Top Ten Franchising Trends for 2011 From pets to moving and storage services, the top 10 franchise industries you should know about.
By Tracy Stapp Herold •
The future of franchising is looking bright: In September, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 10.5 percent of all businesses with paid employees were franchises in 2007, the latest data year, and that they generated a staggering $1.3 trillion in annual sales.
Where is franchising headed next? We've identified 10 categories as the industries to watch in 2011. Whether they're services that people can't afford to live without, such as child care and healthcare, or luxuries made more affordable through franchising, like fitness and spa services, these are the businesses that kept growing strong right through the recession and, now that it's over, show no signs of slowing.
This list is not a ranking and is not intended to endorse any specific franchise. Look at it instead as just a first step toward your own careful research, which should include reading the company's literature and legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to current and former franchisees to find out if an opportunity is right for you.
| Industries to Watch in 2011 | |
Child Care
Parents are busier than ever--and drawn to child care that combines education and enrichment programs.
A+ Nannies Inc. Adventure Kids Playcare Childrens Lighthouse Franchising Co. Discovery Point Franchising Inc. Goddard Systems Inc. The Growing Room Franchising System | Kiddie Academy KLA Schools The Learning Experience Primrose School Franchising Co. Rainbow Station Inc. SeekingSitters Franchise System Inc. |
Fitness
Spending on fitness is up. And fitness franchises offer a full range of options--big or small gyms, programs for women, boxing classes, dance fitness, personal training and more.
Anytime Fitness CKO Kickboxing Crunch Franchising LLC Curves Elements Diet & Fitness Fitness Together Get In Shape For Women Gold's Gym Jazzercise Inc. Koko FitClub LLC | LA Boxing Franchise Corp. My Personal Trainer Fitness Personal Training Institute Planet Fitness Prime Time Boxing Retro Fitness LLC Slim & Fit Franchise LLC Snap Fitness Inc. Thrive Community Fitness |
Green
Companies doing their part to save the planet--and often saving money as well--are gaining ground with the eco-conscious and cash-strapped alike.
Clean Air Lawn Care EcoMaids The Green Mop Franchise Co. Oxi Fresh Franchising Co. | Pizza Fusion Pro Energy Consultants Solar Universe Splish Franchise Systems LLC |
Health Services
It may be a subject of much debate in the political world, but in the franchise world healthcare is just good business. Take note: A number of opportunities aimed at physician franchisees have sprung up in recent years.
Doctors Express HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab Hungry Heart Franchise LLC Medi-Weightloss Franchising USA LLC Miracle-Ear Inc. | Passport Health Inc. Pearle Vision Pounds and Inches Away Spinal Aid Centers of America |
Moving & Storage Services
Americans move, on average, every five years, and with the economy starting to recover, moving and storage businesses can expect their services to be in even more demand.
Box Galaxy Move It Now Two Men and a Truck Int'l. Inc. | Units Franchise Group Inc. Zippy Shell Mobile Self Storage |
Pets
Spending on pets in the U.S. has increased year after year--to an estimated $47.7 billion in 2010--and that trend shows no sign of ending. No surprise: Pet franchises continue to grow.
Adventure Pet Aussie Pet Mobile Bark Busters HomeDog Training Camp Bow Wow/Home Buddies Central Bark Doggy Day Care Dogtopia DoodyCalls Fetch! Pet Care Inc. In Home Pet Services Inc. Palm Beach Puppies | Pet Supplies Plus Petland Pets Are Inn Preppy Pet Wag-A-Lot Whiskers & Paws Catering Wild Birds Unlimited Zoom Room Dog Agility Pet Butler PawSpa Resort |
Sandwiches
From $5 Footlongs to gourmet grinders, sandwiches are giving burgers some serious competition for America's favorite fast food.
Arby's Blimpie Subs & Salads Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Inc. Charley's Grilled Subs Cheba Hut Toasted Subs Cousins Subs Extreme Pita Firehouse Subs Frullati Cafe & Bakery The Great Steak & Potato Co. Great Wraps Groucho's Deli Jersey Mike's Subs Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shops Kolache Factory Larry's Giant Subs | Lenny's Sub Shop Mr. Goodcents Franchise My Friend's Place Nature's Table Cafe Penn Station East Coast Subs Pita Pit Inc. Port Of Subs Rollerz San Francisco Sourdough Eatery Inc. Schlotzsky's Smiling Moose Deli Spicy Pickle The Steak Escape Subway Togo's Franchisor LLC Which Wich Superior Sandwiches |
Senior Care
Seniors are the world's fastest-growing population, making services aimed at them--in-home care, financial planning, reading material and so on--a strong bet for success.
Accessible Home Health Care Always Best Care Senior Services American Prosperity Group (APG) Assisting Hands Home Care LLC BrightStar Care CareMinders Home Care Inc. Caring Senior Service Caring Transitions ComForcare Senior Services Inc. Comfort Keepers Companion Connection Senior Care FirstLight HomeCare Griswold Special Care Guava Healthcare Inc. Home Care Assistance | Home Health Mates Home Helpers/Direct Link Home Instead Senior Care Homewatch CareGivers HomeWell Senior Care Preferred Care at Home Right at Home Inc. The Senior Financial Center Senior Helpers Senior Magazine Inc. The Senior's Choice Inc. Stay at Home Synergy HomeCare Touching Hearts At Home Visiting Angels |
Spa Services
Franchises offering luxury on a budget are growing by leaps and bounds as people in need of some pampering seek out deals.
Elements Therapeutic Massage Inc. Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa Massage Envy Massage Heights Michelle Lea Massage Therapy Inc. | My Massage People On the Go Spa/On the Go Zen Planet Beach Franchising Corp. The Woodhouse Day Spa |
Tutoring
As the work world gets more competitive, parents put a higher premium on education--and the tutoring business continues to grow.
Chyten Educational Services Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services College Nannies & Tutors Creative Tutors E.nopi The Honors Learning Center Huntington Learning Centers | Huntington School Services Kumon Math & Reading Centers Summit Learning Services Inc. Sylvan Learning Tutor Doctor The Tutoring Center Tutoring Club LLC |
