Top Electronics Franchises Over 50 Units

Americans sure love their gadgets. Walk down any busy street or enter any waiting room or, worst of all, even look around at other drivers, and practically everyone will be looking down at their mobile devices and not at the road in front of them. Laws against texting and walking and texting and driving have been implemented across the country to combat these issues.

According to the Pew Research Center, 95 percent of Americans own some kind of cellphone, and the share of Americans that own a smartphone is 77 percent. On top of that, nearly three-quarters of American adults own a desktop or laptop computer and approximately half own a tablet computer. Approximately one in five owns an e-reader device. Those who are the most smartphone-dependent are younger adults, lower-income Americans and non-whites.

Bottom line: Electronic use is not going away. If anything, it’s only going to intensify. With that comes the need for repairs and resources to keep these gadgets going - and even acquire more.

Here are 10 electronics franchises that have more than 50 units.

Batteries Plus Bulbs*

Unit count: 700+

Investment range: $190,144 - $367,358

This battery and bulb-replacement company first opened in 1988 and started franchising in 1992. In 2010, Batteries Plus Bulbs added light bulbs to their product line, and in 2014 they launched smartphone and tablet repair services. The company opened eight stores in seven states in June 2018. Batteries Plus Bulbs touts convenient hours as part of its franchise benefits, saying that stores are not open late or on a 24/7 basis. Eighty percent of the company’s locations are owned by franchisees who own more than one location. The brand’s supply chain provides franchisees with access to almost 60,000 batteries, light bulbs and other power-related accessories.

Dr.PhoneFix

Unit count: 50+

Investment range: $102,600 - $241,950

Dr.PhoneFix deals with smartphone, tablet and computer repairs, and services range from water damage to screen repairs to button replacement. Several of the brand’s stores are located inside of Walmarts, and its claims to have enough stock to do same-day repair on most devices. Franchisees must possess a credit score of 550 or better, and if they don’t meet all of the franchise requirements, they can partner with another person to open a location. The franchisee approval process takes approximately one week and franchisees can open a location within 60 to 90 days. Dr.PhoneFix also provides drone and smartwatch repairs, among other services.

uBreakiFix

Unit count: 400+

Investment range: $60,400 - $220,850

Electronic device fixing company uBreakiFix prides itself on providing top-notch repair service and customer service. The brand has stores in the U.S. and Canada and is expanding throughout Canada and into Puerto Rico. The company was started after one of the co-founders dropped and shattered his brand-new iPhone, leading him to try to repair it himself. The company’s core values include caring for people, focusing on quality and remaining humble. uBreakiFix partners with businesses and schools and other organizations without charging a monthly fee. Franchisees will attend three weeks of training at the corporate facility in Orlando, Florida and receive three weeks of onsite training in their new store.

Wireless Zone*

Unit count: 360+

Investment range: $142,500 - $328,500

Wireless Zone is the largest Verizon franchisor in the United States. Franchisees should possess an understanding of business retail environments, a desire to get involved in their local communities and the ability to keep up with changes in wireless devices. The company has the Wireless Zone Foundation For Giving, which gets involved with a variety of charities. The company keeps a detailed - and public - list of upcoming franchise openings. It is currently looking for new franchisees in markets such as Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, Wisconsin and more. Franchisees will also have the support of an internal customer service team.  

Zagg

Unit count: 150+

Investment range: $26,000 - $60,000

Zagg is best known for its line of protective coverings for devices such as smartphones and smartwatches, which are under the brand name InvisibleShield. In June 2017, the company released the Luxe Protective Bumper Case for the Apple Watch. In August 2018, the company named former Hewlett-Packard Enterprise executive Jim Kearns as its new COO. Zagg uses extensive internal verification activities to prevent human trafficking among its product supply chain. Franchisees should be prepared to offer excellent customer service and have a passion for employee management. Franchise fees vary, as franchisees have the option to franchise either a mall cart, a kiosk or an in-line retail store.

Experimac

Unit count: 50+

Investment range: $142,010 - $321,140

Experimac does repairs, upgrades, pre-owned sales and trade-ins for Apple products. The first retail location was opened in 2012 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Available markets for franchisees include Sacramento, California, Phoenix, Arizona and Charleston, West Virginia. Experimac prides itself on offering franchisees an excellent quality of life. Locations are closed on Sundays and holidays and they keep the hours normal. Franchisees do a two-week training course in West Palm Beach and also get two weeks of onsite training in their stores. People who want to sell certain Apple products can either sell the item for cash or trade it in for a certified, pre-owned Mac product.

HobbyTown

Unit count: 150+

Investment range: $161,000 - $330,000

This hobby franchise works in a variety of categories, including cars and trucks, helicopters, boats and drones (it even offers web-based drone training). HobbyTown started in 1985 in Lincoln, Nebraska and started franchising in 1986. Its core values include cultivating growth, leading, serving and “Keep calm and hobby on.” The brand offers co-branding opportunities for hobby business owners. Motivation and a desire to motivate others are key in franchisee candidates. Franchise owners will have some freedom in choosing items to put on the shelves. HobbyTown is quite active on social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, and has a YouTube channel.

Buddy’s Home Furnishings

Unit count: 250+

Investment range: $385,166 - $912,594

Rent-To-Own company Buddy’s Home Furnishings has 37 company-owned locations and 267 franchise locations in the United States and Guam. In addition to electronics, Buddy’s sells furniture and appliances. Buddy’s was founded in 1961 in Tampa, Florida and was acquired by NewCo in 2013. Vendor partners include Ashley Furniture, Maytag, Samsung and Whirlpool. Typical store payback is three years, and the company’s primary competitors are traditional retail stores and internet marketplaces. Flexibility is a major theme in the brand’s model, and Buddy’s allows customers both weekly and monthly leases. Franchisees are allowed to own multiple units, and the company promises that franchisees will work in a growing industry.

CPR Cell Phone Repair

Unit count: 470+

Investment range: $55,650 - $170,500

This cell phone repair franchise has seen rapid growth over the past year, with multiple units opening in California, Kentucky and Alabama. CPR Cell Phone Repair operates two different services: CPR for Business and CPR for Education. In May 2018, the company announced a partnership with Zagg to sell InvisibleShield products. The brand was ranked #74 on Entrepreneur magazine’s Top Global Franchises list, which ranked the top 200 global franchises. CEO Josh Sevick blogs about tech-related topics, including tech cleanliness and care. The company also has a team dedicated to repairing old phones and other devices that come in a variety of conditions as part of its Going Green effort.

Cellairis

Unit count: 600+

Investment range: $36,810 - $373,575

Franchise brand Cellairis partners with Walmart to open locations in the form of locations within Walmart stores or interactive kiosks. In November 2017, Cellairis acquired the naming rights sponsorship of the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood in Atlanta, Georgia, where the company was founded in 2001. A second Cellairis store was opened just 30 days later. In terms of giving back, Cellairis partners with Autism Speaks. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, Cellairis offers franchisees 14 days of training for kiosks and up to 21 days of training for stores. Veteran franchisees can receive a 20 percent discount off of franchise fees.

*Brands marked with an asterisk are clients of 1851 Franchise or No Limit Agency*.