Independent research from Franchise Disclosure DocumentsFDD sources and qualifications shown
TrueFranchiseCost

Budget Hub 56 Published Brands As of November 2026

Franchises Under $250K

This collection includes 56 published brands whose recorded Item 7 minimum falls under $250K. It qualifies brands by the low end, not the full range. Among the 34 records without a source-review hold, the median low-end estimate is $130,255, while the median high-end estimate is $256,279. Jazzercise has the lowest recorded minimum in that group at $4,730; Domino's has the highest recorded upper estimate at $743,500, so a brand listed here may need well over this budget.

Leaving out the 22 records on source-review hold, 34 remain to compare. Great Clips, Mathnasium, Paramount Tax & Accounting, Payroll Vault, Spherion and The Brothers that just do Gutters report a profit-type figure in Item 19. 23 of the 34 report sales without a profit figure. Jazzercise, Kumon, Roto-Rooter and The Seals make no Item 19 representation. Visiting Angels has an Item 19 without an average or median recorded here. Where Item 6 states one flat royalty rate, it runs from 4% (Wild Birds Unlimited) to 30% (Spherion), each on the brand's own definition of sales; 15 records state a range, a fixed amount or several rates instead. 18 records are provisional, and 34 have a source-check date without a later hold. The latest source or record date is November 2026.

Disclosed franchise fees and startup investment

Click any table header to sort. Cost and fee figures come from the linked FDDs; three-year net unit changes are calculated from Item 20.

Franchise cost, fees, and verification summary
1-800-GOT-JUNK? $182K – $304K $65K – $97.5K 8% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 22, 2026 · Provisional publication
Ace Handyman Services $132K – $226K $70K – $100K 6% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +78 Checked Oct 22, 2026
Ace Hardware Painting Services $89.3K – $153K $50K – $80K 6% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
None Not cleared Source review hold Oct 19, 2026 · Provisional publication
All Dry $155K – $344K $54.5K 7% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -37 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Auntie Anne's $158K – $836K $10.5K – $71K 7% of Net Sales for non-co-branded shops
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 23, 2026
BrightStar Care $101K – $217K $25K – $50K 5.25% of monthly Net Billings from non-National Accounts + 6.25% of monthly Net Billings from National Accounts
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +49 Checked Nov 3, 2026
Budget Blinds $101K – $211K $19.9K 3.5% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +57 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Chester's $27.5K – $307K $3,500 $0 per month
Item 6 terms apply
None Not cleared Source review hold Nov 2, 2026 · Provisional publication
Cinnabon $196K – $715K $35.5K 6% of Net Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 28, 2026 · Provisional publication
Code Ninjas $174K – $266K $45K 8.25% of Net Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -46 Checked Oct 22, 2026
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving $193K – $346K $35K – $65K 7% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -26 Checked Oct 22, 2026
Domino's $231K – $744K $0 – $10K 5.5% of weekly Royalty Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +516 Checked Nov 3, 2026
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers $125K – $482K $49K 6% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +45 Checked Nov 3, 2026
GNC $188K – $530K $20K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -131 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Great Clips $188K – $420K $20K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +14 Checked Oct 9, 2026
H&R Block $35.8K – $161K $2,500 20% – 60% of Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
None Not cleared Source review hold Nov 3, 2026 · Provisional publication
Home Instead $92.6K – $351K $54K 5% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +12 Checked Oct 23, 2026
HOODZ $201K – $247K $59.9K 10% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +7 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Huntington Learning Center $192K – $341K $42K 9.5% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -37 Checked Oct 22, 2026
Jazzercise $4,730 – $64.1K $1,250 20% of gross member enrollment fees
Item 6 terms apply
None -441 Checked Nov 3, 2026
Kumon $102K – $234K $2,000 – $3,000 Varies
Item 6 terms apply
None +87 Checked Oct 9, 2026
MaidPro $110K – $159K $45K 6% of Gross Consumer Sales + 2.5% of outside-territory Gross Consumer Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +15 Checked Oct 22, 2026
Mathnasium $127K – $166K $49K 10% of Gross Receipts
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +92 Checked Oct 9, 2026
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt $180K – $515K $53.9K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 3, 2026 · Provisional publication
Merry Maids $127K – $169K $55K 5% – 7% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 23, 2026
Molly Maid $144K – $204K $14.9K 3% – 6.5% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -49 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Mosquito Joe $150K – $192K $42.5K 7% – 10% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +13 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Mr. Handyman $162K – $215K $67K 7% of Gross Sales other than material, subcontractor and roll-in revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +49 Checked Nov 3, 2026
Nekter Juice Bar $230K – $645K $35K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +24 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Painter1 $80.3K – $168K $54.5K 7% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 3, 2026 · Provisional publication
Paramount Tax & Accounting $71.2K – $166K $40K 10% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +52 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Payroll Vault $77K – $114K $68.5K 6% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +10 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Pillar To Post $103K – $134K $58.5K 7% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 22, 2026 · Provisional publication
Proforma $7,030 – $27.7K $0 5% – 8% of Gross Volume of Business
Item 6 terms apply
None Not cleared Source review hold Oct 22, 2026 · Provisional publication
Right at Home $94.3K – $176K $49.5K 5% of Net Billings
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 22, 2026 · Provisional publication
Roto-Rooter $123K – $282K $25K – $75K Varies
Item 6 terms apply
None -15 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Sharkey's Cuts for Kids $200K – $341K $45K $1,000 – $1,750 per month
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 2, 2026 · Provisional publication
ShelfGenie $95.3K – $148K $35K – $69.5K Varies
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 22, 2026 · Provisional publication
Sir Grout $128K – $199K $60K 6% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +40 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Spherion $133K – $301K $30K – $50K 30% of Temporary Gross Profits and Full-Time Placement Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -35 Checked Nov 2, 2026
Supercuts $186K – $323K $39.5K 4% – 6% of combined net service and net merchandise revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -551 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Sylvan Learning $118K – $288K $46.9K 11% – 12% of Gross Sales excluding Sylvan Edge and ACE IT!
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed -36 Checked Oct 23, 2026
The Brothers that just do Gutters $145K – $285K $49.5K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +19 Checked Nov 2, 2026
The Cleaning Authority $119K – $163K $50K 6% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +23 Checked Oct 23, 2026
The Junkluggers $96K – $359K $50K 7% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +48 Checked Nov 2, 2026
The Maids $118K – $141K $60K 3.9% – 6.9% of weekly Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 3, 2026 · Provisional publication
The Seals $101K – $147K $49K 8% – 10% of Gross Billings
Item 6 terms apply
None +4 Checked Nov 2, 2026
The UPS Store $222K – $606K $40K 5% of Subject to Royalty (STR)
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 28, 2026 · Provisional publication
Two Men and a Truck $147K – $512K $30K – $165K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 23, 2026
U-Save Car & Truck Rental $168K – $1.55M $10K – $800K 6% of Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
None Not cleared Source review hold Nov 3, 2026 · Provisional publication
Valvoline Instant Oil Change $192K – $3.48M $30K 2% – 6% of Adjusted Gross Revenue
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 23, 2026
Visiting Angels $125K – $171K $52K – $90K 3% – 3.5% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +9 Checked Oct 23, 2026
Weed Man $81.2K – $109K $30K – $50K 7% of annual cumulative Net Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 2, 2026 · Provisional publication
Wild Birds Unlimited $232K – $376K $40K 4% of Store Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed +11 Checked Nov 3, 2026
Woof Gang Bakery $191K – $560K $49.9K 7% of Gross Revenues
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Nov 2, 2026 · Provisional publication
Zerorez $219K – $411K $15K – $30K 6% of Gross Sales
Item 6 terms apply
Disclosed Not cleared Source review hold Oct 30, 2026 · Provisional publication

What separates these franchises under $250K

In each brand's Item 7 table, one line accounts for more of the gap between the low and high estimate than any other. Across the 34 brands compared here, that line is build-out or premises for 11 (including Domino's, Nekter Juice Bar and GNC), additional funds for 10 (including Home Instead, The Brothers that just do Gutters and Spherion), the franchise or territory fee for 6 (including Roto-Rooter, Budget Blinds and Visiting Angels), a vehicle for 3 (All Dry, Sir Grout and MaidPro) and equipment for 1 (The Junkluggers); for 3, it is another cost.

Widest Item 7 line for each brand
FranchiseWidest Item 7 line (FDD label)Low – high for that line
Domino's Leasehold Improvements $67,000 – $350,000
Nekter Juice Bar Real Estate Construction and Leasehold Improvements $72,280 – $338,286
GNC Construction and Other Store Costs $35,000 – $250,000
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers Build Out & Improvements $20,000 – $225,000
Home Instead Additional Funds – 3 Months $28,840 – $187,000
Great Clips Leasehold Improvements, including Labor $70,000 – $200,000
Huntington Learning Center Real estate and improvements $0 – $120,000
Sylvan Learning Real Estate Improvements and Site Preparation $15,000 – $118,010
All Dry Vehicle $1,000 – $85,000
The Junkluggers Service Truck (including signage and paint) $4,600 – $88,500
The Brothers that just do Gutters Additional Funds – Three Months $45,000 – $125,000
Wild Birds Unlimited Leasehold Improvements $26,355 – $102,048
Spherion Additional Funds for Working Capital $50,000 – $120,000
Supercuts Leasehold Improvements $60,000 – $120,000
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving Additional Funds (3 months) $75,000 – $125,000
Kumon Leasehold Improvements $40,000 – $90,000
Roto-Rooter Initial Franchise Fee $25,000 – $75,000
Sir Grout Vehicle and Vehicle Wrap $9,500 – $56,000
Budget Blinds Initial Territory Fee $30,000 – $70,000
Code Ninjas Construction Costs $50,000 – $90,000
Visiting Angels Initial Franchise Fee $51,950 – $89,950
Paramount Tax & Accounting Additional Funds (First 3 Months) $10,000 – $45,500
BrightStar Care Additional Operating Funds for three months $53,829 – $83,956
Ace Handyman Services Initial Franchise Fee $70,000 – $100,000
Mr. Handyman Additional Funds, 3 months $60,000 – $90,000
Molly Maid Territory Fee $49,500 – $77,000
MaidPro Cost for Initial Vehicle with Wrap $5,300 – $28,000
HOODZ Additional Funds for the First 3 Months $10,000 – $30,000
Payroll Vault Initial Franchise Fee $68,500 – $88,500
Jazzercise Security Deposits $300 – $20,000
The Seals Additional Funds - 3 Months $30,000 – $45,000
The Cleaning Authority Full Time Manager $0 – $13,750
Mosquito Joe Additional Funds for 3 months $16,780 – $28,050
Mathnasium Additional Funds (4 Months) $35,000 – $45,000

Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate runs from 0% (The Seals) to 11.5% (Code Ninjas) among the 30 records whose Item 20 tables reconcile. Exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor buybacks and other cessations, so they are not all business failures. Exit rates for every published brand · How the rate is calculated.

FDD research guides & investment calculators

Examine the legal disclosures and financial obligations behind each brand with our research tools:

Explore other franchise categories and budget tiers