There are more than 3,000 franchises in 75 different industries. Learn inside tips on how to decide which one is right for you.

(Tom Scarda is one of only 1,004 people in the world certified as a Franchise Executive by the International Franchise Association. www.franchise.org.

Tom resigned from a government job, purchased a franchise, built it, sold it within five years, cashed out and now helps others do the same around the country).