Imagine having the opportunity to be your own boss.  There’s no one there complaining about the way you do your job, no one asking you to work extra for little to no pay, and no one telling you how to do your job.  When you are your own boss, you set your own hours and pay, and work when you want, not when someone else tells you to work.  It’s easy to see why people are now looking at the fastest growing franchises in the world.

Buying into a growing franchise is an excellent way to get your feet wet, but with having a support system to help achieve success.  They include built-in support systems provided by the owner of the corporation, which offer tips on how to set up the business, and information on how to help sales grow.  With thousands of franchise opportunities available in the world, it’s simply a matter of finding the best one.

Find Information Fast

One of the first questions most people ask when considering this opportunity is where to find information on the fastest growing franchises.  The answer can be as simple as asking around.  The fastest growing franchise can be right down the street, or in the middle of a local mall.  Nearly every store that operates out of a kiosk in the shopping mall is part of a franchise, and the owners or operators can provide a wealth of helpful information.

Restaurants are another place to find information on the fastest growing franchises, as many of them are a part of the franchise.  Wendy’s and McDonald’s are just two fast food restaurants that sell franchises to individuals.  They are slightly more expensive, and require more capital, but they also provide more support for their owner/operators.

Another place to find information on the fastest growing franchises is the Internet.  The website Franchises For Sale (accessible at http://www.franchiseforsale.com) is one of the best sources for information.  They provide general information on available franchises, including the fastest growing franchises.  The website also lists the amount of capital/investment required, and the opportunity to request more information.  Entrepreneur’s website is also a good source of information (http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500).  They list the fastest growing franchises by year, and list the start-up costs associated with each one. 

Fastest Growing Franchises

The fastest growing franchises change from year to year, but real estate companies and restaurants tend to top the list every year, with certain hotel chains also making the list.  The top two fastest growing franchises for 2007 are the fast food companies, Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts.  Subway has always been high on the list, with thousands of new stores opening every month, because they are convenient.  One of their sub shops can be opened in a remodeled restaurant setting, in a shopping mall, or even a gas station.  The same holds true for the Dunkin’ Donuts franchises.  They require high start-up costs, but can be started very easily.  Other restaurants on the list of fastest growing franchises for 2007 are Pappa John’s International, Domino’s Pizza, Sonic, McDonald’s, and Cold Stone Creamery.

Restaurants are not the only kind of growing franchises found today.  Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service is on the list, and as a growing franchise, many cities have very limited competition.  Both Days Inn and Super 8 Motels are also on the list, though starting a hotel can be a very costly endeavor.  Carpet cleaners, hardware stores, and real estate companies also provide franchise opportunities.  There are literally thousands of opportunities available today.

Locations of Franchises

One of the reasons many people invest in franchises is because they can be placed in every location, from the high mountains of Alaska to the bustling life of New York City.  Every city in the world has some form of a franchise, even if the locals do not realize it.  Investors can pick the type of franchise they are interested in, and then decide where to place the franchise.  Most can be located in shopping malls, store fronts, old restaurants, or even run at a local flea market or from the comfort of your own home.

Investing in Franchises

Investing in the fastest growing franchises is a serious endeavor, and one that cannot be taken lightly.  There are franchises that can be started with as little as $10,000 or less, but the fastest growing franchises require much more capital to succeed.  Steak n’ Shake, for example, requires start-up costs of over $1 million, while the Embassy Suites Hotels franchise takes over $20 million initially.  Even Subway, which is currently the fastest growing franchise, requires capital of over $70,000 to start.

Starting a franchise requires an initial investment paid to the corporation, typically the largest amount.  The real investment comes in the form of start-up costs; finding a new location, rent on the location, supplies, etc.  Start-up costs can sometimes be as much, if not more, than the original investment.  Some franchises then request a certain percentage of sales every month, while others require that all sales stock be purchased directly from them.  That information should be examined before making the investment.

The fastest growing franchises in the world give everyone the chance to be their own boss, and to start a new business with the help and support of a larger corporation.