What will be franchising’s next big thing?

In the United States, they have all made entrepreneur.com’s list of the Top 50 New Franchises for 2006. Will one of them be our next big thing?

CHIP – The Child ID Program uses cutting edge technology in a range of child safety products, educational training tools and software, including ID cards, bracelets and fridge magnets. Each contains information that may help locate a lost or missing child.

iSold It has built a nationwide network of convenient drop-off stores that make it easy for anyone to sell on eBay. Customers simply take in the unwanted items. iSold It stores provide the photography, listing, packing and shipping and, when the goods sell, payment.

Strollerfit - Exercise With Your Baby! These interactive fitness programs, classes and products are designed to help new mothers shed extra weight, build functional strength and bond with their babies.

GarageTek uses a patented system of storage and accessories to create ‘the world’s cleanest garage’. By utilising wall space, GarageTek gets mess off the floor, while hanging accessories and lockable cabinets give ongoing flexibility and security. The whole garage wipes clean.

Lyons & Wolivar Investigations is a private investigation firm with a reputation for solving tough cases. They specialise in insurance investigations, including surveillance and activity checks, workers’ compensation liability and disability claims.

Save It Now! helps small and medium-sized businesses to reduce costs, gain control and increase productivity. Since 1986, they have leveraged the purchasing power of 4,000 customers to negotiate aggressively discounted pricing. Web-based workflow processes allow decision-makers to implement procurement policies and track purchasing activities over multiple locations. National Water Surveying is a system for locating and mapping usable groundwater.

Franchisees use electro-seismic technology to locate and map groundwater for a range of clients, including homeowners, developers, engineering firms and utilities suppliers. N-Hance Floor & Cabinet Restoration restores wooden floors and cabinets for a fraction of the cost of typical wood refinishing. There’s no dust, no mess and no irritating odour, and the process is complete in just 24 hours. N-Hance also provides a source of retail cleaning supplies that can be sold directly to the customer.

Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network (CRDN) is an organisation of drycleaners specialising in restoration. CRDN helps insurance companies to reduce costs and improve margins by inventorying, restoring and storing clothes and other fabric items damaged by smoke, soot, odour, water or exposure to mould.

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The Franchise Council of Australia is a not for profit membership organisation that is the peak body representing the franchising sector in Australia.