What does the future hold for the franchise world? Some industries on Entrepreneur’s list of 10 trends for 2012, like child care and senior care, have been going strong for years – thanks to the ever-growing demographic groups they serve – and show no signs of stopping. Others, like spa services and health services, have just started taking the franchise world by storm in recent years. Whether they’re new or old, these are the franchise categories that are primed for continued growth over the next year – whatever the economic circumstances may be.
This list is not a ranking and is not intended as a recommendation of any particular franchise company. Hot or not, all opportunities should be researched thoroughly before you jump into one. That means carefully reading the FDD, consulting with an attorney and accountant, and talking to current and former franchisees to find out if the franchise is a good fit for you.
Burgers
The new breed of “better burger” restaurants is on the rise, while more seasoned fast-food franchises expand and experiment with their menus in order to compete.
Child Care
Child care is a need that’s not going away, and franchises offer parents a variety of options, ranging from nannies and babysitters to educational child-care centers.
Children’s Enrichment
Kids are more active than ever, and whether they’re interested in arts and crafts, sports and fitness or computers and science, there’s a franchise out there that will appeal to them.
Fitness
As long as there are New Year’s resolutions, the fitness industry will keep going strong. And resolution-makers will find a plethora of franchised fitness options, including dance classes, martial arts, boxing and more.
Health Services
Recent years have seen a surge of companies looking to draw physicians into the franchise fold, with offerings as diverse as weight loss, physical therapy, chiropractic services and urgent care.
Resale Stores
Resale stores are experiencing a renaissance thanks to consumers looking for ways to make their money go further. Clothing stores dominate the category, but you’ll also find electronics, sporting goods and even musical instruments.
Sandwiches
This year Subway overtook McDonald’s to become the biggest quick-service chain in the world–a testament to just how popular sandwiches are. And even with that titan in their midst, smaller sandwich franchises are still finding plenty of room to grow.
Senior Care
With the first baby boomers turning 65 this year, the already-strong market for senior services is set to explode. Franchise offerings have expanded from simple companion care to include medical care, assisted-living placement, transportation and more.
Spa Services
Bucking expectations, franchises offering luxuries like massage and spa services thrive in tough economic conditions, thanks in large part to membership-based business models.
Tutoring
Education is one area where parents aren’t willing to skimp, so it’s no surprise that tutoring franchises number in the thousands and continue to grow.
Tracy Stapp
Tracy Stapp is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine.
She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.
