The Top High-Value, Low-Cost Franchises that Won’t Break the Bank in 2023

When getting into franchising, you want to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Some franchises such as Joshua Tree offer multiple revenue streams that allow franchisees to be more profitable faster for a lower investment. 

“We have three services in one—tree care, lawn care and pest control,” said Joshua Malik, founder and CEO of Joshua Tree Experts, which has more than 3,000 units already. “When we originally rolled out our new services, 70% to 80% of our established customers signed on for the add-ons. Best of all, 60% of our revenue is brought in through recurring revenue streams. We have a huge database of previous clients, and we’ll call, upsell and cross-sell, which really helps generate additional streams of revenue.”

The concept has intentionally kept its barrier to entry relatively low, coming in between  $196,761 to $636,405. One of the biggest variables in this range is whether the franchise owner intends to purchase the necessary equipment outright or finance it. The franchise fee for the first territory is fairly low at $49,500. 

“The way that we keep costs on the lower end is by offering a lease option and steering them toward funding agencies where they can have a low downpayment and stretch out the term over anywhere from six to 10 years, depending on what the loan fund is,” Malik said. 

While Joshua Tree Experts has its own perks for first-time franchisees, along with multiple ways to upsell their services, here are nine other low-cost, high-value franchise concepts to consider. 

Cruise Planners

• Units: 3,000+
• Investment costs: $2,095 to $23,367
• Franchise Fee: $10,995

Cruise Planners is a home-based franchise that allows you to plan cruises for people from the comfort of your own home. The cruise planning franchise brand is currently offering a $2,000 franchise fee discount for a limited time. 

Dream Vacations

• Units: 1,600+
• Investment costs: $1,795 to $20,300
• Franchise Fee: $495 to $9,800

Dream Vacations is another home-based vacation planning franchise. You don’t need an office, inventory or even travel agency experience. 

Jazzercise

• Units: 8,000+
• Investment Costs: $2,500 (teaching) or $9,000 to $38,000 (owning a center)
• Franchise Fee: $1,250

Jazzercise is a dance fitness franchise. With the fitness brand, you have the option to just be an instructor or own an entire center. 

Lil’ Kickers

• Units: 100+
• Investment Costs: $25,175 to $37,050
• Franchise Fee: $16,000

Lil’ Kickers is a children’s soccer franchise program. Franchisees are provided with a detailed curriculum on how to teach the kids. All you need is access to an open space in order to teach. 

Chester’s Chicken

• Units: 1,200+
• Investment Costs: $12,385 to $287,572
• Franchise Fee: $3,500

Many quick service restaurant franchises have high startup costs, but Chester’s Chicken is very versatile in location options. The chicken brand recently went through a refresh in 2021. 

Show Homes Home Staging

• Units: 50+
• Investment Costs: $60,550 to $103,000
• Franchise Fee: $35,000

Home staging is an essential part of real estate. Show Homes Home Staging has been staging homes for over 30 years and shows no signs of slowing down. 

Fit4Mom

• Units: Nearly 2,000
• Investment Costs: $6,205 to $23,685
• Franchise Fee: $5,495 to $10,495

Fit4MOM is a pre- and postnatal fitness and wellness program that cares for moms through every step of motherhood. 

Mosquito Squad 

• Units: 200+
• Investment Costs: $153,410 to $201,035
• Franchise Fee: $45,000

Mosquito Squad was founded in 2009 and now has over 200 locations. Mosquito Squad also offers discounts to veterans. 

Amazing Athletes 

• Units: 650+
• Investment Costs: $44,500 to $65,600
• Franchise Fee: $36,000

Amazing Athletes is a brand that’s inspiring the next generation of kids to be active. Over the last 20 years, the child fitness franchise has inspired wellness and healthy living in kids. 

By carefully evaluating one’s professional goals and budget, investors can identify franchises that offer reliable, scalable business models. Additionally, like the 10 above, these concepts can be affordable too.