise
owners are women.
“Women desire quality of life and relationships,
while still pursuing their professional
dreams,” said Rhea Lana, founder and CEO
of Rhea Lana’s. “They [women] understand
the strength that comes from being part of a
high achieving team. Because of this dynamic,
they work hard to find solutions that meet the
needs of the team and organization, even if it
means great sacrifice for themselves. A healthy
franchising system operates much like a family
with deep, lasting relationships. I personally
find great joy working with our franchisees
because they truly care about our brand and
they understand the ‘sister lift’ principle—that
we grow our brand together.”
Like Lana, Willis finds women to be
particularly suited to and adept at running
a franchise. “Women tend to be engaged in
their local communities, like to socialize,
and enjoy networking. These traits are particularly
important when it comes to achieving
success with Pinot‘s Palette’s business model,”
he explained.
FINANCING FOR FEMALE FRANCHISEES
If you’re intrigued by franchising and
interested in exploring your own dreams of
entrepreneurship, your first question may be if
you’ll be able to finance such a venture. While
many franchise owners take advantage of SBA
business loans, unsecured loans, and portfolio
loans and tap into personal assets, there are
also organizations such as EWIF (Encouraging
Women into Franchising) and 7-Eleven,
among others, that are actively working to
help more women achieve their dreams of
business ownership through franchising.
In March, 7-Eleven announced that they
would run their ‘W.E. Take the Lead’ Women’s
Franchise Giveaway Contest for the second
year in a row. The winning woman will be
awarded an initial franchise fee-free 7-Eleven
franchise, for an initial franchise value fee of
up to $190,000.
8 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Left: Lindsay Verdun, owner of TSS Photography, Peoria, IL.
Right: Children learn while having fun at a Snapology franchise in Pittsburg, PA.
EWIF is a non-profit organization and
community led entirely by volunteers whose
mission is to provide advice and guidance to
women interested in breaking into the franchise
industry. EWIF holds regional meetings,
annual conferences and award ceremonies for
members, helping women connect and learn
from each other.
Similarly, there are some brands, such as
FASTSIGNS, that offer incentives for veterans
and first responders, male or female. At FAST-
SIGNS that incentive equals a 50 percent
reduction in the franchise fee. There are also a
number of loans and grants earmarked specifically
for female entrepreneurs who need
access to capital, such as The Amber Grant.
The Small Business Administration is
another excellent resource for entrepreneurs
and for franchisees in particular—as they are
more likely to grant funding to a franchise
than many other types of startups; they will
even expedite the loan processing for SBAapproved
franchises.
*Based on FBR’s survey data collected between 2008 and 2018.
In 2018, 22,734 franchisees were surveyed.
THE BEST FRANCHISES FOR WOMEN
When you’re ready to compare your options,
there are thousands of franchise brands to
choose from, which is why it is so important
to do thorough research. Ultimately, you want
to find a brand that will meet your expectations
and help you achieve your dream of
business ownership while giving you the
lifestyle you desire.
Examining feedback from other female
franchise owners is one way to get unbiased
advice from other women who have already
made the leap into franchise ownership and
have first-hand experience with the brands you
are considering. To assist you in this process,
Franchise Business Review surveyed 5,723
female franchisees representing 240 franchise
brands. Each survey participant was asked
33 benchmark questions about their franchisor
that focused on areas such as leadership,
training, and core values. Additionally, we
asked 16 more personal questions concerning
topics such as their business lifestyle and
overall enjoyment of running their franchise.
You can explore the full list of top franchises
for women on page 10.
“JUST GO FOR IT”
Franchising can be a tremendous opportunity
for women to forge a path to meeting their
personal and financial goals. Unlike entrepreneurs
who start their business from scratch,
franchising gives you the chance to start and
grow your business immediately, with extensive
support and a proven system.
If you’re like many women, the fear of
failure may be the one thing holding you back
from pursuing your dreams. So, if you need
some encouragement, just look to the many
other female business owners who overcame
their fear and took the leap into franchise
ownership. As Latham said, “Believe in
yourself and your communication skills, your
passion and how hard you know you work in
everything that you do in other parts of your
life! JUST GO FOR IT.”
Interested in seeing what other brands
came out on top when measured by owner
satisfaction? Or would you like to learn more
about what it takes to become a franchise
owner, yourself? Visit our website at www.
FranchiseBusinessReview.com. We wish you
nothing but success as you begin this next
chapter!
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 9
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
THE LIST
Best of the Best:
Top 50 Franchises
for Women
* Amada Senior Care
In-home senior care
American Poolplayers Association
Pool league
Assisting Hands
In-home senior care
Survey
Date
Feb.
2018
Sep.
2017
Aug.
2017
Initial
Investment
$87,710 –
$174,654
$20,763 –
$28,648
$77,050 –
$149,000
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
$120,000 115
$20,763 325
$45,000 111
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Real estate
Jan.
2018
$65,170 –
$540,000
$100,000 304
BioPed Footcare Centres
Custom orthotics
Dec.
2016
$165,000 –
$230,000
$25,000 51
* Brightway Insurance
Financial services
Jan.
2018
$107,700 –
$160,325
$75,000 159
Burn Boot Camp — more on inside front cover
Women’s fitness center
Oct.
2017
$105,630 –
$168,900
$100,000 101
* CarePatrol — more on p. 27
Assisted living placement services
Nov.
2017
$64,649 –
$84,699
$75,000 150
“I think the senior
management in the
company has a strong
background in the
insurance business
and that will serve
Brightway well.”
* Cruise Planners
Travel agency
Culver’s
Quick-service restaurant
Drama Kids
Drama programs
* Dream Vacations — more on p. 2
Travel agency
Estrella Insurance
Financial services
June
2017
Aug.
2017
Dec.
2017
Oct.
2017
Feb.
2018
$2,095 –
$23,367
$1,845,000 –
$4,155,000
$29,000 –
$48,000
$3,245 –
$21,850
$49,950 –
$84,000
$10,995 2,570
$350,000 –
$600,000
610
$30,000 208
$3,500 1,163
25,000 –
$50,000
100
– Brightway Insurance Franchisee
Fastest Labs
Drug, alcohol & DNA testing services
Dec.
2018
$74,650 –
$88,900
$50,000 26
* FASTSIGNS — more on p. 34
Visual business communications
April
2017
$193,548 –
$289,639
$80,000 675
* FirstLight Home Care
In-home senior care
May
2018
$99,681 –
$152,926
$65,000 255
Goldfish Swim School
Swim lessons
Sep.
2017
$1,335,283 –
$3,065,358
$450,000 –
$600,000
69
High Touch High Tech
Hands-on science programs
Aug.
2017
$62,750 –
$69,000
$37,650 33
Home Care Assistance
In-home senior care
Sep.
2017
$77,775 –
$245,250
$125,000 173
* Home Instead Senior Care
In-home senior care
Oct.
2017
$115,000 –
$125,000
$55,000 1,095
Just Between Friends
Children’s consignment
Aug.
2017
$32,774 –
$45,449
$45,000 160
Kampgrounds of America/KOA
Camping services
May
2018
$27,500 –
$4,462,925
$7,500 481
Keller Williams
Real estate
May
2017
$183,947 –
$336,995
$183,947 –
$336,995
959
*Franchisee Satisfaction Report available at
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
KidsPark
Children’s play park
* Kona Ice
Ice cream/yogurt/frozen treats
Aug.
2017
July
2017
$185,000 –
$340,000
$124,750 –
$147,550
$45,000 –
$65,000
17
$20,000 1,070
10 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Survey
Date
Initial
Investment
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
* MaidPro
House cleaning & maid services
Oct.
2017
$74,560 –
$204,450
$75,000 256
* Minuteman Press
Printing & marketing services
Aug.
2017
$62,207 –
$161,865
$50,000 965
My Salon Suite
Private, spacious salon suites
Nov.
2017
$395,000 –
$955,000
$150,000 68
N2 Publishing
Private neighborhood publications
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Snack retailer
* Office Pride — more on p. 2
Commercial cleaning services
Orangetheory Fitness
Fitness club
* Our Town America — more on p. 36
Advertising services
* Payroll Vault Franchising
Payroll services
Pinch A Penny
Pool supplies retailer
* Pinot’s Palette
Painting class
* Remedy Intelligent Staffing — more on p. 33, 34
Business services
Oct.
2017
May
2018
Oct.
2017
Nov.
2017
Sep.
2017
Sep.
2017
Jan.
2017
May
2017
Jan.
2018
$975 –
$5,650
$392,875 –
$545,475
$59,500 –
$107,200
$327,600 –
$634,100
$63,300 –
$86,250
$44,369 –
$70,569
$230,000 –
$300,000
$97,500 –
$204,200
$151,840 –
$258,280
$975 –
$5,650
763
$150,000 168
$85,000 137
$150,000 722
$70,000 63
$33,600 –
$70,569
41
$0 238
$80,000 188
$165,000 615
“I have been blown away
by how supportive our
corporate team is. The
willingness to answer
questions at all hours of
the day, provide specific
feedback related to
different areas of the
business, and provide
opportunities to grow as
a leader have all served
me so well.”
– Rhea Lana’s Franchisee
Rhea Lana’s
Children’s consignment
Feb.
2018
$19,050 –
$38,950
$14,500 86
* Sandler Training — more on p. 27
Business consulting & coaching
April
2018
$88,150 –
$105,750
$100,000 265
Scooter’s Coffee
Quick-service restaurant
Aug.
2017
$351,000 –
$587,000
$100,000 200
* Senior Care Authority — more on p. 35
Assisted living placement services
ShelfGenie
Shelving solutions
Showhomes Home Staging
Home staging
Snapology
STEM/STEAM programs & activities
* Supporting Strategies
Bookkeeping services
May
2017
Nov.
2017
Jan.
2018
June
2018
March
2018
$52,350 –
$78,150
$70,100 –
$125,250
$45,300 –
$78,000
$39,000 –
$73,500
$77,130 –
$102,390
$50,000 –
$150,000
57
$0 172
$10,000 55
$32,500 58
$100,000 71
“The franchisee network
is invaluable. There is
always someone ready
to help.”
– TSS Photography Franchisee
The @WORK Group
Recruiting services
Feb.
2018
$152,000 –
$211,000
$150,000 100
* TSS Photography — more on p. 4
Sports, school & event photography
July
2017
$20,400 –
$74,275
$10,500 176
* Wild Birds Unlimited
Nature retailer
Nov.
2017
$146,516 –
$249,956
$40,000 351
* Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Camping services
March
2018
$100,000 –
$2,000,000
$200,000 84
Young Rembrandts
Children’s art classes
Aug.
2017
$41,250 –
$48,120
$40,000 106
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 11
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Above: Chris Holwell, home inspector with HouseMaster, Paradise, Canada.
Right: Kona Ice franchisee.
Choosing a Low-Cost
Franchise Investment
80 Top-Rated Franchise Opportunities That Won’t Break the Bank
Many people never consider buying a franchise
because they think they can’t afford it.
What they don’t realize is that there are lots
of great low-cost franchise opportunities that
are actually very affordable. Not only that, but
the long-term benefits of owning a business
can far outweigh many traditional jobs.
For this year’s Top Low-Cost Franchises
list (see page 16), our team at Franchise Business
Review surveyed thousands of franchise
owners from nearly 150 leading low-cost
franchises. Our initial cut-off for qualifying as
“low cost” was any franchise opportunity that
has an initial investment starting at under
$100,000. And while we realize that $100,000
is still a lot of money, financing options often
make it possible to get started for much less
than the “sticker price.”
After combing through our data, we narrowed
our list of 150 franchises down to the
80 brands that had the highest satisfaction
among franchisee owners. We asked franchisees
over 30 questions about their franchise.
Was the training good? Do the marketing
programs drive business? Are you getting
the support you need to be successful? Most
importantly… “Would you recommend your
franchise to others?”
Our winners list features the Top 80 Low-
Cost Franchises with the highest satisfaction
in their investment class. These are the best
franchises for your money in today’s marketplace.
We’ll explore the characteristics that
make these franchises great, and give you tips
on how you can buy a great low-cost franchise.
We’ll also hear from several franchisees
and franchise company executives, and share
their advice on how you too can achieve business
ownership success.
12 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Left: Lisa Price, owner and senior care advocate at FirstLight HomeCare, Columbia, SC
with one of her clients.
Right: Kurt and Melissa Godwin, owners of Mosquito Joe, Baltimore, MD.
A SMART FRANCHISE INVESTMENT
Ask any accountant or business owner for
their number one piece of advice, and you’re
likely to hear the expression “cash is king!”
It seems obvious, yet the number one reason
new businesses fail (including franchise businesses!)
is they run out of money. The biggest
benefit of investing in a low-cost franchise
opportunity is that with less money going to
fund fixed startup costs, you’ll hopefully have
more money to fund important operational
items that drive sales and cashflow.
When starting a new business, it’s easy to
spend, but you should resist the urge. Think
twice before making any purchases (even
small ones) as they can add up quickly. Whenever
possible, lease items instead of buying
them, and always consider used equipment
before getting something new. Spending $200
more to get that fancy new office printer, is
$200 less you’ll have to spend on advertising
or sales activities that actually drive revenue.
“We strive to keep our initial franchise
fee at an average or slightly below our entire
industry with much greater focus on owner
candidates having more of the working capital
they need to open and operate a successful
senior care business,” says Jeff Bevis, CEO of
FirstLight Home Care. “The primary benefit
here is to give our new owners an added
amount of working capital they can better
utilize vs. paying us more upfront.”
Running a lean and mean business gives
many owners of low-cost franchises a distinct
advantage in the marketplace. Without the
burden of high overhead, and the worries of
making large monthly debt payments, franchise
owners can breathe easy and focus on
sales and marketing.
Autumn Lew with Just Between Friends, a
top-rated low-cost franchise that specializes in
organizing consignment sale events explains,
“By keeping our startup costs under $45,000,
we are able to empower our franchisees to
start their own businesses without going deep
into debt. We help them to be good stewards of
their resources while building businesses that
serve the families and partnering non-profit
organizations in their communities.”
To help keep your startup costs low, talk
to franchise companies about potential discounts
or financing options that they may
provide. Some companies will let you finance
a portion of the initial franchise fees over time,
and many offer special incentives to military
veterans and other special groups such as
first responders. For example, Mosquito Joe
franchisees, Yoel Gutierrez and Omar Sanchez,
received a $2,500 discount on their South
Miami-based franchise because Sanchez had
previously worked as a firefighter.
BUILDING A SCALABLE BUSINESS
Just because many low-cost franchise businesses
start small, it doesn’t mean they stay
that way. In fact, it’s a common myth in
franchising that in order to grow a large,
successful business, you have to invest a lot
of money. Nothing could be further from the
truth. In fact, many of the low-cost franchises
on our awards list have much better return on
investment (ROI) than their more expensive
competitors.
“We provide a scalable business model that
will increase profits over time, by growing
revenue while avoiding cost increases,” says
America’s Swimming Pool Company CEO
Stewart Vernon. “Business ownership can
become more of a reality for hard-working,
middle-class Americans. Our affordable
startup costs give these men and women the
opportunity to make a more enjoyable life for
themselves and their families.”
Rita and Eric Blackwell of Spartanburg, SC
were looking for a good, low-cost franchise,
back in 2016, when they stumbled upon
Mosquito Joe, a franchise business that provides
mosquito control services. “We chose a
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 13
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
4. What kind of culture do I thrive in?
Every company on our Top Low-Cost Franchises
list has a different kind of culture. Some
franchises are very laid back and casual, while
others are more structured and formal. What
type of culture do you thrive in? Spend time
really getting to know the culture of the franchise
businesses that interest you. Talk with
their corporate teams, and visit or speak with
as many franchisees as you can. Finding the
right cultural fit is just as important as finding
the right financial fit.
Jacqueline Fair and Christian Harris of MaidPro, in Oak Park, IL, currently service over 150 clients on a monthly
or bi-weekly basis.
low-cost startup franchise because it fit within
our budget and the level of risk we were
willing to take on. The higher the expenditure,
the higher the risk. Owning a Mosquito Joe
has shown us that we can be successful.”
FINDING THE RIGHT FRANCHISE FOR YOU
The 80 franchise companies featured on our
2018 Top Low-Cost Franchises list are all
great opportunities, but many are probably
not the right fit for you. Before you invest in
any franchise business, it’s important to start
by asking yourself a few key questions. Here
are five big questions to consider:
1. What are my goals?
What do you hope to achieve through buying
a franchise business? What is your timeframe?
How much money do you need to make in
the short term, and how much money do you
hope to make longer term? Besides income,
what other personal and professional goals
are important to you? (i.e. lifestyle, flexibility,
community connection, etc.)
2. What am I passionate about?
Owning a successful franchise business
requires a lot of hard work—especially in the
early years. But when we talk to franchisees,
most don’t mind putting in the extra hours
because they are passionate about what they
are doing in building their business. Find
a business that gets you excited… one that
you are truly passionate about the product or
service that the franchise provides.
“I never anticipated that running a kids
consignment event would feel as rewarding as
it does,” says Courtney Evans, a multi-unit Just
Between Friends franchisee in the Seattle area.
“At the end of each event, my feet are tired, my
body is sore, my eyes are heavy, but my heart
has never felt so full.”
3. What are my strengths and
my weaknesses?
It’s important to do a self-assessment of your
skills and be honest about your strengths and
weaknesses. What work-related activities do
you enjoy, and what tasks do you hope to avoid?
When you talk to franchise companies and
franchisees, ask them what skills their most successful
franchisees have in common? Whether,
it’s sales, marketing, operations, networking,
community engagement, or something else, be
sure your skills are a good fit for the franchise
opportunity you want to invest in.
Jeff Bevis at FirstLight Home Care
described his ideal franchisees this way. “They
possess strong experience in at least one or
several areas such as successful people management,
solid presentation skills, strong
communication skills or strong organizational
experience. In addition, and at the core of our
Culture of Care, the ideal owners have their
own ‘why’ as to their personal purpose—
why they want to serve others, and give back
through a FirstLight Home Care business.”
5. What advantages does XYZ franchise
offer me?
As a general rule, buying a franchise business
offers many advantages over starting a new
business from scratch. A good franchise will
offer a proven business model, strong training
and support, effective marketing programs,
group buying power, a supportive franchisee
network, and much more. But every franchise
company is different. Take your time to
explore the specific offerings of each franchise,
and be sure to understand how their programs
will offer you a competitive advantage in your
local marketplace.
“We understand that those first few weeks
of business are vital to a franchisee’s success,”
says Jonathan Barnett, founder and CEO of
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning. “We have profitability
coaches on staff whose core function is
to help new franchisees get going. The coaches
walk the franchisee through the entire process,
training them on our various programs,
helping them get everything set up, and ensuring
that they are prepared for the realities of
running a business.”
YOUR SUCCESSFUL FRANCHISE
JOURNEY
Investing in a franchise is a big decision. There
are many great benefits to owning a successful
business, but finding the right franchise for
you will take some time and homework. Our
Top Low-Cost Franchises list is a great starting
point for you to explore the award-winning
business opportunities that are available.
We also have many other resources on our
website to help you navigate every step of
your franchise journey, from initial research
to financing to purchase and ongoing business
management. Just visit us today at www.
FranchiseBusinessReview.com.
14 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
— Find the best funding option for you by visiting the Franchise Financing section of FranchiseBusinessReview.com. —
Funding Your Franchise:
You Have Options
Jeremy Ames, president & co-founder of Guidant Financial, contributed to this article
Understanding how you will finance your franchise is an important first step in your franchise journey. When it comes to financing
a low-cost franchise, many people turn to home equity lines of credit and/or credit cards. However, there are many other options
including SBA business loans, 401(k) business financing and portfolio loans. Here’s what you need to know about each.
SBA Business Loans
Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are one of the
most popular financing methods for business owners of all kinds, from
startups to franchises. SBA business loans are not lent directly from
the SBA. Rather, the SBA encourages banks to lend to small business
owners with preferable terms and low interest rates. In return, the SBA
covers 75 to 85 percent of the loan for the bank if the loan defaults.
This creates a win-win situation for both the lender and borrower.
SBA Loan Eligibility Requirements
• 20 percent down payment for an existing business purchase
or 30 percent for a startup
• 640+ credit score
• Personal collateral required
• Industry experience preferred
• Secondary income preferred
401(k) Business Financing
With 401(k) business financing (formally known as Rollovers for
Business Startups or ROBS), you can use up to 100 percent of funds
from an existing retirement account to buy or start a small business
or franchise without taking a taxable distribution or getting a loan.
Funding through ROBS has been an option since the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act passed in 1974, and it’s growing in
popularity.
Since ROBS doesn’t involve taking a loan, there are no monthly
payments or interest rates, and there are no collateral or minimum
credit score requirements. ROBS can also be used in combination with
an SBA loan, allowing business owners to use retirement funds as the
down payment for the loan.
Unsecured Loans
If you don’t want to jeopardize personal property in order to obtain
financing, unsecured loans provide up to $150,000 without any
collateral. Unsecured loans work like small business credit cards, consisting
of multiple lines of revolving credit that can be used and paid
back as needed. But instead of relying on collateral, lenders look at
your creditworthiness to secure the loan. As such, a high credit score
and solid borrowing history is necessary.
Unsecured loans have no use-of-proceeds requirements, so the
funds can be used for your first franchise location or subsequent units.
It’s important to note that this type of loan shows up as revolving
credit on one’s credit report and can have a meaningful impact on a
credit score, especially if payments are not made on time. For that
reason, we recommend using unsecured loans as a last resort and only
as a short-term financing solution.
Unsecured Loan Eligibility Requirements
• 690+ credit score
• Credit utilization rate below 50 percent
• Minimal recent credit inquiries
• No recent derogatory comments on your credit report
Portfolio Loans
If you own stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other eligible securities, you
can borrow up to 80 percent against the value of your portfolio without
having to liquidate your holdings. Portfolio loans, also referred to as
stock loans or securities-based lending, work like a revolving line of
credit—allowing you to finance a business or franchise by borrowing
(and repaying) at will.
ROBS Eligibility Requirements
• At least $50,000 in a rollable retirement account
• No minimum credit score requirements
• No down payment needed
For a detailed walk-through on funding your franchise, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 15
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
THE LIST
Best of the Best:
Top 80 Low-Cost
Franchises
30-Minute Hit
Boxing & kickboxing circuit
* ActionCOACH
Business coaching
Aire-Master of America
Commercial hygiene service
Survey
Date
June
2017
Jan.
2018
Nov.
2017
Initial
Investment
$98,000 –
$147,000
$61,250 –
$108,441
$39,584 –
$142,400
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
$40,000 56
$40,000 775
$50,000 111
* Amada Senior Care
In-home senior care
Feb.
2018
$87,710 –
$174,654
$80,000 115
“Overall, I think CarePatrol
is awesome. Making an
important and immediate
difference in people’s
lives is simply priceless.
I am very happy and
proud that we bought
into the system.”
American Poolplayers Association
Pool league
ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Co.
Swimming pool maintenance
Assisting Hands
In-home senior care
Auto Appraisal Network
Automotive appraisal services
Baby Boot Camp
Fitness programs
Sep.
2017
Nov.
2017
Aug.
2017
Feb.
2018
Nov.
2017
$20,763 –
$28,648
$85,000 –
$110,000
$77,050 –
$149,000
$12,000 –
$30,000
$4,570 –
$10,800
$20,763 325
$50,000 259
$45,000 111
$3,000 –
$10,000
27
$4,570 91
– CarePatrol Franchisee
Best in Class Education Centers
Tutoring services
July
2017
$62,800 –
$121,880
$62,800 –
$121,880
59
Bloomin Blinds
Custom blinds and window coverings
June
2017
$35,000 –
$85,000
$40,000 45
Buildingstars
Commercial cleaning services
Aug.
2017
$1,995 –
$39,995
$1,995 –
$39,995
572
* CarePatrol — more on p. 27
Assisted living placement services
Nov.
2017
$64,649 –
$84,699
$75,000 150
Complete Weddings and Events
Wedding & event services
Oct.
2017
$30,350 –
$48,650
$10,000 200
CompuChild
Children’s technology education
Oct.
2017
$18,300 –
$33,000
$10,000 40
Critter Control
Wildlife control & removal
Aug.
2017
$12,250 –
$80,500
$12,250 –
$80,500
102
* Cruise Planners
Travel agency
June
2017
$2,095 –
$23,367
$10,995 2,570
Discovery Map
Alternative advertising maps
Sep.
2017
$35,250 –
$44,950
$50,000 135
Drama Kids
Drama programs
Dec.
2017
$29,000 –
$48,000
$30,000 208
*Franchisee Satisfaction Report available at
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
* Dream Vacations — more on p. 2
Travel agency
Oct.
2017
$3,245 –
$21,850
$3,500 1,163
16 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Survey
Date
Initial
Investment
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
Estrella Insurance
Financial services
Feb.
2018
$49,950 –
$84,000
$25,000 –
$50,000
100
Executive Image Building Services
Commercial cleaning services
Fastest Labs
Drug, alcohol & DNA testing services
* FirstLight Home Care
In-home senior care
* Fish Window Cleaning
Window cleaning
FRSTeam
Home restoration
Garage Experts
Garage organization
Oct.
2017
Dec.
2018
May
2018
Nov.
2017
Nov.
2017
Sep.
2017
$24,100 –
$68,000
$74,650 –
$88,900
$99,681 –
$152,926
$83,225 –
$146,200
$32,000 –
$380,500
$54,400 –
$803,000
$25,000 33
$50,000 26
$65,000 255
$83,225 –
$146,200
$25,000 –
$35,000
$54,400 –
$803,000
271
56
30
“I am extremely impressed
with the honesty and
trustworthiness of
our leaders and our
organization overall.
I feel very fortunate to be
a part of it and I feel that
I am living my dream.”
– HomeVestors Franchisee
* Happy & Healthy Products
Ice cream/yogurt/frozen treats
Feb.
2018
$45,000 –
$90,000
$45,000 –
$90,000
65
High Touch High Tech
Hands-on science programs
Aug.
2017
$62,750 –
$69,000
$37,650 33
Home Helpers
Senior Care
May
2018
$75,750 –
$127,600
250,000 317
HomeSmart International
Real estate
Oct.
2017
$65,000 –
$205,000
$20,000 102
* HomeVestors of America — more on back cover
Realty renovation
Jan.
2018
$54,000 –
$357,250
$50,000 900
* Homewatch Caregivers
In-home senior care
Oct.
2017
$83,000 –
$131,000
$50,000 198
HomeWell Senior Care
Senior care
* HouseMaster
Professional home inspections
* Image One — more on p. 36
Commercial cleaning services
InXpress
Business shipping
Feb.
2018
Oct.
2017
June
2017
July
2017
$53,550 –
$85,400
$61,100 –
$106,150
$29,750 –
$103,208
$65,300 –
$160,200
$53,550 –
$85,400
31
$42,500 313
$15,000 78
$65,000 300
“I know I can call on
any of the franchisees
and they would be there
for me. This is one
of the reasons why
I chose HomeWell.”
– HomeWell Senior Care Franchisee
Just Between Friends
Children’s consignment
Aug.
2017
$32,774 –
$45,449
$45,000 160
* Kitchen Solvers
Home remodeling
Aug.
2017
$60,000 –
$80,000
$75,000 52
Linc Service Network
Commercial HVAC services
Feb.
2017
$66,350 –
$136,000
$66,350 –
$136,000
172
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 17
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
THE LIST
Best of the Best:
Top 80 Low-Cost
Franchises
* MaidPro
House cleaning & maid services
MarbleLife
Stone restoration
* Minuteman Press
Printing & marketing services
Survey
Date
Oct.
2017
May
2018
Aug.
2017
Initial
Investment
$74,560 –
$204,450
$50,000 –
$65,000
$62,207 –
$161,865
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
$75,000 256
$30,000 40
$50,000 965
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing
Bathroom & kitchen remodeling
Aug.
2017
$75,000 –
$138,000
$40,000 –
$50,000
162
Molly Maid
Cleaning services
Nov.
2017
$165,000 –
$197,000
$165,000 –
$197,000
471
* Mosquito Joe
Mosquito control services
Feb.
2018
$66,600 –
$127,500
$55,000 285
N2 Publishing
Private neighborhood publications
Oct.
2017
$975 –
$5,650
$975 –
$5,650
763
* Office Pride — more on p. 2
Commercial cleaning services
Oct.
2017
$59,500 –
$107,200
$85,000 137
* Our Town America — more on p. 36
Advertising services
Sep.
2017
$63,300 –
$86,250
$70,000 63
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning
Carpet cleaning
April
2018
$40,000 –
$60,000
$35,900 340
* Payroll Vault Franchising
Payroll services
Sep.
2017
$44,369 –
$70,569
$36,600 –
$70,569
41
* Pinot’s Palette
Paint and sip classes
May
2017
$97,500 –
$204,200
$80,000 188
Rhea Lana’s
Children’s consignment
Feb.
2018
$19,050 –
$38,950
$14,500 86
“Shine has a culture of
honesty and integrity.”
– Shine Window Care
& Holiday Lighting Franchisee
* Sandler Training — more on p. 27
Business consulting & coaching
* Senior Care Authority — more on p. 35
Assisted living placement services
Service Team of Professionals
Restoration services
April
2018
May
2017
Sep.
2017
$88,150 –
$105,750
$52,350 –
$78,150
$78,600 –
$138,500
$100,000 265
$50,000 –
$150,000
57
$56,000 37
ShelfGenie
Shelving solutions
Nov.
2017
$70,100 –
$125,250
$70,100 –
$125,250
172
Shine Window Care & Holiday Lighting
Window cleaning
Oct.
2017
$23,000 –
$98,750
$23,000 –
$98,750
21
Showhomes Home Staging
Home staging
Jan.
2018
$45,300 –
$78,000
$10,000 55
Sit Means Sit Dog Training
Dog training
Oct.
2017
$45,000 –
$93,850
$45,000 125
18 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
Survey
Date
Initial
Investment
Cash
Requirement
Total
Units
Snapology
STEM/STEAM programs & activities
June
2018
$39,000 –
$73,500
$32,500 58
* Soccer Shots
Youth sports
Dec.
2017
$41,034 –
$53,950
$18,000 213
Stratus Building Solutions
Commercial cleaning services
Feb.
2018
$3,450 –
$50,350
$3,450 –
$50,350
1,000
* Supporting Strategies
Bookkeeping services
Surface Specialists Systems
Home remodeling
TGA Premier Sports
Youth sports
* The Glass Guru
Window restoration
March
2018
May
2018
Aug.
2017
Oct.
2017
$77,130 –
$102,390
$43,200 –
$56,000
$16,300 –
$67,350
$64,150 –
$183,000
$100,000 71
$25,000 45
$16,300 –
$67,350
116
$64,150 89
“I’m grateful for the
franchisor’s continual
involvement in each of
our successes and also in
their dedication to make
us better at what we do.”
– Supporting Strategies Franchisee
The Grout Doctor
Grout repair services
Jan.
2017
$12,000 –
$40,000
$10,000 77
The Tutoring Center
Tutoring services
May
2018
$90,000 –
$130,000
$90,000 106
Town Money Saver
Advertising services
March
2018
$5,700 –
$17,000
$5,000 –
$12,500
49
* Truly Nolen of America — more on p. 32
Pest control
April
2018
$50,200 –
$293,000
$35,000 339
* TSS Photography — more on p. 4
Sports, school & event photography
July
2017
$20,400 –
$74,275
$10,500 176
Two Maids & A Mop
House cleaning & maid services
June
2017
$56,025 –
$136,975
$30,000 59
United Country Real Estate
Real estate
* Weed Man
Lawn care
Welcomemat Services
Printing & marketing services
Sep.
2017
July
2017
June
2018
$16,290 –
$42,510
$68,453 –
$85,513
$61,080 –
$88,930
$15,000 443
$50,000 656
$80,000 80
“I can’t imagine
a franchise system
with better training
and support.”
– Truly Nolen Franchisee
* Window Genie — more on p. 33
Window cleaning
July
2017
$90,800 –
$140,000
$50,000 121
WOW 1 DAY PAINTING
Painting
Dec.
2017
$90,000 –
$130,000
$50,000 43
YESCO
Visual business communications
March
2018
$64,300 –
$350,000
$60,000 164
Young Rembrandts
Children’s art classes
Aug.
2017
$41,250 –
$48,120
$40,000 106
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 19
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
FBR’s Top Franchise Leaders of 2018
The Visionaries Behind Today’s Most Successful Franchises
As the inimitable Dale Carnegie once said, “You can close more business
in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in
two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
Dale Carnegie had a deep and unique appreciation of the qualities
that make a great leader. He understood that social and communication
skills distinguish a leader—not just technical expertise.
At Franchise Business Review, we analyze franchisee performance
by asking franchise owners 33 questions in eight critical areas, including
financial opportunity and system operations. But, we also ask the franchise
owners to rate their satisfaction with the leadership and the
core values, culture, and community that is fostered across the franchise
system—in other words, the more intangible aspects that can make or
break the franchise experience.
“Most of the franchisees we talk to are investing in a business to
make a profit, certainly,” says Michelle Rowan, president & COO of
Franchise Business Review. “But they also want to feel that the executive
team cares about their personal success and communicates openly and
transparently. That’s how you develop relationships built on trust and
respect—and that’s what makes a great leader.”
We studied results from over 27,000 franchisee surveys across more
than 300 brands to identify 50 of the top leaders in the franchise industry,
based exclusively on feedback from their franchisees.
We asked a few of them to tell us what inspires them, and how they’ve
created a winning culture within their franchise system.
Read what they had to say on the following pages…
Safer Senior Living. Your Goal, Our Mission.
20 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
>> Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com for full
interviews and to see the complete list of this
year’s Top 50 Franchise Leaders.
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 21
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
We say that our franchisees’ dreams are
our goals. It’s true and that’s how we manage
this business.
Michael Miller
Co-Founder & Chairman
Brightway Insurance
“
Very simply, our jobs are to do everything we can to support our franchisees and help them
grow. As a franchisee, what better business partners could you ask for than people whose
financial interests are directly aligned with yours, bring vast experience you can leverage and
have fun doing their jobs?”
We take a lot of pride in our franchisees and
value their opinions, which builds mutual trust.
“
It is inspiring to be able to create opportunities for franchisees—to help them grow their
businesses and their teams; to witness their success and work with them collaboratively to
achieve their fullest potential.”
Brad Reed
Chief Development Officer
Captain D’s
Safer Senior Living. Your Goal, Our Mission.
Listen to your franchisees. Don’t hold grudges.
Allow them to make mistakes and allow them
to teach you.
Becky Bongiovanni
Chief Operations Officer
CarePatrol
“
I think our franchisees see us not only as leaders, but also as trusted partners in their success….
We also live by our values at CarePatrol. Our values are not just written down in a manual.
We make decisions based on our core values and ask our franchisees to help hold us accountable
to them.”
22 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
As someone who holds the position once held
by Dale Carnegie, I aspire to lead as he did—
with insight, innovation and service to others.
Joe Hart
President & CEO
Dale Carnegie
“
Our brand’s culture is about seeing the inherent greatness that exists within people and our
mission is to help unlock that; it’s about the Dale Carnegie Principles—about putting people
first and teaching people ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’”
Trust is the basis of all relationships and,
in order to gain trust, you must be transparent
in both good times and in bad.
“
I am someone who is inspired by working side-by-side with people who are in it to win it!
People who take accountability for themselves, who I can trust and who have my back—
because I have theirs—and who are passionate about everything they do. Those are the
people that inspire me to be better and to help them be better.”
Debbie Fiorino
Senior Vice President
Dream Vacations
I am inspired by making a difference in people’s
lives. I get to do that every day in franchising,
helping our franchisees achieve the dream of
business ownership.
Catherine Monson
CEO
FASTSIGNS
“
I encourage every franchise leader to develop a positive culture and motivating environment where
people know and understand the company’s objectives and how what they do each day contributes
to achieving those goals. People are more motivated when they are well-trained, have the tools they
need, can share their ideas openly, take chances, and innovate or improve processes.”
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 23
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
We are deeply committed to continual
improvement, we’re supportive of all new ideas,
and encourage brainstorming and collaboration
across our franchisor and franchisee teams.
Jeff Bevis
Co-Founder & CEO
FirstLight Home Care
“
I believe our leadership team was rated so highly by franchisees for three primary reasons:
we say what we’ll do and do what we say; we put and keep franchise owner input as #1 relating
to EVERYTHING we do in all facets of FirstLight Home Care business; and we see it only fair
that we set the example by providing our franchisees with the highest quality of service, since
we expect our owners to exude the highest quality of service.”
First is to listen to the franchisees. The best
ideas come from franchisees. Second, give
a clear picture of the future.
“
I am most inspired by seeing the success of our franchises. I have never been around a better
group of people than our franchise leaders. We tend to attract good people that care about
helping others and participating in a team environment, which in turn attracts more of the
same type of people!”
David Hicks
Co-President
HomeVestors of America
Our culture, our mission, our vision actually
is all about having pride, being profitable and
also committing to our craft, if you will.
Kathleen Kuhn
President
HouseMaster
“
So not for a minute do we ever sit back on our laurels as one of the most experienced
companies in the industry. Our owners take such great pride in what they do and they
have fun doing it, but they’re so committed and we’re so committed to always learning
more and getting better.”
24 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
How can we expect our franchisees to give
incredible customer experience if we don’t
provide that to them?
Tony Lamb
Founder and CEO
Kona Ice
“
When nine out of 10 franchisees that are in your system got into your system because they
wanted to give back to their community or wanted to make their community a better place…
I can only describe our culture in one word….PERFECT.”
We recognize serving as a part of leading.
As we serve and help our franchisees succeed,
we succeed.
“
Our culture is very strong and clearly understood. It is the glue that holds us together. When
you ask our franchisees what they like best about Office Pride, most will answer ‘the culture.’”
Todd Hopkins
President
Office Pride
LEARN WHAT FRANCHISING IS LIKE
FROM REAL FRANCHISEES
Access insightful franchisee Q&As, strategic advice and more.
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com
For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 25
FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE
2018
TOP 200
FRANCHISES
ADVERTISING & SALES
* Our Town America — more on p. 36
N2 Publishing
Proforma
Welcomemat Services
Town Money Saver
Discovery Map
AUTOMOTIVE
* Christian Brothers Automotive — more on
* Snap-on Tools
p. 30, 31
RNR Tire Express
Auto Appraisal Network
Priceless Car Rental
Tint World
BUSINESS SERVICES
* FASTSIGNS — more on p. 34
Sanford Rose Associates
* Sandler Training — more on p. 27
* Minuteman Press
* ActionCOACH
* Brightway Insurance
The @WORK Group
YESCO
Dale Carnegie
* Murphy Business & Financial
* Supporting Strategies
Sir Speedy
Office Evolution
The Alternative Board
InXpress
PIP Printing & Document Services
Speedpro Imaging
CHILD SERVICES
* Soccer Shots
TGA Premier Sports
High Touch High Tech
Young Rembrandts
KidsPark
Goldfish Swim School
Snapology
Amazing Athletes
College Nannies + Sitters + Tutors
Child Services continued
* TSS Photography — more on p. 4
The Little Gym
British Swim School
CompuChild
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
* MaidPro
Aire-Master of America
* Office Pride — more on p. 2
Jan-Pro (Master Franchisors)
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning
Anago Cleaning Systems (Master Franchisors)
Rooterman
* The Maids
Two Maids & A Mop
You’ve Got MAIDS
Buildingstars
* Image One — more on p. 36
EDUCATION
* The Goddard School
* Mathnasium
* The Learning Experience
Huntington Learning Center
Online Trading Academy
The Tutoring Center
Best in Class Education Centers
Creative World School
FINANCIAL & TAX
* Payroll Vault Franchising
Estrella Insurance
FITNESS
* Crunch Fitness
Orangetheory Fitness
9Round
Baby Boot Camp
ILOVEKICKBOXING.COM
Burn Boot Camp — more on inside front cover
30-Minute Hit
The MAX Challenge
Planet Fitness
World Gym
See page 28 for additional top franchises.
Visit FBR50.com for brand details.
Today’s leading brands based
on FBR’s owner satisfaction data.
*Full Satisfaction Report Available
at FranchiseBusinessReview.com
BUSINESS SERVICES
Dale Carnegie
Initial Investment: $19,700 – $174,500
Cash Requirement: $50,000 – $200,000
Total Units: 221
At Dale Carnegie, we work with you to build
courage, confidence and compassion among
your workforce by drawing out people’s
natural strengths, so they can take command
of their roles and inspire teamwork across your
organization. A company can only be successful
when the right people are in the right jobs,
working together at every level.
For over 100 years, we’ve helped companies of
all sizes create a vibrant, sustainable workforce
by fostering an environment that thrives on
positive, productive relationships. In the years to
come, we’ll continue to be your partner creating
inspiring, effective development opportunities
for everyone from new hires to high performers,
all the way to the top.
For more information on Dale Carnegie
opportunities, call (800) 231-5800
or visit www.dalecarnegie.com/franchising.
CHILD SERVICES
KidsPark
Initial Investment: $215,000 – $405,500
Cash Requirement: $45,000 – $65,000
Total Units: 17
If you are looking for an entrepreneurial
opportunity that will contribute a needed service
to your community and are considering an overall
investment of between $215,500 to $405,500,
then KidsPark is a good fit. Both kids and their
parents love our hourly childcare centers, which
cater to preschool and school age children. Our
franchisees have a true passion for children
and service. They want to provide exceptional
childcare to their community so that they can
help parents and enrich children. As a KidsPark
owner, you will benefit from our quality, proven
method of operation and innovative program. We
are seeking business minded, marketing savvy
owners to join our franchise family.
For more information on KidsPark
opportunities, call (408) 213-0970 or visit
www.kidspark.com/franchising.
26 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
TM
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE
FINANCIAL & TAX
FEATURED
Franchisee
Maidpro
Initial Investment: $74,560 – $204,450
Cash Requirement: $75,000
Total Units: 255
Forbes has named MaidPro the #6 Best Franchise
to Own for 2018. MaidPro prides itself on its
proven groundbreaking technology, creative
marketing, established brand identity, and stellar
support to its franchisees. MaidPro offers you
the advantages of rapid growth, low startup
costs, manageable hours, and recurring revenue.
MaidPro has received Franchise Business
Review’s Four-Star Rating and Franchise 50
awards for franchisee satisfaction every year
from 2006-2018. MaidPro is also offering a
veteran discount valued at $15,000 for U.S. and
Canadian veterans. Join a franchise family that
gives you control and ownership of your business
with unmatched 24/7 support.
For more information on MaidPro
opportunities, call (888) 624-3776
or visit www.maidprofranchise.com.
Payroll Vault
Initial Investment: $44,369 – $70,569
Cash Requirement: $33,600 – $70,569
Total Units: 41
Payroll Vault Franchising provides entrepreneurs
the opportunity to start their own full-service,
local payroll business with the support of a team
of experts and a nationally recognized brand.
Founded by a CPA with decades of experience,
Payroll Vault supports their franchisees on
business best practices and provides systems
and strategies to operate a payroll business in
a growing industry. With the franchise launch in
2012, Payroll Vault Franchising has grown rapidly
due to their unparalleled client service. Payroll
Vault Franchising is recognized as a national
leader receiving numerous accolades and awards
in the industry. For more information, visit
PayrollVaultFranchise.com.
For more information on Payroll Vault
opportunities, call (303) 763-1865
or visit www.payrollvaultfranchise.com.
Lori VanDamme
CarePatrol
North Denver, CO
and Boulder, CO
Franchisee since 2017
What was it about the franchise model and/or
leadership that led you to purchase it? For years
I knew I wanted to own a business that serviced
seniors. A friend of ours was a CarePatrol
franchisee. His passion and love for what he did
are what really made me want to learn more.
When he mentioned he was selling his business
due to relocating out of state, it was as if it was
meant to be.
What type of business experience, education,
and/or skills did you have prior to becoming a
franchisee that you have found particularly
helpful? I didn’t have any prior experience in this
field, so I committed to learning the system and
jumped in with both feet. Through CarePatrol’s
training and support, I have learned more than I
ever imagined possible.
RATED THE #1
TRAINING FRANCHISE
BY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE
FOR 13 YEARS
Sandler Training is a global network
of sales and management trainers
with hundreds of training centers
throughout the world. Become a
Franchise Owner and be at the
forefront of a business niche that
is growing exponentially, with the
support of a pioneer and leader in
the training industry.
BUILD ON THE
LEADERSHIP
OF SANDLER TRAINING
FranchiseBusinessREVIEW
has recognized
Sandler Training
as the #1 Business
Services Franchise.
SANDLERFRANCHISING.COM
800-669-3537 ext. 2005
© 2018 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement
(with design) is a registered service mark of Sandler Systems, Inc.
What things do you like most about your job?
My favorite part of this business is helping
families. I often enter people’s lives when they are
in crisis mode. When a loved one reaches a phase
of life where important choices need to be made
about their living situation, emotions often run
high. There are so many things to consider when
placing someone you love. I love that I am able to
help them through this process and by the end of
it all, they know I’ve found the best new home for
their loved ones. There have often been tears of
thanks at the end of the journey and that’s the
most rewarding part of it all.
What advice do you have for prospective
franchise buyers? What do you wish you had
known prior to going into franchising? JUMP IN!
Be prepared to immerse yourself in your business.
Be passionate. Be willing to give of your time and
know that the first year will be a whirlwind—but
oh so worth it.
Safer Senior Living. Your Goal, Our Mission.
For more information on CarePatrol
opportunities call (480) 719-4836 or visit
www.carepatrol.com.
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 27
FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE
2018 TOP 200
FRANCHISES
FITNESS
FOOD & BEVERAGE
* Kona Ice
Culver’s
Fazoli’s Restaurants
Wings Etc.
Captain D’s
* Checkers & Rally’s
The Wendy’s Company
LaRosa’s Pizzeria
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Lenny’s Sub Shop
Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries
Zaxby’s
* Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs
Scooter’s Coffee
The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company — more on
p. 31
* Pizza Factory — more on p. 29
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill — more on p. 4
Penn Station
* East Coast Wings & Grill
Jamba Juice
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Biggby Coffee
Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs
Donatos Pizza
Eggs Up Grill
Buffalo Wings & Rings
Toppers Pizza
Bahama Buck’s
* Happy & Healthy Products
DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks Systems
Costa Vida
Zoup!
HEALTH & PERSONAL SERVICES
Palm Beach Tan
* My Salon Suite
BioPed Footcare Centres
Sport Clips
Fastest Labs
HOME SERVICES
* CertaPro Painters
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing
* HouseMaster
Budget Blinds
Home Services continued
* DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
Surface Specialists Systems
Property Damage Appraisers
Shine Window Care & Holiday Lighting
Garage Experts
Bloomin Blinds
WOW 1 DAY PAINTING
Tailored Living
USA Insulation
California Closets
Go Mini’s
* The Glass Guru
* Kitchen Solvers
The Grout Doctor
ShelfGenie
PET SERVICES
In Home Pet Services
The Dog Wizard
Sit Means Sit Dog Training
Dogtopia
REAL ESTATE
Keller Williams
Sotheby’s International Realty
Weichert Real Estate
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate
Showhomes Home Staging
ERA
* HomeVestors of America — more on back cover
HomeSmart International
United Country Real Estate
RETAIL
* Wild Birds Unlimited
Pinch A Penny
Rhea Lana’s
Just Between Friends
* Big Frog Custom T-Shirts
Color Me Mine
Mainstream Boutique
Family Fare
Verlo Mattress Factory Stores
SENIOR SERVICES
* Home Instead Senior Care
* Visiting Angels
* FirstLight Home Care
30-Minute Hit
Initial Investment: $98,000 – $147,000
Cash Requirement: $40,000
Total Units: 56
The 30-Minute Hit ® is a high intensity, action
packed boxing/kickboxing circuit workout
designed specifically for women looking to
achieve amazing results. Fast paced, challenging
and empowering, this one of a kind top quality
workout appeals to everyone, no matter their
fitness level, in a friendly, non-intimidating
environment.
In a booming industry, this turn-key business
model allows franchisees to enjoy their flexible
lifestyles, streamlined operating costs, stable
recurring income while doing something they
love every day.
30-Minute Hit franchisees come from all different
backgrounds but all carry a passion for fitness
and the drive to run their own successful and
rewarding business.
For more information on 30-Minute Hit
opportunities, call (778) 572-9002 or visit
www.my30minutehit.com.
FOOD & BEVERAGE
Checkers
Initial Investment: $96,414 – $1,501,265
Cash Requirement: $250,000
Total Units: 875
GET THERE FASTER WITH CHECKERS & RALLY’S!
Franchisees achieve their financial and growth
goals faster with Checkers & Rally’s because
of our low initial investment, strong return
on investment, nimble modular building
construction, and competitive franchise growth
incentives. For over 30 years, we have focused
on bold and flavorful food, amazing value for our
guests, and restaurant profitability. Amid seven
consecutive years of same-store sales growth
and 870+ restaurants, we still have top-tier
market availability in all major US markets.
Discover why Checkers & Rally’s was named one
of the BEST FRANCHISE DEALS by QSR Magazine
in 2017 & 2016.
See page 29 for additional top franchises.
Visit FBR50.com for brand details.
For more information on Checkers
opportunities, call (888) 913-9135 or visit
www.checkersfranchising.com.
28 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
FOOD & BEVERAGE
HOME SERVICES
Senior Services continued
East Coast Wings
Initial Investment: $658,875 – $1,133,502
Cash Requirement: $250,000
Total Units: 35
It’s all about the EBITDA, right? Looking to expand
your portfolio? Why not expand with one of
the most profitable brands in the industry? East
Coast Wings + Grill is a pioneer in the franchise
industry when it comes to the economic model,
having added a dedicated division, processes,
and systems focused on maximizing their
franchisee’s unit level economics. Family friendly,
with over 50 varieties available in any of 8 heat
indexes, from no heat to Insanity, and over 675
combinations of buffalo wings, 100% Angus Beef
burgers, boneless wings, flatbreads, skillets
and wraps.
For more information on East Coast Wings
opportunities, call Mark Lyso at (336) 760-4985
or visit www.eastcoastwingsfranchise.com.
®
HouseMaster
Initial Investment: $61,100 – $106,150
Cash Requirement: $42,500
Total Units: 313
JOIN A
TIME-TESTED,
THRIVING
BUSINESS
It’s time to look into opening a
Pizza Factory franchise and experience
our fun, family-focused community
and welcoming atmosphere.
HouseMaster is the recognized leader in
home inspections with almost four decades
of proven industry success and innovation.
HouseMaster is the number one choice for
business professionals seeking to take advantage
of a low investment opportunity with significant
potential. Our franchisees are among the most
satisfied franchisees (according to Franchise
Business Review) as well as the most tenured.
More importantly, HouseMaster’s proven
systems and ongoing brand investments have
allowed HouseMaster franchisees to achieve
higher average gross sales than any other home
inspection franchise opportunity. If you are
committed to success and seek to be the leader
in your market, HouseMaster is the way to go!
For more information on HouseMaster
opportunities, call (800) 526-3930 or visit
www.housemaster.com.
Right at Home
Assisting Hands
* Amada Senior Care
Home Care Assistance
* Homewatch CareGivers
* Senior Care Authority — more on p. 35
* CarePatrol — more on p. 27
SERVICES
Precision Concrete Cutting
* Weed Man
* Two Men and A Truck
Truly Nolen of America — more on p. 32
Bin There Dump That
FRSTeam
Complete Weddings and Events
* Fish Window Cleaning
* Fibrenew
College Hunks Hauling Junk
* Window Genie — more on p. 33
* U.S. Lawns
Linc Service Network
Critter Control
Real Property Management
101 Mobility
Precision Door Service
* Mosquito Joe
Signal 88 Security
Creative Colors International
Leather Medic
NaturaLawn of America
Service Team of Professionals
PortraitEFX
MarbleLife
SPORTS & REC
American Poolplayers Association
Kampgrounds of America/ KOA
* Pinot’s Palette
APEX Fun Run
* Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Rockin’ Jump
Wine and Design
TECHNOLOGY
TeamLogic IT
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
* Dream Vacations — more on p. 2
* Cruise Planners
Expedia CruiseShipCenters — more on p. 32
pizzafactoryfranchises.com
562-340-6925
Visit FBR50.com for brand details.
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 29
TM
FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE
TIME TO
GRAB THE WHEEL
That’s what Christian Brothers Automotive franchisees, like Jonita White, instinctively
do. They may not have automotive experience, but they possess a business acumen,
determination and customer focus that has earned us an average customer Google
rating of 4.5 stars and an industry-leading $1.491MM in average unit volume.
If you’re ambitious, service-focused and interested in being
part of a great company with a greater purpose, let’s talk.
Discover more about what drives our success at
CHRISTIANBROTHERSFRANCHISE.COM
The Average Unit Volume(AUV) for a CBA franchise in 2017 was $1,491,721, as published in item 19 of our April
2018 Franchise Disclosure Document. This figure reflects the 151 CBA franchises that were opened for the
entire years of 2016 and 2017. Of these 151 CBA franchises 65 (43%) had higher AGS. Gross sales is defined as
all gross revenue derived from labor, parts and sub-contracted labor/parts and supplies. This AGS is industry
leading for non-tire sellers.
30 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
REAL ESTATE
RETAIL
FEATURED
Franchisee
HomeVesters
Initial Investment: $54,000 – $357,250
Cash Requirement: $50,000 – $55,000
Total Units: 900
HomeVestors ® franchise is a way to make
life-changing revenue in a system with proven
success, while solid home-buying knowledge
and marketing of the well-known ‘We Buy Ugly
Houses’ brand limit risks. Training covers what
HomeVestors franchisees have learned buying
over 85,000 houses nationwide since 1996.
Tools to make smart investment decisions,
including our ValueChek ® software, and
customer management program. Learn in the
field with your own coach, an experienced,
proven franchisee; your mentor as you learn and
grow your business. HomeVestors is consistently
top-rated and best in Franchisee Satisfaction,
Real Estate, Leadership, Low-Investment, Fastest
Growth, and Veterans, year after year.
For more information on HomeVesters
opportunities, call (800) 230-0385 or visit
www.homevestorsfranchise.com.
Have your DESSERT
and own it too!
Wild Birds Unlimited
Initial Investment: $146,516 – $249,956
Cash Requirement: $40,000
Total Units: 331
Wild Birds Unlimited owners are their local
communities’ backyard bird feeding specialists
and a premier source for nature information
as well as quality products. But who we are
goes far beyond the items we sell. It’s our
owners’ commitment to their customers that
distinguishes them from other retailers, a
fact that makes us very proud. Wild Birds
Unlimited owners enjoy helping their customers
understand birds and nature, swapping stories
about the latest bird sightings and seeing other
people share their excitement.
Special Veteran Incentives: Offers a 15%
discount off the initial franchise fee.
For more information on Wild Birds Unlimited
opportunities, call (888) 730-7108 or visit
www.wbufranchise.com.
Jonita &
Adam White
Christian Brothers
Automotive
West Frisco & Little Elm, TX
Franchisee since 2011
What was it about the franchise model and/or
leadership that led you to purchase it? I love
the fact that I am in business for myself, but
not by myself. Christian Brothers Automotive
has a wonderful support team in Houston. Any
challenge you come up against, they are there
to help you through it. They are also there to
celebrate with you when you succeed.
What type of business experience, education,
and/or skills did you have prior to becoming
a franchisee that you have found particularly
helpful? I have over 20 years of experience at
Kaiser Hospital managing multiple locations,
which has been very helpful with managing West
Frisco and Little Elm. While working at Kaiser,
I dealt with people who were hurting mentally,
physically and financially. Here at Christian
Brothers, we not only focus on providing the
best car care, we love our customers as well.
What things do you like most about your job?
The company’s driving force is to “love your
neighbor as yourself.” It gives me great joy to be
part of a company that truly lives out its mission.
How did you fund your franchise? Did you
receive any discounts/incentives? We took
out an SBA loan and Christian Brothers was
instrumental in helping guide us through
the process.
What advice do you have for prospective
franchise buyers? What do you wish you had
known prior to going into franchising? Do your
homework on what you are buying into, check
out the core values of the franchise, and make
sure they align with your belief system.
Call us for more information!
Häagen-Dazs Shoppe, Inc.
Development
(612) 337-3314
Molly.Hanson@US.Nestle.com
For more information on Christian Brothers
Automotive opportunities call (855) 866-9222
or visit www.christianbrothersfranchise.com.
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 31
FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE
FEATURED
Franchisee
SENIOR SERVICES
SENIOR SERVICES
Safer Senior Living. Your Goal, Our Mission.
Nickell Beach
Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Lehi, Utah
Franchisee since 2017
What was it about the franchise model and/or
leadership that led you to purchase it? I loved
the industry and after learning more about the
Expedia franchise model and the success rate
from previous centers, I knew it was something
I wanted to pursue. When I attended Discovery
Day and met the amazing corporate team, I knew
that an Expedia CruiseShipCenters franchise was
the perfect fit for me.
What type of business experience, education,
and/or skills did you have prior to becoming a
franchisee that you have found particularly
helpful? My experience in sales and
management has helped me tremendously as
a franchise owner. Staying goal oriented and
organized is important to me and has helped
me manage my team as well as my center.
What things do you like most about your job? It
gives me great satisfaction when our clients have
an amazing trip as a result of our expertise and
vacation planning. I also enjoy the day-to-day
of the job and the people I work with; I love
learning about new travel destinations, the latest
sales and promotions, and leading a team of
successful travel agents.
What advice do you have for prospective
franchise buyers? What do you wish you had
known prior to going into franchising? Choose a
business and industry that you love and are
passionate about! As a franchise owner you’re
still opening your own business and can expect
to put in a lot of hours. A huge benefit of
franchise ownership is that you’re leveraging a
proven system and have a dedicated support
team on your side. Be prepared to work hard but
know that you have a successful model to follow.
Amada
Initial Investment: $87,710 – $174,654
Cash Requirement: $120,000
Total Units: 107
Amada is one of the only senior care companies
in North America that provides in-home, nonmedical
care and assisted living placement
consulting services. Through years of experience
we understand that home care is not always
possible or the best option. We conduct in-depth
needs analyses that help our clients and their
loved ones determine the best level of care,
whether that is at home with a caregiver or at
an assisted living community. With the Amada
system, our franchisees and their clients both
win, regardless of the care solution selected.
For more information on Amada
opportunities, call (949) 614-0166 or visit
www.amadaseniorcarefranchise.com/
opportunity.
CarePatrol
Initial Investment: $64,649 – $84,699
Cash Requirement: $75,000
Total Units: 150
CarePatrol’s founders have been pioneers in the
senior placement industry for the past 25 years.
Franchising since 2009, CarePatrol has been a
Franchise Satisfaction award winner for eight
consecutive years.
With 150 franchise partners, CarePatrol is the
largest senior placement organization in the
country. No other senior placement franchise
offers the expertise in training or ongoing
support that CarePatrol does. CarePatrol services
are needed in cities throughout the country and
there are still many franchise territories available.
Contact us today to find out how you can be
CarePatrol’s newest satisfied franchisee.
For more information on CarePatrol
opportunities, call (480) 719-4836 or
(480) 626-2450 or visit www.CarePatrol.com.
For more information on Expedia
CruiseShipCenters opportunities call (844) 358-
0361 or visit www.expediafranchise.com.
32 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
SENIOR SERVICES
SERVICES
FEATURED
Franchisee
Home Helpers
Initial Investment: $75,750 – $127,600
Cash Requirement: $250,000
Total Units: 317
Home Helpers Home Care—Entrepreneur’s Top
Rated Senior Care Franchise is expanding. For
over 20 years, Home Helpers has outpaced the
rapidly growing in-home care industry. You can
own a low-cost, recession-resistant business in
a rapidly growing industry. Our proven business
system will enable you to provide exceptional
care in the comfort of a loved one’s home. We go
beyond senior care to serve: recuperative care,
new & expectant mothers and care for those
with lifelong conditions, maximizing your impact
and income.
For more information on Home Helpers
opportunities, call (800) 413-4899
or visit www.homehelpersfranchise.com.
• 24 year old proven business model
• Multiple services, multiple revenue streams
• Protected territories
• Top low-cost franchise
• Top mobile, home-based franchise
• Subsidiary of Dwyer Group®
Brightway
Initial Investment: $107,700 – $160,325
Cash Requirement: $75,000
Total Units: 159
Brightway Insurance is a national property/
casualty insurance retailer selling through a
network of franchised independent stores
throughout the country. With more than $527
million in annualized written premium, the
company is one of the largest personal lines
agencies in the United States. Brightway provides
its franchise owners with access to more
insurance companies than any other agency,
along with a comprehensive system of support
that frees them up to focus on customizing
policies that meet their customers’ needs.
Brightway began franchising operations in 2008
and has since grown to more than 800 people in
19 states serving customers in all 50 states.
For more information on Brightway
opportunities, call (855) 723-5348
or visit www.brightwaydifference.com.
“We’re just excited to do something for ourselves where we have the power to
create our own success and make a real impact on the community every day.”
- Brent & Melissa Windsor, Owners of Window Genie of the East Valley
LET THE POWER OF THE GENIE WORK FOR YOU
Call to learn more! 800.700.0022 WindowGenieFranchise.com
Lisa Coleman
Westaff
Baton Rouge, Alexandria,
Bossier City/Shreveport,
Lafayette, Lake Charles/
DeQuincy, Monroe and
Walker, Louisiana
Franchisee since 1993
What was it about the franchise model and/or
leadership that led you to purchase it?
I purchased an independent staffing company in
Baton Rouge in 1990. I loved the interaction with
the clients and candidates, but realized I was
limited in the size and scope of business
opportunities that I could pursue. In 1993, I was
approached by Westaff, who was seeking a
partner in the Baton Rouge market. I had a
decision to make: remain an independent
business owner in the staffing industry or join
a thriving franchise. I chose the latter.
What things do you like most about your job?
As a franchise owner, I have the flexibility to run
a successful business while also balancing my
passion for family and faith. My local staff are an
extension of my family and I understand the crucial
role they play in the success of the business.
What advice do you have for prospective
franchise buyers? What do you wish you had
known prior to going into franchising? I believe
true success is found in relationships. You do not
have to “go it alone.” There are franchisors, such
as EmployBridge, that have systems, corporate
staff and the financial strength available to turn
your business vision into a reality.
Why do you think franchising is a good
opportunity for women entrepreneurs? I think
franchising offers great opportunities for men
and women alike. Statistics prove that the failure
rate for a startup business is high. When you are
immediately linked to other professionals who
have the systems and expertise, it certainly
increases your likelihood of success. Also, the
supportive interaction with other franchise
owners can help you navigate the hurtles that
we all face as business owners.
For more information on Remedy Intelligent
Staffing call (860) 309-1484 or visit
www.remedyfranchise.com.
EmployBridge is the franchisor of Remedy
Intelligent Staffing and Westaff.
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 33
FBR SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE
34 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com
HOME SERVICES
SERVICES
FEATURED
Franchisee
Shine Window
Initial Investment: $23,000 – $98,750
Cash Requirement: $23,000 – $98,750
Total Units: 21
Shine is here to serve. That’s who we are. At the
core of our values, within our teams, with our
customers, and in our very name, we exist to let
light Shine—bringing out the best in our crews
and the communities in which we serve. Shine
is a national franchise opportunity providing
exceptional window cleaning, holiday lighting
and other home services. We do all we can
to gain lifelong customers and contribute
to building vibrant communities worldwide.
Shine has served thousands of clients for over
15 years. We truly care for our customers, and
always provide a satisfaction guarantee.
For more information on Shine Window
opportunities, call (800) 513-1794
or visit www.shinefranchise.com.
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
Dream Vacations
Initial Investment: $3,245 – $21,850
Cash Requirement: $3,500
Total Units: 1,163
Sea the possibilities a home-based travel agency
franchise provides. Dive in and explore your
passion for travel with a work-at-home business
where you plan Dream Vacations for your clients,
creating experiences that last a lifetime. We are a
business-in-a-box providing turn-key marketing
solutions, a booking website and web-based
technology so you can operate your business
from anywhere in the world with an internet
connection. We pride ourselves on having
unmatched support with a 1:10 franchisee
to support staff ratio. No prior experience is
required, we provide full training and help you
jumpstart your travel business.
For more information on Dream Vacations
opportunities, call (800) 650-5576
or visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.
Window Genie
Initial Investment: $90,800 – $140,000
Cash Requirement: $50,000
Total Units: 121
Window Genie is a nationally ranked mobile
service franchise specializing in residential
and light commercial window cleaning, window
tinting, pressure washing and more. Our services
are in high demand because we specialize in
the time-consuming, difficult, but necessary
property maintenance tasks most people are
unwilling or unable to do themselves. By offering
a variety of services to fit every home’s needs
and budget, our owners are able to establish
repeat and referral clients that provide multiple
streams of revenue year-round. With our
commitments to branding, professionalism and
customer satisfaction, our owners stand out in
their markets as the trusted go-to home service
providers.
For more information on Window Genie
opportunities, call (800) 700-0022
or visit www.windowgeniefranchise.com.
TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY
Expedia
Initial Investment: $165,000 – $285,000
Cash Requirement: $100,000
Total Units: 251
Expedia CruiseShipCenters is North America’s
largest retail travel agency franchise and a
leading seller of cruise travel. Build equity and
enjoy a great lifestyle with our proven franchise
model with more than 30 years of success and
over 250 locations throughout North America. As
a full service travel agency specializing in cruises,
your Expedia CruiseShipCenters location will
offer travelers in your community a wide range
of travel products along with outstanding service
and Expedia prices. With 27.2 million cruisers
expected to set sail in 2018, according to Cruise
Lines International Association, there’s never
been a more exciting time to join this growing
industry with an Expedia franchise.
For more information on Expedia
opportunities, call (844) 358-0361
or visit www.expediafranchise.com.
Roger Sunner
Senior Care Authority
Fresno, CA
Franchisee since 2017
What do you enjoy most about your business?
I have a passion for helping others and pride
myself on providing excellent service to my
clients in central California. My corporate
experience allows me to help clients navigate
the senior care placement process, which can
be difficult, emotional and stressful for families.
The most rewarding part of working with families
is when a senior finds the perfect home and I see
the smile on their face.
Why did you select your franchise? To be
successful in this business you must understand
how to negotiate agreements with the
communities in the area you cover, work
with families to select the right community,
and market your business. My background in
customer management, operational management,
and customer service leant itself well to the
requirements of this business model and gave
me confidence in my ability to succeed.
Was it hard to get started? With owning any
company or franchise comes the hard work to
lay the foundation, which gets easier every year.
You need to follow the steps outlined by Senior
Care Authority in their training materials and
trust the process.
What advice do you have for prospective
franchisees? Senior Care Authority has low
overhead and a great business model for
prospective franchisees. But you do need to put
the time in to learn the industry. The biggest
challenge you will face is obtaining clients on a
consistent basis. Your work ethic and time spent
on your business will drive your success.
Senior Advocacy and Living Source
For more information about Senior Care
Authority opportunities, call (888) 809-1231
ext.2 or visit www.SeniorCareAuthority.com/
franchise.
TM
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 35
FBR SPECIAL REPORT
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• Rated Top 50 Franchise for 13 Years 1
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36 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
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the same way again.
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PROVEN SYSTEM TO BUY & SELL HOUSES
Be your own boss with continuous mentoring and franchise support.
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Take the guesswork out of estimating repairs with a sophisticated software
system that helps you steer clear from making costly mistakes.
You are in the right location at the right time to be a
HomeVestors ® franchisee, what are you waiting for?
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800-230-0385
*Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.