Franchise Deep Dive: Budget Blinds' Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, Budget Blinds has consistently outperformed other brands and remains North America’s top window-covering provider.

By Jeff DwyerStaff Writer

Updated 8:08AM • 08/18/23

LAST UPDATED: August 3, 2023
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://franchise.budgetblinds.com/
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1,300+
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $140,500 to $211,750
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): N/A

Budget Blinds is the largest residential and commercial window-covering franchise in North America. The brand, established in 1992, provides window coverings solutions and a number of other services, including free in-home consultations; virtual consultations; window measurements; and installation services for shades, shutters, drapes and smart home automation solutions.

Budget Blinds operates under its parent company Home Franchise Concepts, which also owns brands such as The Tailored Closet, Concrete Craft and Two Maids.

As a result of its offerings, Budget Blinds was ranked 19th on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Franchise 500” list in 2023 and has been consistently ranked first as a Window Coverings Franchise on Entrepreneur’s “Franchise 500” list from 1996 to 2023.

How Many Budget Blinds Locations Are There?

As of August 2023, Budget Blinds operates in over 1,300 franchise territories, serving more than 10,000 cities across the U.S. and Canada.

What Is Budget Blinds’ Business Model?

Budget Blinds’ business model is centered around providing convenient window-covering solutions to customers. The brand says it is constantly staying up-to-date with consumers' needs and industry trends, ensuring that it offers the best products, pricing and support to its franchisees.

For franchise owners, Budget Blinds says it offers a low-cost entry into the franchise, making it accessible for entrepreneurs to start their own businesses. A benefit to operating a Budget Blinds franchise is that the brand does not require franchisees to maintain inventory, which reduces overhead costs.

Additionally, owners are not required to have prior experience in the category, as Budget Blinds provides comprehensive training to its new owners, which covers product knowledge, installation techniques, consultative sales processes, local area marketing and everything you need to know to run a successful business.

How Much Can Budget Blinds Franchise Owners Make?

Budget Blinds does not have a publicly available Item 19. To learn more, contact the team about reading the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which will state the total earnings of any company or franchise-owned unit as a reference.

While the brand does not make its Item 19 publicly available, Budget Blinds claims its franchisees see “strong sales and profit margins in addition to a nearly 70% closing rate.”

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Budget Blinds?

The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Budget Blinds franchise ranges from $140,500 to $211,750. This investment is broken down into the following costs:

Initial Franchise Fee: $19,950
Initial Territory Fee: $70,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training: $1,500 to $2,500
In-Person Training for Additional Personnel: $500
Office/Work Space: Varies
Business Address: Varies
Vehicle: $10,000 to $48,000
Computer Equipment and Software: $1,500 to $2,500
iPad Pro: $1,500
Credit Card Processing Technology: $50 to $500
Auto Insurance: $750 to $2,400
Commercial General Liability Insurance: $750 to $2,400
Contractor’s License and Bond: $1,500
Professional Services: $750 to $3,500
Initial Marketing: $10,000 to $15,000
Additional Tools and Supplies: $250 to $1,500
Additional Funds (Before Opening in the First Three Months): $25,000 to $40,000

Qualified veterans can also receive a 15% discount off the purchase price of a Budget Blinds franchise.

What Is the Franchise Fee for Budget Blinds?

The initial franchise fee required to open a Budget Blinds franchise is $19,950. However, prospective franchise owners must also pay $70K to secure their territory, bringing the total initial franchise cost to $89,950.

Who’s On Budget Blinds’ Leadership Team?

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Budget Blinds?

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