I believe it means "ready to go" as in just turn the key, open the door and you're ready to start working.

Turnkey Business For Sale......
Translation:
1] Get your lawyer to read the contracts.
2] Get your accountant to look at the books.

It is a product or system that can be plugged in or someone who guards prisoners. I guess…

In real estate, it means the house/condo is ready for occupancy right away, no work needed. In residential real estate, I've noticed it's used loosely.

Well, two outta three aint bad. At least a third of the people sucking air in this country are fucking morons. Do everyone a favor, and get yourself "fixed" Charlie.

My friend, Matt, went into one of those "turnkey businesses" for a while. He installed small vending machines in businesses and shops. The contractor would supply the machines and candy/soda/whatever and Matt would install and refill them. The contractor and contractee share in the profits.

Leasing and installing credit card swiping machines is another turnkey business.

Mmm, I always thought it was a popular sell for franchising.

Yep, Blake. Franchising is turnkey, but it's not the kind of turnkey that you hear advertised on the radio.

If you hear an ad that invites you to take advantage of their turnkey business opportunity -- and they don't mention what kind of business it is -- it's more'n likely that it's a scheme to get you to pay up front for the opportunity to work on commission.

MOst of these fucktards got it sorta right; it means something that needs little or no more work to be good to go.

In the computer age in which you have grown up,the equivalent might be "plug and play".

Shelly, shaddap and pick a category.

Patience, loser.

You guys all hit the jackpot while I was stuck in Martha's Vineyard with no time for computer. Try to find some other life for a day or so.

"...the legislature is in session, no man's property is safe." (google that while you wait)

LOL, you're a bad man, not to mention a SHAMELESS name-dropper.

From my perspective in computer solutions product management, turnkey refers to the provision of a complete solution, including hardware, third party software, our software, and services.

Thanks for the info everybody, but I now have even less of an idea what turnkey means.