5 Seasonal Franchises We Love

Seasons may come and go, but many seasonal franchises have positioned themselves to be profitable all year long. By definition, a seasonal franchise is one that produces the majority of its business around a season or a holiday — but concepts don’t have to be year-long to be successful. Seasonal franchises can be a solid investment opportunity as they allow for additional time to set up shop, strategize and plan.

1851 has rounded up our favorite seasonal franchises that offer unique opportunities for franchisees, no matter the time of year.

Christmas Decor*

• Startup costs: $20,000-$60,000
• Units: 300+
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

A leading holiday decorating brand in the U.S. and Canada, Christmas Decor, which is a part of the Irving, Texas-based The Decor Group, was initially created by founder Blake Smith as a seasonal supplement to  landscaping businesses. Christmas Decor  provides holiday decoration and light hanging services. Even after the last Christmas lights are taken down, the brand’s sister concept, NiteTime Decor, provides expert lighting services year-round, just in time for patio season.

Pool Scouts*

• Startup costs: $85,000-$138,000
• Units: 65+
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

The pandemic has driven consumers outside, and  Virginia Beach-based Pool Scouts, a pool cleaning and maintenance franchise that spans across eight states, has seen a sharp increase in pool construction and maintenance demand as a result.   But the brand doesn’t just make a splash in the summer — so far in 2021, it has seen an 81.6% increase in year-over-year revenue, proving the brand’s success no matter the season.

Liberty Tax

• Startup costs: $61,000-$74,000
• Units: 3,000+

Tax season may be over, but Liberty Tax continues to see demand year after year as Americans seek professional tax advice no matter what the time of year. Per the brand’s website, Liberty is the third largest tax preparation franchise in the country and offers some of the lowest start-up costs in franchising. Plus, tax season is a great time for filers to reassess their financial goals to stay on track throughout the year.

Mosquito Joe*

• Startup costs: $103,000-$148,000
• Units: 335+
• 1851 Brand Newsroom

We all know how quickly a fun outdoor gathering can be ruined by mosquitos and other critters. Mosquito Joe was founded in 2010 to help eliminate mosquitoes, fleas and ticks from consumers’ yards. Although it may seem like a seasonal service on the surface, in many regions of the country, particularly in the Southeast, temperatures can stay in the 80s straight into  autumn — keeping mosquitoes breeding even after summertime. Mosquito Joe’s President, Lou Schager, says developing the brand in milder climates has helped the franchise concept remain profitable year round. 

Shack Shine

• Startup costs: $50,250
• Units: 42

Shack Shine is an umbrella company that fuses several “home detailing” industries together, including Christmas light installation, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and window cleaning — all in one home service brand conglomerate. What began in 1989 with 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has evolved into an industry disruptor in the $100 billion-dollars-a-year home services industry. An added perk for a prospective franchisee? High margins and a low initial investment in a highly fragmented industry. Not to mention — no previous cleaning experience required!