2026 FDD Issued Apr 30, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS)
1-800-GOT-JUNK? Franchise Cost (2026)
A 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise costs an estimated $182,300 – $303,500 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $65,000 – $97,500 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: 8 to 12 Subterritories. Item 6 lists royalty: 8% of Gross Revenue, subject to the conditions below. This record has unresolved source-review issues and was published provisionally before independent verification was complete.
Read the source-review hold before using these figures.
- Total investment
- $182K – $304KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $65K – $97.5KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 8% of Gross RevenueItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 8% of Gross RevenueItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
What stands out about 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
The minimum entry package covers eight subterritories. Item 7 spreads the estimated startup cost from $182,300 to $303,500, with the franchise fee, initial marketing payment, truck deposits and working capital making up most of the amount. The truck line covers a deposit rather than the full price, and the FDD requires at least two trucks when operations begin.
The fee structure adds a floor to the ordinary 8% of Gross Revenue royalty. Item 6 sets a minimum royalty for each subterritory if its sales-based royalty falls short, while the separate 8% of Gross Revenue Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee pays for the sales center and other shared services. Item 7 also requires local advertising spending. These obligations need separate review because a single percentage of sales does not capture them.
Item 19 separates unaffiliated operators by how long they have operated and reports affiliate-run businesses in another table. The mature unaffiliated group has an average gross revenue of $3,700,612, but it excludes newer operators and affiliate businesses. The franchisor says the submitted figures were not audited; gross revenue does not deduct operating costs.
Item 20 shows franchised outlets moving to franchisor affiliates over the reported period. The latest count is 92 franchised outlets, while the company-owned count rose. The franchised-outlet table records reacquisitions but no terminations or other ceased operations in the latest year. The reported franchised exit rate therefore does not measure business shutdowns.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for 1-800-GOT-JUNK??
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $65,000 – $97,500 for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
The standard initial fee is $8,125 per subterritory, with a minimum of eight; twelve cost $97,500. The separate $25,000 initial marketing expense is also paid at signing. The initial fee and marketing expense are refundable if the franchisor rejects the application. Item 5 permits other negotiated fees and payment arrangements.
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 296.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise? (Item 7)
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 303.
Item 7 of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one 8 to 12 subterritories at $182,300 – $303,500. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $65,000 | $97,500 |
| Initial Marketing Expense | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Computer Hardware and Software | $1,500 | $4,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Equipment (Vehicle Lease with dump body) Lease/purchase deposit | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Real Estate/Rent | $1,200 | $5,000 |
| Local Marketing - 3 months | $3,600 | $5,000 |
| Insurance | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Additional Insurance Premiums - Certain States | $0 | $9,500 |
| Training Expenses | $2,000 | $7,500 |
| Additional Funds - 6 Months | $59,000 | $75,000 |
| Total | $182,300 | $303,500 |
For comparison, the median high-end investment among 12 home services records without a source-review hold is $283,275.
Item 7, PDF pp. 303-305, estimates eight to twelve subterritories. Its vehicle line is a lease or purchase deposit, not full truck cost. The FDD requires at least two trucks at startup. Its note also requires local advertising of 8% of Gross Revenue, with at least $3,600 per quarter in the first year. Additional funds cover six months and exclude owner living expenses.
What ongoing royalties and fees does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? charge? (Item 6)
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 297.
Item 6 of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 8% of Gross Revenue | Every period | Paid semi-monthly; a per-subterritory annual minimum can add to this amount. (Item 6, PDF p. 297) |
| Minimum Royalty | Varies | When it applies | $1,200 in year one (prorated), $1,900 in year two, $2,500 in year three, $3,200 in year four and $4,000 in year five per subterritory; only the shortfall over royalties already paid is due. Minimum increases at least 10% on renewal. (Item 6, PDF p. 297) |
| Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee | 8% of Gross Revenue | Every period | Paid semi-monthly; covers sales center, CRM, technology, marketing and related activities. (Item 6, PDF p. 298) |
| Branding Cooperative | Varies | When it applies | Up to 5% of Gross Revenue in aggregate if a cooperative is established with required franchisee consent; may credit required local marketing spending. (Item 6, PDF p. 298) |
| Optional Local Marketing Services and Assistance | $100 – $500 | When it applies | Typical $100-$500 per project; amount must be agreed in writing. (Item 6, PDF p. 299) |
| Additional Training and Retraining | Varies | When it applies | Currently up to $100 per person per day, plus travel, lodging and meals for the trainer; past out-of-pocket costs $200-$275 per day. (Item 6, PDF p. 299) |
| Transfer Fee | $10,000 | When it applies | $2,500 due when the owner announces an intention to sell; balance at transfer. (Item 6, PDF p. 299) |
| Renewal Fee | $7,500 | When it applies | (Item 6, PDF p. 299) |
| Audit Expenses | Varies | When it applies | Approximately $3,000-$7,500 but may be more, plus deficiencies, if an examination finds a material reporting deficiency. (Item 6, PDF p. 299) |
| Failure to Report Fee | 5% of Royalty, Sales/Marketing/Technology Fee and other semi-monthly amounts due | When it applies | Due if a required semi-monthly report is missing. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Interest on Late Payments | 24% of Overdue amount | When it applies | 24% annual interest or the highest rate allowed by applicable state law. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Reimbursement for Declined Transfers | Varies | When it applies | Declined payment plus franchisor costs and an administrative fee currently $50. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Annual Conference | Varies | Every period | $1,500-$2,000 plus attendee costs; attendance required for each franchised business. The amount may increase. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Management Assistance | Varies | When it applies | Up to $750 per day plus out-of-pocket expenses if the franchisor runs the business. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Liquidated Damages - Breach of Standards | Varies | When it applies | $25-$5,000 depending on breach, subject to increase. (Item 6, PDF p. 300) |
| Liquidated Damages - Termination | Varies | When it applies | On termination for owner default: 100% of royalties plus 30% of Sales, Marketing and Technology Fees projected for the remaining term, based on prior twelve months. (Item 6, PDF p. 301) |
| Indemnity | Varies | When it applies | Depends on the loss for which the owner must indemnify the franchisor. (Item 6, PDF p. 301) |
| Proposed Supplier Evaluation | Varies | When it applies | Actual nontrivial costs to evaluate an owner-proposed supplier. (Item 6, PDF p. 301) |
| Payment Processor Application Fee | Varies | When it applies | Currently 0.12% of each transaction through the preferred processor; franchisor may raise it to a maximum of 0.9%. Applies only to participating owners. (Item 6, PDF p. 301) |
| Payments for Future Products and Services | Varies | When it applies | Then-current published prices for designated products or services; future requirements and amounts are not yet known. (Item 6, PDF p. 301) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
A source check placed this record on review hold. Automatic fee estimates are withheld until the outstanding issues are resolved. The per-subterritory minimum royalty, required local advertising in Item 7, and mandatory conference cannot be reduced to a single sales-based fee model. Check the actual obligations before using a calculator. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchised outlet history
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 342.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 92 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 46 outlets.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 133 | 7 | 7 | 133 | — |
| 2024 | 133 | 1 | 30 | 104 | — |
| 2025 | 104 | 3 | 15 | 92 | — |
Calculated outlet totals, net growth and exit rates are withheld because this record has not cleared the current Item 20 source checks. The table retains the outlet counts printed in Item 20. Read the unresolved source issues.
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating, and some reported events may reflect mergers or reopenings. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables.
16 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Tables 1-4, PDF pp. 337-344. The reported franchised count dropped largely because outlets were reacquired by the franchisor or affiliates, not because Table 3 reports terminations or ceased operations. Table 4 also reports company-owned outlet mergers and closures; it is not a one-for-one transfer ledger. The end-of-year counts are 92 franchised and 46 company-owned in the latest year.
How much do 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 332.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports average gross revenue for franchisees operating over 72 months of $3,700,612 (2025, 72 unaffiliated U.S. franchised businesses operating more than 72 months; excludes 46 affiliate-operated businesses and newer unaffiliated businesses). 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
Read the source-review hold before using this figure.
See every 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise agreement term?
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 325.
The standard 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise agreement runs 5 years, with renewal terms of 5 years.
Five-year initial term with three additional five-year renewal terms, subject to Item 17 requirements and the renewal fee.
How long does it take to open a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise? (Item 11)
Source: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 319.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from signing the Franchise Agreement to opening: typically 6 to 11 weeks.
The FDD says attendance at pre-opening training can affect the timing.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s $182,300 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Home Services. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving $193K – $346K Home Services
- Mr. Handyman $162K – $215K Home Services
- All Dry $155K – $344K Home Services
- Mosquito Joe $150K – $192K Home Services
- Two Men and a Truck $147K – $512K Source review pending Home Services
- The Brothers that just do Gutters $145K – $285K Home Services
Compare other home services franchises
Frequently Asked Questions about 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
This record has unresolved source-review issues and was published provisionally. Read the specific issues before using these answers.
- How much does it cost to open a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise?
- Item 7 of the 2026 FDD estimates the total initial investment ranges from $182,300 – $303,500 for a multi-subterritory territory. This includes the initial franchise fee of $65,000 – $97,500, specialized vehicles, opening equipment, and working capital reserves.
- What is the average revenue for a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise?
- Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports an average gross revenue of $3,700,612 for 72 unaffiliated U.S. franchised businesses that operated more than 72 months. The sample excludes newer operators and affiliate-run businesses. The figures are unaudited gross revenue, not owner profit.
- What ongoing fees does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? charge?
- Item 6 lists an 8% of Gross Revenue royalty and a separate 8% of Gross Revenue Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee, both based on Gross Revenue. A per-subterritory minimum royalty may add to the amount due. Item 7 also requires local advertising spending.
- How has the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise network grown?
- Item 20 reports 92 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. It records 3 openings and franchisor reacquisitions. These reacquisitions reduce the franchised count but do not establish that the businesses shut down.
Sources
1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 30, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 296
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 297
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 303
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 330
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 342
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 325
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Document & verification changelog
- November 3, 2026: Provisional publication approved per owner directive: Owner authorized provisional publication on November 3, 2026. The Item 20 reacquisition conflict remains in sourceReview. This record is not independently verified.
- November 3, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 30, 2026).
- October 22, 2026: Source review hold recorded. Unresolved corrections are listed in this source section.