>> i clicked on yes and investigated franchises. i saw this and it jumped off the page. >> reporter: at 41 years old, roger would become his own boss for the first time and took half of his 401(k) retirement savings, bought a franchise in january hauling junk. it was a big gamble for this father of three, but the junk removal business is one of the few businesses that actually expanded during the recession. >> whether it's because of the foreclosures and people need to clean out those houses or people are downsizing or moving in with their -- mom's moving in with us, we need to get rid of these things or donate these things, that's business for us. >> reporter: while half of all new businesses fail, franchises have a much rate of success. >> there are people who went before me and streamlined what do we need to do.