Are People Your Passion? Here Are 111 Franchises That Might Suit You.

By Tracy Stapp Herold | Aug 25, 2015
Shutterstock

If you’re considering buying a franchise, it makes sense to start with what you love. And if your passion is people, you’re in luck—the franchise world offers a variety of businesses that are all about serving members of your community, from tots to seniors, and everyone in between. You’ll find 111 opportunities here on our list of the top personal-service franchises.

These companies are listed based on their ranking in Âé¶¹Éç‘s 2015 Franchise 500®, which is based on objective, quantifiable criteria, including system size, growth and financial strength and stability. This list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company, but merely as a starting point for your own research. Before investing in any franchise, read the company’s legal documents carefully, consult with an attorney and an accountant and talk to experienced franchisees to make sure the opportunity is right for you.

Child Care

child-care-teacher-young

Goddard Systems
Preschool/educational child care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #105

Startup cost: $704.7K-$880K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 428/0

Primrose School Franchising
Educational child care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #139

Startup cost: $659.3K-$5.5M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 301/1

Kiddie Academy Child Care Learning Centers
Educational child care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #275

Startup cost: $372.7K-$3.4M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 132/0

The Learning Experience Academy of Early Education
Preschool/educational child care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #303

Startup cost: $495.3K-$3.6M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 109/21

Childrens Lighthouse Franchise Child care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #378

Startup cost: $634K-$4M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 36/8
Children’s Enrichment Programs

Bricks 4 Kidz
Lego-engineering classes, camps, parties
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #102

Startup cost: $33.8K-$51.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 649/1

High Touch-High Tech
Science activities for schools/parties
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #183

Startup cost: $59.9K-$63.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 168/28

School of Rock
Music education
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #205

Startup cost: $137.4K-$328.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 141/14

LearningRx
Learning enhancement, cognitive training, reading training
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #268

Startup cost: $75K-$209K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 83/1

Gymboree Play & Music
Parent/child play and learning programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #290

Startup cost: $106.7K-$273.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 701/6

Young Rembrandts Franchise
Art classes for ages 3 to 12
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #312

Startup cost: $40.2K-$48.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 107/0

KidzArt
Art-education programs, products and services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #320

Startup cost: $46.1K-$52.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 107/0

Engineering for Kids
Math, science, technology and engineering activities
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #409

Startup cost: $26.9K-$93.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 126/2

MindsAhead Academy
Enrichment and tutoring programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #441

Startup cost: $8.7K-$75.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 611/1

Mad Science Group
Science education and entertainment programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #471

Startup cost: $71.8K-$92.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 160/0

Drama Kids International
After-school drama classes and summer camps
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #479

Startup cost: $28.5K-$46.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 195/0

Abrakadoodle
Art-education programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #498

Startup cost: $37.8K-$80.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 170/2
Children’s Fitness

Soccer Shots Franchising
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 8
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #180

Startup cost: $31.7K-$38.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/10

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Early-learning/fitness programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #184

Startup cost: $34.3K-$247.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 329/0

HappyFeet Legends International
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 18
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #190

Startup cost: $21.3K-$25.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 171/4

Amazing Athletes
Educational sports programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #313

Startup cost: $34.2K-$55.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 85/0

JumpBunch
Mobile children’s sports and fitness programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #324

Startup cost: $40.3K-$73.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0

The Little Gym
Development/fitness programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #366

Startup cost: $147.8K-$366K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 302/0

Tippi Toes Dance
Children’s dance classes
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #396

Startup cost: $52K-$62.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 20/1

Great Play Children’s Gyms
Children’s gym
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #401

Startup cost: $192.5K-$414.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 12/1

i9 Sports
Youth sports leagues, camps and clinics
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #432

Startup cost: $44.9K-$69.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 123/16
Miscellaneous Children’s Businesses

GameTruck Licensing
Mobile video game theaters
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #254

Startup cost: $118.3K-$318.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 70/0

Pump It Up
Children’s entertainment centers
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #423

Startup cost: $366.3K-$790K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 131/2

Ident-A-Kid Franchise
Children’s safety products and services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #481

Startup cost: $34.1K-$44.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 125/0

Fitness Businesses

meditate-yoga-calm-zen.

Anytime Fitness
Fitness center
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #2

Startup cost: $78.7K-$371.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,803/36

Jazzercise
Dance-fitness classes, conventions, apparel and accessories
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #44

Startup cost: $3.5K-$75.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,569/2

Snap Fitness
24-hour fitness center
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #47

Startup cost: $109.5K-$285.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,316/126

Planet Fitness
Fitness club
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #67

Startup cost: $728.3K-$3.8M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 773/54

Gold’s Gym
Health and fitness center
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #199

Startup cost: $1M-$3.9M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 541/148

Pure Barre
Fitness classes and apparel
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #211

Startup cost: $152K-$275K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 298/14

Title Boxing Club
Boxing and kickboxing fitness classes, personal training, apparel
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #230

Startup cost: $156.4-$378K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 135/2

Retro Fitness
Health club
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #274

Startup cost: $781.4K-$1.6M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 140/0

9Round
Kickboxing fitness programs
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #288

Startup cost: $57.5K-$93K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 218/2

Get In Shape For Women
Small-group personal training for women
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #289

Startup cost: $55.9K-$188.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 86/4

UFC Gym
Fitness, boxing, kickboxing and MMA classes
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #295

Startup cost: $244.3K-$594.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/18

Pro Martial Arts Franchise
Martial-arts instruction, fitness
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #373

Startup cost: $142.1K-$179.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 55/1

Baby Boot Camp/Karna Fitness
Prenatal and postnatal fitness; women’s private and small-group training
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #427

Startup cost: $4.8K-$10.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 128/1

Brickhouse Cardio Club
Fitness studio
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #437

Startup cost: $18.95K-$31.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 53/1

Crunch Franchising
Fitness center
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #459

Startup cost: $304.5K-$1.4M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 78/8

Orangetheory Fitness
Group personal training
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #462

Startup cost: $327.6K-$634.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 220/9

Koko FitClub
Fitness studio
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #465

Startup cost: $203.4K-$342.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/3

CKO Kickboxing
Kickboxing fitness classes
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #489

Startup cost: $108.3K-$363.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 51/0

The Exercise Coach
Personal training, nutritional guidance
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #492

Startup cost: $93.2K-$235K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 28/2

iLoveKickboxing.com
Kickboxing fitness classes
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #496

Startup cost: $120.1K-$309.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/6

Hair Care

hair-dresser-hair-cut

Supercuts
Hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #5

Startup cost: $113.9K-$233.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,362/1,107

Sport Clips
Men’s sports-theme hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #36

Startup cost: $168.3K-$326.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,353/32

Great Clips Hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #37

Startup cost: $114.2K-$216K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,694/0

Fantastic Sams Hair Salons
Family hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #52

Startup cost: $136.1K-$246.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,134/2

Cost Cutters Family Hair Care
Family hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #118

Startup cost: $88.5K-$182.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 396/271

First Choice Haircutters
Family hair salon
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #133

Startup cost: $182K-$274K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 195/241

Roosters Men’s Grooming Centers
Men’s grooming services and products
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #241

Startup cost: $181.3K-$255.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 77/0

Phenix Salon Suites Franchising
Salon suites
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #431

Startup cost: $277.5K-$921.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 108/6

Health Services

HealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab
Chiropractic, rehab, nutrition and weight-loss services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #114

Startup cost: $57.7K-$253.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 366/0

The Joint
Chiropractic services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #182

Startup cost: $141.9K-$337.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 240/14

Doctors Express
Urgent-care centers
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #247

Startup cost: $807.5K-$1.2M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 76/0

Paint-and-Sip Studios

paints-art-painting-paint

Painting with a Twist
Paint-and-sip studio
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #260

Startup cost: $89.3K-$143K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 221/6

Pinot’s Palette
Paint-and-sip studio
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #460

Startup cost: $74.1K-$194.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 121/4

Photography

camera-photography-lens

TSS Photography
Youth sports, school and event photography
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #332

Startup cost: $42.3K-$77.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 229/0

Complete Weddings and Events
Photography, DJ, video and photo-booth services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #483

Startup cost: $30.4K-$48.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 200/2

Senior Care

senior-care-holding-hands

Comfort Keepers
Home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #57

Startup cost: $83.1K-$114.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 750/29

Home Instead Senior Care
Nonmedical senior care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #62

Startup cost: $99K-$114.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,032/2

Visiting Angels
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #90

Startup cost: $63.8K-$104.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 519/0

Home Helpers/Direct Link
Medical/nonmedical personal care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #112

Startup cost: $65K-$106K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 641/0

Right at Home
Home care, medical staffing
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #126

Startup cost: $78.2K-$131.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 476/1

Griswold Home Care
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #138

Startup cost: $98.5K-$121.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 208/11

BrightStar Care
Medical/nonmedical home care, medical staffing
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #165

Startup cost: $93.5K-$172.97K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 266/4

Homewatch CareGivers
Home care, nursing-care coordination, memory care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #169

Startup cost: $83.3K-$136K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 231/3

Synergy HomeCare
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #170

Startup cost: $59.2K-$108.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 285/0

Seniors Helping Seniors
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #176

Startup cost: $86.8K-$123.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 249/2

ComForCare Home Care
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #181

Startup cost: $81.3K-$155.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 204/0

Acti-Kare
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #240

Startup cost: $32.6K-$51.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 90/0

Always Best Care Senior Services
Medical and nonmedical home care, assisted-living placement
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #242

Startup cost: $60.2K-$109.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 203/0

CarePatrol Franchise Systems
Assisted-living referral and placement
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #272

Startup cost: $62.4K-$84.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/1

Interim Healthcare
Medical home care, medical staffing
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #292

Startup cost: $115.5K-$188.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 554/0

FirstLight HomeCare
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #302

Startup cost: $87.2K-$129.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 112/0

Nurse Next Door Home Care Services
Medical/nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #326

Startup cost: $134.6K-$180.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 75/1

Senior Helpers
Personal, companion and Alzheimer’s home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #331

Startup cost: $81.3K-$117.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 259/0

Hallmark Homecare
Caregiver search, recruitment and placement
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #345

Startup cost: $13.9K-$26.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 92/0

Caring Senior Service
Home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #351

Startup cost: $58.6K-$102.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/3

The Senior’s Choice
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #383

Startup cost: $38K-$55K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 170/1

Granny Nannies Licensing Group
Home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #385

Startup cost: $59.6K-$99.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/3

Home Care Assistance
Nonmedical home care
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #477

Startup cost: $90K-$174.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 82/17

Spa Services

massage-spa-services-hot-coals

Massage Envy Spa
Therapeutic massage and facial services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #51

Startup cost: $413.7K-$960.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,078/0

Palm Beach Tan
Tanning
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #159

Startup cost: $502.7K-$810.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 240/183

Elements Massage
Therapeutic massage services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #208

Startup cost: $214.8K-$380.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 206/0

Massage Heights
Therapeutic massage services and products
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #244

Startup cost: $360K-$636.96K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 126/2

LaVida Massage
Massage and spa services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #307

Startup cost: $160.3K-$290K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/0

MassageLuXe
Therapeutic massage, facials, waxing
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #338

Startup cost: $215.1K-$399.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/4

The Woodhouse Day Spa
Spa services, bath and body products
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #374

Startup cost: $497.6K-$697.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/2

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Massage and spa services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #380

Startup cost: $406.9K-$521.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 215/1

iTan Franchising
UV tanning, spray tanning, spa services
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #392

Startup cost: $326K-$650K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 22/8

Seva Beauty
Threading, eyelash extensions, waxing, spa services and products
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #429

Startup cost: $141K-$199.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 86/0

Waxing the City
Facial and body waxing
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #484

Startup cost: $97.4K-$326.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 23/2

Travel Agencies

passport-airplane-travel-agency

Cruise Planners
Travel agency
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #22

Startup cost: $2.1K-$22.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,851/1

Results! Travel
Travel agency
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #69

Startup cost: $25-$10.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 656/0

CruiseOne
Travel agency
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #150

Startup cost: $3.2K-$21.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,000/0

Travel Leaders
Travel agency
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #195

Startup cost: $1.95K-$15.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 381/14

Expedia CruiseShipCenters
Cruise and vacation travel agency
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #221

Startup cost: $94.5K-$179.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 183/1

Tutoring

tutoring-library-teacher-student

Kumon Math & Reading Centers
Supplemental education
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #20

Startup cost: $64.1K-$134.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 25,357/36

Eye Level Learning Centers
Supplemental education
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #68

Startup cost: $75.6K-$139.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 572/709

Mathnasium Learning Centers
Math tutoring
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #86

Startup cost: $99.8K-$139.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 666/11

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
In-home tutoring
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #116

Startup cost: $32.6K-$56.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 390/0

Tutor Doctor
Tutoring
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #156

Startup cost: $62.5K-$100.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 429/0

JEI Learning Centers
Individualized supplemental education
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #198

Startup cost: $60.8K-$99.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 303/232

Huntington Learning Centers
Tutoring and test prep
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #301

Startup cost: $98.3K-$198.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 218/36

Above Grade Level In-Home Tutoring
Tutoring
2015 Franchise 500 rank: #398

Startup cost: $51.5K-$76.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 22/1

If you’re considering buying a franchise, it makes sense to start with what you love. And if your passion is people, you’re in luck—the franchise world offers a variety of businesses that are all about serving members of your community, from tots to seniors, and everyone in between. You’ll find 111 opportunities here on our list of the top personal-service franchises.

These companies are listed based on their ranking in Âé¶¹Éç‘s 2015 Franchise 500®, which is based on objective, quantifiable criteria, including system size, growth and financial strength and stability. This list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company, but merely as a starting point for your own research. Before investing in any franchise, read the company’s legal documents carefully, consult with an attorney and an accountant and talk to experienced franchisees to make sure the opportunity is right for you.

Child Care

child-care-teacher-young

Tracy Stapp Herold

Âé¶¹Éç Staff
Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Âé¶¹Éç magazine. She works on franchise... Read more

Related Content