If you’re the type of person who likes to be your own boss, then owning a business is the right choice for you. Although the burden falls on you, it also comes with a lot of freedom.
But starting a business from the ground up takes not only a fantastic idea but a lot of hard work before it pays off. And why reinvent the wheel?
There are a ton of great business out there that are already successful. One way to be your own boss, but not have to create a business from scratch is to open a franchise.
But which one is right for you?
We’ve done some of the work by narrowing your choice down to some of the best franchise ideas for 2018. The franchises that made our list have a lot going for them, have great brand recognition and are just waiting for someone like you to open one up in your neck of the woods.
Burgers and Ice Cream
Topping the list of franchise ideas that are great to invest in are burgers with a twist. Freddy’s has steakburgers and frozen custard. Culver’s also has frozen custard but also features the signature butterburger. And, Sonic has roller skates and tots.
There’s plenty of them, and they each have their own brand of burger and type of ice cream beverage to go with it.
Of course, there’s always McDonald’s. It’s been around forever, and with good reason. You can’t go wrong with McDonald’s.
Healthy Choices
However, if you live in a town where greasy burgers are looked down upon, there are plenty of healthier food options. The first healthy franchise idea that comes to mind is Panera Bread. It has great brand name recognition, and they use only fresh ingredients.
Smoothies are all the rage right now, so you can’t go wrong by opening a Smoothie King. Start-up costs are low, within the $20,000 to $30,000 range, and their smoothies and juices are healthy and delicious.
Qdoba is another healthy low-cost franchise. If your town doesn’t have a Qdoba, then opening this Mexican restaurant can be a great option. It’s also a good option if you’re looking for an opportunity to open up multiple stores.
One of the easiest and low-cost franchises is with a vending machine. HealthyYou Vending offers a healthy alternative to the junk food we’re used to seeing.
Even Healthier Choices
If eating healthy isn’t enough for you, then there are other franchise ideas that can get you on track for making money and staying fit. It’s fitness franchises.
The cost of opening up an Anytime Fitness depends on geography and real estate, but it’s worth the investment. People everywhere are looking for accessible opportunities to get in shape, and Anytime Fitness fills that niche.
One benefit of an Orangetheory Fitness franchise is that you are sure to get in shape yourself. The classes and personal training are addictive. Also, they’re looking for people to open up franchises worldwide.
If you have the money, Planet Fitness can offer one of the best returns on investment franchises. Although the startup cost is low, the money you need to put into it to be successful is high. But you are almost guaranteed to be successful.
If you want to open one of the fastest growing franchises today, then look no further than Soccer Shots. It’s fitness for tots, and so much more. Soccer Shots provides a community of soccer enthusiasts and helps kids to be active and involved. It’s one of the best franchise businesses around.
Not So Healthy
Then there’s the other direction, which is delicious but not so healthy. That’s donuts and baked goods.
Krispy Kreme donuts can be found in your local grocery store, but there’s nothing better than a hot, melt-in-your-mouth donut fresh off the conveyor belt. Krispy Kreme has cornered the market with the best donuts, so you know that it’s a great franchise idea.
Dunkin Donuts might have good donuts too, but it’s their coffee that’s all the rage. That’s why their biggest competition is Starbuck and not Krispy Kreme. But you can’t also get delicious donuts at Starbucks. There are Dunkin Donut shops on almost every corner in New England, but if you live out west, there are plenty of opportunities to open a Dunkin Donuts. And it’s sure to be a success.
You can’t enter a mall without smelling the waft of cinnamon and sugar that comes from a Cinnabon. They’re gooey and delicious and branching out. Cinnabon isn’t just for malls anymore. Sure you can find them at airports and strip malls. But the opportunities with Cinnabon are endless.
Helping Hands
If food isn’t your cup of tea, then there are some great franchise ideas in the service industry. From cleaning services to dry cleaning to house painting to moving to home health aides, the list is vast.
Merry Maids has been around a long time, and it’s the first brand that people think of when they need to hire someone to help clean their homes.
The Sports Clips franchise has been hugely successful. In fact, the number of franchises has nearly doubled in the past few years.
And Grease Monkey is a name that people always think of when it comes to getting an oil change or other minor auto repairs. It’s a good company that’ll be around for a while.
Best Franchise Ideas
Sure, if you have a brilliant idea for a new business, by all means, give it a go. But with so many already well-established business that covers the whole gamut, a safe investment is to open a franchise. With these franchise ideas, you’ll be well on your way to success.
It’s also a great way to learn the ropes while making money. Then, if you have a better idea, do that, after you’ve built a bit of a nest egg.
Some people aren’t cut out for a 9-to-5 in a cubicle and have bright hopes of being a business owner. A franchise is a fantastic, low-investment, and sure-fire way to start a business of your own with the guarantee of brand recognition and success.
For more articles and inspiration for starting your own business, check out our blog.
