100 Franchises You Can Start For Less Than $50,000 Be the boss with just $50K.
This story appears in the March 2017 issue of Start Up.
Interested in finding a franchise that fits your budget? The following are the top franchises that can be started for less than $50,000, ranked based on the scores they received in the 2017 Franchise 500.
This list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. To find the right opportunity for you, regardless of cost, it's important that you do your due diligence. Carefully read the company's franchise disclosure document, consult with a franchise attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees about their experiences.
For more budget-friendly franchises, check out our other lists here.
2. Jan-Pro Franchising International
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $3.99K-$51.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,224/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,224/0
3. HomeVestors of America
Home buying, repair, and selling
Startup cost: $44K-$347.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 724/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 724/0
4. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
Home inspections
Startup cost: $33.9K-$42.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 541/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 541/0
5. Rooter-Man
Plumbing, drain, and sewer cleaning
Startup cost: $46.8K-$137.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 609/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 609/3
6. Stratus Building Solutions
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $3.5K-$64.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,508/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,508/0
9. Jazzercise
Group fitness classes, conventions, apparel, and accessories
Startup cost: $3.5K-$12.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,880/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,880/0
10. Synergy HomeCare
Nonmedical home care
Startup cost: $35.4K-$149.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 338/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 338/0
11. Anago Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $10.5K-$65.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned:1,458/0
Total franchises/co.-owned:1,458/0
12. Novus Glass
Auto glass repair and replacement
Startup cost: $49.97K-$268.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,953/41
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,953/41
14. Estrella Insurance
Auto, home, and business insurance
Startup cost: $49.95K-$84K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 121/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 121/0
15. Vanguard Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $10.9K-$39.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,167/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,167/0
16. Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet and upholstery cleaning, tile and stone care, granite renewal
Startup cost: $31.8K-$155.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,498/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,498/0
17. CruiseOne/Dream Vacations
Travel agencies
Startup cost: $3.2K-$21.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,090/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,090/0
18. Fiesta Auto Insurance and Tax
Insurance and tax-preparation services
Startup cost: $49.7K-$107.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 155/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 155/0
20. You've Got Maids
Environmentally friendly residential cleaning
Startup cost: $36.4K-$107K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 63/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 63/0
23. Window Gang
Window, gutter, and dryer-vent cleaning, pressure washing, chimney sweeping
Startup cost:$34.4K-$81.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 90/96
Total franchises/co.-owned: 90/96
24. Bricks 4 Kidz
Lego-engineering classes, camps, parties
Startup cost: $34.5K-$52.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 659/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 659/2
25. My Gym Children's Fitness Center
Early-learning/fitness programs
Startup cost: $36.8K-$249.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
27. N-Hance
Wood floor and cabinet refinishing
Startup cost: $24.3K-$147.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
28. NaturaLawn of America
Organic-based lawn care
Startup cost: $42.5K-$112.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 72/8
Total franchises/co.-owned: 72/8
29. Mr. Sandless/Dr. DecknFence
Interior and exterior sandlesswood refinishing
Startup cost:$26.8K-$87.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 250/11
Total franchises/co.-owned: 250/11
30. National Property Inspections
Home and commercial property inspections
Startup cost: $43.2K-$47K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 219/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 219/0
31. Colors On Parade
Mobile auto paint and dent repair
Startup cost: $33.8K-$103K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 229/10
Total franchises/co.-owned: 229/10
32. Property Management Inc.
Commercial, residential, and association property management
Startup cost: $19.4K-$60K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 153/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 153/2
33. Buildingstars International
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $2.2K-$53.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 682/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 682/0
34. H&R Block
Tax preparation, electronic filing
Startup cost: $31.5K-$149.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,208/6,614
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,208/6,614
35. Club Z! In-HomeTutoring Services
In-home tutoring
Startup cost: $33.6K-$57.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 388/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 388/0
36. Soccer Shots Franchising
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 8
Startup cost: $31.8K-$39K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 172/9
Total franchises/co.-owned: 172/9
37. Jet-Black Franchise Group
Asphalt maintenance
Startup cost: $43K-$100.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 88/10
Total franchises/co.-owned: 88/10
38. SuperGlass Windshield Repair
Windshield repair, glass scratch removal, headlight lens repair
Startup cost: $9.9K-$31K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 325/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 325/0
39. Little Kickers
Preschool soccer programs
Startup cost: $23.2K-$34.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 251/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 251/1
40. Engineering for Kids
Math, science, technology, and engineering activities
Startup cost: $27.2K-$93.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 152/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 152/1
41. Coffee News
Weekly newspapers distributed at restaurants
Startup cost: $9.8K-$10.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 834/5
Total franchises/co.-owned: 834/5
42. Oxi Fresh Franchising
Carpet, upholstery, hardwood floor, tile, and grout cleaning
Startup cost: $38.9K-$66.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 298/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 298/6
43. Drama Kids International
After-school drama classes and summer camps
Startup cost: $28.6K-$48.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 216/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 216/0
44. AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services
Home inspections
Startup cost: $46.8K-$58.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 271/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 271/0
45. CEO Focus
Peer consulting groups for small-business owners
Startup cost: $41.5K-$63K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/1
46. GarageExperts
Garage cabinets, floor coatings, organization products
Startup cost: $48.1K-$85.98K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/0
47. Lil' Angels Photography
School, childcare, and family photography
Startup cost: $36.3K-$40.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 59/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 59/0
48. Concrete Raising of America
Concrete raising, leveling, stabilizing, and repairs; cement grout injection
Startup cost: $34.9K-$249.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 16/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 16/3
49. Aire-Master of America
Restroom odor-control and maintenance
Startup cost: $39.6K-$142.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/7
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/7
50. Interior Magic International
Auto appearance reconditioning
Startup cost: $33.1K-$100.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
54. The Decor Group
Holiday and event lighting
Startup cost: $19.6K-$62.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 259/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 259/0
55. Leadership Management
Leadership and organization training and development
Startup cost: $20K-$27.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 463/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 463/0
56. HappyFeet Legends International
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 18
Startup cost: $22.5K-$29.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 165/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 165/3
57. Rhea Lana's Franchise Systems
Children's consignment events
Startup cost: $18.1K-$36.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 74/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 74/3
58. OpenWorks
Commercial cleaning, facility services
Startup cost: $17K-$124.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 343/7
Total franchises/co.-owned: 343/7
59. Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network
Restoration of textiles and electronics
Startup cost: $45.6K-$235.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/0
60. Kinderdance International
Movement/educational programs
Startup cost: $17.95K-$46.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/2
61. Proforma
Printing and promotional products
Startup cost: $4.7K-$50.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 675/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 675/0
62. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems
Children's and maternity consignment events
Startup cost: $32.8K-$45.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 148/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 148/0
63. Unishippers Global Logistics
Shipping services
Startup cost: $45K-$421.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 206/109
Total franchises/co.-owned: 206/109
65. Duct Doctor USA
Residential and commercial air-duct cleaning
Startup cost: $41K-$136.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/0
66. Touching Hearts At Home
Nonmedical home care for seniors and people with disabilities
Startup cost: $48.4K-$69.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
67. Happy & Healthy Products
Frozen fruit bars
Startup cost: $49.7K-$92.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0
68. The Glass Guru
Window and glass restoration and replacement
Startup cost: $37.3K-$135.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
69. Amazing Athletes
Educational sports programs
Startup cost: $39.4K-$52.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/0
70. Bloomin' Blinds
Window-covering sales, installation, and repairs
Startup cost: $47.4K-$111.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 14/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 14/1
75. Mint Condition Franchising
Commercial cleaning, building maintenance
Startup cost: $4.9K-$45.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 330/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 330/0
76. RSVP Publications
Direct-mail advertising
Startup cost: $44.4K-$176K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
77. Image One Facility Solutions
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $34.4K-$103.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/0
78. CleanNet USA
Commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $17.98K-$46.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,549/10
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,549/10
80. Masterpiece Mixers Paint & Party Studios
Paint-and-sip studios
Startup cost: $27.6K-$65.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11/4
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11/4
81. CompuChild
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math classes
Startup cost: $18.3K-$33K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/1
83. OMEX - Office Maintenance Experts
Commercial cleaning and maintenance management
Startup cost: $40.4K-$70.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/1
84. The Grout Medic
Grout and tile maintenance, restoration
Startup cost: $24.7K-$57.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/0
85. Homes & Land
Real estate marketing magazines
Startup cost: $47.5K-$116K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/15
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/15
86. TGA Premier Junior Golf
Golf enrichment programs
Startup cost: $19.3K-$72.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/2
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/2
87. Get A Grip Franchising
Countertop, cabinet, tub, tile, and shower resurfacing
Startup cost: $43.6K-$92.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/1
88. Home Cleaning Centers of America
Residential and commercial cleaning
Startup cost: $32.8K-$34.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/0
90. Squeegee Squad
Residential and high-rise window cleaning, building maintenance
Startup cost: $38K-$135.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/3
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/3
91. In Home Pet Services
Pet-sitting, dog-walking
Startup cost: $9.2K-$35.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 12/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 12/1
93. Critter Control
Wildlife management, pest control
Startup cost: $23.7K-$94.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 100/5
Total franchises/co.-owned: 100/5
94. Young Rembrandts Franchise
Drawing classes for ages 3 to 12
Startup cost: $41.3K-$48.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/0
95. Fetch! Pet Care
Pet-sitting, dog-walking
Startup cost: $37K-$44.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/6
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/6
97. Two Maids & A Mop
Residential cleaning
Startup cost: $47.1K-$127.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 28/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 28/1
98. Surface Specialists
Bathtub repair and refinishing, tub liners, bath remodeling
Startup cost: $43.2K-$56K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/0
Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/0
99. Sculpture Hospitality
Bar and restaurant management solutions
Startup cost: $43.4K-$57.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 369/5
Total franchises/co.-owned: 369/5
100. The BrickKicker Home Inspection
Residential and commercial inspections, related services
Startup cost: $16.8K-$44.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 41/1
Total franchises/co.-owned: 41/1
