Earlier this year, Forbes.com released their list of the “Top 20 Franchises to Start” based on the estimated initial investment, total number of locations, store survival rates and hours of training offered. After taking into account all of these criteria and collaborating with Robert Bond, publisher of Bond’s Franchising Guides, they came up with this list:

1.       Domino’s Pizza – With their low overhead and newly expanded menu, Domino’s is one of the best bets for franchises according to Forbes.com. The average initial investment is $253,950 with a whopping 1,308 hours of training offered to franchisees.

2.       7-Eleven – Renowned for their Slurpees, 7-Eleven is the largest convenience store franchise in the world. The average initial investment is $389,378 with 231 hours of training offered.

3.       Kumon North America – After school tutoring services are offered at Kumon centers primarily to high school students. The average initial investment is $90,894 with 415 training hours offered.

4.       McDonald’s USA – With over 12,000 franchises across the U.S. alone, there’s probably no need to explain what they’re all about. The average initial investment is a little under $1.5million with 855 hours of training offered to new franchisees.

5.       Papa Murphy’s International – Customers can bring home Papa Murphy’s freshly made, uncooked pizzas to cook in their own ovens. The average initial investment is $287,940 with 275 hours of training offered.

6.       Merry Maids – Merry Maids offers cleaning services to homes. The required investment ranges based on the size of your home market, though the average is $61,500. The total hours of training offered is 55.25.

7.       Great Clips – This hair styling and hair care chain requires an average initial investment of $155,625 with 87 hours of training offered for franchisees.

8.       Sport Clips – A sports-themed salon for men, Sports Clips has an average initial investment of $215,050 with 153 hours of training available.

9.       Edible Arrangements International – Fruit bouquets are a popular gift and Edible Arrangements specializes in them. The average initial investment is $223,057 with 104 hours of training available for new operators.

10.   Jimmy John’s – Jimmy John’s is a gourmet sandwich shop founded less than 30 years ago. The average initial investment is $383,000 with 172 hours of training offered.

11.   Liberty Tax Service – While only required to work four months of the year, Liberty Tax Service franchises are very popular and make a good deal of money. The average initial investment is only $63,350 with 29 hours of training offered even though past tax experience is not needed.

12.   Papa John’s International – Considered the 3^rd largest pizza delivery chain in the U.S., Papa John’s has an average initial investment of $292,812 with 219 training hours offered for franchisees.

13.   Jiffy Lube International – Jiffy Lube is known for their quick oil changes though they also offer other maintenance services. The average initial investment is $258,500 with 136 training hours available.

14.   Panera – In a somewhat unusual approach, franchisees are expected to open multiple locations since Panera does not sell single stores. The average investment is a little over $1.5million with a whopping 928 hours of training offered.

15.   Maaco – This repair and paint shop has an average initial investment of $291,326 with 160 hours of training offered. They also have that old catchy line of “uh oh, better get Maaco” that people will never forget.

16.   AAMCO Transmissions – AAMCO is the world’s largest chain of transmission specialists and they’ve been around since the ‘60’s. Their average initial investment is low at $266,100 with 375 training hours available.

17.   Burger King – One of the oldest fast-food franchises today, the average initial investment comes in at almost $1.5million with 414 hours of training offered.

18.   Dunkin’ Donuts – Delicious pastries, donuts and coffee are sold at these franchise locations. The average initial investment is a little pricey around $1.1million but they offer 270 hours of training.

19.   Sylvan Learning – A provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, Sylvan Learning  has an average start-up cost of $242,000 and offers 184 hours of training for new operators.

20.   Meineke Car Care Centers – Forbes.com found that this auto repair center franchise who specializes in exhaust and brake systems has an average initial investment of $262,239 and offers approximately 173 hours of training to their franchisees.