FASTSIGNS International. This company provides graphic design for signs large and small, as well as trade show displays, banners, electrical signs, and graphics for vehicles. The company has a great track record, with over twenty years of experience under its belt and consistently strong sales.

   HomeVesters of America, Inc. You've probably seen those ads that say "we buy ugly houses!" Meet the company behind the ads: real estate experts who operate in a special niche market-undervalued property. Those who've bought into the franchise love the fact that the business provides group rates on vacant property insurance and strong support of its franchise owners through conventions, personal consultations, a detailed website, and more.

   Haagen-Dazs. Who doesn't love ice cream? Franchise-owners find this company as hard to resist as its product. They're a company with strong franchisor support, including a two-week onsite training course at their headquarters in Minneapolis, onsite training until your opening day, site selection assistance, and continued support for your marketing, business planning, and operations.

   Jazzercise, Inc. A fitness phenomenon in the eighties, jazzercise is still going strong, and it's easy to see why-it's a fun, challenging fitness program that incorporates blood-pumping dance moves, upbeat music, and a solid cardio workout. Today, Jazzercise, Inc. is an international franchisor. It has over 5,000 instructors in over thirty countries, and teaches almost half a million students each year.

   Budget Blinds, Inc. Budget Blinds is a company that invests heavily in its advertising-which is good news for the franchisee. The company runs a multi-million-dollar national ad campaign, and has a business model that's proven to work. Franchisees love this company because of its financial growth, strong support from the franchisor, and its established brand name.

   Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning. 106 franchisees gave their opinion about this franchise-and the results were resoundingly positive. The franchise was consistently rated excellent for great franchisor relationships, strong training and support programs, and a great financial opportunity. It's also a franchise with a low start-up cost: your total investment for this business is estimated at only between $24,000 and $60,000.

   Hair Cuttery. This business is a fast-growing, highly profitable chain that works hard to keep its employees satisfied. In fact, it has one of the highest employee retention rates in the industry. It also provides products to sell, site selection, décor advice, and thorough training-the company claims that even people with no salon experience can become successful franchise owners through their training program.

   RE/MAX. This real estate franchise was voted Inman News' Innovator of the Year for 2006. It was also voted #8 in Entrepreneur Magazine's 500 Best Franchises for 2006 survey. It's been in business for over thirty years, with a strong national ad campaign, a good sales record, and plenty of support for its franchisees.

   Business is booming for many American franchise companies nowadays-in all industries. If you're considering going into business for yourself, a franchise may be just the opportunity you're looking for-and you can't go wrong with any one of these successful brands.