The Top 10 Young Franchises

In this economy, many recent college grads are turning toward franchising as a viable way to build a future and jump-start their business careers. Here are 1851’s top 10 franchises for future franchisees under the age of 30. SERVICE 1) Soccer Shots Investment: $13,940 - $18,550 Total Locations: 100 Why We Like It: Many former college soccer players (including the three founding partners) have turned to Soccer Shots as an alternative to continuing their passion for the game of soccer. Many of these athletes still play club or professional soccer, yet need to have an opportunity to make more money than those small paychecks. Additionally, Soccer Shots appeals to many demographics: Soccer Moms, Dads, entrepreneurs fetching lifestyle. 2) Monster Tree Service Investment: $96,145 - $429,895 Total Locations: 1 Why We Like It: 28-year-old founder Josh Skolnick had never cut down a tree in his life when he started Monster Tree Service, but his brainchild filled a gap in the market and quickly found huge amounts of success. It’s pretty appealing to the young and the young at heart – or those who are more business/sales centric and want to find a business opportunity that fits lifestyle flexibility. If you venture down the path of Monster – check out Item 19. 3) Tutor Doctor Investment: $54,700 - $127,000 Total Locations: 297 Why We Like It: Many college bound students study to become a teacher. Unfortunately, older teachers set to retire are holding on longer thanks to a bumpy economy, making teaching positions scarce. If your passion is teaching, Tutor Doctor could be an interesting fit. The start-up costs are less than four years college tuition, and you can own your own business. 4) College Hunks Hauling Junk Investment: $92,000 - $114,000 Total Locations: 108 Why We Like It: Land on their “About Us” section and you will read a story about “a group of college buddies borrowing a beat up cargo van and dubbing themselves College Hunks Hauling Junk.” Businesses started by college buds are seemingly fitting for college buds looking to run their own business. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the founders Nick Friedman and Omar Soliman are everywhere. 5) School of Rock* Investment: $115,650 - $321,700 Total Locations: 70 Why We Like It: I WANNA ROCK – but I am horrible at playing music. Well, you can still follow your passion to help others learn how to rock – and have fun while doing it. The start-up expenses offer flexibility in real estate – but at the end of the day, you can follow a passion for music and help others learn how to perform, too. Click on their franchise section and you will see a plethoria of young people owning their own businesses, including Matt Sandoski (Rock Montclair, NJ) who says “I wish I had this when I was a kid.” RESTAURANT 1) Toppers Pizza* Investment: $295,179 - $669,954 Total Locations: 41 Why We Like It: Watch the video, and you will see exactly why we love it. Add in an attractive Item 19, and you can see why the young and the young at heart love this brand. In fact, the Wisconsin-based pizza game changer has seen quite the spike in development in 2012 – including breaking ground outside of their Wisconsin universe and into cities like Chicago, Cincinnati, Lincoln and Dallas. 2) Pita Pit Investment: $192,550 - $318,580 Total Locations: 323 Why We Like It: Um, because it’s Pita Pit. If you lived on a D1 college campus (or visited), chances are you have experienced the healthy alternative to fast food. We love it because it’s healthy, its core customers LOVE the brand, and it is on the forefront of calorie laws. This brand is full of youth, energy and growth opportunity – both in college markets and beyond. 3) Wing Zone Investment: $247,500 - $312,500 Total Locations: 92 Why We Like It: When founder Matt Friedman and Adam Scott decided there was a void in chicken wing delivery concepts while attending school at the University of Florida, these two Gators saw opportunity in an untapped segment. Today, their model has evolved into drive-thru technology and beer and wine. The options and flexibility blended with flavor and the pure fact that they sell Buffalo chicken wings makes this a mouth-watering opportunity. 4) Rita’s Water Ice Investment: $199,400 - $561,400 Total Locations: 545 Why We Like It: Sometimes a full-time year-round opportunity just doesn’t sound appealing for entrepreneurs. With Rita’s Water Ice, seasonality is the beauty of the brand. You get to serve what everyone craves in the summer. Many franchises have also mastered the multi-unit franchise track. Memories from a childhood make Rita’s a viable option for the up-and-comers. 5) Which Wich Investment: $195,000 - $488,750 Total Locations: 137 Why We Like It: Have you been in one? That should answer why we love it. The food is favorable and the culture is wacky, yet cool. Simplicity with complexity (50 different varieties of wich) has made this brand pop – especially with customers. Founder Jeff Sinelli created an awesome ordering system that creates the experience. Young people creating innovation in existing products – tasty. --Nick Powills