The Top 10 Franchises You Can Buy for Less Than $100,000 These 10 franchises can cost less than six figures, and they all rank in the top 40 of our Franchise 500.
By Matthew McCreary •
Franchises are a great option for anyone who wants to have a combination of freedom and support, as this business model lets you work for yourself while enjoying the branding and experience of a larger company.
However, investing in a franchise can be cost-prohibitive for many people. That's why we've made this list of the top 10 franchises from our Franchise 500 list that you can buy for less than $100,000.
Check out a breakdown of each business below, or visit our any-budget franchise page to learn more.
Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now and take this quiz to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.
1. 7-Eleven
7-Eleven was the No. 1 franchise on our list in 2017, and it took the No. 2 spot this year. The convenience-store franchise has a wide price range -- anywhere from $37,550 to more than $1 million. You can learn more about the individual pricing for each location by visiting the 7-Eleven franchising website.
- CEO: Joseph DePinto
- Business headquarters: Dallas
- Franchising since: 1964
- Initial investment: $37,550 to $1,149,900
- Initial franchise fee: $10,000 to $1,000,000
- New units in 2017: 3,336 units (5.7 percent)
- Training: 240 hours on the job, 24 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
Related: The 5 Best Pizza Franchises You Can Start Today
2. RE/MAX
RE/MAX is ranked No. 5 on the Franchise 500. The real estate franchise has a liquid cash requirement of $35,000, which is way lower than the other companies in our top five. For example, our No. 1 franchise, McDonald's, requires franchisees to have at least $500,000 in liquid cash.
- CEO: Dave Liniger and Adam Contos
- Business headquarters: Denver
- Franchising since: 1975
- Initial investment: $37,500 to $225,000
- Initial franchise fee: $15,000 to $32,000
- New units in 2017: 84 units (3.2 percent)
- Training: 31 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing
Related: 24 Top-Ranked, Affordable Franchises You Can Buy for $25,000 or Less
3. Anytime Fitness
Anytime Fitness is ranked 17th in the Franchise 500 this year, which also makes it the top fitness franchise. Although you can purchase a franchise for less than six figures, the company requires that franchisees have a net worth of at least $300,000.
- CEO: Chuck Runyon
- Business headquarters: Woodbury, Minn.
- Franchising since: 2002
- Initial investment: $89,350 to $677,800
- Initial franchise fee: $20,000 to $39,500
- New units in 2017: 231 units (6.7 percent)
- Training: 10 hours on the job, 80 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
Related: The 5 Best Fitness Franchises You Can Buy
4. UBreakiFix
UBreakiFix is No. 18 overall on the Franchise 500 and first among tech franchises. The company, which provides tech repair among other services, requires an initial franchise fee of $40,000, but the total price of investment can range from $60,400 to $220,850.
- CEO: Justin Wetherill
- Business headquarters: Orlando, Fla.
- Franchising since: 2013
- Initial investment: $60,400 to $220,850
- Initial franchise fee: $40,000
- New units in 2017: 50 units (18.2 percent)
- Training: 48 hours on the job, 96 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Ad templates, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
Related: The 9 Best Tech Franchise Opportunities of 2018
5. Kumon Math & Reading Centers
Kumon Math & Reading Centers is the No. 20 business on the Franchise 500. The tutoring franchise has an especially low initial fee of $1,000, and it requires that franchisees have $70,000 in liquid funds.
- CEO: Mino Tanabe
- Business headquarters: Teaneck, N.J.
- Franchising since: 1958
- Initial investment: $69,583 to $148,965
- Initial franchise fee: $1,000
- New units in 2017: 18 units (0.1 percent)
- Training: 32 hours on the job, 105 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing
6. CPR-Cell Phone Repair
CPR-Cell Phone Repair was edged out by uBreakiFix on the list of overall and tech franchises. It came in No. 26 on our list, but its franchise fee is a little less than its competitor's ($37,500 to $40,000). While uBreakiFix requires franchisees to have a net worth of at least $200,000, CPR-Cell Phone Repair accepts applicants with $150,000 or more.
- CEO: Josh Sevick
- Business headquarters: Independence, Ohio
- Franchising since: 2007
- Initial investment: $58,150 to $176,000
- Initial franchise fee: $37,500
- New units in 2017: 111 units (43.0 percent)
- Training: 40 hours on the job, 40 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing
Related: 5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000
7. Matco Tools
Matco Tools barely made the list, as its initial investment is $91,385 or more. However, the No. 36 entry on the Franchise 500 -- which delivers manufactured tools to customers -- has a low franchise fee of $7,000 and only requires a net worth of $33,000.
- CEO: Josh Sevick
- Business headquarters: Stow, Ohio
- Franchising since: 1993
- Initial investment: $91,385 to $269,565
- Initial franchise fee: $7,000
- New units in 2017: 86 units (5.1 percent)
- Training: 72 hours on the job, 72 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing
8. HomeVestors of America Inc.
HomeVestors of America Inc. is ranked No. 37 on the Franchise 500, and the company buys homes in need of repairs or updates, fixes them up and sells them for profit. A franchise can cost anywhere from $44,000 to $347,250, and that's the same range the company requires in liquid assets and net worth.
- CEO: David Hicks
- Business headquarters: Dallas
- Franchising since: 1996
- Initial investment: $44,000 to $347,250
- Initial franchise fee: $18,000 to $55,000
- New units in 2017: 127 units (17.5 percent)
- Training: 40 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO
9. Merry Maids
Merry Maids, ranked No. 38, is one of our top cleaning franchises in 2018. The Memphis, Tenn.-based business will cost you around $100,000. (It ranges from around $87,000 to $124,000.) However, the company only requires a net worth of $90,000 for investment.
- CEO: Mary Kay Wegner
- Business headquarters: Memphis, Tenn.
- Franchising since: 1980
- Initial investment: $86,750 to $123,750
- Initial franchise fee: $37,500 to $51,500
- New units in 2017: -16 units (-0.9 percent)
- Training: 80 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, website development, loyalty program/app
Related: 5 House Cleaning Franchises You Can Buy Now to Turn a Tidy Profit
10. Firehouse Subs
Firehouse Subs is 10th on this list and ranks 39th on our Franchise 500. Not too shabby. It's also the only restaurant franchise on the list, as restaurants often require higher startup costs than other types of businesses. It should be no surprise, then, that the company has one of the widest ranges of costs of any entry -- anywhere from $94,783 to well over $1 million.
- CEO: Don Fox
- Business headquarters: Jacksonville, Fla.
- Franchising since: 1995
- Initial investment: $94,783 to $1,090,366
- Initial franchise fee: $20,000
- New units in 2017: 80 units (8.0 percent)
- Training: 336 hours on the job, 35 hours in the classroom
- Marketing support: Co-op advertising, ad templates, national media, regional advertising, social media, SEO, website development, email marketing, loyalty program/app
