From coffee to convenience stores, pizza to pets, franchises offer a wealth of opportunity for entrepreneurs who are willing to shell out anywhere from $17,000 to well over $1 million.

Today, 760,000 franchises dot shopping malls and street corners across America, among them outlets like 1-800-DryClean, which costs from $55,000 to $140,000; Décor & You Inc., at $17,000; McDonald's, which starts at $511,000; or Bally Total Fitness, at a cool $1 million.

"A lot of people want to do something that gives them more control over their destiny, so they buy a franchise," says Terry Hill, a spokesman for the International Franchise Association in Washington. "It saves them the pain and agony of building a business from scratch."

Franchise owners benefit from corporate training and support and from brand advertising. Drawbacks can include a steep franchise fee, royalties for the life of the business and rules that only specific products or services be sold or used.

Some franchises are not as profitable as owners hope, says consultant John McDorman. "Franchisers charge upfront fees and then take a percentage of the business. But one year into it, you may say, 'What are these clowns doing for me?'

Top 5 Franchises in 2006:

How Much They Cost

1. Subway
($86,000-$251,000)
2. Quiznos Sub
($185,000-$265,000)
3. Curves ($36,000-$43,000)
4. UPS Store, the Mail Boxes Etc.
($154,000-$267,000)
5. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service
($47,000- $75,000)

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