Choosing the right franchise can change your life. In fact, owning a franchise business is the best way to get more control, freedom, and the chance to build a business that fulfills you both financially and personally. Unlike traditional startups, franchise businesses have higher rates of long-term success, with 82.5% of service-based businesses still going strong after one year.
Of course, not all franchises are created equal. So how do you know which ones are worth your time, money, and effort? The last thing anyone wants is to trade one demanding job for another. That’s why it’s essential to conduct a careful evaluation of your next big opportunity. To make that process easier, in this article we’ll explore the top franchises to own in 2025, what to expect as a franchise owner, and how to identify the right fit for your goals.
The Best Franchise Opportunities to Invest In
The first step to finding the best franchise opportunities to invest in is understanding what makes a franchise a good investment. Some of the key features to look for include:
- A growing or stable market,
- Ongoing franchisor support,
- Proven business model,
- Strong brand reputation,
- Comprehensive training,
- Ongoing operational support, and
- Clear path for scalability and continued profitability.
It’s also important to consider the competitive landscape. In many areas, franchise businesses operate in a market with a lot of local competition. For this reason, a good franchise opportunity will help you stand out in a crowded market by offering unique value, services, and convenience.
Cost is another key factor, and fortunately, there are many excellent franchises with lower startup costs. For example, Neighborly® offers several affordable franchise opportunities, which makes it easier for aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the market.
Asking the Right Questions
As you research franchise opportunities, make it a point to ask questions about every aspect of the business. To ensure that you have all of the information you need to make an educated decision, it is helpful to work off a list of questions. These questions should include:
- What is the franchise's success rate?
- What is the total investment cost?
- What is the franchise's track record and history?
- What does the franchise agreement include?
- How are territories assigned?
- What is the earring potential and expected return on investment (ROI)?
- What does the franchise offer in terms of training and support?
Finding the Right Fit for You
In addition to doing your research and asking questions, choosing the right franchise also means finding one that aligns with your skills, interests, and financial goals. A great way to get started is to think about your strengths, whether that would include leadership, sales, customer service, or hands-on experience, and how those talents can help you succeed in business. Then, look for a franchise opportunity that is in line with who you are and where you want to go in life. In this way, you can set yourself up for a more rewarding future in franchise ownership.
Owning a Franchise: What to Know and Expect
With 2025 carrying the possibility of new prospects in the franchising industry, the upcoming year looks to be both busy and exciting for franchise expansion. In addition, there is growing acknowledgement of how deeply personal owning a business can be for franchisees, and that becoming a franchisee is often the start of a new and more fulfilling life. At the same time, however, many aspiring entrepreneurs grapple with uncertainties and a fear of the unknown.
Tackling Uncertainty and Fear
One of the biggest uncertainties new franchise business owners face is fears about income and whether the financial risk is worth the reward. To tackle this fear, some turn to tools like the "Four Box Exercise," which helps weigh the risks of taking action against the risks of staying stagnant. This simple but powerful decision-making tool can help you weigh the risks and rewards of pursuing a goal versus staying in your current situation.
The exercise involves dividing a sheet of paper into four quadrants, with each box answering a specific question:
- What happens if I act and succeed?
- What happens if I take action and fail?
- What happens if I don’t take action and stay the same?
- What happens if I don’t take action, but circumstances get worse?
By completing this exercise, you can visualize the potential outcomes o your decision in a structured way and gain clarity as you put together a plan. Often, fear of the unknown holds us back from pursuing what we truly want—but addressing these concerns head-on can help build confidence in your decision.
Training and Support
Another uncertainty that can hold aspiring franchisees back is a fear that lack of knowledge or experience will hamper their success. But a good franchisor will provide comprehensive training and ongoing support, all of which is designed to reduce trial-and-error and set franchise business owners up for success. For example, Neighborly, as a franchisor, offers extensive training that spans the initial training franchise owners need to become familiarized with the business model, to ongoing operational support, to marketing assistance and access to a network of fellow franchisees. Hear what Aire Serv® Franchise Owner, Jonathan Zeis, has to say about the training and support network at Neighborly!
By understanding what to expect financially and leveraging the tools and support your franchisor provides, you can make franchising a profitable part of your new and exciting future.
Your Franchise Journey Starts Here
Deciding to own a franchise is an exciting step that has the potential to transform your career - and your life. But it’s important to choose the right franchise opportunity for you. If you haven’t already, take a closer look at the Neighborly family of brands. Our quality home service franchises are consistently ranked among the top franchises to buy, and provide the support, training, and respected brands that franchise business owners across the country benefit from.
If you’d like more information or aren’t sure which home service brand would be your best fit, Take Our Quiz online today!
