Start a H&R Block Franchise in 2024

2024 Franchise 500 Rank: #306 Ranked #217 last year

Initial investment: $34K - $158K

Units as of 2024: 9,473 5% over 3 years

Established in 1955 by brothers Henry and Richard Bloch, H&R Block is one of the most well-known tax preparation services nationwide. Since its inception, the company has prepared hundreds of millions of taxes. It has spread globally, serving Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and military bases. H&R Block also has a strong presence in Canada, where it has over 500 franchises. In the U.S., H&R Block has over 2,000 franchises.

Guided by the same principle now as it was back then, H&R Block wants to help its clients and communities by providing excellent service.

Why You May Want to Start an H&R Block Franchise

The "Block" in H&R Block is no longer just a play on the founders' last name. It represents the blocks—the communities—the company is a part of. Launching "Make Every Block Count" H&R Block tries to help small businesses make the connections they need to thrive. They also might provide online tax preparation tools so everyone can benefit from H&R Block's services, even if a physical location isn't nearby.

To join the H&R Block team, you should make sure you are ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. Additionally, you should prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will consist of royalty fees, among others.

What Might Make H&R Block Franchise a Good Choice?

As a franchisee, there are a few options available to you when it comes to taking on the H&R Block name. You can either buy or sell. However, the company usually emphasizes joining the franchise by selling your business.

H&R Block may be willing to buy out your existing tax preparation business for a competitive price. The company typically encourages you to stay on board until you're ready to retire. This may help you create long and short-term exit strategies for you and your business. As part of the purchase agreement, H&R Block may keep your employees; you may receive cash up front, experience a smooth, co-branding transition, and rest easy knowing you are in good hands.

If you start a franchise from the ground up, you may search for available franchise locations on their website. New franchisees might undergo about double the hours of corporate training that returning tax professionals receive. This may be one of many ways H&R Block continues to support its franchisees throughout their tenure. The company might also help you with marketing and SEO, security and safety, and lease negotiations, among others.

How to Start an H&R Block Franchise

Whether you're selling your existing tax agency or starting from scratch, the first step in starting your H&R Block franchise is to take a look at the competition in your location. How fragmented is the market? Do you feel like your area could benefit from an H&R Block?

During the process, a local developer may contact you to discuss your interest. You'll usually need to provide some basic information, including how many tax returns your company filed the year prior. With due diligence and a down payment, you may be able to join the family and become a part of H&R Block’s history of making positive changes in the community.

Company Overview

About H&R Block

Industry	Financial Services
Related Categories	Tax Services, Business Financial Services
Founded	1955
Leadership	Jeff Jones, President & CEO
Corporate Address	One H&R Block Wy. Kansas City, MO 64105
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1956 (68 years)
# of employees at HQ	2,500
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada
# of Units	9,473 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a H&R Block franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$2,500
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$33,824 - $158,344
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	30%
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

In-House Financing	H&R Block offers in-house financing to cover the following: equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	18 hours
Classroom Training	32 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Lease Negotiation Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	No
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes