The most unusual franchise opportunity that I have come across specialises in cleaning mattresses! They have turned this business into an art form. The way I clean my mattresses is by taking them out on a cold day and hitting them with a hard brush. The brush dislodges all the loose material whilst the cold kills any bed bugs.

This franchise has all the specialist equipment needed including hi powered cleaners, UV radiation equipment and specialist hygiene sprays. They claim that a properly cleaned mattress will also reduce many allergies. It can also help in reducing Asthma attacks by removing dust & tiny skin particles from the mattress and thereby reducing the amount of dust in the air. If you are scared of bed bugs or creepy crawlies then this franchise opportunity is not right for you!

Another franchise that I found unusual was a window cleaning franchise - why would any one buy this type of franchise? Surely all you need is a van, a decent ladder, some cleaning material and you are ready? Not all window cleaners are the same?

This window cleaning franchise I looked at can also clear your gutters, decks and fences, roofs, patios and a whole lot more. Their aim is to make what was simply window cleaning turn into a full time business opportunity offering a wide variety of cleaning functions.

All their franchisees are insured specially for the job and use special cleaning solutions to get rid of the dirt and grime as efficiently as possible! They have high pressure washers and use "high tech" ladders and all the safety equipment that you can think of. Not one for people who are scared of heights!

I found an even more unusual franchise that specialises in bird feeding and watching. They find a great location near a busy road which is renowned for the different types of birds that visit the area and create a business which specialises in displays and merchandise for bird watchers. According to their marketing material bird feeding & watching is a 4.7 billion dollar industry!

There is a retail chain franchise in the USA that specialises in cigars, pies and other gifts for the smoker. I don't know how this will fare in today's environment where it's getting more and more difficult to smoke in planes, trains, cafes, bars and shopping molls! This would be an ideal business for someone who loves his pipes!

There are many franchise opportunities available today and some of the more unusual franchises can also be the most lucrative as the standard types of franchise businesses usually have a lot of competition. It is also important to get into a business that you enjoy and one which suits your lifestyle.

By investing in a franchise you are taking the gamble out of starting a business as you are buying into a business model that has already been proven to be successful. Just make sure that the franchise you choose is in a niche that you will enjoy.

Always ensure that you get the best possible advice from experts in the field of franchising before you buy a franchise.