Monday, May 21, 2007

Low-Cost Franchise Businesses Give Options for Buying the Right Franchise at a Cost You Can Afford  Many entrepreneurs exploring the expanding world of franchising may not have significant resources to spend on popular franchises, which can carry a price tag of several hundred thousand dollars. But there is good news for these future franchisees! Increasingly, low-cost franchise opportunities are becoming available, and these opportunities are making the dream of business ownership more accessible than ever before. The cost of a franchise, including initial setup investment and continual expenses, varies dramatically by industry. It can range anywhere from under $50,000 for franchises including some home-based options such as personal care and business services to $200,000 -$300,000 for some auto repair franchises, up to $1,000,000 for fast food restaurants, up to $3.5 million for full service restaurants, and as high as $4 to $6 million for lodging franchises. Despite the potential for success of many of these popular business franchises, oftentimes those seeking franchise opportunities simply do not have the money to invest. Yet, few realize that numerous franchises opportunities exist that are well within the reach of even the most modest budget. And with the explosive growth of the franchise industry, those looking to purchase a franchise are not limited by their budget to only a few business interests. Entrepreneur.com recently released its 2007 list of the top 100 low-cost franchise opportunities. In order to make the list, the franchise had to offer entrepreneurs an entry option that would cost less than $50,000. While some franchises only offer "conversion options," meaning that the potential franchisee needs already to own a business and then that business could be converted into a franchise, the Entrepreneur.com list excluded these from its top 100 list. Perhaps most surprising about the top 100 is the range of business interests represented. In fact, under-$50,000 franchises businesses are available in each of the following industries: * Automotive * Business Services * Children's Products & Services * Financial Services * Food/Quick Service * Food/Retail Food Sales * Food/Full-Service Restaurant * Health Care * Home-Improvement Products and Services * Maintenance * Person-Care Businesses * Recreation * Retail * Service Businesses * Tech Businesses * Training What are some low-cost franchise opportunities that are out there? Here is just a short listing of some of the many options available, along with a brief description of the product or service provided and the startup cost range. Made in the Shade Blinds With a total investment capital requirement of just $9,500 - $14,500, Made in the Shade Blinds is among the most affordable franchises you will find! As part of a $5.3 billion annual industry, Made in the Shade offers a home-based franchise opportunity to interested entrepreneurs. The concept is simply a window covering business, and Made in the Shade provides training, startup inventory, and a training manual to its franchisees. Richard Weblob 7:12:15 PM    comment []

Chocolate Chip Cookies There is nothing quite like a fresh chocolate chip cookie. This particular recipe has become my favorite over the years. It is soft and chewy and full of chocolate. Whenever I make this, I always have memories of coming home from school to a house filled with the smell of chocolate chip cookies. All five of us with chocolate smeared all over our faces. Great memories! 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed 2 eggs 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 packages (12 ounce) semisweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the butter and sugars in a large bowl. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract. In a different bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir in the chocolate chips. Roll into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies My husband is not a sweets man but he loves these cookies. The first time I made these it was for some friends. They almost all disappeared in one night! My husband and another friend of ours (also not a sweets man) were eating these the way I eat chocolate (with both hands, one right after the other). Whenever I make these, I always find my husband sneaking one when he thinks I am not looking. He will just look at me, smile sheepishly and say, "What? They're good." Ah yes, the highest compliment any baker can receive. :-) 3 eggs 1 cup raisins 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Beat the eggs, stir in the vanilla extract, and then stir in the raisins. Refrigerate this mixture for at least one hour. 1 cup butter flavored shortening 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup white sugar 2 1/2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups oats (quick cooking kind) In a large bowl, mix together the shortening and sugars. Add in the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add in the raisin mixture and the oats. Roll it into balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 10 to 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Richard Weblog 7:05:52 PM    comment []