The first step toward becoming a successful franchisee is noting which industries are most likely to franchise and pinpointing the ones that interest you most. Considering the varied selection gives you an idea of investment, competition, reputation, and available support and training to help you build a lucrative and successful business.

If you want to learn more about a successful franchise business model, download our FREE EBOOK on 4 Franchise Owners Who Found Success with DetailXPerts.

Table of Contents

1. Find Franchise Opportunities

2. Automotive

3. Food and Beverage

4. Home Services

5. Retail

6. Other Services

7. Conclusion

Find Franchise Opportunities

According to the International Franchising Association (IFA), most industries will have good franchise opportunities. Car washes, cookies, shaved ice trucks, dog grooming – if you can think of a service, there’s a good chance you’ll find a franchisor for it. However, with so much choice, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Even if you have favourites in mind, there’s no harm in comparing franchise operations. Here are the top franchise industries to explore when doing your homework.

Automotive

There is no shortage of automotive franchises. Potential business opportunities await if you love cars and like to keep up with franchise industry trends. Here are some lucrative sectors to consider when partnering with a successful franchisor.

Car Wash

People love clean and shiny cars. The global car wash franchise market is witnessing robust growth thanks to consumer demand for convenient cleaning solutions. However, be sure to pay close attention to the driving factors to ensure you make the right choice. For example, research shows that eco-friendly awareness plays a large part in driving car wash growth.

The hand car wash sector is also popular because people seek personalized services and attention to detail that are not offered at automatic car washes. Established franchisors like DetailXPerts offer exciting car wash franchise opportunities that tap into both trends – eco-friendly cleaning and hand wash methods using the latest steam cleaning tech.

Moreover, DetailXPerts is one of the low cost franchise opportunities in the automotive industry because you can avoid the huge expense of owning a brick-and-mortar location fitted with automated car wash equipment. Instead, you will use a fully equipped van to run your mobile auto detailing or commercial cleaning business. Investment costs range from $103,500 to $240,100. Furthermore, we have franchise opportunities for veterans looking for a fresh start in the automotive business.

If you want to explore automatic car wash opportunities, check out Tommy’s Express Car Wash. However, you’ll need $2 million in liquid capital and a net worth of $5 million.

Car Dealership

Can you see yourself owning a car dealership franchise? Selling and servicing vehicles is easier when you have the backing of an established brand. Vehicle sales have taken a hit over the last couple of years due to higher interest rates. However, if interest rates decrease mid-to-late 2024, demand could pick up again. So, it’s worth keeping an eye on this automotive industry trend.

If you’re partnering with big names like Ford and Chevrolet, you need a big budget to match. It is a sizeable investment. The minimum investment amount required for a Chevrolet franchise is $500,000 (US dollars) in unencumbered funds. Chevrolet is part of the General Motors (GM) Group. Check out its dealership eligibility qualifications to see if you are the right fit for the franchise.

Car Rental

Market research shows the car rental market is experiencing significant growth, so you could jump on this trend with a car rental franchise. Revenue in the car rental market worldwide is on target to reach US$102.50 billion in 2024. Moreover, in the US, car rental companies are tapping into the rise of ride-sharing services by offering flexible rental options.

The well-known franchise players in this field include the Avis Budget Group, which has globally recognized car rental brands Avis, Budget, and Budget Truck Rental. When looking at car rental franchises, narrow down your search to the ones with the most advanced technology because one of the trends in this sector is the rise of online booking platforms.

Auto Repair

If you want to take your passion for fixing up cars and trucks to the next level, how about an auto repair franchise? There will always be demand for auto body restoration and repairing tires, brakes, exhausts, and general maintenance. Market research suggests 296 million cars (including light trucks and SUVs) will be on the road in the US in 2024.

So, if you’re prepared to get your hands dirty, there’s a market! Big names in the franchise world include Big O Tires if you can cover the initial estimated initial investment of $380,000 to $1.6 million. If this blows your budget, check out Midas, which has been franchising since 1956, where the initial investment is $104,000 to $886,000.

Auto Glass Repair

How about an auto glass repair franchise if you’re looking for a niche business within the competitive automotive industry? There’s money to be made offering specialized services such as windshield repair or replacement, provided you partner with a supportive franchisor. Alternatively, you can add this niche franchise to an existing business, such as a car wash or auto maintenance shop.

Novus Glass has been franchising since 1985. You can open a mobile business or set up at a fixed location. It is one of the more affordable business opportunities out there, with initial investment ranging from $57,000 to $220,000. Other auto glass repair franchises include Glass Doctor, SuperGlass Windshield Repair, and Ziebart.

Transmission Repair

With a transmission repair franchise, you can help people keep their cars on the road for longer. Fixing transmission issues is specialized repair work, which can give you the edge over other repair franchises. Moreover, customers are more likely to pay a premium if you provide a reliable and high-quality service in this niche sector. This can lead to higher profit margins than routine automotive services like oil changes or tire repairs.

So, who is franchising? AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care is well-known for transmission and general auto repairs and has franchised since 1962. Other brands include Mr Transmission and Cottman Transmission & Total Auto Care.

Auto Parts

You could buy an auto parts franchise and sell parts, tools, and accessories to car owners, mechanics, and businesses. Marketing your services to do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts and professional repair shops can be a profitable line of work because you have a wider consumer base.

Mighty Auto Parts has a wholesale-only business model. You can sell directly to tire businesses, or quick lube/auto services groups. Alternatively, if you already own a car dealership, you could become your own parts supplier when you partner with a Mighty franchise. Other franchisors include Mac Tools and Cornwell Quality Tools.

Oil Change Franchise

According to a recent report, vehicles on the road are getting older. The average age of cars and light trucks in the US has risen to 12.6 years in 2024. These cars need preventative maintenance, which is good news if you own an oil change franchise.

You can meet ongoing demand with quick and convenient oil change services as a franchisee. It’s a simple business model targeting the automotive maintenance market and customer convenience. Big names in this sector include Take 5 Oil Change, a franchise that has grown 64.4% in 3 years. However, you do need a net worth of $1.5 million. Or you could invest in a Jiffy Lube franchise and expand your offerings with battery and brake services. Another one to check out is Valvoline Instant Oil Change, currently #27 on the Franchise 500 charts.

Food and Beverage

Top franchise industries include food and beverage. People need to eat, so there’s a business opportunity right there. You could find your career calling as a cookie seller or dishing up sandwiches, fries and shakes. Food and beverage franchises attract many entrepreneurs, particularly fast food and casual dining. This is because there is a high demand for convenient, affordable food. For example, the top 3 franchises, according to the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 ranking, are Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. However, you may have to invest millions, so do your calculations carefully. Here are some other options.

Ice Cream Franchise

People love a sweet treat, so an ice cream franchise could be a cool business investment. You could sell Baskin-Robbins ice cream and build your business around the demand for different flavors and frozen desserts. Of course, you can add more to the menu. For example, a Dairy Queen franchise sells soft-serve ice cream with options to buy burgers and chicken.

Think mobile if you don’t want to invest in a physical location. For example, Kona Ice specializes in shaved ice soaked in fruity flavors, such as watermelon, cherry and mango. Kona is a mobile business run from a van, so you’re looking at a quick startup.

If cookies are more to your taste, then Crumbl could be your calling. This franchise has only been operating for 6 years, but it has grown a whopping 772.3% over 3 years – it helps when the cookie taste testing goes viral on TikTok.

Home Services

There are various home franchise opportunities. Think about homeowners and the different services they need, such as building work, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. This market is a profitable but competitive sector, so look closely at what the key players have to offer. For example:

Water Damage Repair

A water damage restoration franchise provides services for people who need your help with water damage at home. This can include damage from leaks and burst pipes or flooding in extreme weather conditions. It is a fast-paced job with many businesses providing 24/7 emergency response services to fix water damage situations. In addition to water extraction and drying, you can offer residents mold remediation, cleaning and sanitizing, and restoration and repairs.

Some of the well-known names in this sector include Servpro, Paul Davis Restoration, and PuroClean, and they are doing well. For example, Servpro has enjoyed 19.4% franchise growth over the past three years.

Residential and Commercial Cleaning

Cleaning is big business. However, starting out on your own in a crowded market can be hard. That’s why franchise support can make all the difference, especially when you’re offering a variety of services to residential and commercial cleaning clients.

DetailXPerts offers exciting cleaning franchise opportunities in the commercial cleaning market. As a franchisee, you can utilize the latest sterilizing steam cleaning technology to guarantee a superior clean. And your client list can be as varied as you like, from airport cleaning and office contracts to sanitizing kitchens, restaurants, and bars.

Alternatively, if you want to move into the residential sector, Merry Maids, Molly Maid, and MaidPro are looking for franchisees.

Landscaping and Lawn Care

Money doesn’t grow on trees, but if you’re a green-fingered entrepreneur, you can build a profitable business looking after lawns and landscaping. There is no shortage of franchisors waiting to welcome you outdoors with a business plan. For example, Lawn Doctor, Monster Tree Service, and Spring-Green Lawn Care.

More consumers are willing to pay for the convenience and customized care of a professional lawn care service. Also, attractive lawns and gardens can enhance a home’s appearance, increasing its property value and appealing to visitors and potential buyers. According to the Lawn Doctor franchise, 34 million households hire a lawn service per year.

Retail

Franchising in retail covers many different industries, including convenience stores, health and beauty, and electronic goods. If you want to attract fashion-conscious customers, there are even a few clothing franchise opportunities.

One of the most popular retail franchise opportunities is selling tools and equipment. Matco Tools is a mobile tool franchise that supplies professional auto technicians with everything they need for the job. Or you could check out Ace Hardware, a home improvement business selling big-brand hardware supplies.

Other Services

You can also find franchise opportunities in personal services. This sector covers a range of businesses that provide services to enhance customer convenience and save time or services to improve their well-being and lifestyle. Here are some examples:

Photography

If you like to get behind the camera, why not focus on a photography franchise? This type of business typically offers services ranging from portrait and event photography to specialized niches like weddings, school photos, real estate photography, and corporate headshots.

For example, TSS Photography specializes in sports and school photography. It is also a work from home franchise, so you can reduce your overheads and have greater flexibility over your working hours.

Computer Business

If you’re a tech head, check out computer franchise opportunities. With the world’s increasing reliance on technology, your business could offer schools and businesses various services, including repair and maintenance, IT support, and help protect businesses against the increasing problem of cyber-attacks.

Some of the popular franchises in this sector include Team Logic IT, where you can become a small business technology consultant. The franchise has seen 30% growth over 3 years.

It’s also worth noting that improved technology makes absentee owner franchises more feasible. Many franchises offer cloud-based management systems to make it easier for you to monitor business operations remotely. These systems provide real-time access to sales data, inventory levels, and employee schedules. Customer relationship management (CRM) software can also help streamline operations.

Education and Childcare

There are lucrative children’s franchise opportunities in areas ranging from entertainment to education and swimming schools. Tutoring, in particular, is big business. For instance, a Kumon franchise is ranked #10 on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list. This business is built around math and reading worksheets. Your role as an instructor helps young students maximize their learning.

Other educational franchises for children include Kiddie Academy, Mathnasium, and The Goddard School. If you want to make a splash in the franchise world, teach kids to swim. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools and Goldfish Swim School are popular franchises in this sector.

Packing and Delivery Services

There’s a rising demand for delivery services thanks to the rapid growth of online shopping for clothes, products and goods, including groceries and meals. Modern consumers prioritize convenience and speed, expecting same-day or next-day delivery for their purchases. You can cater to these demands by offering quick and efficient delivery options.

For example, there are Amazon franchise opportunities. Amazon has a partner program to help you build your own logistics team, or you can franchise with The UPS Store. This company has spent 8 consecutive years in the Franchise 500 Top 5, so it is a popular choice for entrepreneurs wanted to own a fast-paced business or go global with international franchising.

Pet Grooming and Boarding

They say never to work with children or animals in show business, but this advice doesn’t apply in the franchise world. If you love animals, this could be your new career path. The pet care industry is booming thanks to people paying good money to pamper their beloved dogs and cats.

Franchise companies in this sector include Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, where you can tap into the lucrative dog treats and food market. D.O.G Hotels is another option, providing boarding, daycare and grooming for dogs. Other names to consider are GoDog, Happy Cat Hotel & Spa, and Hot Diggity Dog Resort.

Conclusion

To sum up, knowing which industries are most likely to franchise kickstarts your research process. You can pinpoint the popular and robust businesses with high consumer demand and leverage the benefits of brand recognition. There are good franchise opportunities in almost every industry, so don’t rush in. Research your options and choose a business that aligns with your skills, interests and passion. Trust your instincts. Does the franchisor feel like a good fit for your lifestyle and personality?

Equally important, study the total initial investment, including franchise fees and working capital. Also, calculate ongoing costs such as royalties and marketing fees. As you research, finding the right franchise for you will become easier.

Find out what taking the franchise career path is like when you download our FREE EBOOK on 4 Franchise Owners Who Found Success with DetailXPerts.