The List Issue: Top Franchises Under $150,000

When you’re searching for the perfect franchise, the brand’s startup cost is likely at the top of your list of importance. While low-cost franchises can be hard to find, they do exist. 1851 has compiled a list of 25 brands that have startup costs of $150,000 or less.

Best in Class Education Center

After recently reaching the 50-unit milestone, Best in Class Education Center is entering a new phase of growth and development. The supplemental education franchise that’s powered by thoughtful methods, quality instructors and a customizable approach is currently looking to break into new markets across 46 different states.

Number of Locations: 50

Startup costs: $62,800 - $121,880

Showhomes

As the housing industry continues to recover, Showhomes is positioned to make the most of its opportunity to grow. The brand, which offers traditional home staging services in addition to its unique Home Manager Program, is capitalizing on the fact that home staging is more important to the selling process than ever before.

Number of Locations: 58

Startup costs: $43,300 - $78,000

Welcomemat Services

Welcomemat Services is a leader in the local advertising industry. The brand provides loyalty marketing solutions that are designed to target families who have recently changed their address, ultimately boosting business in local communities across the country.

Number of Locations: 63

Startup costs: $59,580 - $87,930

Pool Scouts*

One of the few largely seasonal businesses on our list, Pool Scouts is a particularly attractive proposition for a prospective franchisee who is looking to take control of their work-life balance. A $3 billion industry, pool cleaning services offer a strong enough boon in the spring and summer months that many franchisees are able to support themselves year-round from 6–8 months of work.

Number of locations: 4

Startup costs: $54,500 to $98,000

Jan-Pro

Join JAN-PRO and become part of the #1 commercial cleaning franchise company in the world. As an experienced executive, you can apply your leadership skills directly to building your own business.

Number of locations: 90

Startup costs: $3,615- $66,355

Miracle Method

Miracle Method is the largest bath and kitchen refinishing company in the country. With over 140 U.S. and Canadian franchises, the brand specializes in repairing and restoring all types of tubs, ceramic tile, and countertops. 

Number of locations: 140

Startup costs: $75,000 - $120,000

Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Founded in 1984, Vanguard Cleaning Systems' 3,000-plus franchised commercial cleaning businesses are licensed and supported by a master franchise network of 50-plus independent regional offices throughout North America. Vanguard franchisees service more than 15,000 businesses, healthcare companies, educational facilities and non-profit organizations.

Number of locations: 50

Startup costs - $10,930- $39,400

Anago Cleaning System

David Povlitz founded Anago in 1989. The company began franchising in 1991, and now has master and unit franchisees throughout the U.S. and internationally. Unit franchisees provide regularly-scheduled office cleanings as well as periodic commercial cleaning services.

Number of locations: 50

Startup costs: $10,440-68,548

Liberty Tax Service

In 1997, John Hewitt, founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, acquired a tax company that had been franchising in Canada since 1973. The company changed its name to Liberty Tax Service and now offers franchises throughout the United States and Canada.

Number of locations: 3,000

Startup Costs: $58,700 - $71,900

Dream Vacations

CruiseOne/Dream Vacations franchisees sell travel packages, including travel protection, shore excursions, hotels and tours to individuals, couples, families, businesses and groups.

Number of locations: 1,000

Startup Costs: $3,245- $21,850

H&R Block

Since brothers Henry and Richard Bloch founded H & R Block in 1955, the company has prepared more than 600 million tax returns. Franchising began in 1956, and the company went public in 1962. In addition to providing tax return preparation services in-person, the company offers online and desktop software products and an array of other financial services.

Number of locations: 3,391

Startup costs: $31,557 - $149,398

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services

The first Club Z! opened in Tampa, Florida, in 1995 and Tampa remains the location of the company's headquarters today. Franchisees offer one-on-one in-home tutoring services, including ACT and SAT prep, foreign languages, computers and music, and other academic subjects. As an approved supplemental educational services provider in over 40 states, Club Z! also provides free tutoring at libraries, community centers, churches, and schools. Club Z! franchise owners can also offer online test prep, subject tutoring and our ON-Demand homework help program for additional revenue.

Number of locations: 368

Startup Costs: $33,800- $57,750

U.S. Lawns

U.S. Lawns was founded in 1986 and began franchising in 1987. In 1996, U.S. Lawns was acquired by Environmental Care Inc., a subsidiary of Environmental Industries Inc. U.S. Lawns is based in Orlando, Florida, and has locations throughout the United States.

Number of locations: 252

Startup Costs: $39,800 - $81,300

Colors On Parade

Inspired by his passion for restoring classic cars, Robert Lowery started Colors On Parade to offer body shop-quality automotive repairs from a mobile unit. In 1999, he began franchising the concept. Colors On Parade franchisees offer mobile on-site automotive appearance services throughout the U.S. to car dealerships, fleet owners, rental car agencies, body shops, individual vehicle owners and retail customers.

Number of locations:  224

Startup Costs: $33,800 - $103,000

Soccer Shots Franchising LLC

Jeremy Sorzano and Jason Webb played soccer together in college and professionally. They created Soccer Shots as a way to earn money during their off-season. With the success of their first two locations in Charlotte, North Carolina and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, friends and former teammates began asking how they could do the same, so they began franchising in 2005. Soccer Shots franchisees offer 30 to 40 minute weekly programs to teach children basic soccer skills and character-building lessons.

Number of locations: 181

Startup costs: $35,584 - $48,100

Kitchen Tune-Up

Founder Dave Haglund began a cabinet distributorship in 1975 and found his niche market while visiting a customer's home in 1986. Noticing that the 6-year-old kitchen was starting to look a little run-down, but wasn't ready to be remodeled, he offered to touch up some of the worn areas. When the customer was thrilled with the results, Haglund realized the market potential of this concept. After testing and perfecting his process of restoring interior wood surfaces, Haglund began franchising in 1988. There are now Kitchen Tune-Up franchises throughout North America. Both home-based and retail franchises are available. Today, Kitchen Tune-Up specializes in one-day wood restoration, cabinet refacing, cabinet re-dooring, and new cabinets for both residential and commercial customers. In addition, franchisees may also offer replacement hardware, cabinet accessories, countertops, granite tune-ups, and storage solutions for any room.

Number of locations: 190

Startup costs: $71,900 - $105,150

Oxi Fresh Franchising Co.

Jonathan Barnett founded Oxi Fresh Franchising in 2006, and opened the company's first franchise location in Denver the same year. Oxi Fresh franchisees use the company's oxygenated cleaning products to clean carpets for both residential and commercial customers. The process is designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional carpet cleaning methods and to allow carpets to dry more quickly. Tile and grout, upholstery and rug cleaning services are also available.

Number of locations: 331

Startup costs: $41,025 - $69,190

Just Between Friends Franchise Systems Inc.

Shannon Wilburn and Daven Tackett founded Just Between Friends in 1997. The two Tulsa, Oklahoma mothers held a consignment sale in Tackett's living room, using kitchen drawers as cash registers, and gross over $2,000. Today their children's and maternity consignment sales events take place in the Exchange Center of Expo Square in Tulsa, and feature over 1,500 consignors. They began franchising their concept in 2004, offering others the chance to host similar events across the country.

Number of locations: 152

Startup costs: $32,774 - $45,449

Fiesta Auto Insurance and Tax

John Rost launched Fiesta Auto Insurance and Tax in 1999 to meet a growing demand for auto insurance within underserved Hispanic and blue-collar communities in Southern California. Franchisees of the Huntington Beach-based company offer auto, home, business, rental property, boat and motorcycle insurance, as well as tax preparation services. The company allows both startup franchises and conversions of existing businesses to the Fiesta brand.

Number of locations: 175

Startup costs: $49,662- $107,458

Mosquito Squad

Mosquito Squad is North America’s first and most trusted mosquito eliminator. They’ve been protecting families from the dangers and nuisance of mosquitoes and ticks since 2005. As you explore MosquitoSquadFranchise.com, you will see how a mosquito control franchise can build your future while improving your community.

Number of locations: 220

Startup costs: $29,600- $69,625

Fresh Coat*

Fresh Coat franchises offer interior and exterior residential and commercial painting services. Fresh Coat will paint a whole house or just one room, is referral-based and eco-friendly. Franchisees don't need painting experience; instead, they hire and manage experienced painters. Fresh Coat franchises are located in the U.S. and Canada, and the company is expanding internationally.

Number of locations:122

Startup costs: $53,850 - $76,750

Pillar To Post Home Inspectors

Pillar to Post, a professional home inspection franchise, was started in 1994 and began offering franchises in both the U.S. and Canada that same year. Today, the company has grown over 500 franchises throughout North America.

Number of locations: 400

Startup costs: $34,350- $42,550

Sculpture Hospitality

Sculpture Hospitality, formerly known as Bevintel, was formed in 1987 to assist bar and restaurant owners with its liquor inventory system. Today, the company has expanded throughout the US and Canada and into 33 other countries. It has also added new products such as food inventory systems, draft beer management programs, and sales and training products for the hospitality industry.

Number of locations: 283

Startup costs:  $43,400 High - $57,100

Coffee News

Coffee News was started by Jean Daum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1988. She began franchising in 1994. In 1995, Bill Buckley became the first U.S. franchisee. He bought the company from Daum in 2008, and Coffee News headquarters is now based in Bangor, Maine. Coffee News is a free weekly publication distributed in restaurants, coffee shops and hotels. In addition to ads for local businesses, it contains news stories, jokes, trivia and horoscopes.

Number of locations: 471

Startup costs: $9,750- $10,750