[sokoloff]

I’m no expert in the area but if I wanted something that was lower variance/expense than a software startup and that might be doable on just $500K, I’d do research on something like a pizza joint, a diner, or maybe a franchise food service place. (Looks like Subway is one of the cheaper franchise food service places to open.)

In this case, I’m assuming your real prize is the green card, not the actual business, as I’d way rather have $500K of VOO or VTSAX than 2 Subway franchises.

[rdtwo]

I think if you could park it, earn zero interest and get your 500k back without a lot of assache that would already be a win. Even if you only got 300-400 back but had to do nothing but work your other tech job it would be a good trade.

[taxcoder]

This was my first thought as well. I'm not sure, though, that one Subway would support 10 full time employees. An assistant manager could handle most of the day to day operations, with the OP overseeing.

[jbjbjbjb]

I think OP could do a few Subways with $500k