Can You Become a Dollar General Franchisee in 2024?

With more than 19,000 stores across the United States, Dollar General is one of the largest discount retailers in the country. However, despite such a large presence, the brand is not a franchise. All of Dollar General’s units are company-owned and operated, meaning that all profits stay within the company. 

Although the brand is not offering franchise opportunities, there are still a few ways to invest. Since Dollar General is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange, interested parties can buy stock in the retailer under the ticker DG.

Another way to get a slice of Dollar General is by developing and owning the land, or the building, for the company’s operations and leasing it to them. The brand is looking for real estate developers who already have insights on the local community where its stores are located — mostly in smaller, rural populations. 

Dollar General Alternatives

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, discount retailers have seen a boost in traffic. Data from Placer.ai shows that Dollar General outpaced similar, essential businesses such as grocery stores, drugstores and supermarkets in 2020. 

By January 2023, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Five Below saw year-over-year growth of 10%, 3.7% and 18%, respectively. And as inflation concerns continue, discount and dollar stores are positioned to keep capturing significant market share.

Luckily, there are several dollar store brands on the market that are franchises. However, most opportunities are located in Canada. Here are a few opportunities: 

Your Dollar Store With More

• Investment Range: $150K-$400K
• Unit Count: 175+

Your Dollar Store With More started with a single store in 1998 and rapidly expanded in the early 2000s. By 2003, it had 140 stores in Canada and 23 in the United States. Today, it is considered the largest franchised dollar store in Canada. 

Buck or Two

• Investment Range: $250K-$300K
• Unit Count: 45+

Buck or Two is a Canadian specialty retail chain emphasizing quality everyday items, seasonal products and special deals. They focus on supporting franchisees, offering a turnkey operation that includes site selection, store setup, training and an online communication system.

Giant Tiger

• Investment Range: around $100K
• Unit Count: 260+

Giant Tiger Stores Limited is a Canadian discount store chain with over 260 locations across the country, operating under various banners such as Giant Tiger, GTExpress, Scott's Discount and Tigre Géant.

As the market continues to evolve, exploring these alternatives could be a strategic move for those looking to ride the wave of success in the discount retail industry. If that’s you, take the next step and explore the avenues available to become a part of this dynamic market.