No Brick and Mortar Required for These High-Revenue Franchises

Over the past few years, in the wake of the pandemic and ensuing lockdown, the concept of non-brick-and-mortar franchises has emerged as a successful business model. These franchises operate without a traditional physical location, offering flexibility to franchisees while leaving the build-outs behind. If you’re interested in starting a mobile franchise or simply looking for a business you can operate out of your home, here are a couple of non-brick-and-mortar franchise ideas you might consider.

Security

The global security as a service industry is expected to grow from $172 billion in 2023 to $425 billion in 2030. Companies such as Security 101 and GoJoe Patrol have made a name for themselves by offering franchisees the opportunity to operate virtual franchises from their own homes.

Security 101

• Franchise Fee: $59,500
• Additional Initial Investment: $70,600-$175,500
• Royalty Fee: 4% to 6% of gross revenues
• Agreement Length: 10 years

Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Security 101 was founded in 2003 and has been partnering with franchisees since 2007 through Security Franchisors, LLC. The company prides itself on building “first-rate, custom-built” solutions for its clients, which include small businesses and multi-site enterprises. Security 101’s franchisees are physical security system integrators, who are tasked with evaluating an organization’s surveillance, physical security, and even cybersecurity to ensure that these elements are properly integrated and working cohesively.

Unlike many franchises, Security 101 offers sole ownership of territories to individual franchisees. The franchisor provides comprehensive hands-on training to its franchisees, along with its own proprietary software to help with the management of security system design, engineering, installation and service. Marketing assistance and guidance are available, as is financial assistance. Security 101 offers a veterans’ program and is Small Business Administration (SBA)-approved.

GoJoe Patrol

• Franchise Fee: $40,000
• Total Initial Investment: $77,600-$133,300
• Royalty Fee: 7.5% of gross revenues
• Agreement Length: 10 years

For more than 25 years, the Spokane Valley-based GoJoe Patrol has been focused on physical security, including mobile patrol services, alarm response and on-site personnel. The company prides itself on being a “true community business” that prefers to focus on compassionate interactions and de-escalation rather than trying to imitate the police. To that end, GoJoe Patrol provides its franchisees with hospitality-based training that emphasizes customer service, sales training to help bring in new customers, and additional training to ensure franchisees meet licensing and other requirements in their states.

Franchisees are responsible for providing their own security vehicles, but GoJoe Patrol will see to it that they are properly outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The franchisor also provides reporting tools and report management software to keep the business side of things running smoothly. GoJoe Patrol offers a 20% franchise fee discount to all qualified veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders.

Commercial Cleaning

Commercial cleaning survived the recent pandemic relatively unscathed and earned an estimated $90.1 billion market size in 2023. With a business model built almost entirely on on-site service, franchises such as System4 and Coverall are ideal candidates for non-brick-and-mortar operations.

System4

• Franchise Fee: $125,000-$300,000
• Total Initial Investment: $155,900-$800,000
• Royalty Fee: 1%-6.2% of gross revenues
• Agreement Length: 20 years

Since it was founded in 2003, System4 has grown from a janitorial company to a full-blown facility service management franchise, with operations in 27 markets nationwide. They partner with a network of local providers to offer facility services ranging from indoor cleaning to HVAC, electrical and commercial landscaping.

System4 offers franchising opportunities at the local/regional and national level. Franchisees are given a week of training at the corporate office in Independence, Ohio. The franchisor also assists with the hiring and training of personnel, as well as sales and marketing. Qualified veteran franchisees are eligible for a 10% discount on the franchise fee. 

Coverall

• Franchise Fee: $15,570-$40,320
• Total Initial Investment: $17,917-$62,908
• Royalty Fee: 5% of gross revenues
• Agreement Length: 20 years

The Florida-based Coverall has been working with franchisees since 1985, expanding their operations to more than 8,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company offers scheduled cleaning, on-demand cleaning and commercial cleanup services for clients ranging from schools to medical centers to Fortune 500 companies.

Coverall has a mandatory 40-hour training program for its franchisees. This training consists of classroom and on-site instruction about cleaning techniques, customer service and business management. Sessions are typically conducted at one of Coverall’s support centers or customer facilities, within commuting distance of the franchisee’s home. Financial assistance and payment plans are available to qualified franchisees.

Avoid the Storefront Setup with a Virtual Franchise

Non-brick-and-mortar franchises bring several advantages to the table. They come with the usual perks of franchising — ready-made branding, ongoing support and a built-in customer base. In addition, they offer a flexibility that lets you operate your business from virtually any location with a reliable internet connection. But perhaps the biggest benefits are the lower initial investment and overhead expenses that will make it easier and faster to get your business up and running.

If you're looking for the flexibility of a non-brick-and-mortar franchise, we can help! Whether buying your first franchise or building your portfolio, 1851 Growth Club will guide you through the buying process with honesty and integrity. Reach out today to learn more.