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The Best Home Franchises for 2007
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Top Home Franchises: 2007
Running a franchise doesn't have to conjure up images of your local McDonald's. Many entrepreneurs are getting on board with the idea of home-based franchises, which often pair convenience with a low startup cost. From Jazzercize (pictured) to Jani-King, take a look at the Top 10 for 2007
First Up: Jani-KingFocus on Franchises:
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Jani-King
No. 1: Jani-King
Year began: 1969
Franchising since: 1974
As a student at the University of Oklahoma in 1968, Jim Cavanaugh worked as a night auditor at a hotel chain. While there, he realized that there would always be a strong need for janitorial services as long as there were office buildings. Within a year, Cavanaugh established Jani-King. A commercial cleaning service, Jani-King sets up franchisees with a customer base and charges fees depending on the size of that initial base.
Franchise Details
Next: Jan-ProFocus on Franchises:
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No. 2: Jan-Pro Franchising International
Year began: 1991
Franchising since: 1992
Jacques Lapointe founded Jan-Pro in Providence, R.I., in 1991. It started franchising the following year. Jan-Pro is a commercial cleaning franchise that operates throughout the United States and Canada.
Franchise Details
Next: Matco ToolsFocus on Franchises:
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No. 3: Matco Tools
Year began: 1979
Franchising since: 1993
Since 1979, Matco Tools, a subsidiary of Danaher Corp., has been manufacturing and distributing mechanics' tools and service equipment, including everything from hand tools and toolboxes to shop equipment. With more than 1,200 distributors across the United States and Puerto Rico, Matco and its franchisees service more than 825,000 automotive technicians and mechanics worldwide.
Franchise Details
Next: ServproFocus on Franchises:
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No. 4: Servpro Industries Inc
Year began: 1967
Franchising since: 1969
Founded in 1967 by Ted Isaacson, Servpro provides home and business owners with a variety of cleaning and restoration services. In the home, Servpro cleans upholstery, walls, furnishings and provides disaster protection. For businesses, the company cleans carpets, floors, HVAC systems and air ducts. In case of fire and other disasters, Servpro cleans, restores and reconstructs carpets, hard surfaces and masonry.
Franchise Details
Next: Chem-DryFocus on Franchises:
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No. 5: Chem-Dry
Year began: 1977
Franchising since: 1978
Robert Harris worked as a carpet cleaner to pay for his law school tuition. He found the cleaning methods being used were not getting the job done and set about developing new solutions to get carpets cleaner. In 1977, Harris founded Chem-Dry to bring his new cleaning methods to more customers. In 2006, Chem-Dry was acquired by Home Depot.
Franchise Details
Next: Budget BlindsFocus on Franchises:
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No. 6: Budget Blinds Inc.
Year began: 1992
Franchising since: 1994
Founded in 1992 by five young entrepreneurs, Budget Blinds allows customers to shop at home for window coverings. Tony Forbes, Brent Hallock, Chad Hallock, Todd Jackson and David Lewis had been working for a California-based window-covering retailer when changes in ownership forced them to leave the company. Using the experience they had gained, the co-workers started their own business and began franchising two years later.
Franchise Details
Next: Bonus Building CareFocus on Franchises:
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No. 7: Bonus Building Care
Year began: 1996
Franchising since: 1996
In 1969, Arleen Cavanaugh and then-husband Jim Cavanaugh founded Jani-King, a commercial cleaning franchise. When the couple divorced in the mid 90s, Jim maintained control of the business. Using the experience she gained with Jani-King, Arleen started her own commercial cleaning business, Bonus Building Care. The company currently serves businesses throughout the South and Midwest.
Franchise Details
Next: ServicemasterFocus on Franchises:
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No. 8: ServiceMaster Clean
Year began: 1947
Franchising since: 1952
ServiceMaster was incorporated in 1947 as Wade, Wenger and Associates. Marion Wade got the idea for his company after an accident left him temporarily blind in 1945. Today, it is part of the ServiceMaster Co. franchise family which includes Merry Maids, Furniture Medic and Terminix. ServiceMaster Residential/Commercial Services is headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., and has enjoyed more than 25 years of consecutive growth.
Franchise Details
Next:JazzerciseFocus on Franchises:
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No. 9: Jazzercise Inc.
Year began: 1977
Franchising since: 1983
While teaching traditional jazz dance classes in Evanston, Ill., in 1969, Judi Sheppard Missett turned her students away from the mirrors and started a "just for fun" class that incorporated dance moves to provide aerobic exercise. After moving to Southern California, she started training other instructors in the Jazzercise program in 1977. Jazzercise instructors are trained and certified before becoming franchised.
Franchise Details
Next: CleanNet USAFocus on Franchises:
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No. 10: CleanNet USA Inc.
Year began: 1988
Franchising since: 1988
Mark Salek founded CleanNet USA in 1987 and opened the company's first office the following year in Columbia, Md., providing cleaning services to commercial clients in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area. Today, CleanNet's uniformed force offers a variety of cleaning services for commercial, retail and industrial facilities in financial, hospitality, medical and other industries.
Franchise DetailsFocus on Franchises:
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More Franchising 'Bests'
Browse today's top franchises by category, and maybe even find one that is right for you.
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- Fastest Growing Franchises
- Low-Cost Franchise Businesses
- Top New Franchises
- Top Global Franchises
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