Get All Access for $5/mo

The Top Home-Based Franchises of 2012 Want to start a business, but don't want to deal with an office or a storefront? These are the franchises for you.

By Tracy Stapp Herold

Bring it on HomeThere are many reasons you might consider starting a homebased business: saving on costs, finding that elusive work-life balance … or maybe you just want to spend all day in your PJs. Whatever your reasons, if you choose to go homebased, the franchise world has a lot to offer.

On our Top Homebased Franchises list, you'll discover companies in industries ranging from cleaning to fitness to senior care--and none of them require their franchisees to have office space beyond their own front doors. (But just for the record, most of them do require a wardrobe that consists of more than your jammies.)

The 101 franchises are listed here based on their ranking in Entrepreneur's 2012 Franchise 500®. The list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. Always do your homework to find the franchise that's right for you. That means consulting with a lawyer and an accountant, examining the franchisor's legal documents and talking to other franchisees.

View the Top Homebased Franchises List

Tracy Stapp Herold

Entrepreneur Staff

Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Business News

Amazon Has a Blank Book Problem: Buyers Report Receiving Fakes of Bestselling UFO Book

The book looked fine on the outside, but the inside was out-of-this-world.

Business News

Paramount Leadership Alludes to Layoffs If Merger Does Not Go Through

Paramount is awaiting approval on its merger with Skydance Media from majority shareholder Shari Redstone.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Microsoft Reportedly Lays Off Over 1,500 Employees in Cloud Sector as Partnership with OpenAI Strengthens

Alphabet also reportedly laid off employees from several teams in Google's cloud unit last week.