Bass Pro Shops, Inc. is a chain of outdoors / sporting goods stores that offers unique opportunities to the outdoor enthusiast. Unlike other business opportunities, this type of business allows individuals to make a living out of a hobby. While this operation requires management skills, it involves interest and experience in the outdoors as well. Bass Pro Shops in the past has been deemed as the “Disneylands of sporting goods stores.” Inside each shop, consumers will find interactive elements, which help engage anyone who enters the store. Some Bass Pro Shops feature 21,000-gallon freshwater aquariums full of various fish, such as salmon, bass, pike, and trout. Others have archery ranges with moving targets, climbing walls, fly fishing museums, exhibits, bowling lanes, billiard tables, large fly shops, restaurants, Starbucks, smaller scale aquariums, and boat / marine centers. That in mind, it’s clear to see why these stores have been coined the “Disneylands of sporting goods stores.” John Morris & Bass Pro Shop John Morris founded Bass Pro Shops, Inc. in 1981 in Springfield, Missouri. He felt frustrated ...

Considering going from corporate cubicle to entrepreneurial home office? If so, you have already decided that working as an employee in the “9 to 5″ grind does not match your future goals and aspirations. Though you may be excited to start a new venture, the transition from employee to entrepreneur can throw you for a loop. And the inevitable disorientation can cause you to constantly spin your wheels wondering what to do.

Before you quit your day job, reflect on your future and where you envision yourself years from now. Do you see yourself working at your home on an internet business, starting a completely new venture or jumping on the bandwagon of a successful franchise? The answers to these questions will lead you to deciding which business will fulfill your expectations for a better life than your current experience. Employee to Entrepreneur – Full Article

Franchise opportunities offer life-long wealth and prosperity through long-term investments. While they require a much high initial cash investment versus other investments, their potential to bring in revenue is much higher. Plus, most large franchises require a long-term commitment, where individuals are literally locked in through a contract. The benefits are many with franchise opportunities. How do I get involved? The first step is to research which franchises would be a good match for you. Because you are going to be in this long term, upwards of 20 years, be sure that you really do your homework here. See what is available. Read about different companies via Entrepreneur and other viable publications. Once you’ve narrowed your search down, begin looking at homepages and reading about the specific opportunities. Think about questions like these. What is the initial cash investment and net worth requirement? Does the company offer financing or have access to such? What are the other fees associated with the purchase of the franchise? What are the annual fees paid out ...

Ben & Jerry’s was founded in 1978 and first started franchising its stores in 1981. Long-time friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, established the first Ben & Jerry’s in a gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Today, this ice cream phenomenon continues to headquarter there. Today, Ben & Jerry’s operates in grocery stores across the country, independent national franchises, and throughout the world. As of last year, Ben & Jerry’s was quoted to have 383 United States franchises, 6 Canadian, and 456 foreign. Some of the foreign chains include: Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe, Mexico, and Western Europe. Full Ben & Jerry’s Article

Depending on the type of franchise you own, your franchisor may or may not provide marketing services for you. Because franchises are major corporations, they should have an overall, company-wide marketing campaign that utilizes all channels of media—television, radio, billboard, Internet, and mobile marketing strategies. Aside from that marketing campaign, companies generally offer a marketing campaign of sorts on a store-to-store basis. More Marketing My Franchise…

Franchise Name: Checker's Drive-In Franchise URL: Checker's Drive-In Franchise Fee: $30,000 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $476,700 - $617,200 Year Established: 1986 US Franchises: 589 Franchise Top 500 #76 Ranking Franchise 2009 #63 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Checker's Drive In was founded in 1986 in Mobile, Alabama. They have since then merged with Rally's. It is a drive thru restaurant chain specializing in burgers and fries.

Franchise Name: Edible Arrangements Franchise URL: Edible Arrangements Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $154,920 - $298,005 Year Established: 1999 US Franchises: 745 Franchise Top 500 #48 Ranking Franchise 2010 #41 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: In 1999, Tariq Farid and his brother created the idea of selling edible flower arrangements made out of fruit. They began to franchise in 2001 and now have over 700 stores in the U.S.

Franchise Name: World Gym Franchise URL: World Gym Franchise Fee: $6,500 - $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 years, renewable Investment Total: $102,600 - $422,600 Year Established: 1976 US Franchises: 162 See More Franchise Reports Notes: Schlotzsky's was founded by Don and Delores Dissman in 1971. They sell sandwiches, soups, salads and pizzas. They are most famous for their specialty bread.

Franchise Name: Schlotzsky's Franchise URL: Schlotzsky's Franchise Fee: $30,000 Agreement Terms: Term of agreement not renewable Investment Total: $343,630 - $618,500 Year Established: 1971 US Franchises: 320 Franchise Top 500 #247 Ranking Franchise 2010 #183 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Schlotzsky's was founded by Don and Delores Dissman in 1971. They sell sandwiches, soups, salads and pizzas. They are most famous for their specialty bread.

Franchise Name: Keller Williams Realty Franchise URL: Keller Williams Realty Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: 5 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $174,647 - $557,495 Year Established: 1983 US Franchises: 675 Franchise Top 500 #60 Ranking Franchise 2010 #52 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Gary Keller and Joe Williams merged together in 1983 and started franchising four years later. It is an international real estate company located in Canada and the US.

Franchise Name: Cold Stone Creamery Franchise URL: Cold Stone Creamery Franchise Fee: $42,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $292,375 - $438,975 Year Established: 1988 US Franchises: 1,221 Franchise Top 500 #35 Ranking Franchise 2010 #29 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Donald and Susan Sutherland started this ice cream franchise back in the late 1980's. These delicious desert creations are mixed together on a frozen granite slab to your exact specifications.

Franchise Name: Ben and Jerry's Franchise URL: Ben and Jerry's Franchise Fee: $32,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $143,400 - $446,100 Year Established: 1978 US Franchises: 383 Franchise Top 500 #98 Ranking Franchise 2010 #80 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started this franchise in 1978 from a gas station in Burlington, Vermont. They have come a long way the past 30 years and continue to grow their ice cream business.

Franchise Name: Jenny Craig Franchise URL: Jenny Craig Franchise Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yrs, renewable Investment Total: $169,600 - $440,500 Year Established: 1983 US Franchises: 98 Franchise Top 500 #155 Ranking Franchise 2009 #121 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Founded in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia by owner Jenny Craig and 2 years later brought to the US. This weight loss and nutrition company is now headquartered in Carlsbad, California.

Franchise Name: Smoothie King Franchise URL: Smoothie King Franchise Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 years, renewable Investment Total: $140,000 - $330,000 Year Established: 1987 US Franchises: 554 Franchise Top 500 #80 Ranking Franchise #67 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Steve Kuhnau opened the first Smoothie King in 1987. Each Smoothie King store sells smoothies and a variety of vitamins, minerals, low fat snacks and nutritional supplements.

Franchise Name: Marble Slab Franchise URL: Marble Slab Franchise Franchise Fee: $15,000 - $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $216,700 - $374,000 Year Established: 1983 US Franchises: 295 Franchise Top 500 #354 Ranking Franchise 2010 #189 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Prepared on an actual marble slab, this Houston-based company offers a variety of different homemade ice cream flavors. It is family-owned and was started in 1983.

Franchise Name: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Franchise URL: Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Franchise Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: 10 years, renewable Investment Total: $48,000 - $92,000 Year Established: 1960 US Franchises: 5,778 Franchise Top 500 #21 Ranking Franchise 2008 #5 Ranking Franchise Global 2008 See More Franchise Reports Notes: Started in 1960, Jackson Hewitt is a full-service, year-round national tax service specializing in computerized federal and state preparation of individual returns. It began franchising in 1986.

Franchise Name: H & R Block Franchise URL: H & R Block Franchise Franchise Fee: $0 Agreement Terms: Term of agreement not renewable Investment Total: $26,000- $85,000 Year Established: 1955 US Franchises: 3,999 Franchise Top 500 #6 Ranking Franchise 2009 #5 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Founded in 1955 by brothers Henry W. and Richard Bloch. Offer their own consumer tax software called H&R Block at Home (formerly TaxCut), as well as online tax preparation and electronic filing from their website.

Franchise Name: Pizza Hut Franchise URL: Pizza Hut Franchise Franchise Fee: $25,000 Agreement Terms: Term of agreement not renewable Investment Total: $316,000 - $3,000,000 Year Established: 1957 US Franchises: 6,535 Franchise Top 500 #15 Ranking Franchise 2009 #12 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: The first Pizza Hut opened its doors in 1958. Just a year later, the company incorporated and the first franchise opened in Topeka.

Franchise Name: Long John Silver's Franchise URL: Long John Silver's Franchise Franchise Fee: $20,000 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $879,000 - $1,300,000 Year Established: 1969 US Franchises: 1,022 Franchise Top 500 #70 Ranking Franchise 2009 #59 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: In 1969, this Treasure-Island-inspired fish 'n' chips restaurant opened in a small wharf-side building. Parent company is Yum! Brands Inc., which also franchises A&W Restaurants, KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Franchise Name: Taco Bell Franchise URL: Taco Bell Franchise Franchise Fee: $45,000 Agreement Terms: 20 years, not renewable Investment Total: $1,300,000 - $2,500,000 Year Established: 1962 US Franchises: 4,259 Franchise Top 500 #45 Ranking Franchise 2009 #39 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: In 1962, Bell sold the Taco Tia brand to his partners and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California. Today, Taco Bell is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., which also franchises A&W Restaurants, KFC, Long John Silver's and Pizza Hut.

Franchise Name: Arby's Franchise URL: Arby's Franchise Franchise Fee: $25,000 - $37,500 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $336,500 - $2,400,000 Year Established: 1964 US Franchises: 2,435 Franchise Top 500 #19 Ranking Franchise 2008 #17 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Forrest and Leroy Raffel opened the first Arby's ("R.B." for "Raffel Brothers") in Boardman, Ohio in 1964. The original Arby's menu consisted of roast beef sandwiches, potato chips and iced tea. Over time other sandwiches, curly fries, milkshakes, meals for kids and light choices have been added to the menu.

Franchise Name: Circle K Franchise URL: Circle K Franchise Franchise Fee: $15,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $161,000 - $1,400,000 Year Established: 1951 US Franchises: 469 Franchise Top 500 #25 Ranking Franchise #20 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: The Circle K convenience store chain got its start in 1951, when Fred Hervey bought three Kay's Food Stores in El Paso, Texas. The company began franchising in 1999.

Franchise Name: Sonic Franchise URL: Sonic Franchise Franchise Fee: $45,000 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $1,200,000 - $3,500,000 Year Established: 1954 US Franchises: 3,055 Franchise Top 500 #4 Ranking Franchise 2009 #4 Ranking Franchise Global See More Franchise Reports Notes: Sonic Drive In Restaurants began when Troy Smith purchased the Top Hat Drive-In, a root beer stand in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Change the name to Sonic and began franchising in 1959.

Franchise Name: Little Caesar's Franchise URL: Little Caesar's Franchise Franchise Fee: $15,000-$20,000 Agreement Terms: 10 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $109,000-$299,000 Year Established: 1959 US Franchises: 2,000 See More Franchise Reports Notes: Little Caesars was founded by Michael Ilitch and Marian Ilitch on May 8, 1959. The company is famous for its advertising catchphrase, "Pizza! Pizza!" which was introduced in 1979.

Franchise Name: Wendy's Franchise URL: Wendy's Franchise Franchise Fee:$25,000 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $250,000 - $600,000 Year Established: 1969 US Franchises: 6,000+ Franchise Top 500 #9 Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Chains See More Franchise Reports Notes: Wendy's was founded by Dave Thomas in 1969 and named after his 8-year old daughter, Melinda, who had the nickname of "Wendy."

Franchise Name: McDonalds Franchise URL: McDonalds Franchise Franchise Fee: $45,000 Agreement Terms: 20 yr. Renewable Investment Total: $1,000,000 - $1,850,000 Year Established: 1955 US Franchises: 12,221 Franchise Top 500 #2 Ranking Franchise U.S. #2 Ranking Franchise Global Notes: Mcdonald’s was created by Ray Kroc in partnership with Dick and Mac. Golden Arches established in 1955.

For many, starting a business can be intimidating and even a little bit scary.  Will my ideas sell?  Do I have a substantial brand, product, or service?  Do I possess the capacity to make this business a success?   Will I be able to make a profit?  Can I sustain a profit?  What if I run into trouble?  The list goes on.  There are many areas to consider.  Because of the risk involved when starting an individual business, often times, people consider buying a franchise.  There are typically more investment costs upfront, but the risk seems much lower because the individual purchases a franchise business opportunity from a successful, already proven company.  One such company, which I want to discuss, is the Subway franchise. Subway Franchise Opportunity Thirteen out of the last seventeen years, Entrepreneur Magazine has rated this franchise the #1 US franchise.  Subway is also currently the largest franchise business opportunity in North America.  Fred DeLuca and Peter Buck started this business in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1965, 44 years ago.  Today, this restaurant chain consists of over 30,000 stores. How did these ...