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Franchising isn't just for a select few — it's for anyone looking to start their own business. But the idea of franchising can feel overwhelming at times, especially when it comes to the money involved.
While some franchisors offer in-house or third-party financing to get started, it's still a big investment. That's why many people keep an eye out for low-cost franchise opportunities.
The 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking breaks down the top 15 franchises under $25K, making them more doable for anyone who wants to dive into the world of franchising without breaking the bank.
1. Stratus Building Solutions
- Founded: 2004
- Franchising since: 2006
- Overall rank: 23
- Number of units: 4,182
- Change in units: +73% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $4,000-$80,000
- Leadership: Doug Flaig, CEO
- Parent company: N/A
As a popular cheap franchise to open, Stratus Building Solutions specializes in commercial cleaning and disinfection services. As a franchisee, you will offer commercial, carpet, post-construction and even medical-grade cleaning services, all while using healthy and environmentally friendly products. At Stratus, you can open a small business franchise, but for those who are executive types, you can even open your own mini-franchise system as a master franchisee.
Interested in learning more? Explore Stratus Building Solutions franchise ownership today.
2. Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting
- Founded: 1991
- Franchising since: 1992
- Overall rank: 36
- Number of units: 10,654
- Change in units: +5.3% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $5,000-$58,000
- Leadership: Gary Bauer, Brand President
- Parent company: Empower Brands
Owning a Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting franchise allows you to operate your own cleaning and maintenance enterprise that is renowned for its exceptional brand reputation. As a franchisee, you will buy-in to a proven business model and a loyal customer base.
Interested in learning more? Explore Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting franchise ownership today.
Related: Want to Become a Franchisee? Run Through This Checklist First.
3. Anago Cleaning Systems
- Founded: 1989
- Franchising since: 1991
- Overall rank: 51
- Number of units: 1,873
- Change in units: +9.0% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $11,000-$68,000
- Leadership: Adam Povlitz, CEO and President
- Parent company: Anago Cleaning Systems
Depending on your franchising goals, you can either purchase a franchise territory and sell individual units (as a master franchisee) or you can operate an individual franchise unit of Anago Cleaning Systems. Either way, you will start your franchising journey with a reputable brand in an "always-on" cleaning industry.
Interested in learning more? Explore Anago Cleaning Systems franchise ownership today.
4. Dream Vacations
- Founded: 1991
- Franchising since: 1992
- Overall rank: 54
- Number of units: 2,078
- Change in units: +20.7% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $3,000-$22,000
- Leadership: Brad and Jeff Tolkin, Co-CEOs/Chairmen
- Parent company: World Travel Holdings
If a flexible work schedule combined with a love of travel is your thing, then Dream Vacations might be the franchise for you. Founded in Florida, Dream Vacations provides vacations, cruises and other travel services to its customers, including packages with hotel deals, travel insurance and grand tours.
Interested in learning more? Explore Dream Vacations franchise ownership today.
Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out.
5. Cruise Planners
- Founded: 1994
- Franchising since: 1999
- Overall rank: 122
- Number of units: 2,962
- Change in units: +11.4% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $2,000-$20,000
- Leadership: Michelle Fee, CEO
- Parent company: CP Franchising LLC
Michell Fee used to be a travel agent and had the desire to run her own business. She quickly then opened Cruise Planners out of South Florida to plan memorable vacations and packages for her customers. Fast-forward to today, and Cruise Planners has an extensive network of franchisees doing the same for their customers with a positive attitude and a flexible work schedule.
Interested in learning more? Explore Cruise Planners franchise ownership today.
6. Corvus Janitorial Services
- Founded: 2004
- Franchising since: 2004
- Overall rank: 124
- Number of units: 2,253
- Change in units: +47.7% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $8,000-$33,000
- Leadership: Brennen Randquist, Co-CEO
- Parent company: Corvus Holdings LLC
Corvus Janitorial Services provides a full-range of commercial cleaning services to its customers in order to provide healthier and safer environments. As a franchisor, Corvus helps its franchisees with technical support, training and even customer acquisitions as you continue to grow!
Interested in learning more? Explore Corvus Janitorial Services franchise ownership today.
7. Sanford Rose Associates
- Founded: 1959
- Franchising since: 1970
- Overall rank: 127
- Number of units: 179
- Change in units: +11.2% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $11,000-$15,000
- Leadership: Karen Schmidt, President
- Parent company: Kaye/Bassman Int'l. Corp.
For over 60 years, Sanford Rose Associates has been a standout in the staffing and recruiting industry. Franchisees have an opportunity to help people find employment and engage with a recognized leader in the staffing industry.
Interested in learning more? Explore Sanford Rose Associates franchise ownership today.
8. Leadership Management International
- Founded: 1966
- Franchising since: 1966
- Overall rank: 168
- Number of units: 495
- Change in units: +3.8% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $20,000-$28,000
- Leadership: Randy Slechta, CEO
- Parent company: Leadership Management International Inc.
Do you have a passion for empowering people to achieve their goals? When Paul J. Meyer founded Leadership Management International, he wanted to provide courses and programs so that his clients could meet and surpass goals in their professional and personal lives. If you want to inspire others and build up their self-confidence, Leadership Management International might be right for you.
Interested in learning more? Explore Leadership Management International franchise ownership today.
Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out.
9. Estrella Insurance
- Founded: 1980
- Franchising since: 2008
- Overall rank: 180
- Number of units: 212
- Change in units: +22.7% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $12,000-$84,000
- Leadership: Jose Merille, Vice-President
- Parent company: Confie Estrella Inc.
Want to join the insurance industry without working directly for one of the big insurance giants? This is where Estrella Insurance, a company specializing in home, boat, auto and commercial insurance services, comes in with major brand recognition and relationships with the biggest insurance providers. As a franchisee, you are set up to succeed in selling insurance by leveraging over 40 years of Estrella's customer service experience and national marketing campaigns.
Interested in learning more? Explore Estrella Insurance franchise ownership today.
10. American Poolplayers Association
- Founded: 1981
- Franchising since: 1982
- Overall rank: 255
- Number of units: 357
- Change in units: +2.7% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $22,000-$31,000
- Leadership: Greg Fletcher, President
- Parent company: American Poolplayers Association Inc.
Professional pool players Terry "Texas Terry" Bell and Larry "The Iceman" Hubbart partnered and founded the American Poolplayers Association, the first organized recreational pool league system in the United States. You do not have to be a billiards aficionado to be a League Operator (franchisee), but you do have to be organized in order to run local leagues and events. In fact, you may see a local customer end up at the annual championships in Las Vegas.
Interested in learning more? Explore American Poolplayers Association franchise ownership today.
Related: Start Your Own Business or Buy a Franchise: Which Is Right For You?
11. NextHome
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2014
- Overall rank: 265
- Number of units: 606
- Change in units: +21.2% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $16,000-$220,000
- Leadership: James Dwiggins, CEO and Cofounder
- Parent company: N/A
Looking to franchise in the real estate industry? NextHome is an affordable and transformative option as they set their brokers up with streamlined processes and marketing, bringing ease to the real estate business. NextHome's processes are consumer-focused, so franchisees can focus less on the woes of the real estate industry and more on aiding buyers and sellers.
Interested in learning more? Explore NextHome franchise ownership today.
12. Sign Gypsies
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2020
- Overall rank: 278
- Number of units: 661
- Change in units: -10% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $4,000-$10,000
- Leadership: Jason Hess, Franchise Development Officer
- Parent company: Sign Gypsies LLC
Sign Gypsies is for the creative who enjoys the business behind yard signs. As a franchisee, you will have constant access to the corporate team as you provide signs to your local customers for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other yard sign needs.
Interested in learning more? Explore Sign Gypsies franchise ownership today.
Related: Franchise vs. Independent Business? 12 Experts Weigh the Options
13. Buildingstars
- Founded: 1994
- Franchising since: 2000
- Overall rank: 294
- Number of units: 1,201
- Change in units: +24.6% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $2,000-$53,000
- Leadership: Chris Blase, President
- Parent company: Facility Brands Inc.
Buildingstars franchisees help local businesses clean their offices and workspaces. Not only do you get franchisor support, but there is also a Rising Star Management Program to develop and aid franchisees in their professional aspirations.
Interested in learning more? Explore Buildingstars franchise ownership today.
14. Card My Yard
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2017
- Overall rank: 350
- Number of units: 533
- Change in units: +17.9% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $10,000-$18,000
- Leadership: Josh Arnold, Franchise Growth Officer
- Parent company: CMY Franchising
With a catchy name and a relatively cheap initial investment, Card My Yard is an excellent opportunity for franchisees in the signage business. For every personal or not-so-personal occasion, why send a greeting card when you can transform a lawn? There are very few overhead costs as a franchisee and you can deliver cheer even by running the business at home.
Interested in learning more? Explore Card My Yard franchise ownership today.
Related: How to Find a Good Franchise Lawyer
15. Augusta Lawn Care Services
- Founded: 2014
- Franchising since: 2019
- Overall rank: 388
- Number of units: 145
- Change in units: +229.5% over 3 years
- Initial investment: $13,000-$83,000
- Leadership: Mike Andes, Founder
- Parent company: N/A
Don't stress about starting a lawn care business from scratch. Augusta Lawn Care Services offers franchisees a strong support network, proven business model and personalized marketing services to help make them successful.
Interested in learning more? Explore Augusta Lawn Care Services franchise ownership today.
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