LAST UPDATED: May 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: expressfranchising.com
1851 NEWSROOM: 1851franchise.com/expressemployment
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 765
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $131,000 - $598,700 (see below)
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $5,342,686 (average annual sales for 2025)

Express Employment Professionals offers a robust franchise opportunity within the staffing sector, providing a scalable, service-based business model. With relatively low startup costs and a strong potential for return on investment, the brand supports its franchise owners with extensive operational and training resources. Express has grown to over 850 locations, focusing on connecting job seekers with businesses in various industries, including light industrial, skilled trades, office services and professional roles.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for Express Employment Professionals?

About the Brand

Founded in 1983 by Robert A. Funk and Bill Stoller, Express Employment Professionals was established in Oklahoma City to meet the growing demand for staffing services in local businesses. Since then, Express has grown into one of the largest staffing franchises in the United States, offering a full range of employment solutions, including temporary, evaluation hire and direct hire services.

Mission: To help people find jobs and help businesses find good people.

Vision: To be the most respected and trusted staffing company in the world, creating strong local business partnerships through franchise ownership.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

Personalized service with locally owned and operated locations.
Focus on building long-term client relationships.
Full-service staffing for light industrial, office services and professional roles.
Community-focused brand presence.
Fast service with same-day or next-day fulfillment.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With Express Employment Professionals?

Proven and scalable business model.
Comprehensive onboarding and coaching.
Low startup investment compared to other B2B franchises.
Strong corporate support with dedicated developers and specialty coaches.
Industry with consistent demand regardless of market cycles.

Available Territories

Territories are available across the United States and Canada, with a focus on underserved metro and mid-sized markets. Visit the Express franchise website to see which markets are currently available.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Express franchise business ranges from $131,000 to $287,700 for core occupations services, $303,500 to $598,700 for professional occupations services and $313,150 to $503,100 for healthcare occupations services. The total investment necessary to begin operation of an authorized branch office, if you meet the criteria, within a territory is $30,950 to $74,850. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Type of Expenditure	Branch		Core		Professional		Health Care
Type of Expenditure	Min	Max	Min	Max	Min	Max	Min	Max
Initial Franchisee Fee	$3,000	$3,000	$20,000	$40,000	$0	$40,000	$0	$40,000
Lease & Deposit	$500	$2,000	$2,500	$3,500	$3,600	$6,000	$2,000	$3,000
Leasehold Improvements	$500	$10,000	$5,000	$15,000	$5,000	$25,000	$5,000	$50,000
Utility Deposits	$200	$600	$500	$700	$200	$600	$300	$600
Training Costs	N/A	N/A	$2,500	$5,000	$10,000	$25,000	$4,000	$6,000
Office Supplies	$250	$500	$500	$1,000	$500	$1,200	$250	$500
Office Equipment	$1,500	$3,000	$2,000	$4,000	$7,200	$7,500	$2,000	$5,000
Computer System	$10,000	$17,000	$10,000	$17,000	$8,000	$12,000	$8,000	$12,000
Furniture & Fixture	$1,000	$3,000	$5,000	$14,000	$9,000	$15,000	$5,000	$12,000
Signs	$2,000	$4,000	$5,000	$6,500	$4,500	$6,400	$4,000	$7,000
Insurance	$250	$1,000	$1,000	$2,000	$2,500	$4,000	$1,600	$4,000
Professional Service Fees	$250	$750	$2,000	$4,000	$3,000	$6,000	$1,000	$3,000
Additional Funds (9 Months)	$20,000	$30,000	$75,000	$175,000	$250,000	$450,000	$280,000	$360,000

Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $40,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement. This fee may be reduced by as much as 50% when entering more than one authorized occupations addendum or by entering into more than one franchise agreement. Express also offers a 50% reduction on the initial franchise fee to qualifying military veterans through the VetFran program.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Express franchise owners are responsible for the following ongoing payments:

Type of Services	Type of Fee	Amount
Core Occupations	Gross Margin Fee	40% of core occupations gross margin/month
Core Occupations	Gross Receipts & Professional Occupations Direct Hire or Search Fees	8% of core occupations gross receipts 8% of professional occupations direct hire or search fees/month
Core Occupations	Express Advertising/Marketing Fund	0.6% of gross margin/month 2% of core occupations gross receipts/month
Core Occupations	Reserve Account	1% of gross margin/month
Core Occupations	Claim/Indemnity Plan Contribution	0.31415% of gross associates’ payroll/month
Core Occupations	Comprehensive Liability Insurance Fee	0.1023178% of gross associates’ payroll/month
Professional Occupations	Gross Margin Fee	40% of professional occupations gross margin/month
Professional Occupations	Professional Occupations Direct Hire or Search Fees	18% of professional occupations direct hire or search fees/month
Professional Occupations	Enterprise Account Client Management Fee — Temporary Staffing Services	10% of professional occupations gross margin derived from enterprise account clients/month
Professional Occupations	Enterprise Account Client Management Fee — Direct Hire Services	10% of professional occupations direct hire or search fees derived from enterprise account clients/month
Professional Occupations	Express Advertising/Marketing Fund	0.6% of gross margin/month 2% of professional occupations direct hire or search fees/month
Professional Occupations	Reserve Account	1% of gross margin/month
Professional Occupations	Claim/Indemnity Plan Contribution	0.31415% of gross associates’ payroll/month
Professional Occupations	Comprehensive Liability Insurance Fee	0.1023178% of gross associates’ payroll/month
Health Care Occupations	Health Care Occupations Gross Margin Fee	40% of health care occupations gross margin/month
Health Care Occupations	Health Care Occupations Gross Receipts	8% of health care occupations gross receipts/month
Health Care Occupations	Enterprise Account Client Management Fee — Temporary Staffing Services	10% of health care occupations gross margin derived from enterprise account clients/month
Health Care Occupations	Enterprise Account Client Management Fee — Direct Hire Services	10% of health care occupations gross receipts derived from enterprise account clients/month
Health Care Occupations	After Hours Call Center Fee	$400+/month
Health Care Occupations	Express Advertising/Marketing Fee	0.6% of gross margin/month 2% of health care occupations gross receipts/month
Health Care Occupations	Reserve Account	1% of gross margin/month
Health Care Occupations	Claim/Indemnity Plan Contribution	0.31415% of gross associates’ payroll/month
Health Care Occupations	Comprehensive Liability Insurance Fee	0.1023178% of gross associates payroll/month
Opt-Out Franchisees	Royalty	8% of total billings/month
Opt-Out Franchisees	Marketing Fund Contribution	2% of total billings/month

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the franchise units open for at least 24 months reported the following annual sales for 2025:

Time Open	Average	Median	High	Low
24+ Months (526)	$5,342,686	$4,043,021	$39,242,565	$129,300
24-60 Months (97)	$3,520,372	$2,954,181	$16,696,442	$695,961
60+ Months (430)	$5,775,277	$4,339,327	$39,242,565	$129,300

3. What Franchise Owner Support Does Express Provide?

Training Programs

New franchise owners undergo a multi-phase onboarding program that includes classroom training, virtual learning and field support. The team works with franchise owners through the first 26 weeks of business ownership.

Operational Support

Franchise owners are assigned a field developer who acts as a business partner throughout their time in the system. These developers, along with other specialists, help navigate sales, staffing, operations and local marketing strategies.

Technology and Tools

Franchise owners receive access to a proprietary enterprise management system, national marketing tools, CRM systems, job board integrations and back-office support for payroll and invoicing.

4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Express?

Eligibility Criteria

Liquid Capital: $200,000
Net Worth: $250,000

Business or leadership experience is preferred.

Operational Commitments

This is an owner-operator model, especially during the first year. Franchise owners are expected to be highly engaged in sales, operations and community involvement.

Funding Assistance

Express has relationships with third-party lenders and may help franchise owners secure SBA loans or other funding options. Details are provided during the discovery process.

5. Are There Franchise Owner Success Stories?

While individual testimonials are not published in the FDD, Express regularly shares franchise owner highlights in their newsroom.

“We were able to help so many people find work despite the pandemic, and that meant a lot. We got through it together. Ever since then, we’ve continued to grow, and we currently are seeing sales above $1 million a year. We are trending well for the future.”

- Aracely Melendez, Franchise Owner — El Paso, Texas (Read her story here.)

“What I enjoy most about the Express business model is the flexibility it enables for me as a business owner. I can run the business at whatever capacity fits my lifestyle. It’s an incredible feeling to make a difference for these businesses by helping them accomplish their goals. In other companies, you don’t have as much of a direct impact as you do here.”

- Alyssa Chumbley, Franchise Owner — North West Indiana (Read her story here.)

“I want to give a lot of recognition to Express. They’ve really held up their side of the deal and have provided me with so much support, coaching, and mentoring. If you duplicate what Express is doing, you’ll be able to see your business grow.”

- Jorge Costas, Franchise Owner — Miami, Florida (Read his story here.)

Visit the Express franchise website for more franchise owner testimonials.

6. What Is the Market Potential for the Staffing Sector?

The US staffing industry is a large market with an estimated value of $201.7 billion, according to Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), fueled by a post-pandemic shift to flexible and temporary workforces.

Competitor Analysis

Express Employment Professionals competes with Adecco, ManpowerGroup, Randstad, Spherion and Patrice & Associates. What sets Express apart is its franchising model with localized ownership, intensive coaching and a diversified staffing portfolio that includes light industrial, clerical and professional placements.

7. What Is the Application Process for Express Franchise Owners?

Initial Inquiry: Complete and submit an inquiry form on the website.
Intro Call: Speak with the development team about goals and qualifications.
FDD Review: Receive and review the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Validation and Discovery: Speak with current franchise owners and attend a Discovery Day.
Approval and Agreement: Get final approval and sign the franchise agreement.
Training Begins: Start onboarding with classroom and field training.
Grand Opening: Open your office, begin staffing and work with your developer.

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Express Employment Professionals Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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