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Becoming your own boss is an empowering experience. It takes drive, grit, a plan, and capital. As an entrepreneur, an excellent option for owning your own business is to become a franchisee. Franchising a business has many benefits because it has a built-in roadmap with an established franchise model at the helm.

From in-house cleaning service franchises to miscellaneous home services to food franchises to wellness and more, Â鶹Éç has the best small business franchise systems to fit a low-investment business model. Check them out below.

The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000

Starting your own business requires a substantial financial commitment. Franchise business systems can also fall into that category; however, becoming a franchise owner doesn’t have to break the bank.

Below you’ll find the top low-cost franchises that you can start with an initial investment of $50,000 or less, ranked based on the scores they received in Â鶹Éç’s 2022 Franchise 500 ranking.

This list is not intended to recommend any particular franchise but to serve as a starting point for your research. Even with low overhead, high-profit margins, and industry leader brands, you should always carefully read the company’s legal documents, consult with a franchise attorney and an accountant, and talk to current and former franchisees before you invest.

1. Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning Franchise
• Startup Cost: $5,000 – $58,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 10,418/0

2. Stratus Building Solutions

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $4,000 – $80,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 2,900/0

3. Anago Cleaning Systems

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $11,000 – $68,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,791/0

4. Goosehead Insurance

• Industry: Insurance
• Startup Cost: $40,000 – $119,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,344/0

5. Realty One Group

• Industry: Real Estate
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $225,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 344/12

6. RooterMan

• Industry: Plumbing
• Startup Cost: $45,000 – $82,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 749/0

7. Dream Vacations

• Industry: Travel Agencies
• Startup Cost: $2,000 – $21,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,618/0

8. NextHome

• Industry: Real Estate
• Startup Cost: $16,000 – $220,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 578/0

9. Chester’s

• Industry: Chicken
• Startup Cost: $16,000 – $228,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,098/0

10. Cruise Planners

• Industry: Travel Agencies
• Startup Cost: $2,000 – $23,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 2,585/0

11. Brightway Insurance

• Industry: Insurance
• Startup Cost: $23,000 – $174,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 308/2

12. Skyhawks Sports & Supertots Sports Academy

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $23,000 – $174,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 308/2

13. Leadership Management International

• Industry: Business Training Programs
• Startup Cost: $20,000 – $28,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 483/0

14. H&R Block

• Industry: Tax Services
• Startup Cost: $32,000 – $158,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 9,935/6,665

15. Destination Athlete

• Industry: Sports Equipment & Apparel
• Startup Cost: $28,000 – $94,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 207/0

16. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

• Industry: Tax Services
• Startup Cost: $49,000 – $82,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 5,483/2,070

17. American Poolplayers Association

• Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
• Startup Cost: $23,000 – $29,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 338/6

18. National Property Inspections

• Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
• Startup Cost: $41,000 – $49,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 223/0

19. Coverall

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $19,000 – $51,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 8,107/0

20. WIN Home Inspection

• Industry: Home Inspections
• Startup Cost: $36,000 – $42,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 270/0

21. Buildingstars

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $2,000 – $53,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 968/21

22. Card My Yard

• Industry: Yard Sign Rentals
• Startup Cost: $10,000 – $18,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 503/2

23. Sign Gypsies

• Industry: Yard Sign Rentals
• Startup Cost: $4,000 – $10,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 770/1

24. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

• Industry: Home Inspections
• Startup Cost: $44,000 – $54,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 558/0

25. We Insure

• Industry: Insurance
• Startup Cost: $44,000 – $124,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 192/1

26. Estrella Insurance

• Industry: Insurance
• Startup Cost: $12,000 – $84,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 180/0

27. Jantize America

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $8,000 – $49,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 155/0

28. 1st Class Real Estate

• Industry: Real Estate
• Startup Cost: $33,000 – $209,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 82/1

29. Sit Means Sit Dog Training

• Industry: Dog Training
• Startup Cost: $29,000 – $129,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 157/0

30. Corvus Janitorial Systems

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $10,000 – $35,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,727/0

31. TSS Photography

• Industry: Photography & Video Services
• Startup Cost: $20,000 – $75,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 173/0

32. OpenWorks

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $4,000 – $134,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 644/0

33. Toro Texas

• Industry: Tax Services
• Startup Cost: $18,000 – $74,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 195/30

34. Challenge Island

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: STEM
• Startup Cost: $50,000 – $69,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 186/7

35. Synergy HomeCare

• Industry: Senior Care
• Startup Cost: $44,000 – $131,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 396/0

36. Sculpture Hospitality

• Industry: Miscellaneous Business Services
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $76,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 286/11

37. Jazzercise

• Industry: Fitness
• Startup Cost: $2,000 – $22,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 7,761/0

38. Christmas Decor

• Industry: Lighting Services
• Startup Cost: $20,000 – $62,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 259/0

39. Soccer Shots

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $55,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 269/12

40. Mint Condition

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $5,000 – $32,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 409/0

41. Colors On Parade

• Industry: Automotive Appearance Services
• Startup Cost: $21,000 – $98,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 220/4

42. Network In Action

• Industry: Networking Groups
• Startup Cost: $26,000 – $33,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 80/3

43. Payroll Vault

• Industry: Business Financial Services
• Startup Cost: $49,000 – $63,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 65/4

44. Aire-Master

• Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
• Startup Cost: $45,000 – $170,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 170/7

45. Complete Weddings & Events

• Industry: Photography & Video Services
• Startup Cost: $57,000 – $81,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 109/2

46. Rhea Lana’s

• Industry: Children’s Retail
• Startup Cost: $21,000 – $40,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 105/2

47. Parker-Anderson Enrichment

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
• Startup Cost: $51,000 – $116,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 18/1

48. Augusta Lawn Care Services

• Industry: Lawn & Tree Care
• Startup Cost: $13,000 – $83,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 92/4

49. Surface Specialists

• Industry: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $56,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 46/0

50. DivaDance

• Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
• Startup Cost: $42,000 – $66,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 27/4

51. Chefs for Seniors

• Industry: Senior Care
• Startup Cost: $13,000 – $29,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 78/1

52. Class 101

• Industry: Miscellaneous Services
• Startup Cost: $69,000 – $98,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 50/1

53. Global Recruiters Network

• Industry: Staffing/Recruiting
• Startup Cost: $42,000 – $100,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 211/0

54. Proforma

• Industry: Printing/Marketing Services
• Startup Cost: $5,000 – $60,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 601/0

55. STEM For Kids

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: STEM
• Startup Cost: $50,000 – $84,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 135/5

56. Kinderdance

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $18,000 – $48,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 231/3

57. Drama Kids

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
• Startup Cost: $18,000 – $48,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 206/0

58. Fun 4 US Kids

• Industry: Advertising Services
• Startup Cost: $8,000 – $46,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 20/7

59. Home Cleaning Centers of America

• Industry:
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $45,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 30/0

60. Discovery Map

• Industry: Advertising Services
• Startup Cost: $36,000 – $46,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 120/0

61. Assist-2-Sell

• Industry: Real Estate
• Startup Cost: $13,000 – $34,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 127/1

62. Abrakadoodle

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
• Startup Cost: $38,000 – $82,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 485/2

63. Iris Environmental Laboratories

• Industry: Miscellaneous Services
• Startup Cost: $31,000 – $63,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 10/4

64. Access Garage Doors

• Industry: Garage-Door Repair/Installation
• Startup Cost: $50,000 – $100,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 6/1

65. Foliage Design Systems

• Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
• Startup Cost: $44,000 – $64,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 23/3

66. Acti-Kare

• Industry: Senior Care
• Startup Cost: $33,000 – $58,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 145/0

67. FRSTeam

• Industry: Restoration Services
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $409,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 47/10

68. Send Me a Trainer

• Industry: Fitness
• Startup Cost: $49,000 – $85,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 57/0

69. Just Between Friends

• Industry: Children’s Retail
• Startup Cost: $43,000 – $56,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 158/5

70. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services

• Industry: Tutoring
• Startup Cost: $33,000 – $57,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 371/0

71. The Grout Doctor

• Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
• Startup Cost: $24,000 – $38,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 84/2

72. IntegriServ Cleaning

• Industry: Commercial Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $3,000 – $50,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 108/0

73. Padgett Business Services

• Industry: Business Financial Services
• Startup Cost: $20,000 – $100,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 265

74. Steel Coated Epoxy Floors

• Industry: Concrete Coatings
• Startup Cost: $32,000 – $113,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 36/1

75. You’ve Got Maids

• Industry: Residential Cleaning
• Startup Cost: $36,000 – $108,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 70/0

76. Pet Butler

• Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
• Startup Cost: $37,000 – $45,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 37/2

77. Wize Computing Academy

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: STEM
• Startup Cost: $38,000 – $67,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 15/2

78. Touching Hearts At Home

• Industry: Senior Care
• Startup Cost: $64,000 – $93,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 69/0

79. Hi-Five Sports

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $25,000 – $554,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 18/2

80. XP League

• Industry: Children’s Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
• Startup Cost: $58,000 – $224,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 29/0

81. Amazing Athletes

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $33,000 – $66,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 146/22

82. Always Faithful Dog Training

• Industry: Dog Training
• Startup Cost: $49,000 – $58,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 26/1

83. Network Lead Exchange

• Industry: Networking Groups
• Startup Cost: $12,000 – $25,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 38/0

84. Get A Grip Resurfacing

• Industry: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
• Startup Cost: $44,000 – $93,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 24/1

85. Town Money Saver

• Industry: Advertising Services
• Startup Cost: $16,000 – $27,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 40/2

86. Family Financial Centers

• Industry: Miscellaneous Financial Services
• Startup Cost: $154,000 – $309,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

87. Mr. Sandless

• Industry: Miscellaneous Home-Improvement Businesses
• Startup Cost: $34,000 – $83,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 192/9

88. 3% Realty

• Industry: Real Estate
• Startup Cost: $47,000 – $79,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 58/3

89. N Zone Sports

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $41,000 – $58,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

90. The Patch Boys

• Industry: Drywall Repair
• Startup Cost: $55,000 – $81,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 272/0

91. Spoiled Rotten Photography

• Industry: Photography & Video Services
• Startup Cost: $34,000 – $48,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 17/2

92. Green Shine

• Industry: Car-Wash Services
• Startup Cost: $48,000 – $161,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 15/4

93. Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning

• Industry: Carpet & Upholstery Services
• Startup Cost: $48,000 – $78,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 468/12

94. Lil’ Angels Photography

• Industry: Photography & Video Services
• Startup Cost: $41,000 – $46,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 42/2

95. Best Brains Learning Centers

• Industry: Tutoring
• Startup Cost: $17,000 – $81,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 134/3

96. Grasons Co Estate Sales & Business Liquidation Services

• Industry: Estate Sales
• Startup Cost: $49,000 – $79,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 31/0

97. Dryer Vent Squad

• Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
• Startup Cost: $52,000 – $68,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

98. Lapels Cleaners

• Industry: Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services
• Startup Cost: $40,000 – $730,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 80/0

99. Overtime Athletics

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $38,00 – $66,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 33/0

100. TGA Premier Sports

• Industry: Children’s Fitness Programs
• Startup Cost: $34,000 – $126,000
• Total Franchises/Company Owned: 83/7

The Takeaway

If you’ve been looking for a new business opportunity in North America but assume the financial requirements franchise business are too high, don’t be discouraged. This list of 100 opportunities under $50,000 provides several options to explore if t franchise ownership is right for you.

For more low-cost opportunities in the franchise industry, see Â鶹Éç’s lists of the best franchises with an initial franchise fee of less than $100,000 and less than $150,000.

Related: 2022 Top Franchises for Less Than $100,000 Ranking

Related: 2022 Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000 Ranking

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