1851

When choosing the type of business to franchise with, there are two categories that brands typically fall into: a&nbsp;“service franchise” or a “retail franchise.”&nbsp;Many opportunities fall under the service franchise umbrella, such as&nbsp;handyman, lawn maintenance, pest control, child care, automotive-related services, interior design and more.Owning a service franchise comes with its own unique rewards and challenges. Here’s a look into those pros and cons, according to industry insiders.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>Pros&nbsp;</h4>One of the biggest pros of owning a service franchise is that they are relatively economy-resistant.&nbsp;“During COVID, those two years each year we actually had a 25% growth, which a lot of small businesses did not, or even suffered,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.neighborly.com/mosquito-joe/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-service-franchise-2719385" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mosquito Joe</a>&nbsp;of Southeastern NC Owner Anne Johnson. “Homes are always there; mosquitoes are always there.”In fact, the home services industry actually became a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.angi.com/research/home-services-is-a-500-billion-dollar-industry/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-service-franchise-2719385" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$506 billion market</a> after seeing major growth during the pandemic. By 2026, the industry is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/product/us-home-service-market/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-service-franchise-2719385" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">expected to grow to more than $1,219 billion</a>.&nbsp;Because service franchises really don’t require a storefront, there is the advantage of those costs being much lower.&nbsp;“You don’t necessarily need to have a brick-and-mortar location,” Johnson said, adding that she and her customer service reps can all work from home while the technicians and field service manager are on the ground.&nbsp;Similarly, Johnson noted that there is not a lot of inventory required. “We're able to gauge [product need] based on the number of sprays and our customers — things like that. So that's really big. You're not walking in and buying this enormous product.”Expanding service franchises can also be a quicker process than with other types of businesses.&nbsp; “When we needed to expand that first year, everything was right there for us,” said Johnson. “I needed a van, and about a week later, it was delivered to my door.”Service franchises also provide the unique opportunity to get to know customers personally, especially when employees regularly visit consumers' homes. “These customers become our family,” said Johnson.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h4>Cons</h4>Corey Elias, the&nbsp;founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.francaptain.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-service-franchise-2719385" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Captain</a>, said that, with a lower barrier to entry, it is also easier for new competitors to enter the service franchise market.&nbsp;When she started six years ago, Johnson noted that there was not much competition in the rural areas she was servicing, but as time progressed, more came in. However, they are mostly mom-and-pop-type businesses that don’t have the same franchisor-backed support and marketing tools that businesses like&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mosquitojoe">Mosquito Joe</a> have.&nbsp;Additionally, service franchises tend not to be as visible or “glamorous” as other businesses, making marketing very important. “You lack the high visibility that many brick and mortar locations have, so you need to rely on more creative marketing to let people know you exist,” Elias said.&nbsp;

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Service Franchise

1851 Franchise

The ups and downs of the services industry. 


the-pros-and-cons-of-owning-a-service-franchise

Comfort Keepers

From Coast to Heartland: Why One Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Keeps Expanding

from-coast-to-heartland-why-one-comfort-keepers-franchisee-keeps-expanding

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchise - David Hoover Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Stadiums to Sustainability: How David Hoover Is Scaling Impact With Filta

filta-franchise-david-hoover-scaling-impact

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Be a Community Hero: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Changing Lives Beyond Business

be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Wraps Up Record-Breaking Q3 With National TV Launches, Platform Growth and Key Leadership Promotion

caring-transitions-wraps-up-record-breaking-q3-with-national-tv-launches-platform-growth-and-key-leadership-promotion

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Service Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS