Get All Access for $5/mo

The Best Franchises for Any Budget We ranked the top 50 franchises for three different budgets: less than $100,000; $100,000 to $500,000 and more than $500,000.

By Tracy Stapp Herold

This story appears in the October 2017 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Bill Diodato | Getty Images

The opportunities available in franchising are as varied as the personalities, skill sets and yes, bank accounts of the people interested in purchasing them. That's why Entrepreneur is ranking franchises by what it costs to buy into them. On the following pages, for the first time, we list the top 50 franchises from each of three startup-cost tiers: less than $100,000, $100,000 to $500,000 and more than $500,000. The companies' order comes from their position in our 2017 Franchise 500 list, which evaluates more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and financial strength and stability.

Related: 5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

One important note: A company's placement within a particular tier does not mean that all franchisees will be able to start their business within that range but simply that it is realistically possible for some. Each company's full estimated initial-investment range is listed to give you an idea of what a franchisee might spend to open a unit.

Keep in mind that these lists are not intended as a recommendation of any particular franchise. Startup costs are just one of many factors to consider in your search for the franchise that's right for you. Always carefully read a company's legal documents, consult with an attorney and an accountant and talk to existing and former franchisees before investing.

To learn who made the cut, check out our lists of The Best Franchises for Any Budget:

Best franchises for less than $100,000
Best franchises for $100,000 to $500,000
Best franchises for more than $500,000

Tracy Stapp Herold

Entrepreneur Staff

Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

He Started a Business That Surpassed $100 Million in Under 3 Years: 'Consistent Revenue Right Out of the Gate'

Ryan Close, founder and CEO of Bartesian, had run a few small businesses on the side — but none of them excited him as much as the idea for a home cocktail machine.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Franchise

The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024

From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.

Marketing

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Dark social accounts for 70% of social media shares and is crucial for small businesses. Here's how you can tap into this hidden marketing opportunity.

Business News

'Jaw-Dropping Performance in 2024,' Says a Senior Analyst as Nvidia Reports Earnings

Nvidia reported its highly-anticipated third-quarter earnings on Wednesday.

Business News

'Do You Sell Cars?': Tesla CEO Elon Musk Trolls Jaguar Rebrand on X

The team running Jaguar's X account was working hard on social media this week.