Retail Franchises to Start Now From pets to furniture to health products, you'll surely find something to love in our list of 123 retail franchises.
No matter the economic climate, people will always love to shop. So maybe you're shopping around for a retail franchise. To get you started, here's a list of 123 retail franchises, arranged by category. You'll find stores selling everything from candy to health products to furniture. These franchises are companies that submitted their information for Entrepreneur's 2009 Franchise 500®. (Those marked as "NR" did not rank.) This listing is not intended to endorse any particular franchise; it's simply meant as a first step in your research. Before purchasing a franchise, you should carefully read the Franchise Disclosure Document, consult with a lawyer and an accountant, and talk to current and former franchisees. For more information, visit entrepreneur.com/franzone/guide.
--Compiled by Tracy Stapp
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Apparel
Apricot Lane
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Fashion accessories & gifts
Total cost: $111.4K-212.3K
Clothes Mentor
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 470
Women's clothing & accessories resale store
Total cost: $140K-229K
Plato's Closet
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 151
New/used clothing for teens & young adults
Total cost: $161.1K-316.8K
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Batteries
Batteries Plus
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 122
Batteries & related products
Total cost: $155.8K-297.3K
Interstate All Battery Center
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 251
Batteries
Total cost: $158.5K-265K
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Candy
Fuzziwig's Candy Factory Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Self-serve bulk candy
Total cost: $182K-348.4K
Kilwin's Chocolates Franchise
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 266
Chocolate, fudge, ice cream
Total cost: $304.5K-700K
Rocky Mountain
Chocolate Factory
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 162
Chocolates & confections
Total cost: $152.98K-544.9K
Schakolad Chocolate Factory
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Freshly-made European-style chocolates
Total cost: $111.6K-144K
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Cartridge Sales
Cartridge Depot
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Inkjet & laser toner cartridge refills
Total cost: $88.5K-185.2K
Cartridge World
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 133
Printer/fax cartridge replacements& sales
Total cost: $130.1K-204.6K
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Children's Products
Educational Outfitters
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 430
School, business & team uniforms
Total cost: $93.2K-201.95K
Kid to Kid
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 433
New & used kids'/maternity clothing& products
Total cost: $141.8K-216.4K
Learning Express
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 261
Specialty toy store
Total cost: $207.5K-384.5K
Once Upon A Child
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 197
New & used children's clothing,
equipment, furniture, toys
Total cost: $158.5K-251.6K
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Convenience Stores
ampm Mini Market
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 35
Convenience store & gas station
Total cost: $2.4M-7M
Circle K
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 9
Convenience store
Total cost: $161K-1.4M
7-Eleven Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 30
Convenience store
Total cost: Varies
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Food-Design Businesses
Candy Bouquet
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Floral-like designer gifts & gourmet confections
Total cost: $9.9K-52.4K
Cookies By Design/Cookie Bouquet
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 328
Cookies & cookie arrangements
Total cost: $96.5K-192.5K
Edible Arrangements Int'l. Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 40
Floral-like designs from sculpted fresh fruit
Total cost: $147.5K-307.98K
FruitFlowers/ Incredibly Edible Delites
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Sculpted fruit & vegetable bouquets
Total cost: $147K-218.95K
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Frame Stores
Fastframe USA Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 247
Custom picture framing & art sales
Total cost: $105.7K-150.2K
The Great Frame Up
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 325
Wall d?cor
Total cost: $138.5K-228.2K
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Furniture
More Space Place
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Space-saving furniture systems
Total cost: $133K-203K
Slumberland Franchising Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 278
Home & home-office furnishings
Total cost: $442.5K-1.7M
Verlo Mattress Factory Stores LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Mattresses, futons, sofa sleepers, bedding products
Total cost: $269.5K-348K
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Hair Care
American Male
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Men's salon
Total cost: $172.3K-356.5K
The Boardroom Salon for Men
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Men's grooming services & products
Total cost: $241.95K-456.5K
City Looks
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Full-service hair salon
Total cost: $94.2K-293.98K
Cost Cutters Family Hair Care
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 111
Family hair salon
Total cost: $76K-184.8K
Fantastic Sams
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 142
Full-service hair salon
Total cost: $118K-230.8K
First Choice Haircutters
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 198
Hair salon
Total cost: $108.5K-169.5K
Floyd's 99 Barbershop
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Haircuts, coloring, shaves & products
Total cost: $227.5K-386.5K
Great Clips Hair Care
Salon Franchise
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 60
Hair salon
Total cost: $109.4K-202.5K
Knockouts-Haircuts for Men
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Haircuts & grooming services
Total cost: $94.1K-190.6K
Magicuts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 353
Salon services
Total cost: $110.5K-165.5K
Pigtails & Crewcuts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 448
Children's hair salon
Total cost: $84.3K-168.3K
Pro-Cuts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 287
Hair salon
Total cost: $75.7K-174.3K
Roosters Men's Grooming Centers
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Men's grooming products & services
Total cost: $185K
Snip-Its
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Children's hair care & party services
Total cost: $141K-267.5K
Splish Franchise Systems LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Eco-friendly hair salon
Total cost: $227.5K-463.5K
Sport Clips
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 56
Men's sports-themed hair salon
Total cost: $153.2K-276.9K
Supercuts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 29
Hair salon
Total cost: $95.6K-219.2K
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Health Products
American Ramp Systems
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 412
Wheelchair ramps
Total cost: $111.6K-188.9K
Foot Solutions Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 456
Comfort shoes & inserts for clients age 40+
Total cost: $204.4K-254.95K
Relax The Back Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 267
Products for relief/prevention of back & neck pain
Total cost: $227.5K-371.5K
Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Pain-relief footwear
Total cost: $85.1K-160.8K
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Hobby Stores
HobbyTown USA
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 302
General hobbies & supplies, toys
Total cost: $177.6K-478K
Remote Control Hobbies
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Remote control hobby vehicles, parts & accessories
Total cost: $111.9K-315.9K
Woodcraft Franchise LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 373
Woodworking supply specialty store
Total cost: $505.3K-650.3K
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Home D?cor
D?cor & You Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Decorating services & products
Total cost: $60.6K-364.4K
Interiors by Decorating Den
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 165
Interior decorating services & products
Total cost: $49.9K
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Newsstands
Gateway Cigar Store/Newstands
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 146
Newsstand & sundry store
Total cost: $55.9K-501.8K
Street Corner
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Mall-based newsstand & convenience store
Total cost: $96.9K-303.4K
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Organization Systems
Closet & Storage Concepts
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Residential/commercial closet &
storage systems
Total cost: $44.9K-234.5K
Closet Tailors
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 356
Custom storage solutions
Total cost: $95.6K-197.99K
Closets By Design Franchising
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 420
Custom closet & home/office organization systems
Total cost: $124.9K-278K
GarageTek Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Garage organization systems
Total cost: $75K-255K
PremierGarage
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Garage cabinetry, floor coatings, organizers
Total cost: $76.2K-429.5K
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Personal-Care Products
Facelogic
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 400
Skin-care services
Total cost: $212.7K-355.6K
Glamour Secrets
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 254
Beauty retail store
Total cost: $250K-400K
Merle Norman Cosmetics
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 34
Cosmetics studio
Total cost: $33.3K-168.7K
Planet Beach Franchising Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 383
Spa & UV-treatment services
Total cost: $262.3K-627.7K
The Woodhouse Day Spa
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Day spa services, bath & body retail products
Total cost: $596.97K-991.8K
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Pet Products
Petland
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 292
Full-service pet store
Total cost: $559.5K-1.4M
Wild Bird Centers of American Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Bird-watching & feeding supplies
Total cost: $94.9K-149.3K
Wild Birds Unlimited
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 239
Bird-feeding supplies & nature gift items
Total cost: $99.4K-148.5K
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Postal & Business Centers
AIM Mail Centers
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 413
Postal & business services
Total cost: $134.7K-215K
Goin' Postal
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 118
Retail shipping & business services
Total cost: $51.3K-149K
Pak Mail
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 230
Packaging, shipping, mailboxes, business support
Total cost: $129.99K-164.3K
PostNet Postal & Business Services
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 167
Business & communications center
Total cost: $167K-193K
Postal Annex+
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 196
Packaging, shipping, postal & business services
Total cost: $83K-190.1K
Postal Connections of America
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Postal & business centers, internet services
Total cost: $119.1K-157.9K
The UPS Store/Mail Boxes Etc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 8
Postal, business & communications services
Total cost: $171.2K-280K
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Screen Printing & Embroidery
EmbroidMe
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 123
Embroidery, screen printing, ad specialties
Total cost: $66.3K-187.4K
Instant Imprints
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Imprinted sportswear, promotional products, signs
Total cost: $80.3K-268.7K
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Sign Stores
FastSigns Int'l. Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 108
Signs & graphics solutions
Total cost: $224.8K-325.9K
Sign-A-Rama Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 82
Signs
Total cost: $84.6K-154.8K
Signs By Tomorrow
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 276
One-day retail sign store
Total cost: $159.6K-284.3K
Signs Now
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 271
Signs & graphics services
Total cost: $190.96K-304.9K
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Sports Equipment & Apparel
The Athlete's Foot
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 153
Athletic footwear & related sports accessories
Total cost: $249.5K-529.9K
Conte's Bicycle & Fitness Equipment
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Bicycles & accessories, fitness equipment
Total cost: $425K-734.3K
Fleet Feet Sports
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Athletic footwear, apparel & accessories
Total cost: $181.5K-313K
Golf Etc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Golf supplies, equipment & services
Total cost: $324.5K-470.5K
Golf USA Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Golf store
Total cost: $254.1K-449.2K
Play It Again Sports
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 177
New & used sporting goods/equipment
Total cost: $211.1K-402.4K
Pro Image Franchise LC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Licensed sports apparel & accessories
Total cost: $131.3K-408K
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Tire Stores
Big O Tires LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 134
Tires, wheels, related under-car services
Total cost: $275.8K-843.3K
RimTyme
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 424
Custom wheels & tires
Total cost: $190.1K-327.6K
RNR Custom Wheels & Tires
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 282
Custom wheels & tires
Total cost: $336.1K-423.4K
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Tools Distribution
Matco Tools
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 39
Tools
Total cost: $81.1K-183.1K
Snap-on Tools
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 37
Professional tools & equipment
Total cost: $16.7K-278.4K
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Vitamins
GNC Franchising
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 23
Vitamin & nutrition store
Total cost: $165K-205K
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 394
Sports nutrition products, weight-loss consulting, athletic apparel
Total cost: $154K-285K
Purified Water To Go
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Retail water & nutrition store
Total cost: $45.5K-205.6K
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Window & Floor Coverings
Budget Blinds Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 63
Window coverings
Total cost: $82.4K-173K
Carpet Network
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Mobile floor coverings, window treatments
Total cost: $50.6K-72.4K
Floor Coverings International
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Mobile floor coverings, window blinds
Total cost: $128K-290.5K
V2K Window D?cor & More
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Blinds, shades, shutters
Total cost: $50.1K-82.3K
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Wine Stores
Water 2 Wine
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Custom winery
Total cost: $142.5K-220K
WineStyles Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Wine store
Total cost: $229K-380.5K
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Wireless Stores
Wireless Toyz
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 376
Wireless devices & satellite TV services
Total cost: $215.4K-693.1K
Wireless Zone
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 185
Wireless communications store
Total cost: $65.3K-193.5K
Yakety Yak Wireless
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Wireless services & related products
Total cost: $158.9K-294.5K
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Miscellaneous
Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 52
Furniture, electronics, computer & appliance leasing & sales
Total cost: $233.7K-602.98K
Ace Hardware Corp.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 6
Hardware & home improvement store
Total cost: $400K-1.1M
Beehive Co-op LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Retail cooperative for local designers
Total cost: $71.8K-130.8K
Color Me Mine Enterprises Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Paint-your-own-ceramics studio
Total cost: $146.2K-195.1K
ColorTyme
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 298
Rent-to-own electronics/furniture/appliances
Total cost: $475K-813.5K
Crown Trophy Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 307
Award & recognition items
Total cost: $168.5K-199.5K
Flowerama of America
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Flowers, plants, gifts, silk items
Total cost: $209K-411K
Friendly Computers
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 332
Computer repairs, services & sales
Total cost: $205.6K-465.1K
Happy & Healthy Products Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Frozen fruit bars
Total cost: $33.9K-76.6K
Music Go Round
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
New/used musical instruments & sound equipment
Total cost: $242.2K-319.8K
Oreck Clean Home Center
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 169
Vacuum cleaners, air purifiers &
related home care products
Total cost: $171.8K-230.5K
The Original Basket Boutique
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 464
Gifts, gift baskets, corporate gifts
Total cost: $49K
Party Land Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Party supplies & balloons
Total cost: $280K
Play N Trade Franchise Inc.
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: 345
New & used video games
Total cost: $197.2K-406.2K
Red Wheel Fundraising
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Food fundraising program
Total cost: $43K-95K
7 Valleys Custom Blends Farm Fresh Tobacco
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Tobacco retail store
Total cost: $123.2K-208K
Skyshades Franchise Development LLC
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Shading systems
Total cost: $75K
Tile Outlet Always In Stock
2009 Franchise 500 ranking: NR
Discount tile & granite counter store
Total cost: $59.9K-104.6K
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