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The Best Franchises to Buy for $15,000 or Less
These franchise concepts can be launched for less than $15,000, with some investments starting at just a couple thousand dollars.
The low-cost franchise space is a big one. Many franchisors are interested in making their concepts as accessible as possible, and this mission lends itself to low-inventory, often mobile or home-based concepts. Many of the franchise options with investments at or below $15,000 are in the cleaning space as the industry is not especially hard to break into, and there is a nearly constant demand for janitorial services.
Here are 10 strong, low-cost franchise concepts to consider.
JAN-PRO Cleaning and Disinfecting
JAN-PRO is a cleaning concept that offers multiple investment models, some with an initial investment as low as about $2,500. Because it cleans auto dealerships, fitness centers, government buildings, restaurants and more, owners have access to a wide range of potential revenue streams and sources.
The brand’s most affordable startup model requires a $1,250 down payment, $900 for the JAN-PRO Franchise Development starter kit and $1,000 to cover potential business emergencies.
Stratus Building Solutions is a commercial cleaning concept that offers pressure washing, hard floor care, carpet cleaning, window cleaning, construction cleaning and other janitorial services. With two investment models, a janitorial unit franchise and a master franchise, prospective owners have an opportunity to break into an incredibly lucrative industry with a relatively low initial investment.
Stratus Building Solutions does not publish specific investment amounts, but Entrepreneur reports an initial investment as low as $4,450.
Anago Cleaning Systems is yet another cleaning concept, offering both commercial cleaning and janitorial services, with multiple investment models. A master franchisee with Anago Cleaning Systems can expect an initial investment starting at about $219,000, but unit franchisees have a much lower barrier to entry. Though the brand does not publish investment information for this model, Entrepreneur notes that the initial investment for an Anago Cleaning business can be as low as $11,265.
Dream Vacations is a home-based travel agency concept that welcomes business owners who are passionate about travel themselves.
“At Dream Vacations, what we offer in terms of being a franchise, but also within the travel space, is a very unique concept,” explained Drew Daly, senior vice president. “The work-life balance allows people to do business while having the luxury of being at home, or maybe they’re working from a cruise ship, an island or as they travel Europe.”
Because there is minimal real estate or inventory required, the initial investment can be fairly low. The brand’s standard investment fee is $10,500, but franchisees can get started for as little as $3,500 down. The brand also offers a few discounted rates, including a promotional investment of $9,450, discounted rate for community heroes of $8,400, and a discounted veterans and military spouses rate of $7,350.
Buildingstars is a commercial cleaning concept that offers comprehensive cleaning, green cleaning, and “healthy building” services to promote cleanliness and health within a building. After a rise in awareness and concern about the safety of shared public spaces during the pandemic, Buildingstars’ healthy building service is likely a key driver of business.
According to the brand’s website, franchisees can get started for less than $800.
This includes a starting base of customer accounts that offer at least $1,000–$5,000 in monthly gross revenue.
Card My Yard is a yard sign company that makes signs to celebrate big occasions. Birthdays, retirements, new babies, Halloween, graduations, anniversaries and more have all been celebrated with the help of a Card My Yard sign.
According to its website, the franchise seeks prospective owners who are, of course, driven to own and grow a business, but also those who are connected to their communities, have a strong understanding of social media, and are excited and enthusiastic about spreading joy to as many people as possible.
The brand’s website does not include investment information, but Entrepreneur lists an initial investment of $9,800–$18,000.
Jantize America is a commercial cleaning concept that offers a wide range of services: trash removal, dusting, vacuuming, mopping, glass door cleaning, restroom cleaning and disinfecting, paper product restocking, professional air duct cleaning, power washing, and more.
Jantize offers three investment models, with the most affordable—the unit franchise—starting at just $5,000.
Corvus Janitorial Systems is an office cleaning concept. “For more than two decades, we have helped thousands of people establish successful, franchised office cleaning businesses,” the website says.
The franchisor offers strong support, hospital-grade disinfectants and “hassle-free financing.
Though its website does not publish initial investment information, Entrepreneur publishes an initial investment range of $9,575–$34,500.
Mint Condition offers janitorial and disinfecting services that can be catered to the needs of the client. With complete customization and guaranteed quality control, Mint Condition franchisees clean in a way that prioritizes the health of the building’s occupants and ensures the building is not only clean in a practical sense but also truly looks and feels clean.
Like many other cleaning concepts, Mint Condition offers both unit franchise and master franchise investment options. Though it does not publish specific numbers, Mint Condition does categorize the unit franchise option as a low-cost investment. Entrepreneur notes the initial investment range for the brand is $4,644–$32,384.
Augusta Lawn Care Services is a lawn care concept that offers services such as mowing and landscaping, as well as snow and ice management and property cleanups. According to the brand’s website, 93% of locations exceed $10,000 in monthly revenue within 60 days. As of April 2022, the system-wide average monthly revenue was $37,100.20.
Augusta Lawn Care does not publish specific investment information, but it does provide a video explaining the factors that can influence the total investment required. For franchise owners who are willing to do the work themselves at the start of their business journey, the video says the initial investment can be less than $20,000, including the company truck. According to Entrepreneur, the initial investment can be as low as $12,999.
