Get All Access for $5/mo

The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000 Here are the 100 top franchise opportunities for under $50K, ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur's 2022 Franchise 500 ranking.

By Tracy Stapp Herold

Adam Gault | Getty Images

Becoming your own boss is an empowering experience. It takes drive, grit, a plan, and capital. As an entrepreneur, an excellent option for owning your own business is to become a franchisee. Franchising a business has many benefits because it has a built-in roadmap with an established franchise model at the helm.

From in-house cleaning service franchises to miscellaneous home services to food franchises to wellness and more, Entrepreneur has the best small business franchise systems to fit a low-investment business model. Check them out below.

The Top 100 Franchises for Less Than $50,000

Starting your own business requires a substantial financial commitment. Franchise business systems can also fall into that category; however, becoming a franchise owner doesn't have to break the bank.

Below you'll find the top low-cost franchises that you can start with an initial investment of $50,000 or less, ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur's 2022 Franchise 500 ranking.

This list is not intended to recommend any particular franchise but to serve as a starting point for your research. Even with low overhead, high-profit margins, and industry leader brands, you should always carefully read the company's legal documents, consult with a franchise attorney and an accountant, and talk to current and former franchisees before you invest.

1. Jan-Pro Cleaning and Disinfecting

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning Franchise
  • Startup Cost: $5,000 - $58,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 10,418/0

2. Stratus Building Solutions

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $4,000 - $80,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 2,900/0

3. Anago Cleaning Systems

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $11,000 - $68,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,791/0

4. Goosehead Insurance

  • Industry: Insurance
  • Startup Cost: $40,000 - $119,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,344/0

5. Realty One Group

  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $225,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 344/12

6. RooterMan

  • Industry: Plumbing
  • Startup Cost: $45,000 - $82,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 749/0

7. Dream Vacations

  • Industry: Travel Agencies
  • Startup Cost: $2,000 - $21,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,618/0

8. NextHome

  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Startup Cost: $16,000 - $220,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 578/0

9. Chester's

  • Industry: Chicken
  • Startup Cost: $16,000 - $228,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,098/0

10. Cruise Planners

  • Industry: Travel Agencies
  • Startup Cost: $2,000 - $23,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 2,585/0

11. Brightway Insurance

  • Industry: Insurance
  • Startup Cost: $23,000 - $174,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 308/2

12. Skyhawks Sports & Supertots Sports Academy

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $23,000 - $174,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 308/2

13. Leadership Management International

  • Industry: Business Training Programs
  • Startup Cost: $20,000 - $28,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 483/0

14. H&R Block

  • Industry: Tax Services
  • Startup Cost: $32,000 - $158,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 9,935/6,665

15. Destination Athlete

  • Industry: Sports Equipment & Apparel
  • Startup Cost: $28,000 - $94,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 207/0

16. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service

  • Industry: Tax Services
  • Startup Cost: $49,000 - $82,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 5,483/2,070

17. American Poolplayers Association

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
  • Startup Cost: $23,000 - $29,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 338/6

18. National Property Inspections

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
  • Startup Cost: $41,000 - $49,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 223/0

19. Coverall

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $19,000 - $51,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 8,107/0

20. WIN Home Inspection

  • Industry: Home Inspections
  • Startup Cost: $36,000 - $42,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 270/0

21. Buildingstars

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $2,000 - $53,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 968/21

22. Card My Yard

  • Industry: Yard Sign Rentals
  • Startup Cost: $10,000 - $18,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 503/2

23. Sign Gypsies

  • Industry: Yard Sign Rentals
  • Startup Cost: $4,000 - $10,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 770/1

24. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

  • Industry: Home Inspections
  • Startup Cost: $44,000 - $54,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 558/0

25. We Insure

  • Industry: Insurance
  • Startup Cost: $44,000 - $124,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 192/1

26. Estrella Insurance

  • Industry: Insurance
  • Startup Cost: $12,000 - $84,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 180/0

27. Jantize America

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $8,000 - $49,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 155/0

28. 1st Class Real Estate

  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Startup Cost: $33,000 - $209,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 82/1

29. Sit Means Sit Dog Training

  • Industry: Dog Training
  • Startup Cost: $29,000 - $129,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 157/0

30. Corvus Janitorial Systems

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $10,000 - $35,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 1,727/0

31. TSS Photography

  • Industry: Photography & Video Services
  • Startup Cost: $20,000 - $75,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 173/0

32. OpenWorks

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $4,000 - $134,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 644/0

33. Toro Texas

  • Industry: Tax Services
  • Startup Cost: $18,000 - $74,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 195/30

34. Challenge Island

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: STEM
  • Startup Cost: $50,000 - $69,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 186/7

35. Synergy HomeCare

  • Industry: Senior Care
  • Startup Cost: $44,000 - $131,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 396/0

36. Sculpture Hospitality

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Business Services
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $76,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 286/11

37. Jazzercise

  • Industry: Fitness
  • Startup Cost: $2,000 - $22,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 7,761/0

38. Christmas Decor

  • Industry: Lighting Services
  • Startup Cost: $20,000 - $62,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 259/0

39. Soccer Shots

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $55,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 269/12

40. Mint Condition

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $5,000 - $32,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 409/0

41. Colors On Parade

  • Industry: Automotive Appearance Services
  • Startup Cost: $21,000 - $98,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 220/4

42. Network In Action

  • Industry: Networking Groups
  • Startup Cost: $26,000 - $33,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 80/3

43. Payroll Vault

  • Industry: Business Financial Services
  • Startup Cost: $49,000 - $63,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 65/4

44. Aire-Master

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $45,000 - $170,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 170/7

45. Complete Weddings & Events

  • Industry: Photography & Video Services
  • Startup Cost: $57,000 - $81,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 109/2

46. Rhea Lana's

  • Industry: Children's Retail
  • Startup Cost: $21,000 - $40,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 105/2

47. Parker-Anderson Enrichment

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
  • Startup Cost: $51,000 - $116,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 18/1

48. Augusta Lawn Care Services

  • Industry: Lawn & Tree Care
  • Startup Cost: $13,000 - $83,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 92/4

49. Surface Specialists

  • Industry: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $56,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 46/0

50. DivaDance

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Recreation Business
  • Startup Cost: $42,000 - $66,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 27/4

51. Chefs for Seniors

  • Industry: Senior Care
  • Startup Cost: $13,000 - $29,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 78/1

52. Class 101

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Services
  • Startup Cost: $69,000 - $98,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 50/1

53. Global Recruiters Network

  • Industry: Staffing/Recruiting
  • Startup Cost: $42,000 - $100,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 211/0

54. Proforma

  • Industry: Printing/Marketing Services
  • Startup Cost: $5,000 - $60,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 601/0

55. STEM For Kids

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: STEM
  • Startup Cost: $50,000 - $84,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 135/5

56. Kinderdance

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $18,000 - $48,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 231/3

57. Drama Kids

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
  • Startup Cost: $18,000 - $48,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 206/0

58. Fun 4 US Kids

  • Industry: Advertising Services
  • Startup Cost: $8,000 - $46,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 20/7

59. Home Cleaning Centers of America

60. Discovery Map

  • Industry: Advertising Services
  • Startup Cost: $36,000 - $46,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 120/0

61. Assist-2-Sell

  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Startup Cost: $13,000 - $34,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 127/1

62. Abrakadoodle

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
  • Startup Cost: $38,000 - $82,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 485/2

63. Iris Environmental Laboratories

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Services
  • Startup Cost: $31,000 - $63,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 10/4

64. Access Garage Doors

  • Industry: Garage-Door Repair/Installation
  • Startup Cost: $50,000 - $100,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 6/1

65. Foliage Design Systems

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $44,000 - $64,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 23/3

66. Acti-Kare

  • Industry: Senior Care
  • Startup Cost: $33,000 - $58,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 145/0

67. FRSTeam

  • Industry: Restoration Services
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $409,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 47/10

68. Send Me a Trainer

  • Industry: Fitness
  • Startup Cost: $49,000 - $85,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 57/0

69. Just Between Friends

  • Industry: Children's Retail
  • Startup Cost: $43,000 - $56,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 158/5

70. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services

  • Industry: Tutoring
  • Startup Cost: $33,000 - $57,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 371/0

71. The Grout Doctor

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $24,000 - $38,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 84/2

72. IntegriServ Cleaning

  • Industry: Commercial Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $3,000 - $50,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 108/0

73. Padgett Business Services

  • Industry: Business Financial Services
  • Startup Cost: $20,000 - $100,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 265

74. Steel Coated Epoxy Floors

  • Industry: Concrete Coatings
  • Startup Cost: $32,000 - $113,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 36/1

75. You've Got Maids

  • Industry: Residential Cleaning
  • Startup Cost: $36,000 - $108,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 70/0

76. Pet Butler

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $37,000 - $45,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 37/2

77. Wize Computing Academy

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: STEM
  • Startup Cost: $38,000 - $67,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 15/2

78. Touching Hearts At Home

  • Industry: Senior Care
  • Startup Cost: $64,000 - $93,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 69/0

79. Hi-Five Sports

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $25,000 - $554,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 18/2

80. XP League

  • Industry: Children's Enrichment Programs: Miscellaneous
  • Startup Cost: $58,000 - $224,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 29/0

81. Amazing Athletes

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $33,000 - $66,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 146/22

82. Always Faithful Dog Training

  • Industry: Dog Training
  • Startup Cost: $49,000 - $58,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 26/1

83. Network Lead Exchange

  • Industry: Networking Groups
  • Startup Cost: $12,000 - $25,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 38/0

84. Get A Grip Resurfacing

  • Industry: Kitchen & Bath Remodeling
  • Startup Cost: $44,000 - $93,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 24/1

85. Town Money Saver

  • Industry: Advertising Services
  • Startup Cost: $16,000 - $27,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 40/2

86. Family Financial Centers

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Financial Services
  • Startup Cost: $154,000 - $309,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

87. Mr. Sandless

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Home-Improvement Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $34,000 - $83,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 192/9

88. 3% Realty

  • Industry: Real Estate
  • Startup Cost: $47,000 - $79,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 58/3

89. N Zone Sports

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $41,000 - $58,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

90. The Patch Boys

  • Industry: Drywall Repair
  • Startup Cost: $55,000 - $81,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 272/0

91. Spoiled Rotten Photography

  • Industry: Photography & Video Services
  • Startup Cost: $34,000 - $48,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 17/2

92. Green Shine

  • Industry: Car-Wash Services
  • Startup Cost: $48,000 - $161,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 15/4

93. Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning

  • Industry: Carpet & Upholstery Services
  • Startup Cost: $48,000 - $78,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 468/12

94. Lil' Angels Photography

  • Industry: Photography & Video Services
  • Startup Cost: $41,000 - $46,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 42/2

95. Best Brains Learning Centers

  • Industry: Tutoring
  • Startup Cost: $17,000 - $81,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 134/3

96. Grasons Co Estate Sales & Business Liquidation Services

  • Industry: Estate Sales
  • Startup Cost: $49,000 - $79,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 31/0

97. Dryer Vent Squad

  • Industry: Miscellaneous Maintenance Businesses
  • Startup Cost: $52,000 - $68,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 53/0

98. Lapels Cleaners

  • Industry: Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services
  • Startup Cost: $40,000 - $730,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 80/0

99. Overtime Athletics

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $38,00 - $66,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 33/0

100. TGA Premier Sports

  • Industry: Children's Fitness Programs
  • Startup Cost: $34,000 - $126,000
  • Total Franchises/Company Owned: 83/7

The Takeaway

If you've been looking for a new business opportunity in North America but assume the financial requirements franchise business are too high, don't be discouraged. This list of 100 opportunities under $50,000 provides several options to explore if t franchise ownership is right for you.

For more low-cost opportunities in the franchise industry, see Entrepreneur's lists of the best franchises with an initial franchise fee of less than $100,000 and less than $150,000.

Related: 2022 Top Franchises for Less Than $100,000 Ranking

Related: 2022 Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000 Ranking

Entrepreneur is the place to go for all your financial questions, offering webinars, podcasts, and books for the latest topics.

Tracy Stapp Herold

Entrepreneur Staff

Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

OpenAI Just Released Its Text-to-Video Generator, Sora. Here's How the New AI Could Impact Small Businesses and Creators.

Sora has a variety of use cases for businesses, from social media campaigns to video creation.

Growing a Business

This Cozy Coffee and Garden Shop Has Become a Staple in Its Community By Following 5 Smart Strategies

Maypop is a combination coffee and garden shop where a blend of community building and customer service creates an unforgettable experience.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Business News

Who Is Luigi Mangione? UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Murder Suspect Arrested in Pennsylvania on Firearms Charge

Mangione, 26, has not been charged in connection with the killing of Thompson.

Innovation

These Entrepreneurs Created a League That Turns Gamers Into Pro Race Car Drivers: 'We're Giving Drivers a Sustainable Career Path'

Racing Prodigy's innovative E2Real sports league is lowering the high-cost barrier to entry for drivers to take their passion to the track.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.