100 Franchises You Can Start For Less Than $100,000
Be the boss for $100K.
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This story appears in the March 2017 issue of Start Up.
Interested in finding a franchise that fits your budget? The following are the top franchises that can be started for less than $100,000, ranked based on the scores they received in the 2017 Franchise 500.
This list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. To find the right opportunity for you, regardless of cost, it’s important that you do your due diligence. Carefully read the company’s franchise disclosure document, consult with a franchise attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees about their experiences.
For more budget-friendly franchises, check out our other lists here.
1. Kumon Math & Reading Centers
Supplemental education
Startup cost: $69.4K-$140.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 25,811/30
Total franchises/co.-owned: 25,811/30
4. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
Residential HVAC maintenance, repair, and replacement
Startup cost: $77.1K-$552.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 314/37
Total franchises/co.-owned: 314/37
7. Matco Tools
Mechanics’ tools and equipment
Startup cost: $89.2K-$267.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,670/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,670/1
8. Mathnasium Learning Centers
Math tutoring
Startup cost: $90.8K-$137.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 782/11
Total franchises/co.-owned: 782/11
9. Right at Home
Home care, medical staffing
Startup cost: $77.2K-$133.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 525/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 525/1
10. Baskin-Robbins
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, frozen beverages
Startup cost: $94.4K-$402.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,722/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,722/6
11. Home Care Assistance
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $77.8K-$245.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/24
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/24
12. FirstLight HomeCare
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $95.2K-$140.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/0
11. Home Care Assistance
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $77.8K-$245.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/24
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/24
12. FirstLight HomeCare
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $95.2K-$140.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 134/0
13. Huntington Learning Centers
Tutoring and test prep
Startup cost: $96.7K-$204.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 249/35
Total franchises/co.-owned: 249/35
14. Budget Blinds
Window coverings, window film, rugs, accessories
Startup cost: $99.2K-$202.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,046/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,046/0
15. BrightStar Care
Medical/nonmedical home care, medical staffing
Startup cost: $92.4K-$174K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 299/4
Total franchises/co.-owned: 299/4
16. Pop-A-Lock Franchise System
Mobile locksmith and security services
Startup cost: $99.7K-$134.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 531/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 531/3
17. Visiting Angels
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $66.8K-$107.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 558/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 558/0
18. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Plumbing service, repair, maintenance
Startup cost: $83.6K-$419.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 269/11
Total franchises/co.-owned: 269/11
19. The Grounds Guys
Landscape maintenance
Startup cost: $73.5K-$200.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
22. Restoration 1
Water, fire, smoke, and mold remediation
Startup cost: $77.95K-$175.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 81/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 81/0
23. ServiceMaster Clean
Commercial/residential cleaning, disaster restoration
Startup cost: $56.2K-$265.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 5,007/10
Total franchises/co.-owned: 5,007/10
24. Yesco
Sign and lighting serviceand maintenance
Startup cost: $65K-$352.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/47
Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/47
25. Weichert Real Estate Affiliates
Real estate
Startup cost: $50K-$364.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 309/138
Total franchises/co.-owned: 309/138
27. Ikor International
Patient advocacy and guardianship for seniors and people with disabilities
Startup cost: $80.2K-$132.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 33/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 33/0
28. ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company
Swimming pool maintenance, repairs, and renovations
Startup cost: $96.1K-$143.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 213/0
29. 9Round – 30 min Kickbox Fitness
Kickboxing circuit-training programs
Startup cost: $66.6K-$102.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 442/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 442/6
30. Lawn Doctor
Lawn, tree, and shrub care; mosquito and tick control
Startup cost: $81.5K-$100.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 530/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 530/0
31. Two Men and a Truck International
Moving services
Startup cost: $75K-$590.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 289/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 289/2
32. Amada Senior Care
Home care and assisted-living placement
Startup cost: $87.7K-$174.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0
33. TeamLogic IT
IT managed services for businesses
Startup cost: $84.5K-$137.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 94/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 94/0
34. ComForCare Home Care
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $86.95K-$162K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 200/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 200/0
36. Pirtek USA
Hose service and supply centers/mobile services
Startup cost: $98.1K-$620K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 461/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 461/3
37. Mister Sparky
Residential electrical maintenance, repair, and replacement services
Startup cost: $68.6K-$458.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/6
38. Signal88
Private security guard and patrol services
Startup cost: $73K-$268.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 376/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 376/6
39. Apex Fun Run
Elementary-school fund-raising programs
Startup cost: $65.5K-$98.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 73/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 73/0
40. Dental Fix RX
Dental-equipment sales, service, and repairs
Startup cost: $77.1K-$183K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 123/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 123/0
41. MrAppliance
Household appliance services and repairs
Startup cost: $60.8K-$139.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 222/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 222/0
43. Patrice & Associates
Hospitality recruiting
Startup cost: $84.95K-$93.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 55/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 55/1
44. Senior Helpers
Personal, companion, and Alzheimer’s home care
Startup cost: $81.3K-$117.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 279/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 279/0
45. Welcomemat Services
Direct-mail advertising to new movers
Startup cost: $58.8K-$87.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 54/9
Total franchises/co.-owned: 54/9
46. Fibrenew
Leather, plastic, and vinyl restoration and repair
Startup cost: $89.5K-$101.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 237/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 237/0
49. Eye Level Learning Centers
Supplemental education
Startup cost: $76.1K-$140.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 613/746
Total franchises/co.-owned: 613/746
50. Sir Grout Franchising
Grout, tile, stone, and wood restoration
Startup cost: $94K-$147.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 36/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 36/2
51. Qualicare
Medical/nonmedical home care, patient advocacy
Startup cost: $71.7K-$201.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/1
52. Fish Window Cleaning Services
Window cleaning
Startup cost: $83.2K-$146.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 264/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 264/1
53. Orion Food Systems
Fast-food systems for nontraditional markets
Startup cost: $58.5K-$134K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 900/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 900/0
54. Caring Senior Service
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $58.6K-$107.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 49/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 49/3
56. Seniors Helping Seniors
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $86.8K-$141.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 281/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 281/6
57. CarePatrol Franchise Systems
Assisted-living referral and placement
Startup cost: $64.6K-$84.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 148/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 148/0
59. Fully Promoted (formerly EmbroidMe)
Embroidery, screen printing, promotional products
Startup cost: $89.4K-$213.99K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 270/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 270/0
60. Mainstream Boutique
Women’s clothing, accessories, gifts
Startup cost: $60K-$178K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 66/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 66/2
61. Transworld Business Advisors
Business brokerages; franchise consulting
Startup cost: $64.6K-$86.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/0
62. Painting with a Twist
Paint-and-sip studios
Startup cost: $89.3K-$143.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 324/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 324/0
63. JEI Learning Centers
Individualized supplemental education
Startup cost: $62.8K-$100.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 292/234
Total franchises/co.-owned: 292/234
65. Pinot’s Palette
Paint-and-sip studios
Startup cost: $76.6K-$196.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 176/4
Total franchises/co.-owned: 176/4
66. Assisting Hands Home Care
Home healthcare, respite care
Startup cost: $70.6K-$147.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 91/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 91/3
67. American Leak Detection
Concealed water, gas, and sewer leak detection
Startup cost: $76.8K-$259.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 369/50
Total franchises/co.-owned: 369/50
68. Dale Carnegie Training
Workplace training and development
Startup cost: $19.7K-$174.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 228/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 228/2
69. Safe Ship
Packing, shipping, freight,office supplies, notary services
Startup cost: $54.9K-$153.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/5
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/5
70. Color Glo International
Leather, vinyl, fabric, carpet, and surface repair and restoration
Startup cost: $56.3K-$61.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 137/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 137/0
71. British Swim School USA
Swimming lessons for ages 3 months and older
Startup cost: $82.2K-$127.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 45/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 45/1
72. Lapels
Dry cleaning and laundry services
Startup cost: $81.5K-$529.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 76/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 76/0
73. Murphy Business & Financial
Business and franchise brokerages, commercial real estate
Startup cost: $57.5K-$116.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/1
74. Fastest Labs
Drug, alcohol, and DNA testing; background screening
Startup cost: $66.5K-$82.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 20/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 20/1
75. Bottle & Bottega
Paint-and-sip studios
Startup cost: $57.5K-$116.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/1
76. Border Magic/Boulder Designs
Concrete landscape edging, custom rocks and boulder signage
Startup cost: $74.1K-$159.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 113/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 113/0
77. Pronto Insurance Franchise
Insurance
Startup cost: $53.1K-$89.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 40/109
Total franchises/co.-owned: 40/109
78. Gateway Newstands
Newsstand and sundry stores
Startup cost: $55.9K-$501.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 377/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 377/0
79. Liberty Tax Service
Tax preparation, electronic filing
Startup cost: $58.7K-$71.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,753/351
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,753/351
81. Assisted Living Locators
Senior-care referrals and senior-living placement
Startup cost: $59.3K-$70.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 54/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 54/2
83. Real Property Management
Property management
Startup cost: $79.9K-$103.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 275/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 275/2
84. SailTime Group
Membership boat clubs
Startup cost: $70.7K-$151.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/1
85. Nutty Scientists
Science enrichment and entertainment programs
Startup cost: $52.7K-$265.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 240/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 240/3
86. Precision Door Service
Garage-door repairs and installation
Startup cost: $67.6K-$347.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 83/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 83/1
87. 360 Painting
Residential and commercial painting
Startup cost: $66.7K-$113.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 64/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 64/0
88. Relocation Strategies
Corporate transition consulting, project management
Startup cost: $62.5K-$88.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 13/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 13/1
89. Window Genie
Residential window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing
Startup cost: $90.8K-$140K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 253/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 253/0
90. Digital Doc
Electronics repairs, sales, and accessories
Startup cost: $73.3K-$151.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/16
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/16
91. Parisi Speed School
Youth sports performance training
Startup cost: $86.2K-$187.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/0
92. Miracle Method Surface Refinishing
Kitchen and bathroom surface refinishing
Startup cost: $82.1K-$136.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/1
93. Kitchen Tune-Up
Residential and commercial kitchen and bath remodeling
Startup cost: $54.9K-$64.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 188/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 188/0
94. SuperGreen Solutions
Energy-efficiency products and services
Startup cost: $75.8K-$90.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/0
95. Merle Norman Cosmetics
Cosmetics and skincare products
Startup cost: $60.8K-$191.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,230/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,230/2
96. The Screenmobile
Mobile window and door screening
Startup cost: $83.6K-$119.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 97/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 97/1
97. Destination Athlete
Youth sports apparel, equipment, and services
Startup cost: $67.5K-$122.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/0
98. Handyman Matters Franchise
Residential and commercial repairs, restoration, and maintenance
Startup cost: $66.4K-$116.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 126/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 126/0
99. Money Mailer Franchise
Direct-mail advertising
Startup cost: $95.1K-$169K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 183/48
Total franchises/co.-owned: 183/48
100. GoliathTech
Foundation systems for the construction industry
Startup cost: $72.9K-$176K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 93/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 93/0
Tracy Stapp Herold
Â鶹Éç Staff
Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Â鶹Éç magazine. She works on franchise... Read more