Look, when you hear the term “franchising” very few people picture a glamorous lifestyle. Fast food? Cleaning services? Home care? No, thank you. There is often a level of fear or reluctance associated with that almighty “ick” factor.

Hey, I understand. Long before I entered the world of franchising, I was working in corporate America when a franchise consultant approached me about franchise opportunities. Was I happy in my corporate career? No. But it was sustainable, wasn't it? It was the “smart” choice. The “right” choice. Okay, maybe the “conditional” choice is more accurate. But anyway, I was in my late forties and had chosen my path.

It wasn't until a friend who owned a franchise started growing his multi-unit business and decided to sell in a multi-million dollar deal that my ears perked up. It never occurred to me that the franchise could scale like this. I decided to give the franchise a real look and dig into the quest.

Now, having owned a franchise myself and worked in the industry for eight years, my perspective on many of the “ick” franchise industries has changed dramatically. Are gutter cleaning services, roof repair and pest control services hot now? No, but I will worry about that perception as I watch my kids graduate from college debt-free and my retirement savings grow. What I've learned is that there is real value in those essential everyday industries that, given the opportunity, have real material benefits that can be relevant to your goals as well.

So what makes these niche “no-brainer” industries so valuable?

1. Unlimited demand

Consider franchises that offer home care services. Think drain cleaning, house cleaning, pest control, plumbing, hvac, electrical, lawn care, trash removal, etc. These service-based companies provide evergreen services that people need in almost every corner of the United States. No matter what, home ownership, apartment management, commercial development means ongoing maintenance that requires specialized services. Specialized services often offered by an exclusive local brand with national recognition.

2. Recession resistant

Working hand in hand with unlimited demand, no matter what is happening in the economy, many services are not a “nice to have” but a “need to have”. Medical waste disposal? Care for the elderly? Childcare? If you think about the depth of the pandemic, there were a multitude of services that were in demand despite the lockdown.

A variety of franchise brands that provide these vital services and many more were in the mix supporting people in need of care. Time and time again, I've seen how services that are often glossed over with the phrase “somebody's got to do it” align with franchise industries.

3. Low initial investment

One of the main benefits of service-based franchise businesses is the relatively low cost barrier to entry. These brands do not require a storefront or customer-facing real estate, and the service itself is provided at the customer's location.

It's worth noting that not all franchises are synonymous with “ick” — consider boutique fitness, salon services, pet motels, etc. However, these location-based businesses that include retail storefronts where the customer receives services at a fixed-based location are often associated with higher initial investment costs.

4. Fixed upper landing

In addition to low initial investment, service-based brands often have a lower overall fixed cost. In contrast, location-based brands (think salons, boutique fitness, pet care, etc.) often have higher fixed costs—which may have more competition due to the fact that these are industry-based in passion

Let's consider a niche franchise that offers roofing solutions for a specific territory. As a franchise owner, you are called upon to provide that service as needed. However, since roofing is a big ticket item, it is not a service that is repeated often. In this business model, you may only need one salesperson—perhaps the franchise owner—and a project manager to see the installation. As for labor, in this model, it can be provided by hired contractors, keeping the overall fixed cost low.

In fact, many of these project-based service brands have contractor models that mean you're not spending on work with no contracts to fill. This model helps you achieve profitability faster without increasing your overhead costs.

5. Franchisor support

One of the many benefits of working within a franchise system is the ongoing support you will receive from the franchisor. While any reputable franchisor will help with setup and initial operations, service-based franchisors often include additional services such as call centers that provide back-office support. They can help schedule client visits, determine needed services, and more. This reduces the need for you to hire an office worker, allowing you to make the most of your time and may even allow you to keep your corporate job while building your franchise business.

Since becoming a franchise consultant, time and time again I have seen initial resistance to a particular industry dissolve into opportunity. The “ick” factor is real, and while you should never jump into an industry you can't get behind, it's important not to let an initial hesitation discourage you from pursuing a business opportunity that supports your professional goals.