The Top 100 Franchises Opportunities Under $50K

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, Entrepreneur 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 Entrepreneur'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: Residential Cleaning
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 Entrepreneur's lists of the best franchises with an initial franchise fee of less than $100,000 and less than $150,000.

Entrepreneur is the place to go for all your financial questions, offering webinars, podcasts, and books for the latest topics.

The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000 Here are the 100 top franchise opportunities for under $50K, ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur's 2022 Franchise 500 ranking.