In Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, history and entrepreneurial spirit are intertwined on every corner. We know the path to success for aspiring business owners in Pennsylvania can seem daunting. The decision to purchase a business for sale in Philadelphia and hope you can turn it around or start fresh with a franchise is significant. But fear not; we are here to help you understand how to start a business in Philadelphia and identify the most promising opportunities for enduring success.
3 Tips for Starting a Business in Philadelphia
Research Businesses for Sale & Alternatives
Buying an established business might seem like a shortcut to success compared to coming up with new small business ideas in Philadelphia. It is best to dig deep before committing to either.
Do Your Homework: Before you invest in something like a home cleaning business in South Philly, take the time to do a deep dive into its reputation. Check out what customers say on Yelp® and Google® to fully understand their satisfaction. Don’t forget to scrutinize the financial statements, too. Doing so is the best way to ensure the business is reputable and more likely to make you a profit.
Consider Alternatives: You might consider a different route if you’re eyeing a home repair service in Fishtown and notice it’s floundering due to mismanagement or stiff competition. Sometimes, starting your own business could be the smarter move financially and strategically. This approach lets you shape the business to your vision right from the start instead of inheriting someone else’s issues.
Consider the Home Services Industry
Not every industry is recession-resilient, and while you might be hesitant about starting a restaurant or fast food business in Philly due to their vulnerability in economic downturns, the home services industry could be just what you need. This sector includes so many options—from home cleaning to lawn care.
These essential services tend to be shielded from the worst economic swings. Verified Market Research® predicts a promising future, projecting an impressive annual compound growth rate of 21.14% through 2030. This growth indicates a thriving market full of opportunities for new entrepreneurs. In areas like Manayunk, where many residents are busy professionals, lawn care and home cleaning services are in constant demand, providing a solid foundation for aspiring business owners looking to make a mark.
Should You Buy a Franchise? (Probably!)
Starting a business in Philadelphia, whether from scratch or through franchise ownership, demands a solid business plan and thorough preparation. However, you gain a substantial edge with a franchise: an established brand, a proven model, and support from corporate offices and peer owners. This partnership offers training and ongoing support, which are crucial for anyone new to the industry. These resources are invaluable, helping you navigate everything from marketing to daily operations, ultimately simplifying the path to success.
Best Businesses to Start in Philadelphia
Choosing the right business is critical; in Philadelphia, home service franchises stand out for their potential. Here are a few to consider:
The Grounds Guys® Landscaping Business
With The Grounds Guys franchise, you can tap into Philadelphia’s need for year-round landscape maintenance. This franchise can thrive through all seasons, offering services from snow removal in winter to softscape services in the summer.
Throughout the year, you can have a loyal and steady customer base. As Dan and Jana Reid, The Grounds Guys franchise owners, put it:
“A significant percent of our business comes from recurring work from our existing customer base.”
Download The Grounds Guys Franchise Guide.
Lawn Pride® Lawn Care Business
As Philadelphia grows, so does the demand for lawn care services. A Lawn Pride franchise lets you scale at your pace, appealing to the city’s expanding residential and commercial sectors where you can gain new customers and retain existing ones.
As a franchise owner, you can provide essential services like professional lawn fertilization and weed control, ensuring healthy and vibrant lawns for your community. A Lawn Pride franchise offers a straightforward model with tools, support, and opportunities. These resources help support you in a thriving market, providing a pathway to build a flourishing, sustainable business.
Download the Lawn Pride Franchise Guide.
Glass Doctor® Home and Auto Glass Repair Business
If you’re looking for versatility, Glass Doctor offers an excellent opportunity to manage multiple revenue streams or to specialize in a niche market. Whether it’s the historic buildings in Center City or the sleek glass fronts of University City, Philadelphia’s diverse architecture creates a steady demand for professional glass services. You can focus on home glass repair or expand your offerings to include auto glass services. Glass Doctor franchises are uniquely positioned to provide services throughout the year, repairing broken windows in the chilly winters or installing sleek new glass doors during the warm summers.
As franchisee Greg Malone puts it,
“Glass Doctor’s proprietary program was my big selling point. I saw it as unique to the industry and something that really helps us to stand out and be a competitor on that national level.”
Download the Glass Doctor Franchise Guide.
Molly Maid® Cleaning Business
A Molly Maid home cleaning business might be the perfect match if you’re passionate about improving living environments and giving families back their precious time. As Katrina Keith, a Molly Maid franchise owner since 2005, shares,
“Philanthropy has always been a part of my life. With running a business full time, I don’t have as many volunteer hours personally anymore, but love that we have a Ms. Molly Foundation in which we can give back to our local community.”
There are many opportunities to grow your business in Philadelphia, where the population and housing diversity are expanding. You can reach out to residential areas, apartment complexes, and commercial properties, steadily increasing your profitability. You don’t have to figure out how to start a cleaning business in Philadelphia on your own. Recognized for its high franchisee satisfaction, Franchise Business Review has consistently awarded Molly Maid with Top Franchises Satisfaction Awards since 2019.
Download the Molly Maid Franchise Guide.
Aire Serv® HVAC Business
In a location where the weather swings from hot and humid summers to chilly, snowy winters, an Aire Serv HVAC business meets a critical need. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services are in constant demand because homeowners and businesses want to stay comfortable year-round.
Aire Serv, like other Neighborly® brands, enhances this essential service with advanced technology that includes project descriptions on their service app, making customers feel informed and engaged when they work with you. Aire Serv franchisee Sarah Boyce says:
“Aire Serv provides the network, systems, and processes I need for success.”
Download the Aire Serv Franchise Guide.
Mr. Electric® Business
The constant development in Philadelphia increases the need for expert electrical services. Mr. Electric offers a promising opportunity to meet this growing demand, with potential for expansion and learning from a supportive network of franchisees like Eric Campbell, who says,
“Before we opened, we met several franchisees. We visited their locations to see their day-to-day operations, and they received us with open arms. These guys have become family.”
Download the Mr. Electric Franchise Guide.
You Have Options When Exploring Business Ownership in Philadelphia
You have several options when looking to open a business in the Philly area. Along with starting a franchise location from scratch, you can also explore buying an existing business. With Neighborly, there are opportunities to purchase an existing business and take advantage of the benefits of being a franchise owner with Neighborly.
To find out which franchises are available in your area, both new and existing, visit our territory map.
