Franchise 50 - 2007 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards
Franchise Business Review is a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction. We examine the critical areas of a franchise system including training & support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, financial opportunity, and more. Our survey results deliver the unbiased facts about the overall health of a franchise system direct from today’s franchise owners.
The Franchise 50 Awards – Background Information
The 2007 Franchise 50 – Franchisee Satisfaction Awards have once again exceeded all expectations. Over 300 leading franchise systems, representing over 65,000 franchisees, registered for this year’s Franchise 50 project — which is now the largest survey of franchisee satisfaction ever completed. The end result is an exclusive list of companies that truly represents the best franchise opportunities in the marketplace today.
The 2007 list of franchises includes:
1
Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance Cash Req: $15,000 Total Inv: $24,900 - $60,000
Awarded Franchisor of The Year by Franchise Business Review! Our franchise provides the flexibility to balance work, family, fun, and financial independence.
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2
Home Instead Senior Care
Category: Senior Care Cash Req: $39,050 - $52,050 Total Inv: $39,050 - $52,050
A Home Instead Senior Care® franchise is an incredibly meaningful, unique and rewarding business. Since 1994, Home Instead Senior Care® has developed an amazing record of service to seniors. Now you can build on this strength and expertise to create a fulfilling business that offers non-medical home care to senior citizens in your area.
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3
Synergy Homecare
Category: Senior Care
4
i9 Sports
Category: Sports & Recreation Cash Req: $50,000 Total Inv: $39,900 - $64,900
Established in 1995 and located in Tampa, Florida, Momentum Franchise Systems, Inc., is the parent company for both i9 Sports® and Amp‘d Athletics™, which are the first and fastest growing amateur sports league franchises in the United States.
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5
FASTSIGNS International, Inc.
Category: Business Services Cash Req: $75,000 Total Inv: $205,000 - $297,000
Our mission is to help our franchise owners build gross sales and profitability. We realize our franchisees are our clients and will do whatever it takes to ensure their happiness and respect.
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6
Budget Blinds
Category: Home Services Cash Req: $55,000+ Total Inv: $80,000 - $111,000
If you’re looking for a thriving home-based business opportunity, Budget Blinds is the place to be. We’re a top- ranked, fast growing franchise company in one of the fastest growing industries in America – home decorating and home improvement. Our people are our greatest assets. Discover how you can become part of this winning team.
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7
Paul Mitchell School
Category: Health & Beauty
8
BONUS Building Care
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance Cash Req: $25,000 Total Inv: $50,000
In the world of commercial cleaning franchises there are many choices. While some other commercial cleaning franchise companies charge a premium for their services while delivering less, at BONUS Building Care, we believe that you can “Start Small and Make It Big!”
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9
CertaPro Painters
Category: Home Services Cash Req: $30,000+ Total Inv: $129,000 - $144,000
CertaPro Painters has invested millions of dollars in creating a brand. Whether you live in Boise or Boston, our promise of "Certainty" is the same; our marketing message is the same; the customer experience is the same. This consistency has enabled CertaPro to quickly build brand recognition and effortlessly capture market share.
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10
1-800-GOT-JUNK
Category: Services Cash Req: $70,000 Total Inv: $70,000 - $110,000
1-800-GOT-JUNK? is the world's first junk removal franchise with 231 Franchise Partners throughout North America and Australia. We are a young, dynamic company, set to dominate a new market niche.
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11
FocalPoint Business Coaching
Category: Business Services Cash Req: 50,000 Total Inv: 38,500 - 49,000
FocalPoint International, Inc., the world’s premiere business coaching and development franchise company, has formed a ground-breaking strategic alliance with Brian Tracy International, Inc., that will provide organizations and individuals with proven concepts, methodologies and skills developed in the most effective manner: long-term, one-on-one coaching.
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12
Adventures in Advertising
Category: Advertising & Sales Cash Req: $34,000 Total Inv: $34,000
LET AIA LEVERAGE YOU INTO YOUR PIECE OF AN 18 BILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS! Independent and entrepreneurial, you're not content to go through life on cruise control – you’re looking for a rewarding business ownership opportunity with high potential, low cost of entry, rapid start-up and a satisfying life style. That's where we come in.
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13
JumpBunch
Category: Child Services Cash Req: $35,200 - $77,200 Total Inv: $35,200 - $77,200
JUMPBUNCH offers structural sports and fitness programs for children 15 months to 6 years old, as well as for school age children ages 6-12. The classes are 30 minutes long, once a week, year-round, with over 70 activity plans. They are offered as part of a child's day at school, daycare, after-school program and rec departments. JUMPBUNCH is not a gym or facility; rather, we go out into the community to teach our classes.
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14
Stretch-N-Grow
Category: Child Services
15
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Category: Travel & Hospitality
16
American Poolplayers Association
Category: Sports & Recreation
17
Tax Centers of America
Category: Financial & Tax Cash Req: $25,000 Total Inv: $34,999 - $45,975
Tax Centers of America (TCOA) is a franchise-based corporation specializing in income tax preparation, online and electronic tax filing for taxpayers who want their refund fast! Franchisees get to set their hours and run the day-to-day operations just like any other small business owner. The key difference is that franchisees enjoy the benefits of an established brand name, which assists you in building your customer base.
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18
Aire-Master of America
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance
19
Our Town America
Category: Advertising & Sales Cash Req: $40,000 Total Inv: $40,000
Our Franchisees do not need to maintain an inventory nor do they need a production facility – all production is performed at our corporate facility. Our Franchisees can easily work from a home office.
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20
Computer Troubleshooters
Category: Technology
21
Miracle Method Bath and Kitchen Restoration
Category: Home Services
22
Matco Tools
Category: Automotive Cash Req: $35,000 Total Inv: $73,000 - $170,000
Matco Tools is one of the top franchise opportunities out there. That's because Matco Tools provides you with the guidance, training, potential customer base, marketing and the on-going support you need to start your business. Our award winning franchise program provides you with a business process that will help you make sales and generate revenue from day one.
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23
MaidPro
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance Cash Req: $50,000 Total Inv: $40,000 - $70,000
Can you imagine how your life would be different if you had been in on the ground floor of a trend such as Starbucks coffee shops? Then you can imagine the opportunity that exists today for business ownership in the residential cleaning industry! Now is the time to create your own future in an industry the is experiencing truly explosive growth. With MaidPro's proven systems, success is only a question of your own motivation and hard work.
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24
SeaMaster Cruises
Category: Travel & Hospitality
25
Culver's
Category: Food
26
Disaster Kleenup International
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance
27
J.D. Byrider Systems
Category: Automotive
28
Central Bark Doggy Day Care
Category: Pet Services Cash Req: $60,000 Total Inv: $133,050 - $230,380
At Central Bark™ Doggy Day Care, we understand dogs and their need to exercise. Boredom leads to destructive behaviors. Socialization and play keeps a dog's body and mind active - and builds a healthier, happier, better behaving pet. That's why a dog's stay at Central Bark™ is always rich with activities and attention.
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29
Padgett Business Services
Category: Financial & Tax Cash Req: $20,000 Total Inv: $75,000 - $80,000
We offer small business advice and consultation, tax preparation, government compliance, financial reporting, complete payroll services, and other services important to small businesses.
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30
Pop-A-Lock
Category: Services Cash Req: $35,000 Total Inv: $90,000
Become part of the largest and most successful locksmith, car door unlocking, roadside assistance, and service provider in America. No industry experience is necessary. A business background is beneficial. Corporate customer opportunities in major and secondary markets to complement "core" revenue for the franchisee.
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31
The Little Gym
Category: Child Services Cash Req: $75,000 Total Inv: $193,500 - $274,500
We believe individual success is built upon confidence - confidence to embrace your dreams and make them a reality. But how do you get there? At The Little Gym®, the success of each franchise owner is built on the same thoughtful principle that we utilize every day as we nurture the children entrusted to our care: Motor Skill Development made Fun builds Confidence that leads to a lifetime of Success.
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32
Mighty Distributing System
Category: Automotive
33
1-800-RADIATOR
Category: Automotive Cash Req: $100,000 Total Inv: $150,000 - $500,000
Radiators? Yes! You are always in demand. A typical radiator wears out in 8 years. Your services and products are always needed. You do not need an automotive background. You do NOT fix or install radiators. You sell brand-new radiators with a life-time warranty. 1-800-Radiator is the largest distributor of radiators in the world. You will join a fast-growing group of franchisees across the country. You will have an exclusive territory. You will have the most advanced state-of-the-art tracking s
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34
Wild Birds Unlimited
Category: Specialty Retail
35
HomeVestors of America, Inc.
Category: Services Cash Req: $200,000 Total Inv: $200,700 - $370,250
HomeVestors® is the first and largest national franchise company for the professional real estate investor. HomeVestors franchisees are professional real estate investors who specialize in buying and selling undervalued houses. Experts estimate this to be a $10 billion industry in the United States.
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36
Sir Speedy, Inc.
Category: Services Cash Req: $125,000 - $150,000 Total Inv: $380,000
Sir Speedy is the world’s largest network of printing, copying and document service centers. The Sir Speedy Global Digital Network, with its alliance partners spans nearly 1,000 locations in 18 countries. By featuring complete document management services, Sir Speedy offers exceptional value to its business market.
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37
Jan-Pro
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance
38
TeamLogic IT
Category: Technology Cash Req: $40,000 Total Inv: $70,000 - $120,000
At TeamLogicIT, we focus on servicing the IT needs of small and mid-sized businesses. We’re more than just another computer repair company. We offer business computers a full range of services including consultation, repair and what almost no other IT service can, proactive ongoing IT maintenance. This is a significant benefit to our customers and sets us apart from the competition.
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39
Action International Business Coaching
Category: Business Services
40
Learning Express
Category: Specialty Retail Cash Req: 100,000 Total Inv: 196,000 - 329,000
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, love of toys, kids, and learning - you have what it takes to be a great Learning Express franchise owner. When you join the Learning Express family, you'll have dedicated support from the home office, fellow storeowners, and your regional advisor.
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41
Pak Mail Centers of America
Category: Services
42
The Cleaning Authority
Category: Cleaning & Maintenance Cash Req: $30,000 Total Inv: $90,000 - $130,000
The Cleaning Authority is the preeminent residential cleaning service franchise in the industry. Since starting our franchise efforts in 1996 TCA has pushed the envelope for Technology and Marketing within the industry.
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43
HouseMaster
Category: Home Services Cash Req: $35,000 Total Inv: $31,000 - $69,000
There are many home inspection companies, but only one Master. HouseMaster is the most experienced name in home inspections with almost 30 years franchising and almost 2 million inspections performed.
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44
Carpet Network
Category: Home Services Cash Req: $50,000 Total Inv: $50,585 - $70,385
The Carpet Network Management Team has over forty years of floor and window covering experience for you to take advantage of. Our thorough training programs, proven business systems, twenty-four hour Intranet site, and Home Office monitored support line provide you with the tools you need to build a successful, growth oriented business in your own market.
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45
Parmasters Golf Training Centers
Category: Sports & Recreation Cash Req: 20% Total Inv: $300,000 - $2,500,000
The world’s first year-round indoor golf training center franchise. Featuring all the tradition and appeal of a high-end clubhouse while offering the ultimate training and practice center for golfers of all levels.
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46
Salad Creations
Category: Food
47
Sarah Care
Category: Senior Care
48
TSS Photography
Category: Child Services
49
SMARTBOX Portable Self Storage
Category: Services Cash Req: $350,000 Total Inv: $365,000 - $850,000
Strike while the iron is hot and take advantage of a unique opportunity that is changing the way people move and store their belongings. Become a SMARTBOX portable self storage owner, and you will be on the cutting edge of a brand new industry whose time has arrived.
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50
Two Men and a Truck
Category: Services Cash Req: $100,000 Total Inv: $112,000 - $407,000
We are a company and family built on strong moral values. Each franchise is individually owned and operated but all carry a common link — making customer service a top priority. Owning a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise not only allows you the freedom to run your own business but it also gives you the structure and support of a successful franchise system. We don't require moving experience; we want people who care about customers.
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More information about the Franchise 50 Awards:
What are the Franchise 50 Awards?
The Franchise 50 Awards are an annual ranking of franchise companies by their level of franchisee satisfaction. The awards are based on the research results of Franchise Business Review, a market research firm that conducts thousands of independent surveys of franchisees each year. The awards recognize the Top 50 franchise companies with the highest levels of overall franchisee satisfaction, as well as Best in Category and Honorable Mention awards in 16 industry categories. This year over 100 franchise companies were recognized as having outstanding franchisee satisfaction.
How many and what types of companies participated in the 2007 Franchise 50 Awards?
Over 300 franchise companies registered for the 2007 Franchise 50 Awards. Those companies represent a total of over 65,000 franchisees. Participation was limited to companies based in North America, with greater than 10 franchisees in their system. This year’s participants included a wide array of companies from many different industries, ranging in size from small franchise systems with just a dozen franchisees, to large International brands with thousands of locations around the world.
Why are the Franchise 50 Awards so important?
For the prospective franchise buyer, investing in a franchise is one of the most significant investments and life-changing events they will ever experience. There are many factors to consider before buying a franchise and chief among those factors is satisfaction levels of current franchisees. Are franchisees getting the training and support they need to be successful? Do they value their relationship with their franchisor? Are they growing and making money? Would they do it all over again? These important questions can only be answered by current franchisees – the true franchise experts. The research conducted by Franchise Business Review is the most comprehensive study of franchisee satisfaction ever done and the results speak for themselves.
How was the survey process completed?
All active franchisees from each participating company were invited to participate in this project. Franchise Business Review staff made at least three attempts to reach each franchisee directly by email or telephone. Surveys were completed online, over the phone, via direct mail and facsimile. Franchise Business Review attained an amazing rate of franchisee participation, averaging over 50% and in some cases, as many as 90 - 100% of franchisees took part.
The survey itself consisted of a total of 40 questions. The first 20 questions were specific to the franchisees’ satisfaction with their franchise system. Questions addressed five main areas: Training & Support, Franchise System, Franchisor Relationship, Financial Opportunity and Overall Satisfaction. The remaining 20 questions were focused on market area, business lifestyle, demographic and personal skills questions.
How were franchise companies ranked?
Companies were ranked based on a proprietary formula taking into account each company’s average satisfaction score, system size and rate of franchisee participation.
How do I find out more information about the 2007 Franchise 50 Awards?
Franchise Business Review is headquartered in Kittery, Maine and can be reached at 866-397-6680 or via email at info@franchisebusinessreview.com.








Franchise 50 a bunch of crap
I am a franchisor and I find this specious and surreptitious Franchise 50 report repugnant. Mr. Stites service is a service for fee. A franchisor is not reviewed unless they subscribe to Franchise Business Review. The Franchise 50 is unreliable and prospective franchisees should not think that this is actual due diligence.
Franchisors that use the service use it as a marketing tool and this fact does not make all of these franchisor's concepts unworthy of prospects consideration. Prospects should discount Franchise Business Review's analysis and listing as no better as the "Best Steakhouse" list in those free airline magazines you find on Delta, American, USAir, Southwest, etc...
Eric clean up your act and explain clearly to franchisors and prospective franchisees what your business is in a transparent manner.
Additionally Eric, you likely thought that posting on blogs was an effective way to promote your web portals? Well it is, but it is also a two-way street where you will be called to answer for your products. I do wish you well!
Franchise 50 a bunch of crap
I totally agree with you - isn't it interesting that every company profiled by Franchise 50 earns a 4 star rating - even if only 32% of the franchisees participated in the survey. How can the statistics they publish be justified?!!!
HAHAHAHA!! SAME OLD SHYTE IS DONE WITH LAWYERS
Beginning many years ago, and somewhat continuing to this day, I started receiving blurbs that someone was going to publish a directory of the best lawyers in America/world's most distinguished lawyers/other similar malarkey.
The blurbs always said that I "had been nominated for inclusion" (can you even imagine that?), and then launched into a sales pitch that - to make a long story short - if I purchased the thing, I would be included (and that I could also enhance the encomia by "upgrading" my listing).
That's how all those most distinguished/ best lawyer directories got going and how they grow now. They still send you a blurb that their Journal of the Best ...... is about to be published and don't you want to have your advert in it.
The so-called most respected lawyer directory M-H does a version of the same thing. If you want an av rating (their best until recently) that would permit you to advert in the back of the book where the real lawyers adverted, you had to be vouched for by other lawyers. That meant/means that you buy a few drinks and hand people letters text notes for them to send in praising you. In about a few weeks, you get back a congratulatory note that you are indeed praiseworthy and are being awarded their imprimatur. I'm sure that the Best Lawyers On God's Earth folks took their cue from M-H.
Richard Solomon
www.FranchiseRemedies.com
Franchise 50 a bunch of crap
I can't make heads or tails about any sense of this site. I was interested in a company that had a survey done by Franchise Business Review - number #1 - only 19% of the franchisees participated in the survey - so what does this information tell me - absolutely nothing!!
Second - I pulled up another company that stated 58% of the franchisees participated in the survey - but according to the stats on the site the participation rate was only 39% - how do you come up with your numbers? -- I suggest you go back to grade school and learn how to do math!
Exactly what are you trying to sell?
Franchise 50 a bunch of crap
One more thought - for the companies that participate in this 4 star rating - how can you morally sell a terristory to a prospective franchisee based on this 4 star rating that makes no sense. You have people who are ready, willing, and able to invest their life savings to start a business of their own - do you really care about your franchisees and whether they can make it - or are you just impressed that you get 4 stars?!!!
Gee, Richard
You mean I can't trust Martin Hubbell anymore, who can we trust?
Eric Stites and Jack Burris tell us why you aren't full of crap
We know you read Blue Maumau. Tell us about the veracity of Franchise Business Review and the Franchise 50. You should have no problem answering questions since you've built a business surveying satisfaction of franchisees.
The shoe is on the other foot! I don't think you have the gumption to post a response. Amen and God Bless if you do!
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT...
I only trust Belinda and Jesus.
Richard Solomon
www.FranchiseRemedies.com
Can they give a qualified answer? I think not!
Eric did a great job of taking a process of surveying franchisees and spinning it to work for the benefit of any franchise company that comes his way. As said before - ALL companies get a 4-star rating. Not to say all of the companies are over rated, beacuse there are some well qualified, well bred franchise companies on his site.
Franchise 50, more importantly, gives the public the idea that franchise systems can be rated into a top 50? Though the survey process may point out traits of good franchisors compared to poor franchisors, in no way can you rate food industry franchises vs. home based franchises vs. maintenance franchises and group them all in one category calling one #1 and one #50.
Any answer they can give would be much appreciated - though I don't know if I would believe a word of it!
entrepenuer magazine
UPS STORE rated #5 and is not in the top 50. Shows the validity of this magazine. UPS STORE franchise at all time low with 500 plus litigations, multiple other class action lawsuits on going and in the making. This franchise satisfaction rated at the bottom. PU for brown!
entrepenuer magazine
If you're talking validity - have you done the math on the Top 50 done by Franchise Business Review?