Franchise Deep Dive: Express Employment Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

With nearly four decades of experience in the recruiting industry and a footprint of over 860 locations, Express Employment Professionals is consistently ranked the No. 1 staffing franchise in North America.

By Luca Piacentini1851 Franchise Managing Editor

9:09AM • 06/29/23

LAST UPDATED: March 6, 2023

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://expressfranchising.com/

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 860+ franchised locations throughout North America and South Africa

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $140,000–$211,000

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $900,049 (for average first-year office revenue in 2021) and $6,119,487 (for territories open more than 24 months)

Express Employment Professionals is one of the top-staffing franchises in North America, ranked No. 1 by Entrepreneur Magazine for 2 years in a row. With an Express Employment Professionals franchise, entrepreneurs can put their well-honed business acumen to work by offering temporary staffing services and direct-hire services. The average Express office places 600 job seekers a year.

How Many Express Employment Professionals Locations Are There?

With 860-plus locations throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, the business services brand has become the No. 1 flexible staffing franchise for people, communities and businesses.

William H. Stoller and Robert A. Funk founded Express Employment International in 1983 and began franchising as Express Employment Professionals two years later, committed to growth despite the recession. By 2005, Express had awarded 500 franchises and helped a record 30,000 employees find work.

Over the years, Express Employment Professionals has won several awards and honors within the franchising industry, including:

No. 1 Staffing Franchise, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list (2012–2023)
Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Hall of Fame (2023)
Rated a world-class franchise, Express received a 98% rating from franchisees on the quality of the Express franchise system (2006-2023)
Franchise Gator Top 100, Ranked No. 3
Franchise Direct Top 100 Global Award (2023)
Best of Staffing Client Award, Clearly Rated (2020-2022)
Fastest Growing Franchises, Entrepreneur (2020-2022)
Hall of Fame Inductee, International Franchise Association (2010)

In 2020, Express acquired Frontline Recruitment Group and continued to expand its footprint more than 7% over the past three years despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Is the Express Employment Professionals Business Model?

Express offers franchisees two ownership models:

Traditional
Professional Market

In the professional market model, owners attend customized training and will manage a recruiting staff of two, unlike a traditional office with one person in this role. In both models, franchisees enjoy the opportunity to own a business while still maintaining a life outside of the office with time to enjoy with friends and family.

Express offers new franchise owners the unique chance to build income and equity while helping people grow their careers and impact the local community. It's a professional business with weekday hours and no inventory. Individuals with staffing industry experience can also benefit from the brand's "Boost to Ownership" package.

One of the brand’s strengths is that its headquarters handles payroll funding, processing invoices and other important paperwork for clients. This allows franchise owners to spend their time building relationships with local businesses in their community and doing what they do best.

How Much Can Express Employment Franchise Owners Make?

According to the most recent Item 19 in the brand's franchise disclosure document (FDD):

The average mature Express franchise territory (locations open over 24 months) generated $6.4 million in annual sales in 2022.
First-year Express offices averaged More than $1 million in annual sales in 2022
Express franchise owners paid an effective royalty of just 8.6% in 2022

How Much Does It Cost to Open an Express Employment Professionals?

The traditional model requires a total investment ranging from $140,000 to $2200,000, and an active role in new business development by the franchise owner.

The professional market model requires an investment of $185,000 to $211,000, and applies to pre-designated territories with a high propensity for professional staffing.

Net worth requirement: $250,000
Cash requirement: $190,000
Veteran incentives: 50% off the franchise fee
Royalty fee: 8%
Ad royalty fee: 2%
Franchise agreement term: 5 years

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$40,000	$40,000
Lease and Deposit	$2,000	$6,000
Leasehold Improvements	$5,000	$25,000
Utility Deposits	$200	$600
Training Costs	$4,000	$25,000
Office Supplies	$500	$1,000
Office Equipment	$2,000	$7,500
Computer System Hardware	$15,300	$21,000
Furniture and Fixture	$5,000	$15,000
Signs	$4,500	$6,400
Insurance	$500	$1,000
Professional Service Fees	$1,000	$3,000
Additional Funds	$60,000	$248,500
ESTIMATED TOTAL*	$140,000	$400,000

What Is the Franchise Fee for Express Employment Professionals?

The Express franchise fee is $40,000.

Who Is the Leadership of Express Employment Professionals?

William Stoller—Founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board
Robert Funk—Founder, President and Vice Chairman of the Board

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Express Employment Professionals?

*For territories open more than 24 months, average sales in 2022 were $6,497,275. First-year offices averaged $1,080,407 according to Item 19 in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

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