Jason Daley | Page 7

Lap of Love brings in-home veterinary hospice to ailing pets in a growing number of states.

Jeremy Umland came up with a quick-serve sushi concept: Customers design their own rolls at the counter, then a kitchen full of automated machines helps cooks prepare them for takeout in just minutes.

Quick-serve restaurants are beefing up their menus with gourmet offerings in an effort to compete with their fast-casual counterparts.

1-800-Autopsy tackles a need that never really goes away.

After John Grassia and David Smith lost their jobs as pilots, they bought an Express Oil Change franchise to supplement their incomes.

Even among the seemingly endless variety of franchises, patterns emerge. Here are some macro trends that will be driving franchising this year.

A waterless car wash offers an eco-friendly and affordable option for starting a franchise.

Our picks for the best, the worst and the craziest online promotions from franchise companies.

The gro-O franchise brings home the green.

It's been a long road to franchise success for Rosati's Pizza stores who squeak onto our ranking at number 499.

Convenience and online strategy drive rapid growth for the 24-hour micro-gym franchise.

With new strategies for growth, these powerhouses lead our ranking.

International growth helps keep Hampton Hotels at No. 1 for a third year.

Going it alone isn't the best route for all business owners. Cooperative corporations offer an alternative to franchising, with members working together to decide how their company should operate.

A spin on crowdfunding, Smallknot, asks customers to support local businesses.

Zoom Room offers dogs classes designed just for them that gives them a leg up on the competition.

Don't let your business grind to a halt when your traditional selling period comes to a close.

Inside the 20-year journey of the successful moving franchise.

Brian Sanders started i9 Sports as a mellower alternative to the competitive nature of youth sports.

After recovering from a car accident, Rick Collett decided to pursue healthcare and ended up opening a BrightStar Care home healthcare franchise.

The 6,000-pound retail shop can be pulled by a large pickup truck to wherever potential customers may gather.

The organic pizza franchise wants its eco-friendly mission to exist subtly in the background.

Rather than expand to a full-spectrum pest-control business, Bed Bug Chasers expands within its niche.

Franchising may not seem like an innovative endeavor, but these businesses are game changers.

A designated-driver franchise that utilizes smartphone technology.

Two outspoken academic leaders offer opposing views on the relevance of a traditional business education.

How an immigrant family business grew by expanding their menu of Jamaican fast food.

Inspired by her franchise-owning parents, Chelsea Sloan started Uptown Cheapskate with her brother Scott while she was still in college.

A doctor and nurse team up to open the first Doctors Express urgent-care franchise in Florida.

'Franchise King' Joel Libava claims he has cracked the code to what makes a successful franchise owner. Find out if you have what it takes.