Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $50,000 (Infographic)

By Tracy Stapp Herold | Aug 12, 2015
Shutterstock

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 Âé¶¹Éç‘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.

Image Credit: Âé¶¹Éç | Shutterstock

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 Âé¶¹Éç‘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.

Tracy Stapp Herold

Âé¶¹Éç Staff
Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Âé¶¹Éç magazine. She works on franchise... Read more

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