Home Based Franchises – A Popular Choice When Flexibility is a Must

Growth projections keep home–based franchise opportunities among perennial favorites.

“I can take my son to preschool and never miss an important event.” Angie Lundin of Vancouver Canada, had been a bookkeeper, but she wanted more flexibility with her schedule.  Lundin chose a path that is increasingly common. Rather than starting a business from scratch, she chose a franchise. "Kinderdance® works well with our young family. I don't teach at night or on weekends,” she says.

With low overhead and flexible schedules, home-based franchises are always popular. A home-based franchise worked with Lundin’s schedule and her budget.

According to the Franchise Business Economic Outlook for 2010*, many franchise sectors that have home-based business opportunities are expecting increases in the number of units and overall output.

Some of the sectors, or business lines, that are expected to see growth in dollars include commercial and residential services, automotive, business and personal services, at 1.5%, 2.2%, 2.6% and 4.4% respectively. All of these lines have franchise options that can be run from home, and even started while working another job.

While not huge growth, the numbers are promising. “Some industries came through the recession better than others, such as automotive, personal services, senior care and fast casual restaurants,” says Gail Parker, President of FranchiseSforSale.com. “Those businesses will continue to do well as the economy picks up.”  

Dan Ryan knew that starting a business could be a headache, so he also went with a franchise -- College Hunks Hauling Junk. "With the franchise, you have a system that's already set up for you.” He told a reporter from Crain’s Detroit Business.

Home-based franchises are quick-start businesses and can often be up and running in 30 to 60 days. Some require a customized vehicle, but most can be run from a home office without much equipment and often no inventory.

*prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC for the International Franchise Association’s Educational Foundation