Top Low-Cost Franchises

These Top Low-Cost Franchises are among the best affordable business opportunities available today. Franchise Business Review surveyed over 12,000 franchisees from 135 low-cost franchise brands to identify the best low-cost franchise opportunities based on ratings and reviews from the people who know best—franchise owners. The franchises that made this year’s list of the Top Low-Cost Franchises have average owner satisfaction 12% higher than our industry benchmark, making them all excellent options for entrepreneurs considering franchise ownership. Approximately one-third of the franchise companies we survey have initial investments starting under $100K. With financing, many can be started for as little as $15-$20K, with a few options starting under $10K
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360 clean employees
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

360clean

360clean is a health-focused office cleaning franchise with high franchisee satisfaction and a flexible business model. Download the report to learn more. 

Investment: $35,800 - $46,500 Cash Required: $40,000
a place at home logo
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
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: $139,951 - $317,022 Cash Required: $100,000

Amazing Athletes

Amazing Athletes uses a multi-sport program designed to benefit children aged 18 mos. to 6 years physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. 

Investment: $60,050 - $105,500 Cash Required: $50,000

Assisting Hands

Industry: Senior Care

Assisting Hands Home Care grew out of a desire to provide seniors, and others needing non-medical assistance at home to help clients remain independent, safe and comfortable in their own homes. Assist…

Investment: $87,950 - $160,150 Cash Required: $100,000

British Swim School

British Swim School is a franchise dedicated to providing an opportunity for children to learn how to swim, no matter what age. Their lessons have been proven to prevent child drownings by utilizing o…

Investment: $99,960 - $135,010 Cash Required: $100,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

CarePatrol

Industry: Senior Care

CarePatrol provides clients and their families FREE senior living placement services and greater peace of mind. 

Investment: $43,620 - $103,620 Cash Required: $50,000
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: $91,850 - $104,919 Cash Required: $91,850

Critter Control

Critter Controls’ model operates on the simple concept of getting pests out and keeping them out, using humane techniques to handle nuisance wildlife such as birds, moles, squirrels, mice, racco…

Investment: $63,525 - $169,525 Cash Required: $8,075
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

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
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: $87,000 - $99,000 Cash Required: $25,000

Gotcha Covered

Gotcha Covered is a window covering franchise which provides custom window treatments to businesses and residential customers and offers virtually everything for the inside of the window including bli…

Investment: $100,050 - $122,055 Cash Required: $50,000

Green Home Solutions

Green Home Solutions is an air quality franchise that offers non-toxic and safe solutions for unwanted pests, airborne impurities, odors, and mold in indoor environments

Investment: $99,095 - $183,570 Cash Required: $140,000

Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning

Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning is a national franchise offering carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile and hardwood cleaning services. Since 1983 the company has helped franchisees reach for thei…

Investment: $41,900 - $110,000 Cash Required: $25,900
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

HomeVestors of America

Industry: Real Estate, Services

Real estate investing franchisor HomeVestors of America buys homes with cash that are in need of immediate repair and that the owners need to sell quickly.

Investment: $80,000 - $456,250 Cash Required: $80,000
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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: $87,569 - $156,944 Cash Required: $150,000
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

Snap-on Tools

Industry: Automotive, Services

Snap-on Tools is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-end tool and equipment solutions for professional tool users. Download the report to learn more about this franchise opp…

Investment: $201,433 - $465,436 Cash Required: $44,121
360 clean employees
Includes owner satisfaction report
out of 100

360clean

360clean is a health-focused office cleaning franchise with high franchisee satisfaction and a flexible business model. Download the report to learn more. 

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