Dreaming of quitting your nine to five or going part time to start a business, but only have a few thousand dollars to invest? Buying a franchise will get you a tried-and-tested business model, strong branding, expert guidance and more – but franchises don't always come cheap. Luckily, we've rounded up America's most lucrative and successful franchises with a buy-in of less than $10,000. Take a look at the best budget deals in the land and make that dream a reality. 

Commercial cleaning companies are some of the most popular low-cost franchise options. With a range of customers, including medical, retail and restaurant clients, there is always demand for cleaners no matter the economic outlook. However, Buildingstars focuses only on offices to take advantage of their more regular hours and cleaning ease. 

A franchise with Buildingstars starts as low as $795, which includes a starting base of customer accounts. The company says these should generate $1,000-$5,000 in monthly gross revenue, meaning without expenses. This level of investment suits people who are interested in part-time work, and there are other options to move up to overseeing other cleaners and working full time.

IntegriServ Cleaning Systems has been around for more than 20 years and offers commercial janitorial services for almost any kind of building, from hospitals and schools to churches and car dealerships. The locations are currently limited to Ohio, Florida and Michigan but the business is growing. 

Initial fees vary widely from a very low $950 up to $44,000, and the company says its most popular plan is one priced at $3,000. The equipment, chemicals and training are included in the start-up costs. Likewise administrative tasks like finding clients, invoicing and customer service are handled by IntegriServ. For those interested in part-time work, the smallest package generally makes franchisees about $425 a month.

Want to help save the planet and make good money doing it? You could always buy a Stratus Building Solutions franchise, which operates in 60 cities across the US and Canada. The company specializes in eco-friendly commercial cleaning and janitorial services, providing franchisees with green cleaning products and the expertise and equipment to offer environmentally sound services such as HEPA filtration and UV-C sanitation.

Like other cleaning companies, the firm has a range of options from basic unit franchises to master franchises that oversee a number of units. This means franchisees have plenty of scope for progression. Initial fees start as low as $1,000, though costs do vary by region and the company estimates total investment could be between $3,450 and $53,800. $132,750 and $1,113,000.

Chances are you've at least heard of the dance-orientated workout program Jazzercise. After all, the fitness franchise has been around since 1969 and boasts more than 8,300 instructors. The classes combine strength training and dancing to Top 40 hits, and are offered in person and online.

Those looking to join can either become class owner franchisees who run a Jazzercise business, or work as instructors who teach for class owners. Either way, the initial start-up fee is $1,250. This doesn't include liability insurance, which can be bought for $275 through Jazzercise, nor the costs for music and equipment like speakers. Owners also need to consider costs for studio space, advertising and other business expenses. And of course, franchisees need to be able to Jazzercise, and are required to submit an audition video as part of the application process. 

Commercial cleaning may not be the most glamorous of industries, but opportunities abound across America and there is serious cash to be made from setting up a business in the field. JAN-PRO is one of the market leaders. Headquartered in Georgia, the company has been franchising since 1991 and has more than 8,000 franchisees.

JAN-PRO offers several plans ranging from $1,250-$50,000, plus $900 for the company's starter kit. No cleaning experience is necessary, but background checks are required for anyone who wants to buy a franchise. Once a franchisee is set up, they can work as little as three hours a week or much more, and JAN-PRO has a sales team to find cleaning and disinfecting clients for their franchisees. 

Founded in 2011, Texas-based Umbrella Tax Solutions has helped 1,500 entrepreneurs set up tax preparation businesses across America. Franchisees require zero tax prep experience thanks to the firm's training programs and can work from the comfort of their own home. They can also choose to run the business part time, a major bonus for cautious entrepreneurs who don't want to give up their full-time job. 

Umbrella’s packages range from the $1,399 VTax Model, where franchisees collect data from tax clients, to the $2,499 Expert Model, which is geared for people with tax prep experience. In addition to the training, franchisees are provided with everything from tax preparation software to marketing advice. Best of all, successful business owners have the potential to earn as much as $80,000 a year.

For parents who are looking for more flexibility, running a family calendar website is one option. Fun 4 US Kids is a network of websites providing families with kid-friendly resources and events in their area. The websites are run by local parents who manage the content and promote the sites within the community.

Fun 4 Us Kids' initial fee depends on the size of your city, starting at $3,000 for a population of 200,000-300,000. The start-up fee covers a website, business guidance, marketing materials, technical support and ongoing training. Franchisees are able to set their own advertising rates and keep 100% of the revenue. While the hours are flexible, the sites do require full-time commitment and can't be done alongside other work.

With a Dream Vacations franchise travel agents can work from home, or the even the beach. The company has been around since 1991 and has more than 1,500 franchisees helping customers organize cruises, resort stays, excursions and other leisure travel. 

Dream Vacations franchises start at $3,500 and the company offers discounts for veterans and military spouses. Along with marketing materials, training and other support, franchisee agents get 100% of their commissions, plus reduced rates or even free travel.

If you decide to take the plunge, you're not alone. Read about celebrities you didn't know owned franchises

MOMLETA was founded in 2001 by personal trainer Kristen Horler. After having her first child, Horler was eager to help other new moms shape up. Realizing how difficult it is for new parents to find time for the gym, Horler came up with a solution: mom and baby stroller-powered workouts.

Most franchisees are new moms themselves. They have the option to work part time and can schedule classes as and when they choose, never having to worry about arranging childcare or being away from their little ones. MOMLETA offers a range of franchises including a Baby Boot Camp, which starts at $5,000 for the initial fee, through to the $46,500 Pure Barre franchise. 

For anyone considering commercial cleaning and janitorial services the franchise options are seemingly endless, and it's considered recession-proof because there's always cleaning to be done. Jantize is another company that services all sorts of facilities, and after 30 years in the business it's still growing across the US.

The lowest investment fee starts at $5,000 for a unit franchise, which means flexible hours providing cleaning services through leads sourced by Jantize. There are other options for people who want to scale their business and oversee other units, taking on more of the sales, marketing and client relations.

One of America's most highly regarded low-cost franchise operations, Florida's Cruise Planners is also the nation's largest home-based travel agent network. Like its competitor, it sells vacation packages, excursions, insurance and more. 

While the initial fee does come in just slightly above the $10,000 mark, Cruise Planners is currently running a promotion offering steep discount of $4,000 on this fee. The usual higher price does come with advantages over other travel agent franchises, including extensive training and support. And it has many of the benefits of other franchises in our list, such as flexible working and discounted travel.

Started in 2013 by a chef and former restaurant owner in Wisconsin, Chefs for Seniors is a first-of-its-kind service in the booming senior services industry. The market for senior meals in the US alone is estimated at $20 billion annually, and franchisees can get a share of those profits by making home-cooked meals. And that's not to mention improving the lives of older Americans who want to live independently.

The benefit of a Chefs for Seniors franchise is that the business model has been tried and tested and franchisees get access to marketing support. The lowest initial fee is $8,000 and franchisees will need additional cash for expenses like travel costs and insurance, which will vary by region. With larger investment fees, franchisees can access a larger territory for which they might employ other chefs. For anyone passionate about cooking it's likely a good fit, and while previous food service experience is helpful, it's not required.

Feeling inspired? Check out America's best franchises