Pop The Questions35 Smart things to ask before you buy a franchise.

Franchising is big business, and there are thousands ofdifferent franchises from which to choose. "Franchising isresponsible for 40 percent of all retail sales in the UnitedStates," says Mark Siebert, president of Francorp Inc., anOlympia Fields, Illinois-based franchise management consultingfirm.

In recent years, there has also been a proliferation oflow-investment franchises that appeal to entrepreneurs who areeither on a tight budget or are trying to minimize their risk.These types of franchises usually require start-up investments ofanywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 and include opportunities from autocheck-up services and direct-mail advertising to house-sittingservices and video photography.