Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $50,000 (Infographic)
Think you can’t afford to be your own boss? Think again. On the following pages, you’ll find our list of top franchises that can be started for less than $50,000. Some can even be started for less than $5,000. And with 87 companies listed, from pet-sitting and property management services to popcorn carts, you’re sure to find an affordable franchise opportunity that sparks your passion.
These businesses are listed based on their ranking in Â鶹Éç‘s 2015 Franchise 500®, which is determined using objective, quantifiable criteria such as system size, growth and financial strength and stability. The listing is not intended as a recommendation of any particular business. Always conduct your own research, including reading a company’s legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant and talking to experienced franchisees to get the lowdown on any low-cost franchise you might be considering.
1. Jan-Pro Franchising International
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $3.1K-$50.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11,676/0
2. H&R Block
Tax preparation, electronic filing
Startup cost: $31.5K-$148.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,846/6,165
3. Cruise Planners
Travel agency
Startup cost: $2.1K-$22.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,757/1
4. Vanguard Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $10.9K-$35.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,113/0
5. Jazzercise
Dance-fitness classes, conventions, apparel and accessories
Startup cost: $3.5K-$75.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,370/3
6. CleanNet USA
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $9.8K-$97.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,951/14
7. Coverall Health-Based Cleaning System
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $14.1K-$47.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,996/0
8. Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet, drapery and upholstery cleaning; tile and stone care
Startup cost: $40K-$140K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,565/0
9. RE/MAX
Real estate
Startup cost: $37.5K-$279.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 6,751/21
10. Cellairis Franchise
Cell-phone and wireless-device accessories and repairs
Startup cost: $43.1K-$397K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 577/51
11. Anago Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $10.5K-$65.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,456/0
12. Proforma
Printing and promotional products
Startup cost: $4.7K-$50.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 703/0
13. Heaven’s Best Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Startup cost: $44.9K-$65.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,259/0
14. Rooter-Man
Plumbing, drain and sewer cleaning
Startup cost: $46.8K-$137.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 497/17
15. Buildingstars International
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $2.2K-$52.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 566/0
16. Bricks 4 Kidz
Lego-engineering classes, camps, parties
Startup cost: $33.8K-$51.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 649/1
17. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
Home inspections
Startup cost: $33.2K-$42.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 460/0
18. Novus Glass
Auto glass repair and replacement
Startup cost: $46.8K-$229.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,627/17
19. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
In-home tutoring
Startup cost: $32.6K-$56.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 390/0
20. Sculpture Hospitality
Liquor inventory-control services
Startup cost: $43.4K-$57.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 376/5
21. N-Hance
Wood floor and cabinet refinishing
Startup cost: $24.3K-$131.98K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 347/0
22. HomeVestors of America
Home buying, repair and selling
Startup cost: $42K-$347.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 587/0
23. Coffee News
Weekly newspaper distributed at restaurants
Startup cost: $9.3K-$10.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 785/5
24. CruiseOne
Travel agency
Startup cost: $3.2K-$21.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,000/0
25. Mint Condition Franchising
Commercial cleaning, building maintenance
Startup cost: $4.9K-$45.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 306/0
26. MaidPro
Residential cleaning
Startup cost: $45.9K-$202.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 187/1
27. CPR-Cell Phone Repair
Electronics repairs and sales
Startup cost: $24.6K-$228.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 198/5
28. Soccer Shots Franchising
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 8
Startup cost: $31.7K-$38.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/10
29. My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Early-learning/fitness programs
Startup cost: $34.3K-$247.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 329/0
30. HappyFeet Legends International
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 18
happysoccerfeet.com
Startup cost: $21.3K-$25.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 171/4
31. WIN Home Inspection
Home inspections
Startup cost: $33.9K-$54.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 182/0
32. Mr. Sandless/Dr. DecknFence
Interior and exterior sandless wood refinishing
Startup cost: $26.8K-$87.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 258/11
33. Kitchen Tune-Up
Residential and commercial kitchen and bath remodeling
Startup cost: $45.8K-$55.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 173/0
34. Fresh Coat
Residential and commercial painting
Startup cost: $49.4K-$76.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 112/0
35. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems
Children’s and maternity consignment events
Startup cost: $26.97K-$39.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 145/1
36. Estrella Insurance
Auto, home and business insurance
Startup cost: $49.95K-$84K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 93/0
37. Dale Carnegie Training
Workplace training and development
Startup cost: $26K-$182.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 202/2
38. The Glass Guru
Window and glass restoration and replacement
Startup cost: $30.2K-$119.99K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 92/0
39. Doc Popcorn
Kettle-cooked popcorn
Startup cost: $39K-$355.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 94/2
40. Acti-Kare
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $32.6K-$51.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 90/0
41. Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network
Textile restoration
Startup cost: $45.6K-$235.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/0
42. Plan Ahead Events
Corporate event planning
Startup cost: $45.9K-$71.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 129/0
43. Jet-Black Franchise Group
Asphalt maintenance
Startup cost: $46.5K-$113.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 86/10
44. Aire-Master of America
Restroom deodorizing and maintenance
Startup cost: $36.1K-$124.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 102/4
45. American Poolplayers Association
Recreational billiard league
Startup cost: $16.7K-$19.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 307/6
46. Sit Means Sit Dog Training
Dog training
Startup cost: $45K-$123.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 82/1
47. Young Rembrandts Franchise
Art classes for ages 3 to 12
Startup cost: $40.2K-$48.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 107/0
48. Amazing Athletes
Educational sports programs
Startup cost: $34.2K-$55.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 85/0
49. KidzArt
Art-education programs, products and services
Startup cost: $46.1K-$52.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 107/0
50. AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services
Home inspections
Startup cost: $44.3K-$75.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 290/0
51. TSS Photography
Youth sports, school and event photography
Startup cost: $42.3K-$77.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 229/0
52. Unishippers Global Logistics
Shipping services
Startup cost: $48.2K-$2.2M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 222/92
53. Heits Building Services
Commercial cleaning and maintenance
Startup cost: $9K-$71.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 201/0
54. Hallmark Homecare
Caregiver search, recruitment and placement
Startup cost: $13.9K-$26.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 75/0
55. Homes & Land
Real-estate advertising magazine
Startup cost: $47.1K-$127K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 224/18
56. Happy & Healthy Products
Frozen fruit bars
Startup cost: $37.2K-$113.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 63/0
57. Jantize America
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $49.7K-$253.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 236/0
58. National Property Inspections
Home and commercial property inspections
Startup cost: $38.7K-$42.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 216/0
59. Techna Glass International
Windshield repair and replacement
Startup cost: $41.6K-$175.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/22
60. Green Home Solutions
Environmentally friendly mold cleaning, pest control and odor elimination
Startup cost: $21.1K-$72.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 102/1
61. DKI
Insurance/disaster restoration
Startup cost: $47.1K-$164.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 347/0
62. The Decor Group
Holiday and event lighting
Startup cost: $18.1K-$40.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 242/0
63. CEO Focus
Peer consulting groups
for small-business owners
Startup cost: $41.5K-$63K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/5
64. Snaggle Foot Dog Walks & Pet Care
Pet-sitting, dog-walking
Startup cost: $12.2K-$21.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 26/5
65. The Senior’s Choice
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $38K-$55K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 170/1
66. Duct Doctor USA
Residential and commercial air-duct cleaning
Startup cost: $41K-$136.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 25/0
67. Colors On Parade
Mobile auto paint and dent repair
Startup cost: $39.7K-$525K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 266/8
68. Flower Tent
Flower store
Startup cost: $28.2K-$82.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 83/10
69. Engineering for Kids
Math, science, technology and engineering activities
Startup cost: $33.1K-$88.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 126/2
70. 360clean
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $13.9K-$21.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 82/0
71. Window Gang
Window, exterior, dryer-vent and chimney cleaning; deck and fence sealing
Startup cost: $34.4K-$81.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 151/36
72. Computer Troubleshooters
Technology consulting for small businesses
Startup cost: $17.2K-$82.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 344/0
73. Baby Boot Camp/Karna Fitness
Prenatal and postnatal fitness; women’s private and small-group training
Startup cost: $4.8K-$10.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 128/1
74. Sunbelt Business Brokers
Business brokerage
Startup cost: $41.7K-$96.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 200/1
75. i9 Sports
Youth sports leagues, camps and clinics
Startup cost: $44.9K-$69.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 123/16
76. Brickhouse Cardio Club
Fitness studio
Startup cost: $18.95K-$31.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 53/1
77. MindsAhead Academy
Enrichment and tutoring programs
Startup cost: $8.7K-$75.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 611/1
78. You’ve Got Maids
Environmentally friendly cleaning
Startup cost: $34.9K-$108.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 47/0
79. Critter Control
Wildlife management, pest control
Startup cost: $25.1K-$85.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 110/0
80. Pet Butler
Pet-waste cleanup and removal
Startup cost: $30K-$42K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 101/0
81. Oxi Fresh Franchising
Carpet cleaning
Startup cost: $37.7K-$65.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 268/6
82. Drama Kids International
After-school drama classes and summer camps
Startup cost: $28.5K-$46.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 193/0
83. Ident-A-Kid Franchise
Children’s safety products and services
Startup cost: $34.1K-$44.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 132/0
84. ACFN-The ATMFranchise Business
Automated teller machines
Startup cost: $40.4K-$67.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 238/0
85. Complete Weddings and Events
Photography, DJ, video and photo-booth services
Startup cost: $30.4K-$48.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 200/2
86. Property Management Inc.
Commercial and residential property management
Startup cost: $20.3K-$61K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 93/2
87. Abrakadoodle
Art-education programs
Startup cost: $37.8K-$80.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 170/2
Think you can’t afford to be your own boss? Think again. On the following pages, you’ll find our list of top franchises that can be started for less than $50,000. Some can even be started for less than $5,000. And with 87 companies listed, from pet-sitting and property management services to popcorn carts, you’re sure to find an affordable franchise opportunity that sparks your passion.
These businesses are listed based on their ranking in Â鶹Éç‘s 2015 Franchise 500®, which is determined using objective, quantifiable criteria such as system size, growth and financial strength and stability. The listing is not intended as a recommendation of any particular business. Always conduct your own research, including reading a company’s legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant and talking to experienced franchisees to get the lowdown on any low-cost franchise you might be considering.
