Top 25 Low-Investment Franchises

The Franchises listed below require a minimum total investment of less than $50,000 and are listed in order of their rankings.
(Source: Entrepreneur magazine, January 2009 issue).

RANK Name/Contact Information Type of Business Business Started/
Franchising Since
Financing Offered?
1 Instant Tax Service Tax Service 2000/2004 Yes
2 Jani-King Commercial Cleaning 1969/1974 Yes
3 Jan-Pro Franchising Int'l, Inc.* Commercial Cleaning 1991/1992 Yes
4 Kumon Math & Reading Centers Tutoring 1958/1958 No
5 Service Master Clean* Commercial Cleaning 1947/1952 Yes
6 Merle Norman Cosmetics Misc. Personal Care 1931/1989 Yes
7 Stratus Building Solutions Commercial Cleaning 2004/2005 Yes
8 Jazzercise, Inc.* Fitness Business 1977/1983 No
9 Vanguard Cleaning Systems Commercial Cleaning 1984/1984 Yes
10 RE/MAX Int'l, Inc. Real Estate 1973/1975 Yes
11 Bonus Building Care* Commercial Cleaning 1996/1996 Yes
12 Anytime Fitness Fitness Business 2001/2002 Yes
13 Quiznos Subs Submarine Business 1981/1983 Yes
14 Chem-Dry Cleaning* Carpet, Upholstery 1977/1978 Yes
15 Merry Maids Residential Cleaning 1979/1980 Yes
16 Coffee News Advertising Services & Publishing 1988/1994 No
17 Home Helpers/Direct Link* Senior Care 1997/1997 Yes
18 System4* Commercial Cleaning 2003/2003 yes
19 Express Tax Tax Service 1997/2002 No
20 Anago Cleaning Systems* Commercial Cleaning 1989/1991 Yes
21 Novus Auto Glass Windshield Repair & Replacement 1972/1985 Yes
22 Home Instead Senior Care Senior Care 1994/1995 Yes
23 Cruise Planners Franchising LLC/American Express Cruise-Only Travel Agencies 1989/1993 Yes
24 United Country Real Estate Real Estate 1925/1997 Yes
25 Rooter Man Plumbing 1970/1981 Yes
*These Franchise Businesses also appeared on Entrepreneur’s list of Top 25 Home-Based Businesses

Franchise Blogs

www.bluemaumau.org
www.franchise-chat.com
www.franchisepundit.com
www.wikidfranchise.org