10 Low-Cost Franchises You Can Start From a Vehicle Right Now These franchises can be run from a car, truck or van, and are still out there serving customers every day.
By Tracy Stapp Herold •
Are you ready to get on the road to business ownership — literally? There are a multitude of franchise opportunities that don't require an expensive storefront, but rather just a car, truck or van to bring your products and services directly to customers. So if you're the type who likes to always be on the go, check out this selection of just a few of the mobile service franchises that are available, all of which can be started for less than $150,000 (and some for significantly less than that).
RELATED: 24 Top-Ranked, Affordable Franchises You Can Buy for $25,000 or Less
ACFN
- Franchise 500 rank: #482
- Initial investment: $39,134 to $64,017
- Total units: 277
ACFN franchisees install and service ATMs in hotels and other travel and entertainment businesses. The investment range for the franchise starts at just under $40,000, and goes up depending on how many machines you purchase. Servicing generally takes only five minutes per machine per week, so franchisees can easily run the business part time.
Anago Cleaning Systems
- Franchise 500 rank: 38
- Initial investment: $11,265 to $68,250
- Total units: 1,692
Anago has ranked in our Franchise 500 for 20 consecutive years, and achieved its highest ranking ever this year at #38. Like other commercial cleaning companies, its services remain in high demand right now, and new franchisees can get started for as little as $11,265, using their regular vehicle to transport their cleaning supplies to clients' offices.
Bloomin' Blinds
- Franchise 500 rank: 160
- Initial investment: $62,570 to $137,425
- Total units: 64
Bloomin' Blinds ranked in the Franchise 500 for the first time this year, at an impressive #160. The company, which just started franchising in 2014, not only offers sales and installation of blinds — like many competitors — but also blinds cleaning and repairs, as well as window washing, which will keep franchisees busy in any economic environment.
Conserva Irrigation
- Franchise 500 rank: 296
- Initial investment: $81,800 to $102,250
- Total units: 85
Conserva Irrigation franchisees run a route-based service business, offering lawn irrigation repair, maintenance and upgrades. With a cloud-based CRM and VOIP phone system, franchisees can run the franchise from their van. The brand, which began franchising in 2017, is part of Outdoor Living Brands, which also franchises Archadeck and Outdoor Lighting Perspectives.
GarageExperts
- Franchise 500 rank: 231
- Initial investment: $51,532 to $146,044
- Total units: 90
Home improvement projects have risen to the top of many people's to-do lists lately. GarageExperts franchisees help customers improve their garages with epoxy floor coatings, cabinets, and organization products. The company's franchisees have been able to continue operating in most states during the pandemic, and installers can work without any physical contact with homeowners.
Mosquito Hunters
- Franchise 500 rank: 291
- Initial investment: $71,107 to $85,903
- Total units: 92
Ranked #59 in our 2020 Fastest-Growing Franchises list, Mosquito Hunters offers outdoor pest control services—which are as needed as ever with people spending more time at home and in their yards. Technicians come to clients' homes and offer treatments designed to keep mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas away for up to three weeks.
Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
- Franchise 500 rank: 171
- Initial investment: $37,100 to $45,900
- Total units: 577
Home inspection franchise Pillar to Post has ranked in the Franchise 500 for 23 years in a row now. Franchisees operate out of a home office and take their car, truck or van to clients' homes to perform inspections. The service is still considered essential in almost every state even during the pandemic, and new franchisees continue to come on board.
Pop-A-Lock
- Franchise 500 rank: 251
- Initial investment: $96,904 to $130,313
- Total units: 581
As long as there are locks, there will be a need for locksmiths. Pop-A-Lock's more than 500 franchises offer automotive, commercial, and residential locksmith services, including roadside assistance, lockout service, key replacement, and electronic locks for homes and businesses. The company has ranked in the Franchise 500 for the last 10 consecutive years.
PuroClean
- Franchise 500 rank: 121
- Initial investment: $72,765 to $192,615
- Total units: 285
Emergency restoration services is frequently touted as a recession-resistant industry — after all, disasters will always happen, and someone will always need to clean up after them. PuroClean franchises are also staying in even higher demand right now by offering deep cleaning of public areas to help stop the spread of viruses, including the novel coronavirus.
SuperGlass Windshield Repair
- Franchise 500 rank: 422
- Initial investment: $18,685 to $84,205
- Total units: 332
SuperGlass franchisees offer mobile windshield repair services, focusing particularly on commercial clients that provide regular, repeat business, such as car and truck rentals companies. The franchise can be started for as little as $18,685, and the highest earning franchisee last year ratcheted up over $650,000 in sales.
