MOST BUSINESSES ARE hurting in this recession, but if past experience is any indication, franchises could be the exception. Franchised businesses make up 11 percent of the U.S. economy and take in 41 percent of every retail dollar spent—and in past recessions, the growth in the number of franchise stores has actually accelerated.

Of course, while franchise owners claim that they’re more likely than independent businessmen to survive in a rough economy, they’re also more likely to have to go to work wearing a strange hat and nametag. And since a franchisee may need as much as $350,000 for the first three months to cover equipment, leases and other start-up costs, some national chains now find themselves having to sweeten the pot to get new owners to take the plunge.

With that in mind, here’s a highly subjective guide to some of the more interesting franchises that are recruiting new talent:

See the 8 franchises here >>>