15 Franchises Under 100k [2021]

Jeff
15 min readDec 22, 2020

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Buying a franchise can be a very interesting and unique career path. You have the opportunity to be your own boss from the very beginning, and you don’t have to come up with your own success model.

The benefits of owning a franchise include standardized training, built-in name recognition, and in-house startup financing. However, starting a franchise does not guarantee success. They can and do fail just like any other new business does.

Let’s go through 15 franchises you could start with less than $100k.

  1. UPS Store

If you’re looking for name recognition, you won’t do much better than The UPS Store. It’s been offering a franchise opportunity for over 40 years and continues to provide extreme brand power and a consistent business model.

It’s been recognized in The Business Journals’ American Brand Excellence Awards, and the “Franchise Times 200,” both of which identify top brands in the community that have top-level sales and high amounts of locations. There are currently over 4,800 independent UPS Store business owners throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

With The UPS Store, you’ll get the benefit of partnering with a successful mail delivery system that’s been around for decades, in-depth continuous training programs, and the instant credibility of a nationally recognized brand. From the first day, they will help you with the construction of a site they help you find, negotiating your lease and financing for the location, learning day-to-day operations, and facilitating connections with other franchisees.

The training program you’ll go through is extremely comprehensive. It includes both web-based and in-store training, a general business course, and training on the mailroom equipment. They offer continuous software education, IT support, and marketing resources.

The UPS Store has three different types of franchise locations. They are based either in popular city areas, more rural locations, or within another business. You can start a Store-in-Store (the third type) UPS Store location beginning at $64,894.

2. Allstate Insurance Company

With Allstate, there’s absolutely no inventory, so you won’t need to worry about spoiled or wasted products.

Unlike most other franchises, you do not pay any kind of initial or continuous royalty fee to own an Allstate agency. They see you as part of the family, and you’ll own equity in the business as you grow and take part in their mentorship and education offerings.

They do require you to show you have access to $100k, but the startup fees may be less than that, depending on the customer market and your location. Most owners will spend a minimum of $50k to get started.

Even though they don’t require an initial franchise fee, they do help with interior office design, signage, and even provide furnishing advice to ensure a consistent customer experience throughout their agency family.

You’ll earn considerably more than the initial insurance policy sale commission with Allstate. Recurring renewals, upsold products, and recognition bonuses will all be added to your income, so that will be a huge incentive to maintain relationships and loyalty with each of your customers.

There are no caps on the amount you can earn with this company, so if you’ve got good interpersonal skills, you could join the 10% of Allstate franchisees that earn over $500,000 in revenue per year.

3. Kumon Math & Reading Center

The Kumon learning method was created in 1954 by a Japanese math teacher for his son. Toru Kumon wanted his child to have a balance of loving the learning process, while also being exhaustively prepared for the arduous high school and university exams in his future.

He experimented by creating short assignments that built on specific concepts, allowing his son to thoroughly grasp the idea before moving on to something else. His method turned out to be so incredibly successful that he was able to teach his son calculus by the sixth grade.

Logically, other parents started to take notice, and Kumon’s unique method grew more and more popular. Now, millions of students in 50 countries have had success with this style of learning.

If you have had experience with tutoring, or if you have kids yourself, you might relate to this franchise opportunity quite well. Several of the franchise owners have been tutors or teachers themselves, but this is not a requirement.

They have a startup franchise fee of just $1,000, and they will reimburse your startup expenses up to $36,000. Most franchise owners will spend less than $75,000 in an initial total cost.

If you’re looking to own multiple centers or hire someone to manage several locations for you, then this is not what you’re looking for. Kumon requires franchise owners to be involved with the day-to-day operations and be the face of the specific branch they own.

4. Scenthound

Scenthound began as a mobile dog grooming company in 2005 and then pivoted to brick and mortar locations in 2010. They realized that most dog owners didn’t know about all the different kinds of grooming that their dog needed.

Most breeds don’t require regular haircuts, but they all need standard care such as dental, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and bathing. They realized that too many dogs were simply not getting the care required to stay clean and healthy, so that’s why this franchise was born.

The company requires you to have liquid capital of $75,000, with a franchise fee of $49,900. They do allow you to own additional locations for $39,900 each, so if you’re looking to scale up and grow, this may be a good fit for you.

You’ll pay 6% of gross sales in royalty fees, 1% for national marketing, and 5% for local marketing.

At Scenthound, they are very clear about wanting each owner to be very much a dog person, and not afraid to get involved with and learn the day-to-day grooming processes for the pets.

5. ACFN, The ATM Franchise Business

The American Consumer Financial Network has been providing ATM services to entertainment and hotel-type businesses since 1996. They decided to offer a franchise opportunity beginning in 2003, and now there are over 250 owners that operate close to 3000 ATMs throughout the USA and Canada.

ACFN bills itself as a “part-time franchise for a full-time retirement.” Several of the owners wanted the ability to start a side hustle, so the ability to join without affecting their current work was a huge selling point.

The ATM business model can definitely scale up, and owners join ACFN from several different backgrounds. Some franchisees are straight out of college while others have just retired, but it is a proven model that will work for anyone. ATM machines are not going away any time soon.

This company will actually do a lot of the work for you. They will do land research to find viable locations based on proven metrics, they will make the needed contacts to secure the buildout, and they will oversee the installation process.

They have a $25,000 franchise fee, and then you’re charged $995 for a three-day training seminar in San Jose, CA plus $10,000-$12,000 per ATM (including the cash inside).

If you’re looking for a way to be hands-off, and just invest profits to scale up a passive income source, this would definitely be an option if you’ve got their recommended amount of $60k to start with.

6. Liberty Tax

Why would you buy a tax service franchise? Well, we can be reasonably certain that tax preparation is going to be needed for a while. Liberty Tax is dedicated to being a low-cost and affordable franchise because they realize the top requirement for franchisees is profit potential.

With Liberty Tax, you’ll pay $40,000 as a franchise fee if you’re opening up a brand new location, and possibly less than that if you’re buying a previously owned agency. You’ll pay between $10,000-$15,000 in advertising and payroll, plus $9,000-$15,000 in furniture, equipment, and other miscellaneous supplies. Most franchisees can start a new location for $73,900 or less.

Liberty Tax currently has over 4,000 offices open, and they’ve been around since 1997. They actively support local community fundraising efforts and donate to charitable causes. They constantly experiment with different types of guerrilla marketing, but have a consistent national media presence as well.

If you want to partner with a company that has its employees dress up as the Statue of Liberty, spin signs, dance around, and welcome customers with high levels of enthusiasm, then this might be for you. Their over-the-top marketing campaigns seem to hold a key to their continued success.

As a Liberty Tax franchise owner, you could expect to make $150,000 a year or more, especially if you own multiple locations.

7. Naturals2Go

Naturals2Go is a company that specializes in selling healthy snack and drink products from vending machines. This would be an extremely easy way to scale up your profits, as there’s no limit to how many you could own.

You don’t have to buy specific snack or drink products from them, but they do a ton of research into what products are being bought in specific locations. They have a database of close to 10,000 different products, and you’ll also have a dedicated coach that will connect you to the best sources for low-cost bulk pricing.

If you’re looking to walk away from your 9–5, Naturals2Go will offer all the training and support you’ll need. They teach you in person how to operate the vending machines, location negotiation, and offer general business, setup, and sales education.

They have three ways to help you find locations. You can let the company do it for you, they will train you on how to research locations, or they will connect you with a professional locator.

To get started with Naturals2Go, you’ll pay a $26,000 franchise fee but will need at least $50,000 in liquid capital.

8. Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaning

This carpet cleaning company began in 1977, born out of a desire for a better way to clean carpets. Robert Harris worked for a small carpet cleaning company in the early 1970s and wasn’t impressed with the products he was using. They left chemical residue on the surface, took a long time to dry, and attracted more dirt.

Once when he was on a flight, the attendant helped him remove a salad dressing stain from his silk tie with club soda. Realizing that it was the carbonation in the soda that caused the stain to break down, he then realized he could apply this trick to carpet cleaning.

Carbonation works extremely well to remove dirt and random particles from the carpet fibers, and the method Chem-Dry uses only requires a small amount of water. Most other companies use steam cleaning, but Chem-Dry uses a process of heat and carbonation.

Chem-Dry offers training over a three-week period. First, you’ll study for two weeks online, and then attend five full days of hands-on training at their headquarters.

They will immediately help you with over four years of financing if you are accepted, and they require a minimum down payment of $6,000. They also have a recurring monthly franchise fee of $408.60, but you are not required to contribute to a national marketing fund.

Depending on the type of van and the equipment you choose to start out with, you could own a franchise for as little as $67,645.

9. Baskin-Robbins

You can start a Baskin-Robbins franchise for a minimum of $94,350. You’ll pay a recurring advertising fee of 5% of your sales, and also a royalty fee of 5.9%. However, when you begin a new shop, your royalty is 0% for the first year, 1.9% for the second, and it keeps increasing by 1% till year six, and then it stays at 5.9%.

Baskin-Robbins has over 7,800 locations throughout the world and is one of the most iconic ice cream shops to exist. They partner with the Joy in Childhood Foundation and are constantly partaking in local partnerships to raise funds for hospitals, food banks, and nonprofits dedicated to helping hungry and sick kids.

For training, you will begin with a three-week program. You will travel to stores and be shown how to operate the equipment, you’ll receive classroom training, and then also receive access to a continuous online skill-building and mentoring platform. You’ll have access to a field support team in case anything ever happens that you can’t figure out how to fix.

They want to incorporate what their franchisees learn on the ground, so they have a structure to regularly meet and discuss ideas and innovation.

Baskin-Robbins has been available to franchise since 1948 and could provide you with a six-figure income, as they actively encourage you to own multiple locations.

10. Merry Maids

House cleaning is a $25 billion industry, and it seems poised for continued growth. Merry Maids is one of the top house cleaning franchise opportunities with 1,450 units in operation, and it’s been around since 1979.

There is plenty of brand awareness here, and repeat business is the norm due to the nature of home cleaning.

They have mentoring and support programs throughout the USA. You will attend an eight-day training program at the home office, and be connected with a successful franchise owner.

Access to their online network is also included, which means you can share experiences and interact in real-time with corporate and other franchisees.

Merry Maids will also offer you protected territory, which they say fosters cooperation among all their owners.

They require you to have a minimum net worth of $70,000 and pay a franchise fee of $21,000. Most owners will spend between $36,500 and $50,500 to start a new Merry Maids location.

11. Novus Glass

Gerald Keinath designed a windshield repair business plan in 1972 from the basement of his home. He bought patents and was constantly trying to find the best methods for this process, and named his business NOVUS Glass (Latin for “new” or “innovative”). They have been offering a franchise opportunity since 1985, and they have more patents for windshield repair than any other company.

If you begin this franchise, you’ll spend three weeks at their home office and regional training centers learning how to run an auto glass business and do the repairs yourself. A manager will also spend your first week with you at your new location, helping you to manage sales and keep everything running smoothly.

They are looking for potential franchisees who have previous business experience, but you don’t need any current knowledge of the auto glass industry.

The initial franchise fee is $10,500, and you’ll also pay close to $30,000 for training and tools. You’ll need to come up with at least $46,500 to start a new location. You’ll also spend 6% of gross sales in royalties, and 6% on marketing.

Novus Glass reports that their owners make around $300,000 a year in gross sales, but are vague in describing average profit.

12. Screenmobile

Screenmobile began in 1980 intending to become the largest screen repair business in the world. In 1984 they began selling franchises, and now they are the preeminent mobile screen repair company. They describe themselves as “built on the principles of honesty, integrity, and pride,” and have a unique business model that allows franchise owners to take measurements, create, and install custom screens on-site.

They’ve got over 120 operators in more than 25 states, and require $91,000 to start out with a $30,000 liquid capital requirement. That includes all the tools and equipment, training, marketing materials, their branded trailer, and the franchise fee. There is also a 7% royalty fee.

One big benefit is that you won’t have to finance real estate or construction. It’s a home-based business, so you can actually be in operation within 8–12 weeks after signing the contract.

You’re free to set your own work hours with this franchise, and they will help you contact other Screenmobile owners so that you can network and ask them questions.

Screenmobile allows you the opportunity to build an empire. You can start with just one truck and trailer, and then hire more employees and expand over time.

13. Maid Brigade

Maid Brigade has been a standard in the cleaning service industry since 1985. They’ve got over 350 franchise locations throughout the United States and Canada.

They aim to offer an extremely healthy and non-toxic cleaning and disinfection system. Their PUREcleaning process involves using an EPA-registered disinfectant applied with an electrostatic sprayer. This ensures a complete coating of the charged sanitizing liquid, which puts them a level above using a standard trigger sprayer.

This franchise opportunity will provide you with extensive and ongoing support. It includes a four-day hands-on networking conference with successful franchisees and regular regional meetings with corporate.

You’ll be paired with a successful colleague who has been in the program for at least 10 years, and you’ll have an online network for real-time analytics and continued research.

They have a national sales center that handles all new business, so you simply will have to focus on employee development and customer satisfaction.

Maid Brigade has an initial franchise fee of $35,000, and you’ll also pay for equipment and supplies, plus their mobile car billboard system. You’ll need at least $71,750 as an initial investment.

14. U.S. Lawns

U.S. Lawns specifically focuses on the commercial landscaping industry, and that could be a good thing for you as a franchise owner. Most residential landscaping is done simply whenever the homeowner notices that maintenance is needed, but most commercial entities sign long-term repeat business contracts.

You’ll focus on large five and six-figure jobs with a U.S. Lawns franchise. Plus, commercial clients usually need several different landscaping type services, so they provide the largest profit margin.

While this franchise does have a lot of people who rebranded a current landscaping company, or worked in the field already, that is definitely not a requirement. If you’re willing to learn and see the value in providing this service to your community, they will teach you everything you need to know.

They have a course in the basics of financial management, they’ll show you proprietary methods for finding and retaining long-term customers, and they’ll show you how to create reciprocal business relationships within your community.

You’ll learn everything about plant health, irrigation, and turf maintenance. Whether you’re working for a country club golf club, or on a flower display in front of a high rise, you’ll be able to do it all.

U.S. Lawns has an initial franchise fee of $34,000, and then you’ll spend a minimum of $24,000 on marketing, training, real estate, your service vehicle with equipment, and miscellaneous operating expenses. Expect to spend a minimum of $59,500 to get started.

15. Board & Brush Creative Studio

Board & Brush Creative Studio began with a wine and crafts hangout in the founder’s basement, and then quickly morphed into a business idea. They began in Wisconsin with one studio, and now have over 250 franchises throughout the USA.

They focus on woodworking — creating signs and displays with different types of distressed and stained wood to create unique works of art.

If you’re interested in crafting iconic wood pieces for customers, this might be a good fit for you. You don’t have to have any experience, as they will provide you with all the training and materials.

They also contract with experienced graphic designers to make vintage and personalized pieces for both your customers and your place of business.

This franchise offers a constantly expanding design library and extensive training, along with a proprietary iPad application. That allows for real-time collaboration with other owners, and a specialized customer loyalty and rewards program.

A Board & Brush Creative Studio will have start-up costs ranging between $62,289 and $89,406. You’ll pay $25,000 in a base franchise fee, a 6% royalty fee, and then the rest is for buildout, signage, furniture and equipment, insurance, and the grand opening. This will also be enough to have operating capital for the first three months or so.

So like I said, starting a new franchise can be very exciting, but it is not without risk. You’ll want to do as much research as possible to make sure you’ve got a winning location, and if everything else works out, you can be very successful as your own boss. If you’ve got a nice nest egg saved up, it may be worth your time to pursue a career in this sector.

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Jeff
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Jeff has written about finance, home based businesses, and more. He enjoys teaching people how to build lead generation websites to create a stable income.