Franchise Opportunities

Retail Franchises

Retail franchises are a great way to get started as an entrepreneur. You can have your very own store! Before buying a retail franchise, be sure to read this article. Plus, take a look at our featured retail franchises.

Not surprisingly, the retail franchise business accounts for a large portion of franchise sales, partly because retail is a very broad category with a diverse mix of industries falling under its umbrella.

Retail Franchises

This diversity gives prospective franchisees a lot of choices, making it easier to find a franchise that meets your specific interests and needs.

Around 70% of all franchises are purchased for under $30,000 with retail franchises usually costing more than service franchises due to the overhead costs of merchandise and other retail-specific requirements. Even so, retail franchises are available in a variety of price ranges and business models. Although retail franchises sell in a traditional store venue, there are also retail franchise opportunities that sell their products from kiosks or even from your own home.

The convenience store industry occupies a firmly entrenched position within retail franchising. Founded by the Southland Ice Company in Dallas, Texas in 1927, 7-Eleven has been a pioneer among convenience stores and convenience store franchises. In addition to selling blocks of ice to refrigerate food, an enterprising ice dock employee began offering milk, bread and eggs on Sundays and evenings when grocery stores were closed. This new business idea produced satisfied customers and respectable sales, and marked the birth of convenience retailing. Today 7-Eleven is an undisputed leader in the industry with total sales of more than $36 billion.

Whether you decide to purchase a convenience store or a different retail franchise altogether, it's important to ask the franchisor to provide information about anticipated startup costs and average store profitability as well as questions about the kind of support they are prepared to offer you on a go-forward basis.

Points to Consider

  • If your resources are extremely limited, purchasing retail space and startup inventory may be difficult. However, there are ways to reduce your startup costs through leasing and other alternatives. Talk to your franchisor about leasing options and other ways you can save money upfront.
  • Retail requires franchise owners to address the issue of inventory management, something that isn't a factor in most service franchises. Make sure your franchisor has a system in place to help you maintain proper inventory levels and track your merchandise.

Franchise Opportunities

  • 7-Eleven Franchises. 7-Eleven is the established leader in the convenience store industry. They are also leaders in franchising. In addition to their 2,400 company-owned locations, 7-Eleven currently has 3,900 locations in the U.S. and an amazing 21,240 locations abroad.
  • RadioShack Franchises. RadioShack operates stores across America, offering electronics junkies and everyday consumers everything from batteries to satellite dishes. In 2005, they reported 1,850+ franchises and more than 5,000 company-owned stores.
  • Pearle Vision. Since 1961, Pearle Vision has been offering their customers one-stop, total eye care products and services. At the present time, the company has 850+ stores located primarily in the U.S.
  • Dollar Discount Stores. Dollar Discount has taken advantage of the rising popularity of discount retail and "dollar" products. The company has been franchising since 1987 and now has approximately 150 locations in the U.S.

Want to Learn about Franchise Opportunities?

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

Gaebler Ventures Franchise Directory Categories - Alphabetical Listings

Gaebler Ventures Franchise Directory Categories - By Franchise Type

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

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