The last decade has seen record numbers of women diving head first into franchise ownership. Between 1995 and 2005, the percentage of female-owned franchises jumped from 8.5% to 25%, and it is still steadily increasing. Women now make up one of the single largest demographics of franchise buyers, which is something that franchisors and franchise brokers have become very aware of. They are so aware of it, in fact, that they often make it a point to create specialized lists of franchise opportunities specifically designed for female entrepreneurs. Among those women's franchises there are many great options, but the following 8 franchises are some of the best.

The Glove Lady

If you're looking for a business with a low initial cost and no monthly rent bill, this is the one for you. This work at home franchise has not only a very low overhead, but also one of the more recognizable and respected names in the safety equipment industry. That's right, The Glove Lady sells not only gloves, but a wide variety of safety gear as well, and since sales are done at the client's home or business, from the back of your company van, the convenience this business provides is unparalleled by the competition.

INTERIORS by Decorating Den

Another mobile franchise, this home based business is the world's leading interior design franchise. They've been in business for the last 38 years, which has given them plenty of time to develop one of the most comprehensive training systems available, including 45 days of home study preparation and 2 weeks of classroom training. If you have an eye for design, but perhaps lack the business knack to put it fully to use, INTERIORS BY DECORATING DEN is ready and willing to get you into a work from home business for yourself.

IMX Pilates Studio

Not many exercise studios can claim they have been featured in Self, Shape, Mademoiselle, Physical, Fitness, Fit, Dance, PilatesStyle, and The New York Times, but IMX PILATES STUDIO has. Highly regarded as both a women's workout facility and as a successful business, IMX PILATES STUDIO boasts a 15-year track record of getting franchisees up and running in functional, thriving businesses with everything they need to succeed. Protected territories, all the necessary software and online marketing equipment, full business training, and complete training for 8 different certifications for the whole staff are included with the purchase of the franchise and make this an excellent opportunity for the fitness buff.

Fantastic Sams

Hair care is a recession resistant industry, because no matter what the economy looks like, hair never stops growing. Within that market, there are a plethora of business opportunities, but none can compare with Fantastic Sams. Entrepreneur Magazine has deemed it the #1 hair care franchise, and with 1350 franchises running in 4 countries, it's no wonder why this salon giant has earned the success and repeat business that makes it one of the best.

Sandella's

Taking advantage of the growing popularity of healthy alternatives to fast food, Sandella's Flatbread Café is one of the first in the flatbread market that USA Today says "is the hottest thing since sliced bread." Customers love the hot and healthy flatbread sandwiches that Sandella's sells, and franchisees love how simple it is to make those sandwiches. They also love that they get comprehensive support in all areas of the business from architecture to IT systems. For the food-loving female entrepreneur, this is the choice.

tanworld

Do you like to go to the tanning salon? How would you like to own one? With a tanworld franchise, you have the opportunity to enter a $6bil industry that serves 30mil American consumers each year. Since they began franchising in 1997, the atmosphere around tanworld has only gotten more and more exciting, and the people who franchise with them love what they do; many of them even franchise whole regions instead of just one store.

Salons by JC

Though it may look like just another salon franchise, Salons by JC is really all about real estate and property management. Increasingly, salon suites (in which different beauty professionals open their own facilities in collaborative enclaves: sort of like a salon mall) are becoming the industry standard, and this franchise is taking advantage of this growing trend by opening them in key markets across the country. If you're interested in renting space to a collection of smaller salon businesses instead of having to run your own, Salons by JC is waiting for you.

Growing Room

By far, this is one of the most reputable and groundbreaking childcare franchises available, built on one mother's conviction that her son, and all children, deserved better care than most facilities provided. Voted the 2004 National Small Business of the Year, each facility provides kids with educational curriculum as well as some of the most fun and inventive play-spaces imaginable. It is one of the more expensive franchise opportunities on this list, but that hasn't stopped franchisees from starting their own Growing Room, and with the popularity it has with parents, the larger investment is all but guaranteed to pay off very nicely for the franchisee.

There are only a handful of strictly "women's franchises", and none of these are women-only, but these are opportunities where a woman can benefit from a strong franchise business and where the franchisor can hopefully benefit from a strong, entrepreneurial woman who signs on as a franchisee.