Approx. 100k to invest. Looking for good suggestions.?

In another few months, I will have right at 100k to invest. I am looking for something to help me generate an addition income stream. I have thought about purchasing rent houses (2-3), a franchise, or maybe even starting a business from the ground up. I have a good job now, but in this unstable economy, I am looking to do something with this money that will produce additional income fairly quickly in case I were to lose my job or my wife were to lose hers. Any good suggestions for legitimate opportunities (not MLM or "make a million dollars a month with no money down".....etc.)? Thank you.