5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

You don't need to be rich to start your own business.

Entrepreneur Staff

Associate Editor, Contributed Content

December 26, 2019 2 min read

Everyone says that starting a business is expensive and risky, but it doesn't have to be. One approach, which some consider safer, is owning a franchise. It has a proven business model, a built-in brand and corporate support. And not every franchise will cost you millions. In fact, you can start some franchises for less than five figures -- and not just random, bargain-bin franchises. These companies made it onto Entrepreneur's 2019 Franchise 500 list.

Check out this list of five franchises you can start in your area for less than $10,000.

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5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Dream Vacations

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Rank: 101

Initial investment: $3,245 to $21,850

New units in 2019: 212 units (+18.9 percent)

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dream Vacations deals in travel packages such as hotels, tours, travel protection and more. The company was founded in 1991 and started franchising the following year.

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5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Buildingstars International

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Rank: 199

Initial investment: $2,245 to $53,200

New units in 2019: 148 units (+20.1 percent)

Buildingstars, a commercial cleaning company founded in 1994, is headquartered in St. Louis. The company began franchising in 2000 and now has regional offices in Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, New York and more. Services include carpet and floor care, as well as green cleaning and consulting.

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5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Cruise Planners

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Rank: 60

Initial investment: $2,295 to $23,367

New units in 2019: 6 units (+0.2 percent)

Cruise Planners is a network of remote travel agents who sell packages such as cruises, travel insurance, car rentals and more. The company is based in Coral Springs, Fla., and it offers in-house financing to cover the franchise fee.

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5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Town Money Saver

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Rank: 490

Initial investment: $5,700 to $17,000

New units in 2019: 3 units (+6.1 percent)

Town Money Saver is a monthly direct-mail advertising flyer distributed to homes and businesses. The company was founded in 1992 and began franchising in 2005.

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5 Affordable Franchises You Can Start for Less Than $10,000

Jazzercise Inc.

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Rank: 94

Initial investment: $2,405 to $17,155

New units in 2019: -147 units (-1.6 percent)

Founded in 1969 and franchising since 1982, Jazzercise Inc. pairs dance moves with aerobic exercise in its trademark total-body conditioning program. The company is based in Carlsbad, Calif., but franchises exist in more than 31 countries.