URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/19100
There's rarely been a time when the adjective "new" has been quite as significant as it is now. In this new year . . . century . . .millennium, even the traditional world of franchising has been affected by the new franchises on the block.
Who are the up-and-comers in 2000? That's the question on the minds of many prospective franchisees, who realize uncovering this hot list means getting a chance to possibly pinpoint the best ground-floor opportunities of the early 21st century. To give you a head start on this important quest, we've compiled the following ranking of the top 50 companies that have started franchising since 1995. Rankings are based on information as verified in Entrepreneur's January 2000 Franchise 500® listing.
The following list is not intended to endorse any particular franchise, but simply to provide a starting point for your research. Before you purchase any franchise, you should investigate further. Interview existing franchisees, discuss your options with an attorney and accountant, and read all relevant franchise materials, such as the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular. Good old-fashioned homework is a requisite step toward your new beginning in franchising.
1. Curves for Women
(800) 848-1096/(254)399-9285; http://www.curvesforwomen.com
Women's fitness & weight-loss centers
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $20.6K-31.1K
No. of units: 708
2. Ace America's Cask Express
(800) 713-3338; http://www.acecashexpress.com
Check cashing & related financial services
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $77.5K-186.1K
No. of units: 916
3. Home Instead Senior Care
(888)484-5759/(402)498-4466; http://www.homeinstead.com
Non-medical senior-care services
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $23.1K-29.8K
No. of units: 198
4. Cash Converters Int'l.
(888)910-2274/(847)330-1122; http://www.cashconverters.com
Pre-owned merchandise stores
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $253K-470K
No. of units: 547
5. The Mad Science Group
(800)586-5231; http://www.madscience.org
Science activities for children
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $60K-70K
No. of units: 107
6. Mister Money-USA Inc.
(800)827-7296/(970)493-0574; http://www.mistermoney.com
Pawn shops
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $64K-200K
No. of units: 39
7. House Doctors
(800)319-3359; http://www.housedoctors.com
Handyman services/home repairs
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $18.5K-38.6K
No. of units: 143
8. Atlanta Bread Co.
(770)432-0933; http://www.atlantabread.com
Bakery/cafe
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $362K-584K
No. of units: 79
9. Bennigan's Grill & Tavern
(800)543-9670
Casual-theme restaurant
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $1.1M-2.2M
No. of units: 238
10. Wetzel's Pretzels
(626)432-6900
Hand-rolled soft pretzels
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $111K-180K
No. of units: 84
11. Sport Clips
(800)872-4247; http://www.sportclips.com
Sports-themed hair salons for men & boys
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $98K-166.5K
No. of units: 27
12. Dealer Specialties Int'l. Inc.
(800)647-8425; http://www.getauto.com
Used-car window stickers
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $10.2K-35.4K
No. of units: 172
13. Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers
(800)845-3367; http://www.tildencarcare.com
Full-service automotive repair
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $131.5K-171.2K
No. of units: 55
14. MilliCare Environmental Services
(888)886-2273; http://www.millicare.com
Commercial carpet maintenance
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $77K-166.9K
No. of units: 74
15. Talking Book World
(800)403-2933/(248)945-9999; http://www.talkingbookworld.com
Audiobook rentals & sales
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $150K-225K
No. of units: 37
16. Colter's Bar-B-Q
(214)987-5910; http://www.coltersbbq.com
Barbecue restaurant
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $150K-650K
No. of units: 18
17. Hayes Handpiece Franchises Inc.
(760)602-0521; http://www.hayeshandpiece.com
Dental handpiece repairs
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $21.5K-23K
No. of units: 49
18. Window Gang
(919)571-3888; http://www.windowgang.com
Window/pressure cleaning
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $30.6K-60.5K
No. of units: 57
19. Little Scientist Franchise Corp.
(800)322-8386/(203)732-3522; http://www.little-scientists.com
Science/educational products & services
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $21.5K-34.5K
No. of units: 30
20. Golf Etc.
(800)806-8633/(817)279-7888; http://www.golfetc.com
Golf supplies & equipment
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $125.9K-135.3K
No. of units: 34
21. Quik Internet
(949)548-2171/(702)841-2860; http://www.quik.com/007
Internet services
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $55K-70K
No. of units: 126
22. Mr. Appliance Corp.
(800)290-1422; http://www.dwyergroup.com
Household appliance services & repairs
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $27.4K+
No. of units: 28
23. Christmas Decor Inc.
(800)687-9551; http://www.christmas-decor.com
Holiday & event decorating services
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $17.6K-37.4K
No. of units: 204
24. Executive Tans Inc.
(877)393-2826/(303)403-1000; http://www.executivetans.com
Tanning salon
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $99.6K
No. of units: 22
25. Worldsites
(905)678-7588; http://www.worldsites.net
Internet services
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $25K-110K
No. of units: 235
26. Hannoush Jewelers
(413)846-4640; http://www.hannoush.com
Jewelry stores
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $291K-717K
No. of units: 45
27. Golf Augusta Pro Shops
(800)465-3051/(706)863-9905; http://www.golfaugustaproshops.com
Custom golf clubs
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $300K-500K
No. of units: 15
28. Express One
(800)399-3971/(801)944-1661; http://www.express1shipping.com
Freight delivery resale business
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $20K-100K
No. of units: 46
29. BioLogix
(800)747-1885
Environmental waste elimination
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $23K
No. of units: 24
30. Boomer McLoud
(860)632-4874; http://www.boomermcloud.com
Car audio sales/installation
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $37.5K-235.3K
No. of units: 48
31. Protocol LLC
(800)227-5336/(651)454-0518; http://www.air-serv.com
Personal-care product vending machines
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $8.7K-29K
No. of units: 45
32. Decor-At-Your-Door Int'l.
(800)936-3326
Mobile window coverings & carpet sales
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $5K
No. of units: 28
33. Truly Nolen
(800)458-3664/(520)977-5817; http://www.truly.com
Pest/termite control & lawn care
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $50K
No. of units: 87
34. Morrone's Italian Ices & Homemade Ice Cream
(888)667-7663; http://www.italianices.com
Italian ices & homemade ice cream
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $127.5K-164.5K
No. of units: 19
35.The Cleaning Authority
(800)783-6243/(410)740-1900; http://www.thecleaningauthority.com
Residential cleaning
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $40.9K-69.4K
No. of units: 28
36. Essentials Protective Coatings
(919)785-3015; http://www.epc-tubs.com
Protective plastic-coating system
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $46.1K-91.7K
No. of units: 24
37. Computer Doctor Franchise Systems Inc.
(888)297-2292/(605)225-4122; http://www.cdfs.com
Computer sales & repair services
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $112.9K-163.7K
No. of units: 14
38. New World Coffee
(732)544-0155; http://www.nwcb.com
Coffee & bagels
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $159K-413.5K
No. of units: 44
39. Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill
(480)483-8602; spfranch@aol.com
Teriyaki chicken, steak, prawns & rice
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $94.4K-114.8K
No. of units: 25
40. I.N.V.U. Portraits
(801)292-4688; http://www.invuportraits.com
Specialty photography
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $29.95K-66K
No. of units: 48
41. Roof America Plus Inc.
(800)291-9817/(219)522-4453; http://www.roofamericaplus.com
Residential roof coating
Franchising since 1996
Total Costs: $12.5K-100K
No. of units: 12
42. The Bone Appetit Bakery
(800)865-2378/(402)434-5620; http://www.boneappetitbakery.com
Gourmet bakery & boutique for dogs
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $35.3K-74.5K
No. of units: 23
43. Home Helpers
(800)216-4196; http://www.bison1.com/homehelpers
Non-medical in-home elder care
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $21.5K-39.6K
No. of units: 31
44. Battery Patrol Franchising LCC
(800)203-6549/(515)266-8207; http://www.batterypatrol.com
Batteries
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $236.7K
No. of units: 13
45. Dry Cleaning To-Your-Door
(800)318-1800; http://www.dctyd.com
Dry cleaning pickup & delivery
Franchising since 1995
Total Costs: $15.5K+
No. of units: 29
46. Airsopure Inc.
(800)752-3322/(972)960-9400; http://www.airsopure.net
Indoor air-purification system
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $19.2K-21.8K
No. of units: 25
47. L.A. Weight Loss Centers Inc.
(215)328-9250; http://www.laweightloss.com
Health services/weight-loss counseling
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $64.6K-97.3K
No. of units: 157
48. Precision Lube Express
(703)777-9095; http://www.precisionac.com
Quick lube services
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $133.6K-272.1K+
No. of units: 14
49. Triple Crown Sports
(970)223-6644; http://www.triplecrownsports.com
Amateur sports events
Franchising since 1997
Total Costs: $19.5K-53K
No. of units: 10
50. The HoneyBaked Ham Co. & Cafe
(678)966-3254; bfaller@hbham.com
Specialty hams & turkeys, cafe
Franchising since 1998
Total Costs: $221.2K-289.9K
No. of units: 132