Skip to headerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Kiplinger logoLink to homepage
Get our Free E-newslettersGet our Free E-newsletters
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Subscribe to Kiplinger
Save up to 76%
Subscribe
Subscribe to Kiplinger
  • Store
  • Home
  • Investing
  • Retirement
  • Taxes
  • Personal Finance
  • Your Business
  • Wealth Creation
  • More
    • Podcasts
    • Economic Outlooks
    • Tools
  • My Kiplinger
    • Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine
    • The Kiplinger Letter
    • The Kiplinger Tax Letter
    • Kiplinger's Investing for Income
    • Kiplinger's Retirement Report
    • Store
    • Manage My E-Newsletters
    • My Subscriptions
  • Home
  • shopping
  • home
home

10 Top Franchises You Can Run From Home

Have you had it with the weak job market?

by: Kiplinger Team
September 19, 2013

Have you had it with the weak job market? Tired of working for someone else? Want to start your own business but you're low on cash?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you’re not alone. The number of people starting businesses at home -- “homepreneurs” -- is rising steadily. In fact, more than half of all small businesses are now run from owners’ homes.

It's tough out there. But here are ten reputable franchisors that have either grown their businesses or held their own in one of the worst economies in decades. Profits vary depending on the number of clients, hours of service and variety of services offered. See if one of these franchises might be right for you.

By Neema P. Roshania

1 of 11

Jazzercise

Product/Service: Dance fitness classesHeadquarters: Carlsbad, Calif.Franchises in the U.S.: 6,627Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 16%Net Worth Requirement: $0Royalty: 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.

2 of 11

ActionCOACH

Product/Service: Business consulting and coachingHeadquarters: Las Vegas, Nev.Franchises in the U.S.: 445Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 66%Net Worth Requirement: $100,000Royalty: $1,800/monthFranchise 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.

3 of 11

Jani-King

Product/Service: Commercial cleaningHeadquarters: Addison, TexasFranchises in the U.S.: 9,375Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): -6%%Net Worth Requirement: $0Royalty: 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.

4 of 11

Lawn Doctor

Product/Service: Shrub and lawn care, pest controlHeadquarters: Holmdel, N.J.Franchises in the U.S.: 465Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): -5%Cash Liquidity Requirement: $40,000Royalty: 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.

5 of 11

Home Helpers/Direct Link

Product/Service: Nonmedical in-home careHeadquarters: Cincinnati, OhioFranchises in the U.S.: 650Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 8%Cash Liquidity Requirement: $30,000Royalty: 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.

6 of 11

Servpro

Product/Service: Disaster insurance/restorationHeadquarters: Gallatin, Tenn.Franchises in the U.S.: 1, 521Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 16%Net Worth Requirement: $100,000Royalty: 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.

7 of 11

Snap-on Tools

Product/Service: Professional tools and equipmentHeadquarters: Kenosha, Wis.Franchises in the U.S.: 3,262Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 6%Net Worth Requirement: $30,000Royalty: $102/monthFranchise 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.

8 of 11

Proforma

Product/Service: Printing and promotional materialsHeadquarters: Cleveland, OhioFranchises in the U.S.: 700Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 23%Net Worth Requirement: $100,000Royalty: 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.

9 of 11

Rooter-Man

Product/Service: Plumbing and drainingHeadquarters: North Billerica, Mass.Franchises in the U.S.: 480Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 47%Net Worth Requirement: $25,000 Royalty: Flat fee per month based on population servedFranchise 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.

10 of 11

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Product/Service: Commercial cleaningHeadquarters: San Mateo, Calif.Franchises in the U.S.: 1,734Growth in Franchises (2006-2010): 300%Cash Liquidity Requirement: $2,800-$9,000Royalty: 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.

11 of 11

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

  • small business
  • home
  • franchises
Share via EmailShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn

Recommended

Retirees' Guide to Do’s and Don’ts of Business Partnerships
Making Your Money Last

Retirees' Guide to Do’s and Don’ts of Business Partnerships

Know some of the business partnership pros and cons before diving in. A business partnership agreement is a good place to start.
January 11, 2021
Loose Lips Sink Ships and Can Damage Your Company’s Reputation
small business

Loose Lips Sink Ships and Can Damage Your Company’s Reputation

If a member of the media calls your company, will the employee who answers the phone know how to handle things? Or will they make your company look ba…
January 7, 2021
15 Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last

15 Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties

If you’re searching for foreclosures for sale for your next home or to flip for a profit, these websites will guide you to foreclosures to buy.
January 6, 2021
A Second Round of PPP Loans is Coming (With Some Improvements)
Coronavirus and Your Money

A Second Round of PPP Loans is Coming (With Some Improvements)

PPP loans are getting a second life. There will be some helpful changes, like tax deductions for expenses paid with forgiven loan proceeds.
December 23, 2020

Most Popular

Where's My Stimulus Check? Use the IRS's "Get My Payment" Portal to Get an Answer
Coronavirus and Your Money

Where's My Stimulus Check? Use the IRS's "Get My Payment" Portal to Get an Answer

The IRS updated its popular online tool so that you can track the status of your second stimulus check.
January 9, 2021
How a Third Stimulus Check Could Differ From Your First and Second Payments
Coronavirus and Your Money

How a Third Stimulus Check Could Differ From Your First and Second Payments

There's going to be a big push for a third round of stimulus payments. But the amount and eligibility rules for your third stimulus check could be dif…
January 12, 2021
Biden Calls for $1,400 Payments as Part of $1.9 Trillion Relief Package
Coronavirus and Your Money

Biden Calls for $1,400 Payments as Part of $1.9 Trillion Relief Package

Under Biden's plan for a third stimulus check, the $600 second-round stimulus checks would be increased to $2,000.
January 14, 2021
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us (PDF)
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Kiplinger Careers
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy Preferences

Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Save up to 76%Subscribe to Kiplinger's Personal Finance
Dennis Publishing Ltd logoLink to Dennis Publishing Ltd website
Do Not Sell My Information

The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc., is part of the Dennis Publishing Ltd. Group.
All Contents © 2021, The Kiplinger Washington Editors

Follow us on InstagramFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterConnect on LinkedInConnect on YouTube