Franchise opportunities are so numerous that it can be difficult to decide which franchise, and even which industry, to choose. Entrepreneurs can choose from among franchise opportunities as diverse as dog grooming stations and preschools. To help make the decision easier, there are five factors to consider when looking at the multitude of opportunities that exist.

The amount of time that you have to devote to your chosen franchise often the first consideration. While most business owners do wish to run a full-time business, there are many people who buy part-time franchises that can be run on the weekends. These often include party rental companies and other special-occasion businesses. Other options are carts or other mobile businesses that you can take out during the hours that you choose. If you don’t want to put at least 40 to 50 hours a week into a business, this will limit the pool of choices considerably.

The amount of money needed for the various franchise opportunities is obviously an enormous factor. While there may be some financing available, consider how much debt you want to be in when you start your new business. There are franchises available in virtually every price range, from very little to virtual fortunes. Choose the one that realistically fits your budget and comfort level.

The interest level that you have in each specific industry can also be a major driving force in your decision. If you dislike animals, opening a pet store will likely not be the choice that keeps you passionate about your business. Make a list of the interested you have and then look at what is available within those industries.

People who love to build models may run a hobby store with a lot more enthusiasm and enjoyment than they would a business about which they have no interest. If you’re still stuck for an idea, think about the stores that you like spending time in. Then, look for franchise opportunities that are similar to those stores.

Brand recognition is something that takes time in the current marketplace. Every business wants to make a name for itself, and getting heard in all of that noise can be difficult. However, a business that comes with significant brand name recognition already has some of your work done for you. It can also mean establishing your business faster because of the market that already knows what you do and why they want to do business with you.

The long-term favorability of the business idea is often extremely important when choosing from among franchise opportunities. If an idea is a very new one that has been catching on like wildfire, it’s possible that it’s a fad that will be passé in a few years. To assess the real longevity of a business, think about how long it can realistically stay in business. Will one small change in the market make the products obsolete? Is there only a very limited market for the products or services? If so, it might be better to choose from among the franchise opportunities with more staying power.

The use of business cards, or calling cards as they were more popularly known, is still widely prevalent today, even in this age of electronic communications. Technologies of instant communications such as Bluetooth and infrared connectivity are easier and much handier ways of sending and receiving data and information, including those contained in a business card. Yet people —and particularly businessmen— still carry around small stacks of business cards, giving them away at every chance they get and at the slightest provocation. Don’t ever tell a businessman you’ll call and he will give you his card, faster than you can say “Jack Robinson”, whoever he is, regardless of whether he has given you one earlier.

As a business advertising tool. A business card will normally contain the owner’s name, form or list of business or service rendered, phone or contact number/s, and some sort of catchphrase or slogan for the business. In this way the holder will immediately see in the card if the card owner is the appropriate solution to his immediate needs. So actually the card acts as a kind of ‘sleeper’ or inactive advertising for the owner, accessed when needed.

As a social link. Many people accept other people’s business cards and promptly forget both the card and the person right afterwards. Then the card is remembered when the holder needs to contact the card owner socially, and so the card is dredged up from the dustbin of ‘where-did-I-place-it’ questions. Or, you may not care what the guy sells, but he is so hunky…

As a travelling reference. If you know a friend who requires his boat engine serviced and you bump into someone who does that, you may wish to request his card to pass to your friend, who might later pass it on to another with similar needs. Without the card, neither potential customer will remember the boat engine service provider when the service is required. With it, the card owner may well capture a whole boating association. As a personal affectation. It is simply classy to give away business cards, even if the owner has no business. It gives the owner a feeling of ‘superiority’ -for lack of a more appropriate term-over others. It is also a lot easier to just hand a receptionist, say, your business card instead of explaining who you are.