The Top 10 Mobile and Home-Based Franchises in 2025
Whether you're drawn to a mobile tool truck, a travel planning business you can run from home or a security firm with national reach, today's top franchise opportunities come in all shapes, sizes and price points. Some cater to first-time entrepreneurs with minimal startup costs, while others offer high-growth potential for seasoned operators looking to scale. What they all share is a proven system and a spot on our 2025 Franchise 500 ranking.
We've rounded up 10 standout home-based and mobile brands from this year's list, spanning industries like home services, business consulting and commercial cleaning. These franchises earned their place by combining strong growth with accessible investment levels, franchisee support and brand recognition. Whether you're looking to get on the road, stay close to home or dive into B2B services, these top-ranked franchises offer a compelling starting point.
Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
1. Snap-on Tools
Founded: 1920
1920 Franchising since: 1991
1991 Overall rank: 16
16 Number of units: 4,674
4,674 Change in units: -2% over 3 years
-2% over 3 years Initial investment: $217,505 - $481,554
$217,505 - $481,554 Leadership: Nick Pinchuk, chairman, president & CEO
Nick Pinchuk, chairman, president & CEO Parent company: Snap-on Inc.
Snap-on Tools has been a trusted name in professional-grade tools since 1920 and began franchising in 1991. With nearly 4,700 mobile tool stores worldwide, the brand serves mechanics and technicians directly at their workplaces. Franchisees operate fully equipped trucks, building loyal customer bases through weekly service routes. While unit growth has dipped slightly by 2% over the past three years, Snap-on remains a top-tier franchise, ranked #16 overall on the 2025 Franchise 500.
Related: How to Turn Big Business Moments Into Lasting Brand Momentum
2. Stratus Building Solutions
Founded: 2004
2004 Franchising since: 2006
2006 Overall rank: 23
23 Number of units: 4,182
4,182 Change in units: +73% over 3 years
+73% over 3 years Initial investment: $4,450 - $79,750
$4,450 - $79,750 Leadership: Doug Flaig, CEO
Doug Flaig, CEO Parent company: SBS Franchising LLC
Stratus Building Solutions stands out in the commercial cleaning industry for its affordability and rapid growth. With startup costs starting as low as $4,450, it offers one of the most accessible entry points in franchising. Since launching in 2004 and beginning to franchise in 2006, the brand has expanded aggressively, growing its unit count by 73% over the past three years to more than 4,100 locations. Stratus ranks #23 on the 2025 Franchise 500 and continues to attract entrepreneurs seeking low overhead and recurring revenue.
Related: After Decades of Hard Work, This Couple Is Living the Entrepreneurial Dream. Here's How They Achieved Generational Wealth
3. Budget Blinds
Founded: 1992
1992 Franchising since: 1994
1994 Overall rank: 26
26 Number of units: 1,498
1,498 Change in units: +13.5% over 3 years
+13.5% over 3 years Initial investment: $100,500 - $211,250
$100,500 - $211,250 Leadership: Heather Nyckolaychuck, president
Heather Nyckolaychuck, president Parent company: Home Franchise Concepts
With nearly 1,500 locations and steady growth in recent years, Budget Blinds has become a leading name in custom window coverings. Franchisees benefit from national brand recognition, strong corporate support and a home-based business model that keeps overhead low. Founded in 1992 and part of Home Franchise Concepts, the brand appeals to those looking for a service-based business with design appeal. Budget Blinds continues to climb the Franchise 500 ranks — earning the #26 spot on this year's list.
Related: How to Recover from a Bad Business Decision (and Rebuild Trust)
4. Kona Ice
Founded: 2007
2007 Franchising since: 2008
2008 Overall rank: 30
30 Number of units: 1,814
1,814 Change in units: +30% over 3 years
+30% over 3 years Initial investment: $173,356 - $222,141
$173,356 - $222,141 Leadership: Tony Lamb, founder & CEO
Tony Lamb, founder & CEO Parent company: N/A
Kona Ice delivers more than just shaved ice — it offers a fun, mobile business with serious growth potential. Since franchising began in 2008, the brand has expanded to more than 1,800 units, thanks to its vibrant trucks, community focus and school fundraising partnerships. With an initial investment under $225,000 and no physical storefront required, it's an appealing option for aspiring entrepreneurs. Founded by Tony Lamb, who still serves as CEO, Kona Ice has seen 30% unit growth in just three years and now ranks #30 on the Franchise 500.
Related: What My First Failed Startup Taught Me — and How I Finally Got It Right 20 Years Later
5. The Maids
Founded: 1979
1979 Franchising since: 1981
1981 Overall rank: 34
34 Number of units: 1,628
1,628 Change in units: +5.9% over 3 years
+5.9% over 3 years Initial investment: $80,880 - $158,900
$80,880 - $158,900 Leadership: Dan Kirwan, CEO
Dan Kirwan, CEO Parent company: The Maids Int'l.
Ranked #34 on the Franchise 500, The Maids has built a strong reputation for detailed, team-based home cleaning since its founding in 1979. With more than 1,600 units and nearly 6% growth over the past three years, the brand continues to attract franchisees seeking a structured, scalable business model. The initial investment ranges from just under $81,000 to $159,000, making it relatively affordable in the residential services space.
Related: After 14 Years as an RN, She Opened the Business She Always Wanted to See — And Reached $1.3 Million
6. Dream Vacations
Founded: 1991
1991 Franchising since: 1992
1992 Overall rank: 41
41 Number of units: 2,078
2,078 Change in units: +10.8% over 3 years
+10.8% over 3 years Initial investment: $4,450 - $79,750
$4,450 - $79,750 Leadership: Brad and Jeff Tolkin, co-CEOs/chairmen
Brad and Jeff Tolkin, co-CEOs/chairmen Parent company: World Travel Holdings
Dream Vacations offers a flexible, home-based franchise model for travel-lovers ready to turn their passion into a business. With a low initial investment — starting at just $4,450 — it's one of the most affordable ways to enter the travel industry. The brand has grown steadily, adding over 10% more units in the past three years to reach more than 2,000 total locations. Founded in 1991 and backed by World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations currently ranks #41 on the Franchise 500, thanks to strong support, name recognition and a growing demand for personalized vacation planning.
Related: Want to Own a Franchise? This 3-Tier Approach Can Help You Choose Wisely.
7. Anago Cleaning Systems
Founded: 1989
1989 Franchising since: 1991
1991 Overall rank: 44
44 Number of units: 1,873
1,873 Change in units: +9% over 3 years
+9% over 3 years Initial investment: $11,265 - $68,250
$11,265 - $68,250 Leadership: Adam Povlitz, CEO & president
Adam Povlitz, CEO & president Parent company: Anago Cleaning Systems
Anago Cleaning Systems offers a low-cost entry into the commercial cleaning industry, with startup costs beginning at just $11,265. Founded in 1989, the brand has built a strong reputation for its master franchise model, allowing for scalable growth and regional control. With nearly 1,900 units and a 9% increase over the past three years, Anago ranks #44 on the Franchise 500. The company supports franchisees with ongoing training, marketing tools and a proven system designed for long-term success in a recession-resistant sector.
Related: This Franchise Gives Veterans a $40,000 Head Start to Build Generational Wealth — No Fee Required
8. Matco Tools
Founded: 1979
1979 Franchising since: 1993
1993 Overall rank: 46
46 Number of units: 1,903
1,903 Change in units: +0.4% over 3 years
+0.4% over 3 years Initial investment: $107,476 - $340,059
$107,476 - $340,059 Leadership: Mike Dwyer, president
Mike Dwyer, president Parent company: Vontier
Matco Tools has carved out a solid spot in the mobile tool distribution industry, operating nearly 1,900 franchise units across the U.S. Founded in 1979 and franchising since 1993, the brand provides professional-grade tools directly to automotive technicians via fully stocked mobile stores. Backed by parent company Vontier, Matco offers a well-supported franchise opportunity with an initial investment starting around $107,000. With steady growth and a highly specialized customer base, Matco Tools holds the #46 position on the 2025 Franchise 500 list.
Related: A.I. Could Destroy the Power of Video Marketing — But Only If We Allow It
9. Transworld Business Advisors
Founded: 1979
1979 Franchising since: 2006
2006 Overall rank: 51
51 Number of units: 486
486 Change in units: +52.4% over 3 years
+52.4% over 3 years Initial investment: $96,705 - $122,465
$96,705 - $122,465 Leadership: Jim "JT" Tatem, president
Jim "JT" Tatem, president Parent company: Transworld Business Advisors LLC
Transworld Business Advisors specializes in helping entrepreneurs buy, sell and grow businesses, making it a unique player in the franchise world. Founded in 1979 and franchising since 2006, the brand has grown by over 50% in the past three years, now operating nearly 500 units. With an initial investment starting under $100,000, it offers a relatively affordable path into the business brokerage and franchise consulting space. The brand ranks #51 overall and appeals to professionals seeking a B2B model with high earning potential.
Related: How the IFA Plans to Strengthen the $800 Billion Franchise Industry in 2025
10. Signal
Founded: 2003
2003 Franchising since: 2008
2008 Overall rank: 63
63 Number of units: 1,465
1,465 Change in units: +102.9% over 3 years
+102.9% over 3 years Initial investment: $157,700 - $5,182,150
$157,700 - $5,182,150 Leadership: Reed Nyffeler, owner/CEO
Reed Nyffeler, owner/CEO Parent company: Signal
Signal has emerged as a major force in private security, offering franchisees a chance to build scalable operations with strong recurring revenue. Since it began franchising in 2008, the company has expanded rapidly, more than doubling its unit count in just three years to reach more than 1,400 locations. Founded in 2003, Signal supports its franchisees with extensive training and a proven model tailored to residential, commercial and event-based security. With investment levels ranging from under $160,000 to over $5 million, Signal accommodates a wide range of entrepreneurial ambitions. The brand currently holds the #63 spot on the 2025 Franchise 500.
Join top CEOs, founders and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue and building sustainable success.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Entrepreneur
8 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
SiMa.ai Secures USD 85 Mn to Advance Physical AI Platform
Funding led by Maverick Capital with StepStone Group joining will drive global expansion and innovation for edge-based AI applications You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. has secured USD 85 million in a funding round led by Maverick Capital, with StepStone Group joining as a new investor. The round was oversubscribed and included participation from existing backers. With this latest infusion, the company's total funding has reached USD 355 million. The capital will be used to expand global presence and to accelerate the growth of its Physical AI platform. Plans include increasing investment in software innovation, enhancing go-to-market activities, strengthening customer support, and advancing its automotive development plans. "This new funding further validates our leadership in the Physical AI space and the growing demand for solutions that deliver top-tier performance per watt with exceptional ease of use," said Krishna Rangasayee, Founder and CEO of "With the support of both new and existing investors, we are moving quickly to extend our lead and meet demand across robotics, automotive, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, smart vision, and healthcare." Founded in 2018 by Rangasayee, is headquartered in San Jose, California. The company specialises in Physical AI computing, creating platforms that enable intelligent applications to operate efficiently at the edge. Its flagship Modalix platform offers high performance while maintaining strong energy efficiency, designed to make advanced AI capabilities accessible in industries such as robotics, automotive, aerospace, and industrial automation. offers a full-stack Physical AI solution through its ONE platform. This integrates purpose-built silicon with a software-first approach to simplify deployment and maximise performance. The platform includes Modalix, a second-generation multimodal MLSoC now available to customers, and Palette, a software suite that features both a software development kit and Edgematic, a no-code visual development tool. The system supports major machine learning frameworks, including vision models, transformers, and generative AI, within a single architecture. Andrew Homan, Managing Partner at Maverick Capital, said, " is redefining possibilities at the edge by combining advanced silicon with a software-centric approach to Physical AI. Their ability to deliver powerful, low-energy solutions with simple deployment positions them to lead in a rapidly growing market." John Avirett, Partner at StepStone Group, added, "As generative AI changes the data center, we see significant opportunity in AI at the edge. integrated solution, technical expertise, and customer adoption make it a leader in this space." With AI applications increasingly moving to the edge, aims to address the need for high performance, energy efficiency, and ease of use in real-world environments.
Forbes
9 minutes ago
- Forbes
Stablecoins – The Internet's Upgrade To Money?
Imagine if PayPal, Swift, and your banking app went on a wellness weekend in Silicon Valley and returned Monday as leaner, faster versions of themselves. That's the premise behind stablecoins - crypto's sensible sibling. They are digital tokens pegged to real-world currencies, such as the US dollar. One stablecoin, one dollar, it's as simple as that. Or at least that is the idea. Backed 1:1 by short-dated US Treasuries or bank deposits, stablecoins like USDC (Circle) and USDT (Tether) now represent a parallel financial infrastructure: programmable, blockchain-native money that moves 24/7, costs pennies (sometimes fractions of pennies) to transmit, and settles in seconds across borders. Unlike their volatile crypto cousins, stablecoins don't swing with Elon's tweets. They are built for stability and, increasingly, for scale. In short, stablecoins might just be the internet's long-overdue upgrade to money. The Market Defined - a $3 Trillion Disruption in Motion If traditional FX is a battered old dial-up modem, stablecoins are fibre-optic. The current foreign exchange system is built upon decades-old 'correspondent banking' rails. That means sending USD to Nairobi from Berlin still involves a long conga line of intermediaries, opaque fees, and 2–5 business days of holding your breath. Now imagine a contractor in Lagos receiving USD in minutes, not days, with 90% lower fees. That's the promise - and increasingly, the reality - of stablecoin payments. According to Visa and Artemis, over $35 trillion in stablecoins were transferred in the last 12 months, more than Visa and Mastercard combined. Adoption spans over 190 countries, with more than 30 million active wallets and $214 billion in supply. And yet, this is still small fry compared to the $1.1 trillion traded daily in traditional FX markets. The runway is long. The Emerging Stablecoin Stack At the heart of this emerging ecosystem are three core players: Stablecoins are now less about crypto speculation and more about enabling global payments, liquidity management, and even treasury operations. (Yes, SpaceX reportedly uses stablecoins to manage treasury exposure in places like Argentina and Nigeria.) Why Now? Three tailwinds are converging: As Jeremy Allaire of Circle put it: 'This is one of the biggest TAMs (Total Addressable Markets) of all industries out there.' Stablecoin Benefits - Not Just a Cheaper Payment Let's be clear: stablecoins aren't just shaving a few basis points off remittance fees. They're overhauling the plumbing of money movement, and if carried out properly, should ensure: Even governments are starting to warm up. The US Secretary of the Treasury recently noted stablecoins could 'reinforce the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency'. Now there's a geopolitical incentive too. The Use Cases - From Contractors to Capital Markets Today, stablecoins are fuelling cross-border B2B and remittances (especially in high-friction corridors like LatAm, Africa, Southeast Asia), Vendor payments and global payroll (freelancers, contractors, AI microtasks), DeFi and tokenised assets, Treasury operations and liquidity management, retail and micropayments (Stripe now lets you 'Pay with Crypto,' settling in fiat), etc. Platforms like Koywe and BVNK are abstracting away the blockchain complexity, offering embedded wallets and FX capabilities to fintechs, banks, and corporates alike. The Programmable Edge - Money with a Brain Stablecoins aren't just faster dollars. They're programmable money. Developers can build logic into transactions, such as pay-on-delivery, split payments, escrow with triggers, etc. Imagine Stripe automatically issuing a virtual card with preset limits for a one-time transaction. Or a DAO releasing funds when a smart contract verifies an invoice, this is where stablecoins become 'room-temperature superconductors for financial services,' to borrow Stripe's analogy. Fiat vs. Stablecoin - The Convergence is Underway Here's the kicker – the more people spend stablecoins, the less they need to convert back to fiat. This threatens the incumbents, not because stablecoins are replacing dollars or banks, but because they may become the rails on which banks ride. Think of stablecoins as TCP/IP for money, invisible but essential. Fiat isn't disappearing. But control over the user interface, the relationship, the rail – that's the next frontier. But… There are still Challenges Of course, no revolution is without its wrinkles. The regulation is still evolving. US and EU frameworks are being formed, but cross-border clarity remains a work in progress. Redemption risk: Some 'stable' coins aren't so stable (read: algorithmic failures). The user experience is improving. Right now, wallets, gas fees, cross-chain issues are still too clunky for grandma. There's friction with the Central Bank. Will CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) replace stablecoins? Maybe. But don't expect it to be programmable, anonymous, or innovation friendly. CBDC is great tools for surveillance, monetary policy, and state control but it won't be winning developer hearts any time soon. The Road Ahead – What Matters and Who Wins? Here's what we're betting on: The winners will straddle both worlds. Not crypto-native or TradFi alone, but companies that can operate across both and move fast. Banks and fintechs will converge. Banks are already exploring the issuance of stablecoins and fintechs are acquiring bank charters. Platforms matter. Ethereum and Solana are dominating, but keep an eye on Bitcoin Lightning, Stellar, and Tron in emerging markets. Yield matters. Those who capture the interest from reserves will be the ones to define business models. Ultimately, stablecoins aren't a threat to the financial system. They represent an evolution - an upgrade. The question isn't if they'll go mainstream, but how fast, who wins, and what rails the money flows on. If you're still thinking of stablecoins as a crypto gimmick, you're already late for the next phase of finance.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Read AT&T CEO's frank response to employee feedback about a 5-day RTO mandate — and much more
AT&T's CEO addressed the company's shift to a "more market-based culture" in a memo to managers after an employee survey. This year, the company shifted from a hybrid schedule to a five-day in-office mandate. Stankey said those who want hybrid work "will have a difficult time aligning" with company priorities. Roughly seven months after AT&T called workers back to the office five days a week, CEO John Stankey has a message for employees: Get on board or get out. In a lengthy Friday memo addressed to "all AT&T managers" that was obtained by Business Insider, Stankey shared his thoughts on the results of the company's employee engagement survey. The AT&T CEO said he is "not surprised" by the declining self-reported employee engagement level and touched on some changes the company is going through. The note was, in part, to help workers identify where their "professional expectations" may be "misaligned with the strategic direction of this company," he wrote. "If you are of the small minority that shared comments similar to, 'I have heard this nonsense before and I'll ignore things until this goes away…' or 'things were just fine the way they were…' there might be a disconnect between you and your current professional choice," Stankey wrote. According to the memo, 79% of respondents said they feel committed and engaged with their work. The survey results represent over 99,000 employees, which is 73% of the company. AT&T told BI that the company has no additional comments on Stankey's memo because it "speaks for itself." "We run a dynamic, customer-facing business, tackling large-scale, challenging initiatives," Stankey wrote. "If the requirements dictated by this dynamic do not align to your personal desires, you have every right to find a career opportunity that is suitable to your aspirations and needs." "That said, if a self-directed, virtual, or hybrid work schedule is essential for you to manage your career aspirations and life challenges, you will have a difficult time aligning your priorities with those of the company and the culture we aim to establish," Stankey added. AT&T has undergone a series of changes this year, starting with replacing a hybrid schedule with a five-day in-office mandate. Some AT&T employees previously told BI that it became difficult to obtain office desks and parking spaces amid the RTO push, while the telecom's rival, Verizon, saw the office mandate as an opportunity to recruit AT&T workers interested in hybrid schedules. In the memo, Stankey addressed the "right to expect to work in a professional, well-maintained, and functional facility" and the ongoing and coming investments into office hubs. Stankey is the latest CEO to tell employees to get on board with a return-to-office policy or go elsewhere. He also described the company's transition as a shift away from some elements, including "loyalty, tenure, and conformance with the associated compensation," to "a more market-based culture —focused on rewarding capability, contribution, and commitment." "When I read comments lamenting disruption, I tried to pick my brain for an example of another 100+ year old company that didn't have to disrupt itself to secure sustainable relevance," he wrote. "I am still searching for the first example." So far, AT&T shares have risen more than 21% in 2025, and the company posted robust earnings that met analyst expectations over the past two quarters. "I know change like this is difficult and can be unsettling for some," Stankey said in the memo. "However, as General Eric Shinseki so eloquently stated, 'If you dislike change, you're going to dislike irrelevance even more.'" Read AT&T CEO John Stankey's full memo: A Message from John Stankey My Observation on our Employee Survey results Have a tip? Reach out to the reporter from a non-work email and device at dreuter@ or on Signal 646.768.4750 Read the original article on Business Insider 擷取數據時發生錯誤 登入存取你的投資組合 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤 擷取數據時發生錯誤
