The 9 Best Franchises to Own in Ohio

Michael Nicholas / Franchising / December 21, 2022

Starting a franchise can be a great way to become your own boss and achieve financial success. They are typically a head start towards a successful business, with plenty of support and help as you get started. When you first start looking into opening a franchise, you’ll quickly realize that the state you choose to open up in can greatly impact your success.

One state that slips past many business owners’ radar is Ohio. Whether you already live there or are considering other locations for a franchise, there are many reasons that make Ohio an attractive option.

Whether you’re interested in fast food, retail, home services, or another industry, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for the best franchises to open in Ohio. If you’re ready to take the plunge and start your own franchise, read on to discover which businesses may be the best fit for you and your goals.

Benefits of Starting an Ohio Franchise

Ohio has one of the strongest economies in the country, ranking seventh based on Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ohio is also listed as the number 15 top state for business on CNBC’s annual study on the topic. In addition, the state has a low cost of doing business and easy access to capital, making it an ideal spot to open up a franchise.

With a population pushing twelve million and cities like Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo serving as significant economic hubs, there are plenty of locations to set up a successful franchise. There are many smaller, quieter towns that are prime for various franchises as well.

What to Look For in an Ohio Franchise

There are some general guidelines you should keep in mind when considering potential Ohio franchises. These key points to look at are similar when starting a franchise in any state.

  • Location: Location may be the most important aspect of opening a franchise. Whether you’re looking for a place to put a brick-and-mortar store or are narrowing down your service area, researching the potential locations is essential. Having access to paying customers is key to your success.
  • History: Don’t take franchisors’ promises at face value. Instead, look at proven track records to see how successful other franchise owners have been. You can get reliable information by looking through the Franchise Disclosure Document and asking other franchisees about their experiences.
  • Support: One of the major advantages of starting a franchise versus your own business is the support you will receive from the franchisor. Make sure to fully understand what you’re being offered in terms of help as you get started and continued support once you’re up and running.
  • Industry: Make sure to consider industries that make sense for Ohio. While the food industry tends to be successful in most markets, other sectors that are booming in Ohio include healthcare, education, and transportation.

The Best Franchise Opportunities in Ohio

1. P3 Cost Analysts: Best for Cost Reduction Consulting

  • Minimum cash required: $59,500
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

As a franchisee with P3 Cost Analysts, you have the chance to be a part of the rapidly growing cost reduction consulting industry. With P3’s extensive experience, you will have access to valuable resources that can assist businesses in reducing expenses in various categories. As a result, you will have the opportunity to significantly impact the financial success of businesses that are often overcharged and undervalued.

In addition to the advantages of joining a successful and well-respected company, P3 also offers exceptional training and support for its franchisees. This is essential for ensuring the success of your franchise. Furthermore, the flexibility of operating a P3 Cost Analysts franchise remotely allows you to work with clients from anywhere in Ohio, regardless of where you call home.

2. Solar Grids: Best for Solar Power Solutions

  • Minimum cash required: $50,000
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Yes

With Toledo being a major center for the development and production of solar power solutions, it makes sense that solar businesses make great franchise opportunities in Ohio. The solar industry has already proven itself resilient during a recession. The industry’s yearly average growth rate is around 50 percent, with solar franchise owners earning the big bucks.

With a Solar Grids franchise, they handle the installation process, leaving you to focus on sales and creating multiple income streams. As a franchisee, you’ll be supplied with pre-qualified leads and unlimited support. With one successful franchise already up and running in Milford, there’s plenty of room for more successful locations throughout the rest of Ohio.

3. Hommati: Best for Real Estate Services

  • Minimum cash required: $69,500
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

The real estate and rental and leasing sectors contributed the second most to Ohio’s GDP in 2022, only below manufacturing. That means any franchise opportunities in Ohio that support the real estate industry are likely to be very profitable, and Hommati does just that.

As a franchise owner with Hommati, you’ll offer various services that are in high demand from real estate professionals, from aerial photos to website development and everything in between. With Columbus ranked as the fifth hottest housing market, you know there are plenty of real estate agents there who are looking for a competitive edge. Help them with Hommati.

4. Tutor Doctor: Best for Education

  • Minimum cash required: $50,000
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

There are already five successful Tutor Doctor locations in Ohio, but no one has claimed the Cincinnati territory yet. The education industry in Ohio is massive, with the University System of Ohio being the largest comprehensive public system of higher education in the nation.

The global online tutoring market continues to grow and is expected to be up 16.1% by 2027. Tutor Doctor can support many future university students living in Ohio who are looking for educational assistance on their journey to college. Tutor Doctor has already perfected their system and makes one of the best potential franchise opportunities in Cincinnati.

5. ClaimTek Systems: Best for Medical Industry

  • Minimum cash required: $29,995
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

According to Jobs Ohio, the state ranks number six nationally in healthcare jobs, with Cleveland as the number one large healthcare hub. In addition, Cleveland’s Health-Tech Corridor is leading the innovation for the country, making it a prime location for franchises relating to the medical industry.

ClaimTek Systems is one of the leading medical billing franchises for sale in Ohio. They offer one-on-one training that gives you the potential for enormous income with no experience necessary. They also provide state-of-the-art software and a proven, traceable record back to 1993.

6. Big Chicken: Best for Fast Food

  • Minimum cash required: $653,000
  • Work from home: No
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

So many successful franchise fast food restaurants seem to have totally saturated the market. But there’s a chain spreading across the country like wildfire, and now is the perfect time to get in on the action.

Shaquille O’Neil’s Big Chicken recently opened their first three Ohio locations in Dayton, so you know that the demand will be spreading as people start talking about it. They’re looking for franchisees to open Big Chickens in other Ohio cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, or Toledo.

7. ActionCOACH: Best for Business Coaching

  • Minimum cash required: $50,000
  • Work from home: Yes
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

With nearly a million small businesses in Ohio, business coaching Ohio franchises are bound to be successful. With Columbus rated as the number one city in Ohio for starting a business, you may consider purchasing a Growth Coaching franchise in this city to help the thousands of business owners who need a little help.

ActionCOACH has nearly 1000 coaches across 70 countries, positively impacting business owners across many industries. They have established a firm position in the business coaching industry, are highly ranked in franchisee satisfaction, and are the world’s leader in business coaching. It’s the perfect time to see if they have any franchises for sale in Columbus, Ohio.

8. Caring Senior Service: Best for Home Care

  • Minimum cash required: $150,000
  • Work from home: No
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

The state of Ohio is home to more than 2.8 million senior citizens over the age of 60, which makes up nearly a fourth of the total population. As in the rest of the country, the aging population brings a demand for in-home senior care as more and more people choose to maintain as much independence as possible.

Caring Senior Service is one of the best franchise opportunities in Ohio for home care services. This franchise has set the standard in care, offers best-in-class training and support, and has over 30 years of in-home care. Cleveland would be one of the best places to open a Caring Senior Service franchise, with 14.3 percent of its population over 65 years old. Both Cleveland and Cincinnati are available hot territories.

9. Grease Monkey: Best for Auto Services

  • Minimum cash required: $150,000
  • Work from home: No
  • Training provided: Yes
  • Financing assistance: Available through a third party

Ohio was a major contributor to the development and production of the automobile, and the industry remains an integral part of the state’s history. So it only makes sense that auto services franchises for sale in Ohio would be a brilliant business choice.

Grease Monkey has streamlined the franchise opening process and provides an affordable cost of entry and loyal customers. With their first location open in Columbus with raving reviews, that leaves other big cities like Toledo an open market.

Start a Lucrative Ohio Franchise Today

If you’re considering starting a franchise in Ohio, it’s important to do your research and choose a business that aligns with both your interests and financial goals. One option to consider is P3 Cost Analysts, a franchise that offers the opportunity to operate from anywhere in the state and work in a recession-proof industry.

As a franchisee with P3, you’ll help other businesses save money and enjoy the reward of making a difference for others.

If you’re interested in learning more about this opportunity, you can contact P3 at 1-877-843-7579 or fill out the form on our franchising page. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about franchising with P3.

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