These franchises emerged to meet the demands of businesses that rely on outsourcing to balance their company’s bottom line. Franchises have given these businesses a fresh supply of dependable service providers, a welcome relief for the many small- and mid-sized companies who are trying to achieve their goals with fewer full-time employees.

Surveys suggest that more than 80% of all companies engage in some form of outsourcing. When you apply that percentage to the total number of businesses in the U.S., you discover a market for business services that is huge and growing larger every single day. .

Padgett Business Services is just one of the many franchises that have made their mark in the field of business services. In 1965, a small business owner in Georgia named Walter Padgett noticed that many of his peers were struggling to meet the financial demands of small business ownership. His answer was to create a company offering financial services to small businesses. Today, Padgett has more than 400 offices in North America. They are one of the largest small business services companies in the U.S., serving more than 25,000 businesses annually.

But financial services aren’t your only option in business services franchising. The types of services these franchises provide runs the gamut and include advertising services, business brokerages, shipping & delivery, management training, staffing services, and general business consulting.

Points to Consider

• The business services industry is highly diverse, offering a broad range of products and services to meet the ever-changing needs of small businesses. Before you settle on a specific franchise, talk to some small business owners to learn the kinds of services they really need rather than the ones you think they need.
• Business services providers need to have a certain amount of expertise in their field. In many cases, it’s possible to leverage your corporate work experience to launch a successful business services franchise. However, if you don’t possess the necessary expertise you need to hire people who do. You may even want to consider inviting someone who has expertise to become a partner in your franchise.

Franchise Opportunities

• Padgett Business Services. With more than 40 years experience, Padgett currently has 400 locations in North America. They offer an attractive franchise package for entrepreneurs interested in offering financial services to small business clientele.
• Sign-A-Rama. Operated as a franchise since 1974, Sign-A-Rama offers full-service sign centers for both a domestic and international market. In 2005, they boasted 480 locations in the U.S. and 231 locations abroad.
• Express Personnel Services. Express Personnel Services provides temporary and flexible staffing, evaluation and direct hire, professional/contract staffing, and management consulting. They currently have 403 U.S. locations and another 30 in Canada and other foreign locales.
• PostNet Postal & Business Services. PostNet is a mail and parcel center franchise that offers a variety of shipping and business services including package shipping and copy services. In 2005 PostNet’s North American franchises numbered close to 600.

Want to Learn about Franchise Opportunities?

Browse tons of franchise opportunities in the Gaebler Ventures franchise directory:

Our Directory of Franchise Opportunities now includes over 1,400 franchise opportunities. If we're missing a franchise, please let us know.