15 Most Profitable Franchises to Buy in 2015

If you are looking for a business idea, here is the list of 15 most profitable franchises to buy in 2015. After all, why bother with creating a brand from the ground up when you can simply buy one?

Franchising as a business opportunity has many advantages. Instant branding, name recognition and secured supply chain are just a few of them. With franchising, you are taking an existing business model and implementing it on your location. This is not to say that there aren’t any risks, but they are certainly lower compared to starting a small business from scratch.

Compared to top 10 most profitable franchises in 2014, there are few changes on the list. All the usual suspects are present in 2015 as well, but there are some changes in rankings. For most profitable franchises to buy in 2015 we expanded the list to include 15 brands, so you’ll have more choices where to invest your hard earned money among these businesses for sale. First four names on the list (Aaron’s, McDonald, Days Inn and Jan-Pro Franchising Int’l. Inc.) have the same ranking as they did last year. Dunkin’ Donuts slipped one spot, while last year’s 11^th place, Hardee’s, didn’t even made it to top 15. 7-Eleven Inc. also dropped significantly from last year’s 6^th place. Pizza Hut Inc., Denny’s Inc. and Servpro kept their positions, while Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches and Supercuts got pushed down by one spot by the newcomer on the list, Jack in the Box. Last year winner Anytime Fitness lost its title, but we’ll see who took over later on.

In terms of business type, vast majority of most successful franchises are part of a food industry. 7 out of 15 most successful franchises are fast food restaurants, gourmet sandwich shops, coffeehouses or family restaurants. 2 are hotels, while the rest represent various industries, like furniture stores, commercial cleaning, fitness centers and restoration services. Startup costs also vary, from below $10,000 to several million, so there’s something for everybody on the list. Regardless of that, each one is a great opportunity for anyone looking to start a profitable small business. See below to find out which of this 15 most profitable franchises to buy in 2015 is the best fit for you.

15. Aaron’s

2014 position: 15

Startup costs: $276K – 783K

From renting army surplus folding chairs for 10 cents a day to more than 2,000 stores across the United States and Canada, Aaron’s is one of the most successful furniture sale and rental companies in the world. It had been steadily increasing the number of franchises since 1992 when they adopted this business model.

14. McDonald’s

2014 position: 14

Startup costs: $1M – 2M

McDonald’s is one of the most recognizable brands in the world and the only reason they aren’t placed higher on the list is because of their strict franchising contract, with 20 year renewable term, 45,000 franchise fee and required $750,000 cash in reserves. Still, Mickey D’s in 2014 alone opened more than 100 new franchise in the US and over 600 internationally. McDonald’s represents the closest thing to a guaranteed success as you can get in today’s business world.

13. Days Inn

2014 position: 13

Startup costs: $179K – 8M

Days Inn Worldwide is one of the rare companies on our list that doesn’t own a single one hotel under its brand. All of their 1,700+ location are operated under franchising agreement, which stipulates 15 to 20 years term, $35,000 franchising fee and 5.5% royalty fee. A total number of their franchises has shrunk in 2014, both in the United States and internationally, due to fierce competition in the hotel business.

12. Jan-Pro Franchising Int’l. Inc.

2014 position: 12

Startup costs: $4K – 52K

Jan-Pro Franchising Int’l. Inc. is the cheapest franchise on our list, with startup costs as low as $4,000. It is also one of the rare franchises that can be operated from home. Combined with their low franchising fees (for which they offer veterans’ discount), this has led to more than 8,000 franchises in the United States and abroad.

11. Dunkin’ Donuts

2014 position: 10

Startup costs: $276K – 2M

From their humble beginnings as a company that supply meals to Boston workers in the 1950s,  Dunkin’ Donuts has grown to an international brand present in 32 countries with almost 12,000 locations and they plan on expanding. Currently, they are looking for franchises all over the world. Franchising fees vary from $40,000 to $90,000, but you’ll get unlimited access to more than 70 types of doughnuts. Not many people can say no to the business idea that involves that many doughnuts.

10. 7-Eleven Inc.

2014 position: 6

Startup costs: $38K – 1M

Founded in 1927, 7-Eleven Inc. is the most numerous franchise on our list, with more than 56,000 locations all over the world. It is also one of the rare US based companies where international locations outnumber domestic ones and with a ratio of almost 6 to 1. They offer to their franchises entire in-house business model, from franchising fees, startup costs and inventory to payroll and equipment. Franchising fee ranges from $10,000 to $1,000,000. The world’s most famous convenience store chain represents excellent investment opportunity.

9. Pizza Hut Inc.

2014 position: 9

Startup costs: $297K – 2M

Pizza, pasta, and wings have been a staple on Pizza Hut’s menu since Carney brothers opened their first pizza restaurant in Wichita. Startup costs were covered by their mother, who borrowed them $600. Mama Carney’s investment gave birth to the largest pizza restaurant chain in the world. Among other things, Pizza Hut delivered pizza to International Space Station. Although the sales have been dwindling in the last few years, the company is currently trying to rebrand itself and pick up the slack, so it may be a good idea to consider buying a franchise now.

8. Denny’s Inc.

2014 position: 8

Startup costs: $1M – 2M

One of the reasons behind Denny’s success was an idea of a family restaurant that was open 24 hours a day, which was very novel in the 1950s. Although mostly US base, with just 38 franchises abroad, the company is trying to expand worldwide and is currently looking to open franchises in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Central America, Middle East as well as in the United States.

7. Servpro

2014 position: 7

Startup costs: $142K – 191K

Servpro is ranked number 1 in the restoration services category and number 7 among most profitable franchises to buy in 2015. Specialized in cleaning fire and water damages, the company also cleans HVAC systems, as well as carpets and upholstery. Their services also include mold removal. Currently focused on the United States and Canada, Servpro offers 5-year contract, with $45,000 franchising fee. With startup costs ranging from $141,550 to $191,200 is one of the cheaper investments on the list.

6. Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches

2014 position: 5

Startup costs: $323K – 544K

With more the 150 new franchise location opened in 2014, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches are expanding at a very fast pace. Franchising fees are among the lowest on our list, set at $35,000. Jimmy John’s offers 10 years contract, as well as extensive training for general managers. They are still focused on domestic market and lack international presence.

5. Supercuts

2014 position: 4

Startup costs: $114K – 234K

Supercuts are owned by Regis Corporation, the largest hair style chain in the world, who is currently trying to expand the Supercuts brand in Canada and Western Europe. They already have 20 franchise locations in Canada. Franchise Fee is $29,500 and they offer $2,500 rebates to veterans opening their first store.

4. Jack in the Box

2014 position: new entry

Startup costs: $1M – 2M

A newcomer to the list, Jack in the Box started franchising the brand in 1982. Since 2011 they have opened more than 500 franchises across the United States, although reducing the company owned ones by approximately the same number. Currently, they are looking for partners in Southwest. Franchising fee is $50,000 and startup costs are between $1,316,100 and $2,386,100.

3. Subway

2014 position: 3

Startup costs: $117K – 263K

With more than 44,000 stores around the globe (27,000 of them in the United States) you’d think that Subway franchises have reached its peak. But according to the company, there are some 8,000 locations that they want to add to their list, and that’s just in the US. Currently, they are focusing on hospitals, as one of the last large markets untapped by iconic foot long sandwiches.

2. Anytime Fitness

2014 position: 1

Startup costs: $63K – 418K

Although the last year’s number one has lost the throne, it doesn’t mean that Anytime Fitness is doing something wrong. Anytime Fitness gym are open 24 hours and this is the reason behind their popularity, with more than 2,000 locations worldwide. For a company that started franchising in 2002, this is a very impressive number. Startup costs are among the lowest on the list, making it possible to open a franchise with about $60,000. Franchise Fee ranges from $18,000 to $35,000 and veterans can get a 20% discount on their first gym.

1. Hampton by Hilton

2014 position: 2

Startup costs: $4M – 14M

Number one among the most profitable franchises to buy in 2015 is Hampton by Hilton hotel chain. Hampton was the first hotel chain in their price range in the US to start offering free breakfast to their guests. It wasn’t until 1999 when Hilton bought them as company’s mid-priced brand that Hampton really start expanding. Currently, they operate more than 2,000 franchise worldwide (only one hotel in the chain is company owned). Hampton by Hilton represents the largest investments on the list, with startup costs reaching as much as $14 million.