Take It From The Top

Entrepreneur, April, 2000

Category                           Franchise
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Appearance Services           Maaco Auto Painting & Bodyworks
Brake Repair                       Meineke Discount Mufflers
Oil-Change Services                Jiffy Lube Int'l. Inc.
Auto Rentals & Sales               Budget Rent A Car
Auto Repair Services               Precision Tune Auto Care
Tires                              Big 0 Tires Inc.
Transmission Repair                AAMCO Transmissions Inc.
Windshield Repair                  Novus Windshield Repair
Miscellaneous Auto Products        Batteries Plus
Business Services
Accounting & Tax Services          Century Small Business Solutions
Direct Mail Advertising Services   Super Coups
Miscellaneous Advertising Services Adventures in Advertising Inc.
Business Financial Services        The Interface Financial Group
Management Training Programs       Crestcom Int'l. Ltd
Overnight Mail Services            Worldwide Express
Signs                              Sign-A-Rama Inc
Executive Search Staffing Services Management Recruiters/
                                   Sales Consultants/Humana
Temporary Staffing Services        Express Services Inc.
Miscellaneous Staffing Services    Interim Services Inc.
Miscellaneous Business Services    ProForma
Category                           Phone/Web site
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Appearance Services           (800)296-2226/www.maaco.com
Brake Repair                       (800)275-5200/(7O4)377-8855/
                                   www.meineke.com
Oil-Change Services                (713)546-3858/www.jiffylube.com
Auto Rentals & Sales               (630)955-7039/www.budget.com
Auto Repair Services               (703)777-9095/www.precisionac.com
Tires                              (800)622-2446/www.bigotires.com
Transmission Repair                (800)223-8887/(610)668-2900/www.aamco.com
Windshield Repair                  (612)944-8000/www.novusglass.com
Miscellaneous Auto Products        (800)274-9155/www.batteriesplus.com
Business Services
Accounting & Tax Services          (800)323.9000/www.centurysmallbiz.com
Direct Mail Advertising Services   (800)626-2620/www.supercoups.com
Miscellaneous Advertising Services (800)432-6332/www.advinadv.com
Business Financial Services        (800)387-0860/www.interfacefinancial.com
Management Training Programs       (303)267-8200/www.crestcom.com
Overnight Mail Services            (800)758-7447/www.wwex.com
Signs                              (800)286-8671/(561)640-5570/
                                   www.sign-a-rama.com
Executive Search Staffing Services (800)875-4000/(216)696-1122/
                                   www.brilliantpeople.com
Temporary Staffing Services        (800)652-6400/www.expresspersonnel.com
Miscellaneous Staffing Services    (888)811-7751/(954)938-7600/www.interim.com
Miscellaneous Business Services    (800)825-1525/(216)520-8400/
                                   www.buildmyfuture.com
                                                  # of franchises/
Category                           Total costs    company-owned
AUTOMOTIVE
Auto Appearance Services           $224.5K        553/0
Brake Repair                       $146K-257K     880/15
Oil-Change Services                $174K-194K     1,390/568
Auto Rentals & Sales               $166.1K-449.2K 2,390/748
Auto Repair Services               $144.5K-202.8K 548/1
Tires                              $300K          470/16
Transmission Repair                $185.6K-194.7K 720/2
Windshield Repair                  $34.9K-141.4K  2,519/1
Miscellaneous Auto Products        $164.5K-255K   124/20
Business Services
Accounting & Tax Services          $40.4K-62.9K   677/8
Direct Mail Advertising Services   $32K           434/4
Miscellaneous Advertising Services $5K-35K        250/0
Business Financial Services        $77.1K-130.3K  60/0
Management Training Programs       $44.4K-72.4K   117/0
Overnight Mail Services            $39.1K-174.7K  86/3
Signs                              S101K          474/0
Executive Search Staffing Services $102K-140K     937/39
Temporary Staffing Services        $90K-139K      393/0
Miscellaneous Staffing Services    $63.2K-135.2K  403/939
Miscellaneous Business Services
                                   $10.5K-28.5K   411/0
Child Care                     Tutor Time Child Care Systems Inc.
Children's Fitness Programs    Gymboree
Learning/Activity Programs     The Mad Science Group
Tutoring Services              Kumon Math & Reading Centers
Misc. Children's Businesses    Learning Express
COMPUTER BUSINESSES
Computer Training              New Horizons Computer Learning
                               Centers Inc.
Misc. Computer Sales/Services  Computer Renaissance
FOOD/QUICK SERVICE
Bagels                         Big Apple Bagels
Breads                         Great Harvest Franchising
Cinnamon Rolls                 T.J. Cinnamons Ltd.
Cookies                        Mrs. Fields' Original Cookies Inc.
Donuts                         Dunkin' Donuts
Pretzels                       Auntie Anne's Inc.
Chicken                        KFC Corp.
Coffee                         The Second Cup Ltd.
Frozen Custard                 Culver Franchising System Inc.
Ice Cream                      Dairy Queen
Shaved Ice                     Rita's Water Ice
Frozen Yogurt                  Yogen Fruz Worldwide
Italian Food                   Sbarro The Italian Eatery
Juice Bars                     Smoothie King
Mexican Fast Food              Taco Bell Corp.
Pizza                          Domino's Pizza Inc.
Pizza, Take & Bake             Papa Murphy's
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs          McDonald's
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches  The Great Steak & Potato Co.
Submarine Sandwiches           Subway
Miscellaneous Sandwiches       Arby's Inc.
Miscellaneous Fast Food        Orion Food Systems Inc.
FOOD/FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS
Barbecue Restaurants           Damon's International
Family Restaurants             Denny's Inc.
Steakhouses                    Golden Corral Franchising Systems Inc.
Misc. Full-Service Restaurants Bennigan's Grill & Tavern
FOOD/RETAIL SALES
Candy                          Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Convenience Stores             7-Eleven Convenience Stores
Gourmet Food Gifts             Candy Bouquet
Vitamin Stores                 GNC Franchising Inc.
Misc. Food Sales/Services      Heavenly Ham
Health-Related Products &      Hayes Handpiece Franchises Inc.
Services
HOME-IMPROVEMENT
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Building/Remodeling Services   United States Seamless Inc.
Cabinet Refacing/Remodeling    Kitchen Tune-Up
Closet Systems                 The Closet Factory
Decorating Services            Decorating Den Interiors
Furniture Restoration Services Furniture Medic
Home Inspection Services       Pillar To Post
Home Repair Services           Handyman Connection
Child Care                     (800)275-1235/(561)994-6226/
                               www.tutortime.com
Children's Fitness Programs    (800)520-7529/(650)579-0600/
                               www.gymboree.com
Learning/Activity Programs     (800)586-5231/www.madscience.org
Tutoring Services              (800)222-6284/www.kumon.com
Misc. Children's Businesses    (978)889-1000/
                               www.learningexpress.com
COMPUTER BUSINESSES
Computer Training              (714)438-9491/www.newhorizons.com
Misc. Computer Sales/Services  (800)868-8975/(612)520-8500/
                               www.cr1.com
FOOD/QUICK SERVICE
Bagels                         (800)251-6101/www.babholdings.com
Breads                         (800)442-0424/(406)683-6842/
                               www.greatharvest.com
Cinnamon Rolls                 (800)592-6245
Cookies                        (800)348-6311/(801)736-5600/
                               www.mrsfields.com
Donuts                         (800)777-9983/
                               www.dunkin-baskin-togos.com
Pretzels                       (717)442-4766/www.auntieannes.com
Chicken                        (502)874-2021/www.kfc.com
Coffee                         (416)975-5541/www.secondcup.com
Frozen Custard                 (608)643-7980/www.culvers.com
Ice Cream                      (800)285-8515/(612)830-0200/
                               www.dairyqueen.com
Shaved Ice                     (800)677-7482/(215)633-9899/
                               www.ritasice.com
Frozen Yogurt                  (905)479-8762/www.yogenfruz.com
Italian Food                   (516)715-4100/www.sbarro.com
Juice Bars                     (800)577-4200/(504)467-4006/
                               www.smoothieking.com
Mexican Fast Food              (949)863-4500/www.tacobell.com
Pizza                          (734)930-3030/www.dominos.com
Pizza, Take & Bake             (360)260-7272/www.papamurphys.com
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs          (630)623-6196/www.mcdonalds.com
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches  (513)896-9695/www.thegreatsteak.com
Submarine Sandwiches           (800)888-4848/(203)877-4281/
                               www.subway.com
Miscellaneous Sandwiches       (800)487-2729/(954)351-5200/
                               www.arby.com
Miscellaneous Fast Food        (605)336-6961/www.orionfoodsys.com
FOOD/FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS
Barbecue Restaurants           (614)442-7900/www.damons.com
Family Restaurants             (864)597-8000
Steakhouses                    (919)781-9310/
                               www.goldencorralrest.com
Misc. Full-Service Restaurants (800)543-9670/www.mrg.net
FOOD/RETAIL SALES
Candy                          (800)438-7623/(970)259-0554/
                               www.rmcf.com
Convenience Stores             (800)255-0711/www.7-eleven.com
Gourmet Food Gifts             (501)375-9990/www.candybouquet.com
Vitamin Stores                 (800)766-7099/(412)288-2043/
                               www.gncfranchising.com
Misc. Food Sales/Services      (800)899-2228/(770)752-1999/
                               www.heavenlyham.com

Health-Related Products &      (760)602-0521/www.hayeshandpiece.com
Services
HOME-IMPROVEMENT
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Building/Remodeling Services   (701)241-8888/www.usseamless.com
Cabinet Refacing/Remodeling    (800)333-6385/(605)225-4049/
                               www.kitchentuneup.com
Closet Systems                 (310)516-7000/www.closet-factory.com
Decorating Services            (800)428-1366/(301)272-1500/
                               www.decoratingden.com
Furniture Restoration Services (800)877-9933/(901)820-8600/
                               www.furnituremedic.com
Home Inspection Services       (800)294-5591/www.pillartopost.com
Home Repair Services           (800)466-5530/
                               www.handymanconnection.com
Child Care                     $196.9K-1.7M    127/67
Children's Fitness Programs    $80K-150K       388/24
Learning/Activity Programs     $60K-70K        118/0
Tutoring Services              $5.6K           24,256/20
Misc. Children's Businesses    $203K-354K      160/0
COMPUTER BUSINESSES
Computer Training              $250K-450K      199/20
Misc. Computer Sales/Services  $175K-240K      219/1
FOOD/QUICK SERVICE
Bagels                         $204.8K-342.5K  131/23
Breads                         $88.9K-233.9K   139/1
Cinnamon Rolls                 $32.6K-47.2K    340/0
Cookies                        $44.9K-412.1K   428/138
Donuts                         $131.99K-880.8K 5144/0
Pretzels                       $156K-252K      620/20
Chicken                        $1.1M-1.7M      7,202/2,633
Coffee                         $280K-350K      377/6
Frozen Custard                 $1M-1.95M       88/3
Ice Cream                      $169.6K-622.3K  5,888/58
Shaved Ice                     $133K-245K      202/3
Frozen Yogurt                  $25K-250K       5,242/76
Italian Food                   $250K-850K      287/634
Juice Bars                     $150K-207K      202/8
Mexican Fast Food              $236.4K-515.2K  3,768/1,662
Pizza                          $98.9K-348.2K   5,713/647
Pizza, Take & Bake             $133K-175K      510/10
Hamburgers & Hot Dogs          $433.8K-1.4M    19,845/5,915
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches  $148K-260K      196/21
Submarine Sandwiches           $66.2K-175K     13,892/0
Miscellaneous Sandwiches       $212.9K-2.2M    3,201/0
Miscellaneous Fast Food        $16K-680K       984/8
FOOD/FULL-SERVICE RESTAURANTS
Barbecue Restaurants           $870K-2.6M      135/21
Family Restaurants             $392K-711K      878/882
Steakhouses                    $1.3M-3.6M      312/138
Misc. Full-Service Restaurants $1.1M-2.2M      57/181
FOOD/RETAIL SALES
Candy                          $113.5K-213.5K  185/35
Convenience Stores             $12.5K          15,572/2,582
Gourmet Food Gifts             $7.5K-43K       394/2
Vitamin Stores                 $102K-154.8K    1,523/2,766
Misc. Food Sales/Services      $121.9K-258.1K  182/1
Health-Related Products &      $21.5K-23K      41/8
Services
HOME-IMPROVEMENT
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Building/Remodeling Services   $49.5K-97K      107/9
Cabinet Refacing/Remodeling    $24.3K-33K      321/1
Closet Systems                 $99.5K-196.1K   81/24
Decorating Services            $21.2K-37.8K    523/0
Furniture Restoration Services $19.95K-28.9K   594/0
Home Inspection Services       $19.95K-35.8K   232/0
Home Repair Services           $37.2K-95.2K    100/4
Insurance Restoration Services     Paul W. Davis Systems Inc.
Surface Refinishing/Restoration    Bathcrest Inc.
Window & Floor Coverings           Budget Blinds Inc.
Window & Screen Repair             Glass Doctor
Misc. Decorating Products &        Certa ProPainters Ltd.
 Services
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Asphalt Maintenance Services       Jet-Black Int'l. Inc.
Carpet, Upholstery & Drapery Svcs. Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery &
                                   Upholstery Cleaning
Commercial Cleaning                Jani-King
Lawn Care & Landscaping Services   Lawn Doctor Inc.
Pest-Control Services              Terminix Termite & Pest Control
Residential Cleaning               Merry Maids
Restroom Hygiene Services          Swisher Hygiene Franchise Corp.
Vinyl Repair                       Color-Glo Int'l. Inc.
Misc. Maintenance Products & Svcs. American Leak Detection
PERSONAL-CARE BUSINESSES
Cosmetics                          Merle Norman Cosmetics
Hair Care                          Fantastic Sams
Modeling Schools                   Barbizon School of Modeling
Senior-Care Services               Home Instead Senior Care
Tanning Salons                     Fabutan Sun Tan Studios
RECREATION
Fitness Businesses                 Jazzercise Inc.
Sports Equipment & Apparel         Play It Again Sports
Travel Agencies                    Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Miscellaneous Recreation           American Poolplayers Association
Businesses
RETAIL
Apparel & Accessories              Gingiss Formalwear
Appliance/Furniture Rentals        ColorTyme
Discount Stores                    Dollar Discount Stores
Electronics Stores                 RadioShack
Frame Stores                       Fastframe USA Inc.
Gifts                              Country Clutter
Hardware                           Snap-on Tools
Pet Businesses                     Wild Birds Unlimited
Paper & Party Stores               Paper Warehouse Franchising Inc.
Pharmacies                         The Medicine Shoppe
Videos, Music & Books              Blockbuster Video
Water Businesses                   Culligan Water Conditioning
Miscellaneous Retail Businesses    Gateway Cigar Store/Newstands
SERVICE BUSINESSES
Appliance & Electrical Services    Mr. Electric
Check Cashing Services             ACE America's Cash Express
Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services    One Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaning
Dry Cleaning Delivery              Pressed4Time Inc.
Photo/Video Businesses             Video Data Services
Postal & Business Services         Mail Boxes Etc.
Printing Services                  Minuteman Press Int'l. Inc.
Real Estate Services               Re/Max Int'l. Inc.
Tax Services                       Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
Miscellaneous Services             Heel Quik! Inc.
Insurance Restoration Services     (904)737-2779/www.pwds.com
Surface Refinishing/Restoration    (800)826-6790/www.bathcrest.com
Window & Floor Coverings           (800)420-5374/www.bodgetblinds.com
Window & Screen Repair             (800)490-7501 ext.2439/
                                   www.dwyergroup.com
Misc. Decorating Products &        (800)452-3782/(770)455-4300/
 Services                          www.gocerta.com
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Asphalt Maintenance Services       (888)538-2525/(612)880-8343/
                                   www.jetblack.com
Carpet, Upholstery & Drapery Svcs. (800)307-8233/www.chemdry.com
Commercial Cleaning                (800)552-5264/www.janiking.com
Lawn Care & Landscaping Services   (800)631-5660/(732)946-0029/
                                   www.lawndoctor.com
Pest-Control Services              (810)654-7848/(901)766-1356/
                                   www.terminix.com
Residential Cleaning               (800)798-8000/www.merrymaids.com
Restroom Hygiene Services          (800)444-4138/(704)364-7707/
                                   www.swisheronline.com
Vinyl Repair                       (800)328-6347/(612)835-1338/
                                   www.colorglo.com
Misc. Maintenance Products & Svcs. (800)755-6697/(760)320-9991/
                                   www.leakbusters.com
PERSONAL-CARE BUSINESSES
Cosmetics                          (800)421-6648/(310)641-3000/
                                   www.merlenorman.com
Hair Care                          (800)441-6588/www.fantasticsams.com
Modeling Schools                   (561)369-8600/
                                   www.modelingschools.com
Senior-Care Services               (888)484-5759/(402)498-4466/
                                   homeinstead.com
Tanning Salons                     (403)640-2100/www.fabutan.com
RECREATION
Fitness Businesses                 (760)434-2101/www.jazzercise.com
Sports Equipment & Apparel         (800)592-8047/
                                   www.playitagainsports.com
Travel Agencies                    (800)678-8241/(800)337-2537/
                                   www.carlsontravel.com
Miscellaneous Recreation           (636)625-8611/www.poolplayers.com
Businesses
RETAIL
Apparel & Accessories              (800)621-7125/(630)620-9050/
                                   www.gingiss.com
Appliance/Furniture Rentals        (800)411-8963/(972)608-5376/
                                   www.colortyme.com
Discount Stores                    (800)227-5314/(888)365-5271/
                                   www.dollardiscount.com
Electronics Stores                 (817)415-3499/www.radioshack.com
Frame Stores                       (888)863-7263/www.fastframe.com
Gifts                              (800)425-8883/(707)451-6890/
                                   www.countryclutter.com
Hardware                           (800)775-7630/www.snapon.com
Pet Businesses                     (888)302-2473/www.wbu.com
Paper & Party Stores               (800)229-1792/www.paperwarehouse.com
Pharmacies                         (314)993-6100/www.medicineshoppe.com
Videos, Music & Books              (888)309-2234/www.blockbuster.com
Water Businesses                   (847)205-5823/www.culligan.com
Miscellaneous Retail Businesses    (905)886-8900/
                                   www.gatewaynewstands.com
SERVICE BUSINESSES
Appliance & Electrical Services    (800)490-7501 ext. 2439/
                                   www.dwyergroup.com
Check Cashing Services             (800)713-3338/www.acecashexpress.com
Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services    (800)827-0345/(513)351-6211/
                                   www.martinizing.com
Dry Cleaning Delivery              (800)423-8711/(978)443-9200/
                                   www.pressed4time.com
Photo/Video Businesses             (800)836-9461/www.vdsvideo.com
Postal & Business Services         (877)623-7253/(859)455-8800/
                                   www.mbe.com
Printing Services                  (800)645-3006/www.minuteman-press.com
Real Estate Services               (800)525-7452/(303)770-5531/
                                   www.remax.com
Tax Services                       (800)475-2904/www.jacksonhewitt.com
Miscellaneous Services             (800)255-8145/(770)951-9440/
                                   www.heelquick.net
Insurance Restoration Services     $102.6K-150.3K 212/0
Surface Refinishing/Restoration    $29.5K-34K     174/1
Window & Floor Coverings           $21.8K         163/0
Window & Screen Repair             $109.9K-252.5K 42/0
Misc. Decorating Products &        $41.2K-62.8K   188/0
 Services
MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Asphalt Maintenance Services       $27.3K-33.3K   40/0
Carpet, Upholstery & Drapery Svcs. $18.95 K       3,871/0
Commercial Cleaning                $7.4K-33.8K    7,762/34
Lawn Care & Landscaping Services   $43.1K-46.1K   370/0
Pest-Control Services              $19.5K-75.6K   551/325
Residential Cleaning               $26.8K-43.5K   1,181/76
Restroom Hygiene Services          $59.2K-145.1K  114/2
Vinyl Repair                       $18K-30.3K     230/1
Misc. Maintenance Products & Svcs. $68.6K-160.95K 302/2
PERSONAL-CARE BUSINESSES
Cosmetics                          $35.5K-196.4K  1,979/4
Hair Care                          $75K-164K      1,340/5
Modeling Schools                   $48K-88K       60/0
Senior-Care Services               $23.1K-29.8K   197/1
Tanning Salons                     $47.2K-70 U.S. 75/11
RECREATION
Fitness Businesses                 $1.5K-20.1K    5,169/2
Sports Equipment & Apparel         $156K-251K     618/3
Travel Agencies                    $3K-151.1K     1,626/830
Miscellaneous Recreation           $10.6K-13K     226/1
Businesses
RETAIL
Apparel & Accessories              $96K-242K      191/49
Appliance/Furniture Rentals        $266.7K-477.1K 339/0
Discount Stores                    $99K-163.5K    121/0
Electronics Stores                 $59.3K         2,154/5,033
Frame Stores                       $93K-124K      192/5
Gifts                              $155.7K-307.1K 50/0
Hardware                           $121.6K-209K   4,323/223
Pet Businesses                     $76K-126K      260/0
Paper & Party Stores               $165.9K-429.2K 46/101
Pharmacies                         $69.6K-120K    1,282/15
Videos, Music & Books              $262K-766K     1,078/5,605
Water Businesses                   $225K          749/53
Miscellaneous Retail Businesses    $65K-185K      299/0
SERVICE BUSINESSES
Appliance & Electrical Services    $38.7K-108K    108/0
Check Cashing Services             $85K-191.1K    119/797
Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services    $210K-290K     782/0
Dry Cleaning Delivery              $14.5K-21.6K   133/0
Photo/Video Businesses             $22.95K        246/1
Postal & Business Services         $117.5K-195.2K 4,108/0
Printing Services                  $112K          862/0
Real Estate Services               $20K-200K      3,392/0
Tax Services                       $49.4K-94.9K   2,720/141
Miscellaneous Services             $8.9K-153.5K   715/2