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Best, Low-Cost Franchises Of 2007

Top 10 Franchises For Less Than $50,000

You have to already be rich to buy into some money-making franchises, such as Subway, McDonald's and Wendy's. But what about franchises that produce high returns for smaller startup fees?

Here is a list complied by Entrepreneur.com of the top franchises of 2007 -- all of them with buy-ins of $50,000 or less.

1. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
A full-size tax service specializing in computerized preparation of individual returns
Franchise Fee: Up to $25K
Total Investment: $48.6K - 91.8K
Ongoing royalty fee: 15 percent
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

2. RE/MAX Intl.
Real estate agents specializing in residential and corporate property
Franchise Fee: $12.5K - 25K
Total Investment: $25K-199K
Ongoing royalty fee: Varies
Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

3. Jani-King
A commercial cleaning service
Franchise Fee: $8.6K-16.3K+
Total Investment: $11.3K-34.1K+
Ongoing royalty fee: 10 percent
Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable

4. Curves
A women-only fitness center
Franchise Fee: $24.9K-39.9K
Total Investment: $31.4K-53.5K
Ongoing royalty fee: 5- 6 percent
Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

5. Liberty Tax Service
Income tax preparation services
Franchise Fee: $15K-30K
Total Investment: $33.4K-59.9K
Ongoing royalty fee: Varies
Term of agreement: Perpetual, renewable

6. Merle Norman Cosmetics
Cosmetics studio
Franchise Fee: None
Total Investment: $29.6K-165.4K
Ongoing royalty fee: None
Term of agreement: Open-ended

7. Kumon Math & Reading Centers
An after-school program specializing in math and reading
Franchise Fee: $1,000
Total Investment: $30.5K-110K
Ongoing royalty fee: $30+/student/month
Term of agreement: Two years

8. Jan-Pro Franchising
Carpet cleaning service
Franchise Fee: $2.8K-44K
Total Investment: $3.3K-49.9K
Ongoing royalty fee: 10 percent
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

9. Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning
Commercial Cleaning
Franchise Fee: $10.95K-34.9K
Total Investment: $24.6K-203.6K
Ongoing royalty fee: $229/month
Term of agreement: 5 years, renewable

10. Bonus Building Care
Commercial cleaning services
Franchise Fee: $6.5K
Total Investment: $7.2K-13.6K
Ongoing royalty fee: 10 percent
Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable