10 Top Franchises You Can Run From Home

Jazzercise

Product/Service: Dance fitness classes

Headquarters: Carlsbad, Calif.

Franchises in the U.S.: 6,627

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 16%

Net Worth Requirement: $0

Royalty: 20%

Franchise Fee: $1,000

www.jazzercise.com/

Jazzercise’s innovative and affordable workouts make it a popular exercise option for many clients even during difficult economic times. Running the business end from the home is fairly straightforward, but operators typically rent space at a church, meeting hall or other nearby location for the dance classes.

ActionCOACH

Product/Service: Business consulting and coaching

Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nev.

Franchises in the U.S.: 445

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 66%

Net Worth Requirement: $100,000

Royalty: $1,800/month

Franchise Fee: Varies

www.actioncoach.com

Business training and consulting are the hallmarks of this franchise, which is seeing a robust business as many firms struggle to stay afloat.

Jani-King

Product/Service: Commercial cleaning

Headquarters: Addison, Texas

Franchises in the U.S.: 9,375

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): -6%%

Net Worth Requirement: $0

Royalty: 10%

Franchise Fee: $10,000 minimum

www.janiking.com/

Jani-King’s commercial cleaning franchises provide janitorial services for office buildings, hotels, stadiums and retail buildings. Such operations can be easily run from home.

Lawn Doctor

Product/Service: Shrub and lawn care, pest control

Headquarters: Holmdel, N.J.

Franchises in the U.S.: 465

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): -5%

Cash Liquidity Requirement: $40,000

Royalty: 10%

Franchise Fee: $25,000

www.lawndoctor.com

The company offers lawn care and pest control for commercial and residential properties -- a popular service with people too busy or too tired to devote hours taking care of their yards. An aging U.S. population should buoy this service, particularly as more and more older folks opt to stay in homes where they have lived for decades.

Home Helpers/Direct Link

Product/Service: Nonmedical in-home care

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio

Franchises in the U.S.: 650

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 8%

Cash Liquidity Requirement: $30,000

Royalty: 4%-6%

Franchise Fee: $35,000

www.homehelpers.cc

Aging baby boomers are creating a growing market for such care. Franchises like this one offer in-home care for the elderly and disabled as well.

Servpro

Product/Service: Disaster insurance/restoration

Headquarters: Gallatin, Tenn.

Franchises in the U.S.: 1, 521

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 16%

Net Worth Requirement: $100,000

Royalty: 3%-10%

Franchise Fee: $41,000

www.servpro.com

Servpro works with insurance companies to clean up and restore properties in the wake of a fire, flood, severe weather or biohazard damage. Their services are offered to both residential and commercial clients.

Snap-on Tools

Product/Service: Professional tools and equipment

Headquarters: Kenosha, Wis.

Franchises in the U.S.: 3,262

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 6%

Net Worth Requirement: $30,000

Royalty: $102/month

Franchise Fee: $5,000 minimum

www.snapon.com

Franchisees offer a variety of tools for uses in the home as well as on the job. The business can be run from home, and includes use of a Snap-on Tools truck to offer its products to customers.

Proforma

Product/Service: Printing and promotional materials

Headquarters: Cleveland, Ohio

Franchises in the U.S.: 700

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 23%

Net Worth Requirement: $100,000

Royalty: 6%-8%

Franchise Fee: Varies

www.proforma.com

Proforma makes a business out of other businesses. It supplies print and promotional materials that help clients publicize their brands and increase sales.

Rooter-Man

Product/Service: Plumbing and draining

Headquarters: North Billerica, Mass.

Franchises in the U.S.: 480

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 47%

Net Worth Requirement: $25,000

Royalty: Flat fee per month based on population served

Franchise Fee: $4,000 minimum

www.rooterman.com

Recession or no recession, homes everywhere will always have plumbing and drainage problems, leaving franchises such as Rooter-Man with lots of prospective customers.

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Product/Service: Commercial cleaning

Headquarters: San Mateo, Calif.

Franchises in the U.S.: 1,734

Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 300%

Cash Liquidity Requirement: $2,800-$9,000

Royalty: 5%

Franchise Fee: $7,650-$37,000

www.vanguardcleaning.com

Vanguard Cleaning Systems provides janitorial and commercial cleaning services for offices, daycare facilities, gyms, etc.

More From Kiplinger

Is a Franchise for You?

QUIZ: Test Your Start-up Know How

QUIZ: 10 Questions for Every Small Business Owner

SLIDE SHOW: 13 Hot Jobs for Hard Times