10 Low Cost Franchise Opportunities for the Service Industry

Buying a franchise can be costly, but it has proven itself a winner for new business owners to claim instant recognition with their product or service by buying a franchise. In a fiercely competitive market, it makes good sense to promote a business that has national branding and trusted by the consumer. However, buying a piece of a famous pie can be out of range for most first time owners. The key to success is to find a company that you are interested in, can flourish with, yet is affordable on a budget. The service industry has many options, and can be economical with staffing for the initial operations. Self and family run services may be sufficiently staffed, allowing the owner to hire outsiders as he/she needs them.

Buying a franchise can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, but this list of low cost franchise opportunities range from just a few thousand to a cap of about twenty. They are all service-orientated, with minimal skills required, and inclusive of all fees and materials, excluding office space. But, for many service related franchise owners, you may stave off renting commercial office space and work right out of the home until you grow out of it.

1. Jani-King. This service franchise is a cleaning company for commercial property with an up front fee of $8.6K to $16.3K. The ongoing royalty fees are 10% with a 20 year term of agreement, renewable. Full training is provided, and absentee ownership is not allowed. 100% of franchise is owner operated and may be licensed for national and worldwide territories. Jani-King is located at 16885 Dallas Parkway, Addison, Tx, 75001. (800)552-5264.

2. Jan-Pro. This is a commercial cleaning service with marketing emphasis on a "green clean" that uses more natural products than chemicals. Franchise fees range from $2.8K to $44K with a royalty fee at 10%. Terms are 10 years, renewable and absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and ongoing support includes national and regional marketing, toll-free phone lines, newsletters and meetings. Jan-Pro is located at 11605 Haynes Bridge Rd, Suite 425, Alpharetta, Ga 30004 (678)336-1780.

3. ServiceMaster Clean. This is a publicly-held company with branches to include Merry Maids, Terminix, Furniture Medic, and they also provide clean up services to disaster areas. Franchise fees start at $16.9K with a royalty fee of 4 to 10% on a 5 year renewable licence. Absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and ongoing support includes a national convention, marketing materials, toll-free phone lines, and co-op advertising. Franchises are available in the United States, Asia, Canada, Eastern and Western Europe. ServiceMaster Clean is located at 3839 Forest Hill Irene Rd, Memphis, TN 38125. (800)255-9687.

4. Stratus Building Solutions. This commercial cleaning service markets to larger complexes to include hospitals, schools and retail properties. They utilize an eco-friendly green clean campaign with start up fees from $3K to $47K. Ongoing royalty fee is 5% and term of agreement is not renewable. Absentee ownership is not allowed. Stratus Building Solutions is seeking franchisees in the United States, Asia, New Zealand, Mexico, South America and more. They are located at 1976 Innerbelt Business Center Dr., St Louis, MO 63114. (314)731-2000.

5. Vanguard Cleaning Systems. Vanguard offers multiple locations to experienced business owners, and a full support single location for beginners. Franchise fees are $7.7K to $37K with ongoing royalty fees of 5%. Term of agreement is ten years renewable and absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and support includes regional marketing, meetings and initial customer base. Opportunities are nationwide only. Vanguard is located at 655 Mariner's Island Blvd, Suite 303, San Mateo, Ca 94404. (800)564-6422.

6. Aerowest/Westrair Deodorizing Services. This company manufactures and installs deodorizers for commercial bathroom facilities. Franchise fee is $2K with 8% ongoing royalties. Term of licence is 5 years, renewable and absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and support services include a two week intensified workshop, toll free numbers, sales support and regional advertising. Exclusive territories are not permitted, but territory size is unlimited nationawide. Aerowest/Westair is located at 3882 Del Amo Blvd, Suite 602, Torrance, CA 90503. (310)793-4242.

7. Anago Cleaning Systems. This company does regularly scheduled office appointments with light cleaning and occasional heavy cleaning for carpets. Franchise fee is $4.6K with an ongoing royalty fee of 5%. Terms are 5 years, renewable and absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and support includes a one week orientation, toll free phone lines, purchasing cooperatives and national media. Anago is located at 1100 Park Central Blvd, Suite 1200, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. (800)213-5857.

8. BearCom Building Services. This company offers a general janitorial service to commercial customers with a franchise fee of $9.99K. Ongoing royalties are 6 to 8% with a 5 year licence, renewable. Absentee ownership is not allowed. Company support includes toll free phone lines and assistance with marketing. BearCom is seeking franchisees nationwide. They are located in 7022 S. 400 West, Midvale, UT 84047. (888)569-9533.

9. Bonus Building Care. This company services commercial clients in the Midwest and South. The founder gained her training from Jani-King and made available this franchise for $7.5K plus royalty fee of 10%. Term of agreement is 20 years, renewable. Absentee ownership is not allowed. Training and support includes newsletter, toll free phone lines, Grand Openings and purchasing cooperatives. Bonus Building Care is located at P.O.Box 300, Indianola, OK 74442. (800)931-1102.

10. Coverall Cleaning Concepts. This company concentrates on commercial accounts for hard floor care, carpet cleaning and bathroom sanitation. Franchise fee is $6K with an ongoing royalty fee at 5%. Term of use is 20 years, renewable and absentee ownership is allowed. Support services include a 10 week traing at the international headquarters, toll free phone lines, regional advertising and co-op advertising. Exclusive territories are available nationwide and may cover an entire county. Coverall Cleaning Concepts is located at 5201 Congress Ave, Suite 275, Boca Raton, FL 33487. (800)537-3371.