Low cost franchises make it possible for aspiring entrepreneurs with smaller budgets to start their own small businesses and still enjoy all the benefits of franchising.  I’ve studied Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Low Cost Franchises for 2011 and noticed a few interesting themes.  Most of the top low cost franchises are service businesses, which lowers the initial investment required.   A large percentage of the franchises that made the list are homebased businesses.   And most of the major sectors represented have at least a couple of successful franchises in the Top 100.

A prospective franchisee has a wide variety of industries to choose from, but certain sectors seem particularly well suited for a successful low cost franchise business.  I’m a firm believer that the first thing a prospective franchisee must decide upon is the industry in which he or she wants to do business in.   The choice of franchise company comes only after the franchisee has studied the industry and evaluated all the major players in it.

With this in mind, I thought it would be useful to re-arrange Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Low Cost Franchises for 2011 by major category.  In the list below, you will see the actual rank of the franchise company in the Top 100 list, a brief description of the business model, and the range of investment required.

My goal is to reach as many prospective franchisees as possible, so offering information on low cost franchises and homebased franchises will be a strong focus going forward.  I will continue to feature all the big names in the franchise industry, but I don’t want to neglect the low cost options as well.  I want to show that franchising is a realistic path for anyone who wants to start a business, no matter what the budget.  Please check this list often as I will update it with links to my individual franchise reviews as I work  my way through the list.

Here is Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Low Cost Franchises for 2011 arranged by sector:

Low Cost Franchise Opportunities Catering to Children – 14 Franchises

3 Kumon Math & Reading Centers
Supplemental education franchise $36,538 – $145,250

19 Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
In-home tutoring services franchise $27,650 – $56,600

37 Guard-A-Kid
Children’s identification & safety products franchise $24,900 – $27,900

44 I9 Sports
Youth sports leagues, camps & clinics franchise $44,900 – $69,900

54 CompuChild
Technology education franchise for children $18,300 – $33,600

59 Drama Kids International. Inc.
After-school drama classes & summer camps franchise $19,000 – $57,950

66 SeekingSitters Franchise System Inc.
Babysitting referral service franchise $44,150 – $70,000

69 TGA Premier Junior Golf
Youth golf programs franchise f$13,150 – $62,200

73 JumpBunch Inc.
Children’s sports & fitness program franchise $33,700 – $78,400

74 TSS Photography
Youth sports, school & event photography franchise $30,250 – $75,150

82 My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Children’s early learning/fitness program & facility franchise $34,250 – $228,750

83 Stretch-N-Grow Int’l. Inc.
On-site children’s fitness program franchise $23,600

93 Young Rembrandts Franchise Inc.
Art classes franchise for children ages 3 to 12 $40,265 – $48,600

97 Kinderdance International. Inc.
Children’s movement/educational program franchise $14,950 – $46,100

Low Cost Commercial Cleaning Franchise Opportunities – 13 Franchises

Learn How to Start Your Own Commercial Cleaning Business and You Won’t Ever Have to Pay a Franchise Fee or Royalties

1 Vanguard Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning franchise $8,200 – $38,100

2 Jan-Pro Franchising International Inc.
Commercial cleaning franchise $3,145 – $50,405

5 Stratus Building Solutions
Commercial cleaning franchise $3,450 – $57,750

6 CleanNet USA Inc.
Commercial cleaning franchise $6,655 – $92,950

8 Bonus Building Care
Commercial cleaning franchise $9,020 – $41,919

9 System4
Commercial cleaning franchise $5,460 – $37,750

10 ServiceMaster Clean
Commercial/residential cleaning and disaster restoration franchise $47,072 – $141,303

21 Anago Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning franchise $8,543 – $65,406

31 BuildingStars Inc.
Commercial cleaning franchise $2,195 – $52,795

47 Jantize America
Commercial cleaning franchise $29,650 – $171,500

60 OpenWorks
Commercial cleaning franchise $16,450 – $119,950

61 Mint Condition Franchising Inc.
Janitorial & building maintenance services franchise $4,890 – $45,400

63 Office Pride Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning franchise $14,900 – $59,000

Low Cost Residential Services,  Repairs, and Home Improvement Franchise Opportunities – 8 Franchises

18 Rooter-Man
Plumbing, drain & sewer cleaning franchise $46,750 – $137,600

22 One Hour Heating & Air
Residential HVAC service/replacement franchise $58,265 – $535,870

28 Re-Bath LLC
Bathroom remodeling franchise $42,820 – $217,170

40 Mr. Appliance Corp.
Household appliance services & repairs franchise $43,350 – $94,620

41 MaidPro
Residential cleaning franchise $18,709 – $103,959

50 Mister Sparky
Residential electrical services franchise $25,015 – $496,740

57 Furniture Medic
Furniture restoration & repairs franchise $45,520 – $81,269

87 Get A Grip Franchising LLC
Countertop, bathtub & tile resurfacing franchise $25,000 – $70,000

Low Cost Carpet Cleaning Franchise Opportunities – 5 Franchises

12 Chem-Dry Carpet Drapery & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet, drapery & upholstery cleaning; tile & stone care franchise $27,850 – $122,650

16 Heaven’s Best Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet & upholstery cleaning franchise $44,900 – $65,900

26 Oxi Fresh Franchising Co.
Carpet cleaning franchise $34,630 – $57,010

67 Service Team of Professionals Inc.
Disaster restoration, carpet cleaning, mold remediation franchise $33,400 – $103,250

85 Sears Home & Business Franchises Inc.
Carpet, upholstery & air-duct cleaning franchise $25,960 – $191,550

Low Cost Travel-Related Franchise Opportunities – 4 Franchises

11 Cruise Planners/American Express
Cruise & tour travel agency franchise $1,595 – $19,290

13 CruiseOne Inc.
Cruise & travel agency franchise $4,575 – $26,265

64 Travel Leaders
Travel agency franchise $2,845 – $12,815

78 Cruise Holidays
Cruise travel agency franchise $10,350 – $233,350

Low Cost Franchise Opportunities Catering to Small Business Owners and Executives – 4 Franchises

27 Leadership Management Inc.
Executive/management training & development franchise $35,000 – $42,500

80 The Growth Coach
Small-business coaching & mentoring  franchise $47,200 – $76,400

84 The Alternative Board (TAB)
Peer advisory boards & business coaching franchise $46,827 – $92,727

98 CEO Focus
Peer groups franchise for small-business owners $41,500 – $63,000

Low Cost Real Estate-Related Franchise Opportunities – 4 Franchises

36 Real Living Real Estate LLC
Residential real estate franchise $31,742 – $195,835

71 Advance Realty USA
Real estate franchise $40,100 – $118,000

81 RE/MAX LLC
Real estate franchise  $25,000 – $150,000

86 United Country Real Estate
Real estate brokerage, auction & marketing services franchise $11,790 – $33,350

Low Cost Health and Fitness Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

4 Jazzercise Inc.
Dance fitness classes franchise $2,980 – $75,500

91 Stroller Strides LLC
Stroller fitness program franchise $4,009 – $17,889

76 Hungry Heart Franchise LLC
Nutritional counseling & hypnotherapy franchise $43,150 – $58,000

Low Cost Non-Medical Home Care Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

20 Home Helpers/Direct Link
Nonmedical care services franchise $47,200 – $86,400

94 Acti-Kare Inc.
Nonmedical in-home senior care franchise $25,650 – $41,600

96 Touching Hearts At Home
Nonmedical home care franchise for seniors & disabled people $41,800 – $62,350

Low Cost Technology-Related Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

24 Fast-teks On-site Computer Services
On-site computer repair services franchise $34,650 – $60,600

49 The Utility Company
IT services franchise $45,119 – $70,357

53 Computer Troubleshooters
Small-business technology consulting franchise $28,800 – $81,500

Low Cost Home Inspections Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

39 AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services
Home inspections franchise $34,750 – $65,350

51 Pillar To Post Inspection Services
Home inspections franchise $31,000

65 National Property Inspections Inc.
Home & commercial property inspections franchise $37,000 – $39,000

Low Cost Glass and Window-Related Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

15 Novus Glass
Glass repair & replacement, accessories franchise $20,800 – $203,500

48 Window Gang
Window & pressure cleaning, gutter cleaning, blinds sales franchise $34,350 – $78,100

90 The Glass Guru
Window restoration & replacements franchise $24,950 – $95,350

Low Cost Media, Advertising, and Promotions Franchise Opportunities – 3 Franchises

14 Proforma
Printing & promotional products franchise $4,730 – $53,195

17 Coffee News
Weekly newspaper franchise distributed at restaurants $9,425 – $10,425

55 Billboard Connection Inc.
Ad agency franchise specializing in outdoor media $42,815 – $66,420

Low Cost Tax Preparation Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

7 H & R Block
Tax preparation & electronic filing franchise $34,438 – $110,033

38 Tax Centers of America
Tax preparation & electronic filing franchise $20,100 – $63,749

Low Cost Pet Care Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

35 Fetch! Pet Care Inc.
Pet-sitting & dog-walking services franchise $25,895 – $39,500

88 Camp Bow Wow/Home Buddies
Dog day care & in-home pet care services franchise $60,000 – $750,000

Low Cost Shipping Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

89 Unishippers Global Logistics LLC
Shipping services franchise $46,125 – $605,700

92 Worldwide Express
Discounted air express & freight services franchise $46,000 – $364,850

Low Cost Landscaping Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

29 U.S. Lawns
Commercial landscape maintenance services franchise $48,500 – $85,000

72 Nite Time Decor Inc.
Landscape & architectural lighting franchise $36,500 – $73,350

Low Cost Gift Basket Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

58 Candy Bouquet International
Floral-like designer gifts & gourmet confections franchise $10,220 – $46,600

70 The Original Basket Boutique
Gifts, gift baskets, corporate gifts franchise $47,500 – $59,000

Low Cost Automotive Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

33 SuperGlass Windshield Repair
Windshield repair franchise $9,910 – $31,000

68 Interior Magic International
Auto appearance reconditioning franchise $33,050 – $100,060

Low Cost Restroom Deodorizing Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

46 Aire-Master of America Inc.
Restroom deodorizing & maintenance services franchise $32,584 – $126,900

99 Aerowest/Westair Deodorizing Services
Restroom deodorizing services franchise $8,472 – $49,868

Low Cost Wood Floor Renewal and Refinishing Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

30 N-Hance
Wood floor & cabinet renewal systems franchise $35,600 – $118,450

34 Mr. Sandless
Sandless wood floor refinishing franchise $28,400 – $56,650

Low Cost Fabric Restoration Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

25 Color-Glo Int’l. Inc.
Leather, vinyl & fabric restoration & repair franchise $41,000 – $44,800

79 Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network
Textile restoration services franchise $40,550 – $230,500

Low Cost Insurance-Related Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

32 Disaster Kleenup Int’l. (DKI)
Insurance restoration services franchise $17,895 – $118,250

56 Property Damage Appraisers
Auto & property appraisals franchise for insurance companies $21,530 – $49,250

Low Cost Home Decorating and Staging Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

45 Showhomes
Home management & staging services franchise $43,800 – $75,500

77 Christmas Decor Inc.
Holiday & event decorating services franchise $13,150 – $35,350

Low Cost Event and Party-Related Franchise Opportunities – 2 Franchises

52 Plan Ahead Events
Event planning  franchise $38,153 – $60,743

75 Complete Music
Mobile DJ entertainment service franchise $30,350 – $48,650

Other Low Cost Franchise Opportunities (Miscellaneous Categories) – 6 Franchises

23 American Poolplayers Association
Recreational billiard league franchise $17,080 – $32,650

42 EagleRider Motorcycle Rental
Motorcycle, scooter, ATV & watercraft rentals & tours franchise $38,300 – $160,250

43 Caring Transitions
Sales of estates & household goods franchise $38,280 – $66,580

62 Bevinco Bar Systems Ltd.
Liquor inventory-control services franchise $36,900 – $50,600

95 Critter Control Inc.
Urban/rural wildlife management franchise $12,750 – $80,500

100 Pressed4Time Inc.
Dry cleaning pickup & delivery, shoe repair franchise $35,910 – $44,810