We suggest looking at franchise opportunities that will not be going away in our lifetimes...like franchises in the service sector.
They need employees. They need great managers. They do not need A+ retail locations, which tend to be expensive.
This is an area I discussed on one of my blogs, If you are interested in exploring franchise ownership, where should you begin? Start by taking an inventory of your particular skill sets. Are you outgoing? Do you like sales and networking with others? Are you more introverted? Would you like a franchise where your customers come in to see you? This inventory process is critical. Why purchase a food or retail franchise, in which you may be stuck inside your store/restaurant for 12-14 hours a day, if you are a person who needs to be out and about, connecting with others?
It will then time to figure out which categories you should be looking at, at least at first. Should you look at the food service area? Retail? Automotive? Business to Business?Or should you look at this whole small business/franchise ownership from a different perspective? How about from the consumer's point of view? Another words, what products and services are consumers most willing to pay for?
I suggest thinking seriously about one particular segment of our population: The "time starved" consumer!
In a story I wrote for award winning website, Small Business Trends. I go into more detail about the types of services that are badly needed right now. Read
In summation, figure out where your talents lie, then find a niche where you can utilize them, and where consumers and small businesses are clamoring for what you have to offer.