The most effective methods to start out a brand new enterprise is by capitalizing on a franchise alternative. Not solely do franchise alternatives include premade advertising collateral and excessive model consciousness, however you get intensive enterprise help from the franchiser.
Let’s check out the definition of a franchise, the essential standards for evaluating a possibility, and one of the best franchises to personal this 12 months.
We’ll cowl:
Let’s get began.
What’s a franchise?
A franchise is a enterprise wherein unbiased entrepreneurs use the rights to a bigger firm’s enterprise identify, brand, and merchandise to function a person location. The franchiser is the proprietor of the bigger firm who sells the rights to license their enterprise, and the franchisee is the third-party proprietor and operator of the enterprise areas.
When was the final time you made a quick meals cease or bought a cup of espresso earlier than work? If the model is recognizable and has a number of areas all through your metropolis or city, like McDonald’s or Dunkin’, it is fairly potential your favourite meals joint is a franchise.
The truth is, the US Census stories that 11.4% of all companies within the US are franchises. Whereas eating places make up the majority of franchise alternatives, fuel and comfort shops, automobile dealerships, health, actual property, and hospitality sectors additionally make up a large chunk.
However which franchises are greatest suited in your price range and talent set? Let’s check out how one can consider a franchising alternative.
Easy methods to Consider a Franchise Alternative
No franchise is one-size-fits-all. Entrepreneurs who wish to open a franchise should take note of their budgetary constraints and the franchiser’s help system in the course of the analysis part.
Listed below are a number of standards that it’s best to think about.
Franchise Charges and Set-Up Prices
Each franchisor requires an upfront price. This will vary from a whole lot to a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars}.
Ideally, the franchise price can be paid out-of-pocket (although some franchisers supply financing choices). Both approach, we advocate having at the least $10,000 to take a position up-front.
Profitability
Once you’re evaluating a enterprise funding, it is necessary to know if the chance is well worth the cash.
Figuring out the profitability of a franchise is not a precise science, however there are a number of elements to contemplate, together with the unit development, new franchisee success charge, and the franchiser’s monetary statements.
Assist Programs for Franchisees
When deciding on a franchiser, check out the help methods they’ve put in place to make sure their new location is successful.
7Eleven, for instance, flies accepted franchisees to their help heart in Dallas for coaching. In addition they have a useful resource heart with seminars and occasions. Not all franchisers, particularly small ones, may have intensive sources like 7Eleven, however ensure that they provide primary coaching.
Time Dedication
Working a franchise will likely be a decades-long dedication, ideally longer — you’ll be able to’t function a retailer and go away after a 12 months. The franchise time period for McDonald’s, for instance, is 20 years.
Make sure that you’re ready to stay round for some time with out pursuing different time-consuming commitments (akin to an extra profession). In case you really feel that you just’ll wish to go away in lower than ten years, be sure you select a model whose franchises are simpler to promote.
Accessible Territories
Most, if not all, franchisers wish to develop in a specific geographical space. It wouldn’t be worthwhile, for instance, to open a brand new location simply miles from one other, or in an space the place there’s no demand.
You should definitely examine whether or not your goal franchiser needs to open a location in your space. If not, resolve whether or not you’re prepared to relocate.
Model Recognition or Progress
How recognizable is the model that you just’ll be franchising? If it’s a smaller model, has it seen vital development up to now 12 months?
These two traits will decide whether or not it is going to be worthwhile to function a franchise for a potential model. Generally, going for a giant, extremely recognizable model isn’t excellent, as a result of up-front prices are vital.
A smaller franchiser might be a better entry level — as long as the corporate has been rising in income.
Now that you know the way to guage a possibility, let’s check out our listing of one of the best franchise alternatives to pick out from. All through the pandemic, these franchisers have both seen development or little or no stagnation, making them one of the best franchises to personal.
Finest Franchises to Purchase
- McDonald’s
- 7-Eleven
- Dunkin’
- The united statesStore
- Popeyes
- Sonic Drive-In
- Nice Clips
- Taco Bell
- Kumon Math & Studying Facilities
- Sport Clips
- Anytime Health
- Ace {Hardware}
Let’s check out a few of these franchises and see how they stack up. I am going to overview what every franchise requires by way of the franchise price and the preliminary funding you may have to make.
A franchise price is a value a possible franchisee pays up entrance to function the franchise. And the preliminary funding quantity consists of bills akin to royalty charges, actual property, and stock prices.
Let’s check out a few of these franchises and see how they stack up. I am going to overview what every franchise requires by way of the franchise price and the preliminary funding you may have to make.
Every alternative may have the next info:
- Class: That is the enterprise or {industry} class for the franchise.
- Franchise price: A franchise price is a value a possible franchisee pays up-front to function the franchise.
- Preliminary funding: The preliminary funding quantity consists of bills akin to royalty charges, actual property, and stock prices.
- Financing obtainable: This can inform you whether or not financing is offered for preliminary investments.
- Franchise particulars: This can be a hyperlink that may result in the franchising web page for the enterprise.
1. McDonald’s
Class: Quick-Meals Franchise
Franchise price: $45,000
Preliminary funding: $1,008,000 to $2,214,080
Liquid money requirement: $500,000 minimal
Royalty price: 4-5%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: McDonald’s
If you’d like golden arches of your personal, you may have to put in a hefty preliminary funding. However with that funding, you get model recognition, recognition, and years of expertise within the fast-food {industry}.
2. 7-Eleven
Class: Retail Franchise
Franchise price: $10,000 to $1,000,000
Preliminary funding: $37,550 to $1,149,900
Liquid money requirement: $50,000 – $150,000
Royalty price: Varies
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of 7-Eleven’s inside program
Franchise particulars: 7-Eleven
Because the #1 comfort retailer, 7-Eleven is seeing unprecedented development. Its shops are turnkey and you may get began inside three to 6 months, together with utility, testing, and coaching.
3. Dunkin’
Class: Meals & Drink Franchise
Franchise price: $40,000 to $90,000
Preliminary funding: $109,700 to $1,637,700
Liquid money requirement: $125,000 to $250,000
Royalty price: 5%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Dunkin’
Dunkin’ dropped the “Donuts” from its identify, however this enterprise is as recognizable as ever with areas in 32 international locations. It was rated #1 in buyer loyalty by Model Keys’ Buyer Loyalty Engagement Index. And so they help their franchisees with coaching and help with website choice, development, operations, administration, and advertising.
4. The united statesStore
Class: Printing and Packing Franchise
Franchise price: $29,950
Preliminary funding: $138,433 to $460,031
Liquid money requirement: $75,000 minimal
Royalty price: 5%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of Guidant Monetary
Franchise particulars: The united statesStore
The united statesStore is the top-ranked franchise within the enterprise companies {industry}. It boasts monetary stability, model recognition, and devoted coaching and help — and 84% of the U.S. inhabitants lives inside 10 miles of a UPS Retailer.
5. Popeyes
Class: Quick-Meals Franchise
Franchise price: $50,000
Preliminary funding: $383,500 and $2,620,800
Liquid money requirement: $500,000 minimal
Royalty price: 5%
Financing obtainable: No
Franchise particulars: Popeyes
Popeyes is persistently one of many high franchises to personal in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Rankings. It is a well-known fast-food model with a world presence, robust promoting methods, and well-developed core philosophies.
6. Sonic Drive-In
Class: Quick-Meals Franchise
Franchise price: $45,000
Preliminary funding: $1,240,000 to $3,540,000
Liquid money requirement: $500,000 minimal
Royalty price: 2.5-5%
Financing obtainable: No
Franchise particulars: Sonic Drive-In
This drive-in chain prides itself on its operational excellence and customer support. This model retains rising — its franchise homeowners noticed $1,341,000 in common product sales.
7. Nice Clips
Class: Hair Salon Franchise
Franchise price: $20,000
Preliminary funding: $136,900 to $259,400
Liquid money requirement: $50,000 minimal
Royalty price: 6%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Nice Clips
Nice Clips has been in enterprise for 30 years and gives its franchise homeowners with up-to-date know-how and coaching. It has invested closely in market analysis to offer prospects with one of the best service and expertise.
8. Taco Bell
Class: Quick-Meals Franchise
Franchise price: $25,000 to $45,000
Preliminary funding: $525,100 to $2,622,400
Liquid money requirement: $750,000 minimal
Royalty price: 5.5%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Taco Bell
This quick-service restaurant model has been round for 50 years and has developed monetary stability and model recognition. It has a confirmed working system and offers you entry to restaurant sources and a neighborhood of greater than 350 franchisees who know the enterprise.
9. Kumon Math & Studying Facilities
Class: Youngsters’s Schooling Franchise
Franchise price: $1,000
Preliminary funding: $74,428 – $156,590
Liquid money requirement: $70,000 minimal
Royalty price: Varies
Financing obtainable: No, however Kumon will cowl as much as $36,000 of your small business bills
Franchise particulars: Kumon
Kumon is ranked persistently within the high 10 of Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 listing. This is a perfect franchise to purchase due to its low price and potential for prime profitability in a time of distant studying.
10. Sport Clips
Class: Hair Salon Franchise
Franchise price: $59,500
Preliminary funding: $224,800 to $373,300
Liquid money requirement: $200,000 minimal
Royalty price: 6%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Sport Clips
Sport Clips is rising and displaying its energy and stability — it has a excessive continuity charge of 95.4% over the previous 5 years. Which means that out of all of the shops that opened all through the final 5 years, greater than 95.4% of them are open immediately. It attributes this stability to comparatively low startup prices, strong help methods, and continuous monitoring of retailer efficiency.
11. Anytime Health
Class: Gymnasium
Franchise price: $35,000
Preliminary funding: $105,000 to $720,000
Liquid money requirement: $100,000 minimal
Royalty price: $549 monthly
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Anytime Health
Anytime Health is among the strongest performing health franchises on the market immediately. With over 4 million members world vast, Anytime Health’ model recognition is excessive, however working prices are low.
12. Ace {Hardware}
Class: House enchancment
Franchise price: $5,000
Preliminary funding: $280,000 to $2,000,000
Liquid money requirement: $250,000
Financing obtainable: Sure
Franchise particulars: My Ace
Ace {Hardware} exudes an area really feel, which starkly contrasts the big-box dwelling enchancment shops like House Depot and Lowe’s. This franchise prides itself on stellar customer support and store-brand merchandise.
Low-Value/Low cost Franchises
The preliminary funding in a franchise will be expensive, and vary anyplace from a number of thousand {dollars} to over 1,000,000. In case you’re seeking to buy a franchise at a lower cost level, there are alternatives for you in quite a lot of industries.
1. Cruise Planners
Class: Journey Franchise
Franchise price: $6,995
Preliminary funding: $2,095 to $22,867
Liquid money requirement: $11,000
Royalty price: 1.5-3%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of third-party lenders
Franchise particulars: Cruise Planners
Cruise Planners is a cruise planning company. It is home-based, so that you need not think about the price of actual property. Prior expertise in journey planning will not be required, and the corporate gives complete coaching.
2. SuperGlass Windshield Restore
Class: Car Upkeep Franchise
Franchise price: $9,500 to $28,500
Preliminary funding: $9,910 to $31,000
Liquid money requirement: $15,000
Royalty price: 4%
Financing obtainable: No
Franchise particulars: SuperGlass Windshield Restore
SuperGlass Windshield Restore has been working for 30 years and specializes within the restore of rock broken and cracked windshields. Overhead prices will be saved low because of its cellular choice — a bodily store location will not be required. It additionally gives classroom and on-the-job coaching,
3. JAN-PRO
Class: Cleansing and Upkeep Franchise
Franchise price: $2,520 to $44,000
Preliminary funding: $3,985 to $51,605
Liquid money requirement: $150,000
Royalty price: 10%
Financing obtainable: Sure
Franchise particulars: JAN-PRO
JAN-PRO is a industrial cleansing franchise whose clientele is different companies. They provide three choices for franchising: worldwide grasp franchise, govt enterprise, and home-based alternatives.
4. Jazzercise
Class: Group Health Franchise
Franchise price: $1,250
Preliminary funding: $2,500 to $38,000
Liquid money requirement: $2,900
Royalty price: Varies
Financing obtainable: No
Franchise particulars: Jazzercise
In case you’re seeking to begin a low-investment, train enterprise, a Jazzercise franchise is likely to be a great match for you. It gives varied worth factors to start a franchise and you could find the one which aligns together with your price range.
5. Dream Holidays
Class: Journey Franchise
Franchise price: $495 to $9,800
Preliminary funding: $3,245 to $21,850
Liquid money requirement: $9,800
Royalty price: 1.5-3%
Financing obtainable: Sure, by way of their inside financing system
Franchise particulars: Dream Holidays
Dream Holidays is a home-based journey company franchise with no overhead or stock — this retains the price of preliminary funding low. It is an incredible choice for navy veterans and gives discounted funding costs.
Finest Franchises to Open and Personal
- Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
- Culver’s Butterburgers and Frozen Custard
- Planet Health
- Membership Pilates
- Nothing Bundt Desserts
- Pure Barre
- uBreakiFix
- Soccer Pictures
- Mathnasium
- Kona Ice
Some firms have seen unprecedented development or are significantly pushed to develop. They’re actively on the lookout for new alternatives as a result of they’re nonetheless within the preliminary phases of increasing their attain.
These are prime alternatives for potential franchisees. You’ll be able to reap the benefits of a rising identify within the enterprise whereas being the explanation the identify grows and turns into extra authoritative.
Beneath are our high picks for the best-growing franchises to purchase. On this listing, we’ll check out the preliminary funding, the franchise’s development charge over the previous three years, and the variety of franchise areas, or franchise models.
1. Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Preliminary funding: $640,552 – $2,077,046
Three-year development charge: 44.6%
Complete franchise models: 386
This fast-casual restaurant is thought for its burgers and freshly-churned custard. After your preliminary funding, you’ll be able to count on your restaurant to open in eight to 18 months, relying on location and whether or not you are shopping for or leasing property.
2. Culver’s Butterburgers and Frozen Custard
Preliminary funding: $2,349,000 – $5,356,000
Three-year development charge: 21.2%
Complete franchise models: 765
Based in 1984, Culver’s has been a well-recognized identify within the burger and custard enterprise. It is a high franchise and gives a longtime working system with over 35 years of expertise.
3. Planet Health
Preliminary funding: $968,100 – $4,113,000
Three-year development charge: 45.9%
Complete franchise models: 2,059
Planet Health is thought for its Judgment Free Zone® philosophy — making first-time fitness center customers really feel comfy as they start their health journeys. This fitness center has over 14 million members and franchisees have a median annual working revenue of $567,000.
4. Membership Pilates
Preliminary funding: $178,000 – $365,200
Three-year development charge: 192.6%
Complete franchise models: 597
Membership Pilates is among the high pilates franchises in america. Based in 2007, this group health franchise carries out as much as 8 million pilates exercises a 12 months.
5. Nothing Bundt Desserts
Preliminary funding: $430,200 – $624,300
Three-year development charge: 60.6%
Complete franchise models: 355
This bakery is exclusive as a result of, regardless of being a franchise, it has a “Mother and Pop store” really feel. There are areas throughout america, and its muffins have been featured in common media retailers like Meals and Wine Journal, Meals Community “Unwrapped”, and Franchise Instances.
6. Pure Barre
Preliminary funding: $204,100 – $461,700
Three-year development charge: 20.6%
Complete franchise models: 563
Pure Barre is a well-liked, boutique health model with practically 600,000 shoppers. The enterprise gives a number of income streams: bar lessons and activewear. And it gives help and coaching for actual property, operations, consulting, advertising, and extra.
7. uBreakiFix
Preliminary funding: $98,350 – $303,000
Three-year development charge: 14.8%
Complete franchise models: 585
uBreakiFix focuses on repairs of all kinds of electronics — from computer systems to TVs to gaming consoles. The rise of distant work and in-home leisure makes this an incredible contender for this 12 months.
8. Soccer Pictures
Preliminary funding: $41,034 – $55,100
Three-year development charge: 26.7%
Complete franchise models: 242
Soccer Pictures is a youngsters’s soccer program with a concentrate on character growth. It has a low overhead value, helps its franchisees, and has well-established relationships with nationwide manufacturers like Adidas and the U.S. Soccer Basis.
9. Mathnasium
Preliminary funding: $112,750 – $149,110
Three-year development charge: 26.1%
Complete franchise models: 1,074
This math studying heart opened in 2002, and its mission is to “assist each youngster perceive — and grasp — math.” Mathnasium has earned many accolades, and over the previous 4 years, its average-per-unit product sales grew 10% yearly.
10. Kona Ice
Preliminary funding: $145,600 – $169,200
Three-year development charge: 43.7%
Complete franchise models: 1,305
Kona Ice, a vendor of shaved ice, gives the advantage of having comparatively low preliminary prices whereas nonetheless having strong model recognition. Every franchise is operated out of a truck, which means that you just gained’t spend cash on land or actual property. The most effective half? You’ll be able to open a Kona Ice location in lower than two months.
Subsequent, we curate essentially the most worthwhile franchises total — taken from each our listing and lists across the internet.
Most Worthwhile Franchises
- Dunkin’
- 7-Eleven
- Planet Health
- JAN-PRO
- Taco Bell
- Orangetheory Health
- Nice Clips
- Mac Instruments
- Cruise Planners
- Jazzercise
- McDonald’s
- Mathnasium
- Jimmy John’s Connoisseur Sandwiches
- Papa John’s
- Anytime Health
The franchises listed above are seeing the biggest development in franchise areas over the previous 12 months, which is among the key indicators of profitability.
Feeling overwhelmed? Undecided how one can get began? Learn our information on how one can develop into an entrepreneur to get the fundamentals down earlier than buying a franchise.
Why personal a franchise?
Proudly owning a franchise has numerous advantages. You’ll be able to revenue from the franchiser’s recognizable model whereas basically working your personal operation. Probably the most worthwhile franchises hardly ever fail, eradicating the dangers usually related to opening a brand-new enterprise.
Let’s dive into the advantages you’ll get pleasure from after investing in a franchise alternative.
1. Franchises are already well-known of their market.
One of many largest challenges of launching a startup is creating sufficient model consciousness to draw and convert prospects.
As a result of most franchises have been working for a number of years at minimal, they’ve generated sufficient consciousness in your first buyer to stroll in inside days of opening your doorways. The model will be acknowledged instantly.
If it’s not, then potential prospects want solely search for the identify of your small business, and all of the areas will present up. This demonstrates to potential consumers that the model is confirmed and respected. Give it some thought: Would you go to an unknown store or a store that has a number of areas? Probably the latter.
2. You see better earnings as a franchise proprietor.
As a result of franchisers have already established a number of companies and have generated model consciousness, you’ll have a better potential for earnings than in case you have been to function an unbiased enterprise.
That does come at a premium value, akin to franchise charges and ongoing royalties paid out to the franchisers. Nevertheless, you will note a excessive return-on-investment as soon as new prospects start strolling in nearly instantly after opening the situation.
3. You get the coaching that you must function the franchise.
Don’t have industry-specific expertise? Excellent news: You don’t want any. You merely should be obtainable for the corporate’s coaching schedule to discover ways to function your brand-new franchise location.
Franchisers don’t count on you to have particular expertise within the area. As an example, in case you’re contemplating opening a Kumon location, Kumon gained’t require you to have a Grasp of Arts in educating. All you want is to be proficient in math and studying and be prepared to work with youngsters.
4. You’ll obtain in-person help and help.
Most franchisers have area representatives that go to independently-owned areas to make sure operations are progressing easily. Even when the franchiser doesn’t supply an in-person go to, you’ll have a robust help group out of your fellow franchisees. You’ll be able to go to networking occasions (or create your personal) to search out new methods to market your location, rent extra assist, and appeal to extra prospects.
5. Franchises supply decrease dangers.
All of those advantages conspire to make franchises lower-risk enterprise ventures. Certain, there’s at all times a possible in your franchise location to fail, however this threat is far, a lot smaller in comparison with the danger you face when opening your personal enterprise.
If issues go awry, you’ll be able to promote the franchise location to a different particular person. In spite of everything, the model identify remains to be worthwhile. Simply because you’ll be able to’t afford to function that location doesn’t imply one other particular person can’t.
Franchise Drawbacks
1. Franchises can have excessive upfront prices.
Preliminary funding prices in a franchise will be expensive, particularly if you’re shopping for a widely known worthwhile enterprise like Dunkin’ or McDonalds. For smaller franchises, you’ll nonetheless should shell out hundreds up entrance.
Whereas shopping for right into a profitable franchise comes with many advantages — together with a built-in buyer base, the preliminary lump sum wanted to get began will be prohibitive for some.
2. Franchises could have extra restrictive rules or pointers.
Not like beginning your personal enterprise from scratch, franchises include an inventory of pointers franchisees should observe. These phrases and pointers will be present in your franchise settlement.
The franchisor could dictate:
- Pricing
- Merchandise
- Tools
- Enterprise hours
- Decor and signage
- Advertising and marketing
- Location
These pointers are supposed to create uniformity so that every franchise is identical at each location.
3. The franchisor could oversee your small business’ funds.
Along with dictating how your small business runs, franchises additionally lack autonomy in the case of funds. Your franchisor will most definitely management all facets of the franchise’s monetary dealings. Be ready to routinely submit monetary statements akin to your steadiness sheet and revenue statements.
4. Franchises usually require extra ongoing charges and bills.
Along with startup prices, franchise homeowners ought to price range funds for reinvestment within the enterprise and different charges stipulated by the franchisor. These extra prices can come within the type of coaching charges, royalty charges or different companies like promoting.
Whereas proudly owning a franchise gives necessary advantages, it does come at a excessive value. Learn on to be taught how one can afford a franchise.
Easy methods to Afford Your Franchise
Opening up a brand new location of a franchise is dear. You’ll have to not solely cowl the franchise price, however have hundreds of {dollars} in liquid belongings.
First up, just remember to have a ok credit score rating to qualify for loans. Having a financial savings account can be important. Remember the fact that some franchisers may require you to pay for the up-front price and not using a mortgage. For that cause, it’s best to think about franchises that accommodate your distinctive monetary state of affairs.
Listed below are a number of of your funding choices:
1. Small Enterprise Loans
Small enterprise loans are a superb choice for masking your franchise price and up-front investments. Relying in your financials and your lender, you’ll be able to qualify for a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars}, which can greater than cowl you in the course of the setup part.
2. Small Enterprise Grants
Small enterprise grants are one other avenue to contemplate, with a minor caveat: Most grant issuing authorities search for unbiased startup homeowners, not for franchise homeowners. For that cause, you’ll wish to parse fastidiously by way of the choices.
In case you determine as BIPOC, you may as well think about small enterprise grants particularly for minorities.
3. Microlending
Microlending is one other nice franchise funding choice. In case you don’t have sufficient capital to qualify for greater loans, you should use a micro-loan. These loans usually quantity to lower than $50,000 and are greatest for you in case you’re planning to open up a location for a low-cost franchise. Ideally, you’d additionally produce other sources of funding, akin to traders and family and friends, to cowl the up-front franchise prices.
4. Buyers
Simply as in case you have been launching your personal startup, you’ll be able to and may search for traders in your new franchise location. You must also distribute fairness based on your traders’ preliminary funding.
Earlier than looking for traders, overview the franchise settlement to make sure you’re not violating the phrases of your franchisor-franchisee partnership. Some franchisers could not help you search particular person traders due to the phrases. It additionally could also be overly difficult to account for franchise royalties, investor fairness, worker payouts, advertising charges, and operational prices when calculating your web earnings.
5. Buddies and Household
One in all your greatest choices for funding? Your very personal family and friends. As talked about, opening a franchise location requires a hefty funding. Even when your family and friends chip in at $100 a chunk, you’ll be a lot nearer to affording your franchise than you have been yesterday. As well as, your family and friends will be a superb supply of latest enterprise when you open your doorways.
Grow to be an Entrepreneur by Shopping for a Franchise
You’ll be able to develop into an entrepreneur by beginning your personal enterprise — or by shopping for a franchise from a significant model. Make the most of a longtime model identify whereas having fun with the perks of working your personal operation. Franchises will be extremely worthwhile to personal, particularly whenever you create a robust marketing strategy that helps your earnings develop.
Editor’s notice: This submit was initially printed in October 2020 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.