T
he cost of franchise ownership varies widely, from home-
based opportunities that can be started for a few thousand
dollars to restaurants and hotels that stretch into the
millions— and everything in between. One way to narrow
down your search for the perfect franchise opportunity is to
consider what you’re willing and able to spend to get your
business off the ground. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of
the top 50 franchises in each of three startup-cost tiers: less
than $100,000, $100,000 to $500,000, and more than $500,000.
A company’s inclusion in one of these tiers means that it is possible
for a new franchisee to open their first unit within that cost range,
without financing and without converting an existing business.
However, it does not mean that all the franchisees of that companywill be able to launch their business within that cost range. Each com-
pany’s full initial investment range is listed in order to give a complete
picture of what you might spend.
Within each tier, companies are ranked based on the score they
received in our 2019 Franchise 500 ranking, which analyzes more than
150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchi-
see support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
Keep in mind as you read through this list that it is not intended
as an endorsement of any particular company. Whatever your bud-
get, you should always do your own careful research before investing
in a franchise. Read the company’s legal documents, consult with an
attorney and an accountant, and talk to as many current and former
franchisees as you can.September 2019 / ENTREPRENEUR.COM / 103PH
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The List
Hello, Good Buy!
The top 50 franchises for less than $100K, $500K, and up.
Compiled by T R A C Y S TA P P H E R O L D