The Best Low-Cost Franchises to Buy

These Top Low-Cost Franchises are among the best affordable business opportunities available today. Franchise Business Review surveyed over 1,100 franchisees from 135 low-cost franchise brands to identify the 50 best low-cost franchises based on ratings and reviews from the people who know best—franchise owners.

These award-winning brands all have an investment level starting under $100K, and with multiple opportunities starting under $10K, you might be surprised how achievable franchise business ownership may be. More importantly, the ​​franchises that made this year’s list of the Top Low-Cost Franchises have average owner satisfaction 15% higher than our industry benchmark.

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Cruise ship on water city lights
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Cruise Planners

Cruise Planners is the nation’s largest home-based travel agency franchise specializing in booking travel experiences such as cruises, land tours, and all-inclusive resort vacations around the world…

Investment: $2,295 - $23,465 Cash Required: $10,995
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Visiting Angels

Industry: Senior Care

Visiting Angels specializes in helping seniors stay at home by providing full residential senior care services.

Investment: $123,660 - $154,425 Cash Required: $59,950

Premier Pools & Spas

Premier Pools & Spas is the largest pool builder in the world. Over the last 30 years, the company has built more than 70,000 pools by combining the tremendous buying power of a nationwide company…

Investment: $48,000 - $107,500 Cash Required: $10,000
Fibrenew mobile restoration service franchise opportunity owner smiling in front of company vehicle
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Fibrenew

Fibrenew is a mobile service franchise specializing in the repair, restoration and renewal of leather, plastic, vinyl, fabric and upholstery.

Investment: $89,000 - $109,000 Cash Required: $50,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Dream Vacations-CruiseOne

Home-based Dream Vacation franchise owners sell travel packages, including travel protection, shore excursions, hotels and tours to individuals, couples, families, businesses and groups. 

Investment: $1,795 - $21,000 Cash Required: $3,500

The N2 Company

The N2 Company connects community members through hyper-local magazines in affluent areas and strengthens families by providing flexible, lucrative opportunities.

Investment: $975 - $9,800
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

A Place At Home

Industry: Senior Care

A Place At Home is a non-medical in-home senior care franchise providing multiple revenue streams, personalized training & support and key market availability.

Investment: $84,185 - $148,517 Cash Required: $50,000
360 clean employees
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

360clean

360clean is a health-focused office cleaning service for businesses throughout the United States.

Investment: $35,800 - $46,500 Cash Required: $40,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

MaidPro

MaidPro is an environmentally friendly house cleaning and maid service.

Investment: $105,560 - $130,800 Cash Required: $35,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

ActionCOACH

ActionCOACH is a global business coaching franchise that offers aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals personalized one-on-one mentorship from a team of skilled business coaches. 

Investment: $52,000 - $150,000 Cash Required: $75,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots is a children’s soccer program with a focus on character development and impacting children’s lives on and off the field through coaching, communication and curriculum.

Investment: $43,000 - $55,300 Cash Required: $20,000

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING has revolutionized the industry by creating a new category that sets it apart from the competition. How? The company completes projects in just one day, with a unique combination of…

Investment: $63,500 - $134,200 Cash Required: $50,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Spoiled Rotten Photography

Spoiled Rotten Photography is a high-end children’s portraiture franchise. Their specialty is creating beautiful portraits for preschool students. 

Investment: $33,500 - $48,300 Cash Required: $35,000
Crestcom_FBR-Cover-Photo

Crestcom International

Crestcom delivers an interactive leadership development experience that produces real business results. They do this through a unique blend of video-based, live-facilitated instruction in vital leader…

Investment: $86,500 - $99,819 Cash Required: $86,500
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Kitchen Solvers

Kitchen Solvers is a one-stop kitchen remodeling business specializing in kitchen design, cabinet refacing and new cabinetry to custom countertops, tile backsplashes, and storage solutions.

Investment: $99,472 - $132,622 Cash Required: $30,000
New Again Houses franchise opportunity owners smiling flip houses
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

New Again Houses

Industry: Real Estate

New Again Houses is an innovative business centered around turning old houses into great homes.

Investment: $94,000 - $180,000 Cash Required: $35,000
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Financing Options for Low-Cost Franchises

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Franchise Business Review (FBR) surveys thousands of franchise owners from hundreds of leading franchise brands to gauge franchisee satisfaction and franchise performance. Our independent franchisee satisfaction surveys ask 33 benchmark questions to measure the health of franchise systems and our top franchises lists are based exclusively on the feedback from actual franchise owners.

Not all brands willingly open their doors to an independent research firm like Franchise Business Review, but those who do can offer investors, like you, a wealth of information on the system’s leadership, culture, training and support, financial outlook and franchisee community. Rest assured, the franchises on our Top Low-Cost Franchises list are among brands that have highest franchisee satisfaction ratings – and that’s a great place to start.

If you don’t have the savings to pay for a low-cost franchise out of pocket, financing options can help. There are several financing options for low-cost franchises that you’ll want to consider:

Low-Doc SBA Business Loans: An alternative for those searching for smaller amounts of capital, these loans offer you the same benefits as SBA Loans (guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and lent by banks) with a shorter turn-time.

401 (K) Business Financing: 401K Rollovers, also known as Rollovers for Business Start-ups (ROBS), is a method of financing that allows investors to use their retirement funds to purchase a franchise without taking a taxable distribution. Entrepreneurs can use up to 100 percent of funds from an existing retirement account to buy or start a small business or franchise without taking a taxable distribution or getting a loan.

Unsecured Loans: You don’t need collateral to qualify for these loans, which can happen in just three weeks. They are a great option if you need a fast funding solution. If you have a high credit score, banks and credit unions are good sources for unsecured loans. If your credit score is lower than the required range for banks and credit unions, consider a third-party lender.

Portfolio Loans: Security-backed loans allow you to take a loan using a financial portfolio, such as a mutual fund, as collateral. There are several potential advantages to doing so. First, you can leave your portfolio in place, which enables it to grow. Second, because the loan is backed by your portfolio’s value, the interest charged will be lower than for an unsecured loan. It is important to note that the risk of borrowing against the value of your securities is that if your investments fall in value, the money borrowed will emphasize your losses.

Family and Friends: For low-cost franchise loans, you may be able to turn to family and friends for assistance in getting started.

To help keep your startup costs low, talk to franchise companies about potential discounts or financing options they may provide. Some companies will let you finance a portion of the initial franchise fees over time and many offer special incentives to military veterans and other special groups such as first responders.

As you launch your franchise, it makes sense to save money where you can, without sacrificing any important business needs.  If your franchise doesn’t have equipment built-in to your agreement, you may want to explore leasing equipment versus purchasing it.

Click here to see the Top Low-Cost Franchises list

Right at Home

Industry: Senior Care

Right at Home franchise serves its clients and community by providing in-home companionship, personal care services, and assistance to seniors and disabled adults who want to continue to live independ…

Investment: $82,000 - $150,800 Cash Required: $150,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Snap-on Tools

Industry: Automotive, Services

Snap-on is a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users.

Investment: $175,146 - $411,941 Cash Required: $38,126
360 clean employees
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

360clean

360clean is a health-focused office cleaning service for businesses throughout the United States.

Investment: $35,800 - $46,500 Cash Required: $40,000