Retail

There are a number of great franchise opportunities for a future business owner. Many franchises are already well known throughout the U.S. and many are well known in certain parts of the country.

Retail franchises are also very popular now days with the advent of Blockbuster Video, Radio Shack, The Athlete's Foot, GNC Franchising and the various Dollar Stores.

Blockbuster

Blockbuster was started in 1985 and is a leading global provider of video or in-home movies and games and has more than 7,000 stores throughout the world.

The total investment in Blockbuster is from $219,500-$714.500. The franchise fee runs from a low of $8,000 to $20,000. However, the Blockbuster corporation worldwide profits for 2002 was 5.5 billion dollars

RadioShack

RadioShack began in 1921 starting out by offering ham radio and electronics buffs mail order and retail sources for their electronic and radio needs.

Charles Tandy purchased the company in 1963 and turned the company's $4 million dollar debt into $20 million dollar profit. Franchising began in 1968. The franchise is both nationwide and worldwide.

The total investment will run about $69,900, franchise fee is $39,900 and no royalty fees are asked for.

Athlete's Foot

Robert and David Lando opened the first Athlete's Foot store in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania in 1971. It was the first of its kind, an athletic footwear specialty store. The business took off quickly and began franchising in 1972 and went global by 1978.

In buying an Athlete's Foot franchise, expect to pay $39,900 in franchise fee and at least 5% in royalties and one percent of net sales goes to contributions for marketing purposes.

The total investment in Athlete's Foot will be between $196,00-$446,000. A total of $80,000 in liquid assets is also required.

GNC Franchising

GNC Franchising began in Pittsburgh as a health-food store called Lackzoom in 1935 by David Shakarian. It first specialized in yogurt and then started bringing other health-related food into the store such as honey and vitamins.

To buy a GNC Franchise, you will need at least $132,000-$182,000 in total investments, pay between $30,000 and $40,000 in franchise fees and have at least $65,000 in liquid assets. On going royalty fees are six percent.

MyDollarstore

Dollar store franchises began in 1999 after a major study was done by MyDollarstore Company to pinpoint the wholesale and retail consumer needs. The MyDollarstore Company concept found out the mom and pop dollar stores were unable to keep up with the big corporations due to a lack of buying power. MyDollarstore Company changed that. Now there are many companies following the MyDollarstore Company's concept and Dollar Stores are popping up all over the place.

The total investments for dollar stores are from $75,000 to $200,000. An initial franchise fee is $15,000 with a 4% royalty fee.