Top Low-Cost Franchises 2015

SPECIAL REPORT 

FranchiseBusinessREVIEW 

Ratings and Reviews of the Best Franchise Opportunities by Franchisees 

2015 

LOW-COST 

FRANCHISES 

Today’s Top Opportunities 

Under $100K 

A Soccer Shots coach shares his love 

of soccer with enthusiastic children. 

The Most 

Profitable 

Low-Cost Sectors 

PAGE 13 

$ 

A Look Inside 

Today’s Top 

Low-Cost Franchises 

PAGE 8 

Low-Cost Franchises 

That Provide The Highest 

Average Income 

PAGE 5

SPECIAL REPORT: Top Low-Cost Franchises 

Features //2015 

3 6 

5 

2 Letter from the Editor 

“Low-Cost” Doesn’t Mean Sacrificing Quality 

3 Low-Cost, High Return 

Identifying the Best Budget-Friendly 

Franchising Opportunities 

8 THE LIST 

Best of the Best: Top Low-Cost Franchises 

14 Marketplace 

More on the award-winning 

franchise opportunities for 2015 

+ 

Reviews, interviews, franchisee satisfaction 

awards and more resources available at: 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com 

For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 1


“Low-Cost” Doesn’t Mean 

Sacrificing Quality 

If you’re like many people, you’ve probably been told that franchising is a very expensive proposition 

and only an option for individuals with specific skillsets. It’s true that many top brands 

require a large up-front investment and a strong business or other specified background. In this 

report, however, we have identified 80 low-cost franchise opportunities, the majority of which are 

appropriate for first-time business owners. 

Choosing the right low-cost franchise, one with an average initial investment of less than $100,000, 

can be overwhelming. To help you do so, we address how to identify a low-cost franchise opportunity 

that is a good fit for you, considerations to make prior to investing in one, and more within 

this report. 

Taking a look at the top brands on our List is a good place to start your franchise research. 

Many offer their full franchisee satisfaction survey results, which provide unbiased 

insight regarding their leadership, training and support, financial outlook, culture, and more at 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

In this report we have 

identified 80 low-cost 

franchise opportunities, 

the majority of which are 

appropriate for first-time 

business owners. 

Informed franchising is happy franchising! 

Emma Pearson, Editorial Director 

Franchise Business Review is the leading national franchise market 

research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction 

and franchise buyer experiences. Before you invest in any franchise opportunity, 

read our reports to get the facts about it from those who know best, 

its franchisees. We publish five annual research reports: Guide to Today’s 

Top Franchises, Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises, Low-Cost Franchises, 

Top Food Franchises and Veterans & Franchising. All are available for free 

at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

Eric Stites, CEO 

Michelle Rowan, President 

Emma Pearson, Editorial Director 

C.J. Fleck, Senior Web Developer 

Michael Kupfer, Online Marketing Manager 

Nicole Kenney, Client Services Manager 

Julie Nelson, Client Consultant 

Linda Lorrey, Client Consultant 

Chris Poirot, Client Consultant 

Margot Doering, Accounting 

The Secret Agency, Design & Production 

Call us at 603-433-2270 

ABOUT OUR RESEARCH 

For this report, we surveyed over 9,200 franchise operators who represent 

132 leading brands with an average investment of under $100,000. 

We asked each franchisee to answer 33 benchmark questions ranking 

their franchise in the areas of financial opportunity, training and 

support, leadership, operations and product development, core values 

(e.g., honesty and integrity of franchisor), general satisfaction, and 

the franchisee community. We also asked them to answer an additional 

16 questions about their market area, demographics, business lifestyle, 

overall enjoyment running their franchise, and role in the franchisee 

community. From this data, we identified our list of top low-cost 

franchises with the highest franchisee satisfaction. Participation in 

Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction research is free for 

all North American franchise systems with a minimum of 10 franchisees. 

Surveys to determine the Top Franchises for 2016 are underway. 

If you are a franchisor and would like to participate, please call 866-397-6680 

or contact info@FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

2 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com


Jack Marino, who owns a The Traveling Photo Booth franchise in Austin and San Antonio, TX, enjoys watching clients hamming it up for the camera. Photo by Suzanne Pressman. 

Low-Cost, High Return 

Identifying the Best Budget-Friendly Franchising Opportunities 

If you’ve always wanted to have a business 

of your own, there are a variety of low-cost 

franchises to choose from. These franchises 

offer the potential for financial independence, 

with the advantage of providing you with a 

proven playbook for success. According to 

research firm FRANdata, there are currently 

668 franchise opportunities covering 29 

industries with investment requirements of 

under $100,000. FRANdata based its findings 

on three years’ worth of data from 2013 to 

2015. The median investment for our top 

franchises in this report is $67,130. 

Not all low-cost franchise concepts are 

created equal. Startup costs, market demand for 

the product or service, franchise fees, potential 

These franchises offer the potential for financial 

independence, with the advantage of providing 

you with a proven playbook for success. 

revenue, and contract provisions are just some 

of the factors you should carefully consider. 

Sifting through hundreds of opportunities to 

figure out which one is most likely to meet 

your financial and personal objectives can 

be tedious and tricky. That’s where Franchise 

Business Review comes in. We surveyed over 

9,200 franchisees from 132 different brands, 

to identify the top low-cost franchises with the 

most satisfied franchisees. If you’re interested 

in purchasing a low-cost franchise that will 

enable you to be your own boss or to diversify 

your investments, our List on page 8 is a great 

place to begin. 



A few of the franchises featured in 

this report hold the honor of making our 

Low-Cost List each year since Franchise Business 

Review launched a decade ago. They are 

Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning, Our Town 

America, Miracle Method, ActionCOACH 

and JumpBunch. Each has shown consistently 

superior performance. Making an appearance 

on our List for the first time are ImageOne, 

S.T.O.P., and Mosquito Authority. 

One of the most unique concepts that 

caught our attention is The Traveling Photo 

Booth. By giving clients the instant gratification 

of being able to take and share photos, it is 

benefitting from the “selfie” and social media 

trend. In addition to letting people instantly 

share their photos via its mobile app, clients 

are given a printed photograph, which is an 

appreciated rarity in our digital world. 

BENEFITS 

Low-cost franchises offer a variety of benefits 

over more costly franchise opportunities. This 

is reflected by the satisfaction of low-cost 

franchisees being 11% more than higher cost 

opportunities. 

Faster Potential Profitability 

If you’ve already started researching franchises, 

you know that many can cost hundreds of 

thousands or even millions of dollars. Lowcost 

franchises, however, are a financially viable 

way for you to own your own business. Less 

debt, combined with lower start up costs, 

can result in faster profitability. When we 

compared the average annual pre-tax income 

of Low-Cost Franchises vs. All Franchises, we 

found it was $75,217 for Low-Cost Franchises 1 

and $86,940 2 for All Franchises. 

Even though profitability may occur faster 

with low-cost franchises, all businesses take 

time to be profitable. It is important that you 

have adequate funds to carry you until your 

business is generating enough revenue to be 

self-sustaining. Do your due diligence in order 

to figure out the amount of money you should 

set aside since every franchise opportunity is 

different and your personal financial situation 

unique. 

“When I converted my three-year-old landscaping 

business, which focused on design 

and installation, to a U.S. Lawns franchise in 

January 2002 I was doing $250,000 in sales,” 

says New Albany, MS franchisee, Mike Kirk. 

Number of Units* 

Low-cost Franchisees Own 

Unit 

Percent 

1 70% 

2 16% 

3 5% 

4 2% 

5+ 6% 

* includes units and territories 

“We saw an immediate financial benefit from 

U.S. Lawns’ full service maintenance model. 

We are budgeting $2.4 million in sales this 

year.” Kirk holds a degree in accounting and 

entered the green industry, which he always 

had a passion for, in 1998 after having worked 

in manufacturing for 13 years and being 

downsized when the company he worked for 

was acquired. 

“We suggest that new franchisees have 12 

months of living expenses in the bank,” says 

Todd Hopkins, founder and CEO of Office 

Pride Commercial Cleaning Services. 

Often Home-Office/Mobile Based 

Since most low-cost franchises take their 

products and services directly to customers, 

many can be run out of your home or a small 

rented office or trailer. Some, such as those 

in the green space, may need to expand to a 

larger location as business grows in order to 

accommodate equipment and vehicles. 

“I work out of my home,” says Stacey Black, 

who owns Rhea Lana’s Frisco/McKinney, TX 

territory. “When holding events I, like most 

Rhea Lana’s franchisees, either rent an empty 

retail location or event location for them.” 

Flexibility 

Since many low-cost franchise concepts do 

not necessitate owners being present at a 

particular location for a set period of time, 

they offer more flexible schedules than a retail 

outlet or restaurant. Many can even be operated 

part-time. 

“Traveling is in our name and being able 

to work remotely has always been a priority. 

From any smart phone, franchisees can manage 

leads and clients, change online pricing, 

personalize automated emails, and even 

answer questions in real-time from leads 

using the ‘live chat’ feature on our website,” 

says Founder of The Traveling Photo Booth, 

Jacob Stewart. Most of The Traveling Photo 

Booth’s franchisees have other jobs in addition 

to running their franchise, although Stewart 

says this can and does change based on franchisees’ 

personal goals, the market they serve, 

how long they’ve been a franchisee, and their 

skills as an operator. 

“I purchased a Rhea Lana’s franchise 

because I wanted to be able to work around 

my children’s schedules for most of the year,” 

says Black. “I work hard for two months 

prior to my event, although still around my 

kids’ schedules, and then two weeks straight 

during my events. Essentially during my 

events it’s as though I am away on a business 

trip. Since I only have two events a year, I have 

a great work-life balance.” She notes that if she 

had to rely on her business, which had sales 

of $300,000 last year, 10X more than her first 

year (2009) sales, that it would be challenging 

to support her family in the lifestyle they’ve 

become accustomed to with a dual income. 

“We could make it work if we had to though,” 

says Black. “I know of one woman who is 

doing so.” That’s impressive for a business 

that requires working on average five months 

a year. 

1 

Based on independent surveys of 9,214 franchise operators representing over 130 low-cost franchise brands 

(defined as franchise businesses with an average startup investment under $100K) conducted by Franchise 

Business Review between January 2014 and April 2015. Franchise operators were asked to report their 

annual pre-tax income provided by their franchise business. Franchise operators that were in the “startup 

period” of their business (defined as the first two years of a new franchise business) were excluded. Only 

low-cost franchise brands with a minimum of 50 operating units were considered in this research. 

2 

Based on independent surveys of 26,140 franchise operators representing 364 franchise brands, across all 

sectors and investment levels, completed by Franchise Business Review between January 2014 and April 

2015. Franchise operators were asked to report their annual pre-tax income provided by their franchise 

business. Franchise operators that were in the “startup period” of their business (defined as the first two 

years of a new franchise business) were not included. 



Top Low-Cost Franchises with 

the Highest Average Income* 

1. Sandler Training 

2. Critter Control 

3. Visiting Angels 

4. Right at Home 

5. Murphy Business & Financial 

6. MaidPro 

* The brands listed above each have an average annual 

pre-tax income of over $100,000, as reported by 

franchisees who have been in operation for a minimum 

of two years. The average annual income reported 

across this group was $116,525. 

Dan and Lisa Nausley, who own a Sandler Training franchise in Chattanooga, TN, inspiring a group to succeed. 

Low-cost franchises also offer many 

benefits that higher cost franchises do, but 

that starting your own business from scratch 

does not. 

Plug & Play 

A franchise provides you with an out-of-thebox 

business model that is ready to be implemented 

as soon as you have gone through 

your training. All you have to do is to adhere 

to the established guidelines. 

“When we had our own landscaping company, 

we were on an island on our own and 

made a lot of mistakes,” says Kirk. “By buying 

a U.S. Lawns franchise, we bought a business 

that already had all the kinks worked out of it.” 

You’re Not Flying Solo 

You’ll receive your franchisor’s support in a 

variety of crucial areas including training and 

operating procedures as well as marketing. 

“We provide a full week of classroom training 

for new franchisees followed by in-market 

sales and operations training,” says Hopkins 

of Office Pride. “After their initial training is 

completed, our new franchisees are placed 

into peer groups, which allows them to get 

to know other owners, share best practices 

and more.” 

In addition, you have a network of fellow 

franchisees to learn from and work with. 

“Our Franchise Advisors spend quality 

time with owners. We’re also big fans of group 

and regional franchisee meetings which provide 

a forum for franchisees to seek advice 

from and share best practices with each other,” 

says Ken Hutcheson, President of U.S. Lawns. 

“We hold a best practices competition at 

our annual conference,” says CEO & Founder 

of Visiting Angels, Larry Meigs. “Franchisees 

compete to win one of three categories such 

as Palliative Care, Caregiver Retention and 

Converting Leads into Clients. The categories 

change each year. The winners present their 

best practices at the conference, which benefits 

all who attend.” 

Brand Recognition 

Since the franchise brand is already recognized 

by customers they know that it offers 

consistency and appreciate the comfort its 

familiarity provides. 

Minimized Risk 

If you have done extensive due diligence 

including reviewing the FDD and talking 

to franchisees in order to identify a strong 

franchise brand with a proven business model, 

your chances of building a successful business 

are greater than if you were starting one 

from scratch. 

Resale Value 

Prospective investors tend to favor known 

brands. Franchises typically fetch a higher 

resale price than a mom and pop business, 

and most franchisors will assist you in finding 

a buyer. 

CHALLENGES 

Like all businesses, low-cost franchises come 

with risk. Here are some things to keep in 

mind prior to taking the franchise plunge. 

Managing a Business 

If you are like many franchisees, you may have 

no prior business ownership experience. Ask 

the franchisor what business skills you’ll need 

to be successful, and what they will train you 

to do. You should seek outside assistance from 

accountants, attorneys, and other business 

professionals that have expertise in your areas 

of weakness. 

“We spend three days teaching our franchisees 

the basics they need to run their business 

including how to read and strategically act 

upon Profit & Loss statements,” says Jump- 

Bunch CEO, Thomas Bunchman. 

Self-Discipline 

Although the idea of working from home is 

appealing and a benefit many low-cost franchise 

opportunities offer, it can be challenging 

for some since it requires a lot of self-discipline. 

Home-based business owners have to learn 

to set limits not only for themselves, but also 

for family members who may feel inclined to 

interrupt them or expect them to take care of 

non-work related tasks during working hours. 



Left: Kurt and Melissa Godwin get rid of pesky insects with their Mosquito Joe franchise in Baltimore and Annapolis, MD. Photo by Poon Watchara-Amphaiwan. 

Right: Windows gleam throughout Fort Worth, TX thanks to Window Genie franchisees Patty and Chuck Street, who are seen here with John Lumme, their Lead Tech. 

(from left to right) 

It’s a good idea to set business hours at home 

and to make your family members aware of 

them and the importance of respecting them. 

This will help you stay focused and productive. 

“Although we provide our franchisees with 

a system, roadmap and lots of training on how 

to execute, they no longer have someone looking 

over their shoulder. They are their own 

boss, which means that at the end of the day, 

they have to follow through and be relentless 

if they want their business to get them where 

they want to go,” says Hopkins of Office Pride. 

“Results do not magically happen,” says 

Black of Rhea Lana’s. “You have to be a selfmotivator. 

The reality of working hard and 

not seeing a profit for the first two years was 

difficult at times even though corporate told 

me it would probably be three years before I 

saw a profit. It was seeing the success of other 

Rhea Lana’s franchisees who had persevered 

that kept me going.” 

Focus 

Many franchisees initially can be overwhelmed 

and find it difficult to focus on what is important 

at the right time. It can be easy to get 

sucked into the minute details of the business. 

“Our Franchise Advisors help our operators 

stay on task,” says Hutcheson of U.S. 

Lawns. “They help them set actionable goals 

and prioritize them so they can hit each one. If 

you don’t have goals then you are just doing 

stuff, but most likely not making progress.” 

Hiring and Managing Others 

For many franchisees, finding the right staff 

and training them is one of the most challenging 

aspects of their business. Doing so is 

a worthwhile investment since it will prevent 

you from having to consistently spend precious 

time hiring and training new employees 

due to turnover. 

“One of the biggest frustrations for our 

franchisees is hiring and keeping good staff,” 

says Bunchman of JumpBunch. “We offer them 

tools to manage their employees, as well as 

universal background checks and online programs 

that help them to train their coaches.” 

“When interviewing, you have to have a 

good instinctual feeling for a candidate and 

understand what their expectations are,” says 

ShelfGenie franchisee Ric Trahan. “I look for 

people with a solid values system, who are 

team players, good at customer service, and 

able to effectively communicate.” 

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR QUEST 

FOR A LOW-COST FRANCHISE 

By reading this report, you are already off to 

a great start in your search for a proven franchise 

that suits your personal and financial 

goals. Doing the following may help clarify the 

direction you should take. 

Identify Your Interests 

For every interest, there is a low-cost opportunity 

available such as cleaning, business services, 

recreation, art, health and travel. While some 

franchisees invest in a concept they have had 

prior experience with, many do not. 

“Our top five performers were tired of the 

rat race and joined us in order to have more 

time to be with their families,” says Bunchman 

of JumpBunch. “Two have an IT background, 

one was a lobbyist, one was an ad executive 

and the other managed a large sales team.” 

Assess Your Skills 

Understand your strengths and your weaknesses 

and how they relate to what the business 

requires to be successful. In some cases you can 

hire for your weaknesses, (bookkeepers, etc.) as 

mentioned earlier. Even so, you will most likely 

have to do the bulk of the hands-on work while 

getting started, so it’s a good idea to invest in a 

concept you are very comfortable with. 

Set a Budget 

How much can you afford to invest in the 

business and still be able to live the way you 

are accustomed to until it is profitable? Be sure 

to ask if the franchise you are interested in 

offers any discounts for minorities or veterans 

if you qualify. 

Continued on page 12. 



Additional Considerations Before Investing 

There are many variables to consider when analyzing a low-cost franchise opportunity. 

1 Franchisee Satisfaction 

If the brand has been around for a while, but you can’t 

find any franchisees to speak with who have been with the 

company for five or more years, this is a big red flag. If the 

franchise you are considering has been featured on one of 

our top franchises lists, look to see if it opted to provide 

its satisfaction report within the Franchise Reviews section 

of www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. It is interesting 

to note that of the franchisees we surveyed, 40% have 

owned their business for five years or less and 60% have 

owned it for more than five years. 

6 

2 

Number of Successful Franchises 

Find out what the number of franchise closings or nonrenewal 

rates have been over the past few years. The lower 

the percentage, the better. If it’s high, find out why. Scrutinize 

Item 20 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which 

contains all unit growth and turnover info. Multiple resales 

and/or transfers can indicate a troubled system. 

Profitability 

There is no connection between the amount you invest 

in a franchise and how much money you’ll earn. 

The FDD, however, may provide you with examples of 

average franchisee financial performance. Even if these 

examples are available, there is no guarantee that you will 

earn the same revenue since so many variables are involved 

including how long the franchisee has been in business 

and location. The best way to obtain an idea of how much 

money you might make is to ask franchisees about their 

experience. 

“Our franchisees each enjoy the same level of support 

and tools, but it is their individual drive that ultimately 

determines the success they achieve. Our Huntsville, AL 

franchisee did over $1.7 million in sales as outlined in our 

item 19, but not all our franchisees grow that big,” says 

Hopkins of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services. Item 

19 is where financial performance information is disclosed 

by franchisors in their FDD, but the level of detail varies. 

3 

4 

Training & Support 

Find out what kind of human and virtual support you 

will receive initially and on an ongoing basis. Ask the 

franchisees you speak with if their business needs are met 

by the franchisor. 

“In addition to having permanent training materials 

and helpful information available online 24/7, we send 

new information every day to our franchisees. They also 

receive a video essay about a different topic, and a Q&A 

each week,” says Meigs of Visiting Angels. “To ensure our 

franchisees have the right gross profit margin, are properly 

staffed and efficiently marketing themselves on the local 

level, we conduct in-person one-on-one consultations.” 

Equipment & Supplies 

How much equipment and supplies will you need? 

Does the franchisor offer any financing assistance or 

have pricing arrangements with vendors? Don’t forget 

future equipment and supply needs when crunching your 

numbers. Equipment doesn’t last forever and supplies 

run out. 

“We have financing programs for a variety of things 

including equipment, vehicles and business services,” says 

U.S. Lawns’ Hutcheson. “We also have preferential pricing 

with suppliers of fertilizer, grass seed etc. and pass the 

savings on to our owners.” 

7 

8 

Growth 

Can you add additional units or territories? This factor 

ties into profitability, since most multi-unit operators make 

more than single unit operators. To learn more about multiunit 

ownership, read our Top Multi-Unit Franchises report 

at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. 

Want vs. Need 

Since there are typically fewer costs associated with 

low-cost franchises, this can make it easier to survive an 

economic downturn. A key consideration is whether or 

not customers will need what you are offering if the 

economy tanks. Are the products or services you’ll be 

providing nice-to-have or need-to-have? 

“The cost of having a child participate in one of 

our programs ranges from $8-$15 per week,” says 

Bunchman of JumpBunch. “The pricing, coupled with 

parents’ understanding that their kids are happier and 

healthier when they are active, means our business has 

experienced a steady upward curve throughout bad and 

good financial times.” 

“The healthcare sector always grows in revenue and 

employment even during recessions,” says Meigs. “As baby 

boomers age, their significant needs will only get greater, 

which equates to an ongoing revenue stream for our 

franchisees.” 

5 

Fees 

Although royalty fees are not included in startup costs, 

it is essential that you consider them when analyzing the 

franchise investment. Although most franchises charge 

a percentage of revenues, some charge a flat monthly 

fee. In addition, most have some form of marketing fund 

contribution. Find out how much everything will cost and 

how it could impact cash flow. 

Our Franchise Buyer’s Toolkit 

provides all the resources you need 

to make an informed investment. 

You only have 

one chance 

to make the right 

franchise choice. 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com/Toolkit 



THE LIST 

Best of the Best: 

Top Low-Cost 

Franchises 

* Visiting Angels — more on p. 16 

In-home senior care 

Weed Man 

Lawn care 

Survey 

Date 

June 

2014 

Jan. 

2014 

Startup 

Investment 

$65,935 – 

$89,685 

$40,000 – 

$60,000 

Cash 

Requirement 

$37,950 – 

$45,950 

Total 

Units 

515 

$50,000 545 

Cruise Planners 

Travel agency 

May 

2014 

$495 – 

$9,995 

$10,495 1,455 

“They consistently 

reevaluate their programs, 

technology and training 

to make sure they are 

giving the franchise 

owner the best possible 

edge in a competitive 

market.” 

– Cruise Planners Franchisee 

MaidPro 

House cleaning & maid services 

* Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning 

Carpet cleaning 

* Sandler Training — more on p. 13 

Business consulting & coaching 

* Our Town America — more on back cover 

Advertising services 

Proforma 

Print & promotional product supplier 

* Painting with a Twist 

Paint & sip 

Apr. 

2014 

Jan. 


June 

2014 

Sep. 

2014 

Dec. 

2014 

Jan. 


$45,000 – 

$114,509 

$28,900 – 

$64,000 

$73,000 – 

$105,125 

$49,000 – 

$85,000 

$4,730 – 

$50,195 

$89,300 – 

$143,300 

$45,000 188 

$15,000 1,304 

$100,000 181 

$89,000 57 

$0 – $29,500 700 

$67,500 – 

$107,500 

216 

Best In Class Education Centers 

Tutoring services 

July 

2014 

$69,500 – 

$114,100 

$40,000 31 

Rhea Lana’s 

Children’s consignment 

Dec. 

2014 

$16,050 – 

$33,050 

$8,000 – 

$10,500 

80 

Fit4Mom 

Fitness 

Sep. 

2014 

$2,359 – 

$18,185 

$2,359 – 

$18,185 

233 

“The franchisor cares about 

all the franchisees equally 

and always contributes to 

our success.” 

– In Home Pet Services Franchisee 

* Window Genie — more on p. 17 

Window cleaning 

* National Property Inspections 

Commercial & home inspection services 

* CruiseOne — more on p. 14 

Travel agency 

July 

2014 

Feb. 


April 


$89,800 – 

$139,000 

$34,900 – 

$36,900 

$495 – 

$9,800 

$60,000 – 

$80,000 

$39,550 – 

$42,000 

$495 – 

$9,800 

197 

221 

975 

CarePatrol 

Assisted living placement services 

Oct. 

2014 

$63,000 – 

$78,000 

$54,500 135 

American Prosperity Group 

Financial services 

Feb. 


$85,000 – 

$105,000 

$100,000 20 

*This brand’s Franchisee 

Satisfaction Report is available at 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com 

In Home Pet Services 

Pet sitting & dog walking service 

ShelfGenie 

Shelving solutions 

Oct. 

2014 

Oct. 

2014 

$9,100 – 

$31,200 

$70,100 – 

$125,250 

$9,100 – 

$31,200 

13 

$70,000 172 

10-year Hall of Fame Member 

Featured on our Best of the Best List for 10 consecutive years 

* HouseMaster 

Professional home inspections 

Oct. 

2014 

$60,100 – 

$107,900 

$75,000 314 

8 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com


Survey 

Date 

Startup 

Investment 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

American Poolplayers Association 

Pool league 

Sep. 

2014 

$16,704 – 

$19,874 

$16,704 – 

$19,874 

319 

Men In Kilts 

Window cleaning 

Aug. 

2014 

$50,650 – 

$129,400 

$100,000 13 

Miracle Method Surface Refinishing 

Bathroom & kitchen remodeling 

Nov. 

2014 

$85,000 – 

$125,000 

$75,000 – 

$110,000 

137 

* Mosquito Joe 

Mosquito control services 

The Mosquito Authority 


* Soccer Shots 

Youth sports 

* JumpBunch 

Youth sports & fitness 

* Homewatch CareGivers 


* Office Pride — more on p. 17 

Commercial cleaning services 

A All Animal Control 

Wildlife control & removal 

Aug. 

2014 

Jan. 


Oct. 

2014 

Jan. 


June 

2014 

Oct. 

2014 

Oct. 

2014 

$63,850 – 

$119,250 

$50,000 – 

$70,000 

$31,742 – 

$38,500 

$40,300 – 

$73,500 

$83,250 – 

$136,000 

$29,900 – 

$59,000 

$10,750 – 

$41,615 

$30,000 – 

$55,000 

$20,000 – 

$40,000 

114 

375 

$29,500 166 

$35,000 – 

$77,000 

54 

$50,000 227 

$29,900 127 

$5,000 36 

“Quite frankly, it has 

always seemed like they 

were there for just me. 

They respond very quickly 

and help you with any 

obstacle you encounter. 

I honestly don’t know 

how they keep up with 

all of us, they must be 

highly organized.” 

– Mosquito Joe Franchisee 

Fit Body Boot Camp 

Fitness 

April 


$27,700 – 

$100,500 

$27,700 – 

$100,500 

146 

Just Between Friends — more on p. 13 


Oct. 

2014 

$24,074 – 

$33,668 

$14,900 150 

* FirstLight HomeCare 


Right at Home 


Aire-Master of America 

Commercial hygiene service 

Leather Medic 

Leather & vinyl repair service 

* Pillar To Post Home Inspectors 

Professional home inspections 

May 

2014 

Feb. 


Dec. 

2014 

Sep. 

2014 

Sep. 

2014 

$85,281 – 

$128,659 

$76,700 – 

$127,100 

$35,584 – 

$126,900 

$49,500 – 

$59,500 

$33,150 – 

$42,550 

$65,000 125 

$150,000 418 

$30,000 – 

$50,000 

$25,000 – 

$59,500 

106 

23 

$10,000 458 

“They consistently 

reevaluate their 

programs, technology 

and training to make 

sure they are giving 

the franchise owner the 

best possible edge in a 

competitive market.” 

Amazing Athletes 

Early childhood development 

July 

2014 

$34,150 – 

$55,650 

$18,500 85 

– Help-U-Sell Franchisee 

Surface Specialists Systems 

Home remodeling 

Nov. 

2014 

$43,200 – 

$56,000 

$25,000 44 

Help-U-Sell Real Estate 

Real estate 

Feb. 


$25,000 – 

$97,000 

$17,500 99 

For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FBR50.com | 9


THE LIST 

Best of the Best: 

Top Low-Cost 

Franchises 

Auto Appraisal Network 

Automotive appraisal service 

Murphy Business & Financial 

Business brokers 

Survey 

Date 

Oct. 

2014 

Jan. 


Startup 

Investment 

$12,000 – 

$30,000 

$54,450 – 

$113,600 

Cash 

Requirement 

$3,000 – 

$5,000 

Total 

Units 

25 

$30,000 170 

PropertyGuys.com 

Real estate 

Sep. 

2014 

$45,000 – 

$92,000 

$40,000 – 

$70,000 

119 

Estrella Insurance 

Financial services 

Sep. 

2013 

$49,000 – 

$84,000 

$20,000 – 

$50,000 

94 

You’ve Got MAIDS 

House cleaning & maid services 

March 

2014 

$37,999 – 

$130,842 

$37,999 – 

$130,842 

45 

Kid’s Closet Connection 


Jan. 


$12,000 – 

$17,000 

$12,000 – 

$17,000 

40 

Realty ONE Group 

Real estate 

Aug. 

2014 

$30,000 – 

$195,000 

$30,000 – 

$195,000 

50 

“I feel like improvements 

are made whenever 

possible to help us stay 

ahead of the game and 

offer an ever-increasing 

quality of product to 

our customers.” 

– TGA Premier Golf & Tennis Franchisee 

* Payroll Vault 

Payroll services 

WOW 1 DAY PAINTING 

Painting 

360clean 


Sit Means Sit 

Dog training 

Service Team of Professionals 

Property restoration services 

Oct. 

2014 

Jan. 

2014 

May 

2014 

April 

2014 

March 


$42,000 – 

$69,000 

$90,000 – 

$140,000 

$15,500 – 

$80,000 

$45,000 – 

$93,850 

$54,000 – 

$131,043 

$50,000 22 

$50,000 27 

$7,500 85 

$45,000 82 

$54,000 – 

$131,043 

39 

The Glass Guru 

Window restoration 

Oct. 

2014 

$30,000 – 

$130,000 

$30,000 – 

$130,000 

84 

* Mosquito Shield 


July 

2014 

$73,100 – 

$91,800 

$100,000 35 

Buildingstars 


Oct. 

2014 

$1,995 – 

$39,995 

$500 572 

TGA Premier Golf & Tennis 

Youth sports 

Aug. 

2014 

$13,150 – 

$62,200 

$13,150 – 

$62,200 

70 

Paul Davis Emergency Services 

Emergency home services 

Feb. 

2014 

$41,784 – 

$147,824 

$50,000 113 

ActionCOACH 

Business coaching 

Feb. 

2014 

$61,250 – 

$108,441 

$35,000 237 

United Country Real Estate 

Real estate 

Sep. 

2014 

$16,290 – 

$38,850 

$15,000 432 

The @WORK Group 

Recruiting services 

Feb. 


$91,500 – 

$149,500 

$50,000 85 



Survey 

Date 

Startup 

Investment 

Cash 

Requirement 

Total 

Units 

Preferred Care at Home 


Jan. 

2014 

$62,500 – 

$84,500 

$43,500 83 

U.S. Lawns 

Commercial grounds care 

Sep. 

2014 

$51,500 – 

$79,300 

$30,000 262 

APEX Fun Run 

School fundraising program 

Oct. 

2014 

$60,500 – 

$86,200 

$10,000 56 

Viamark Advertising 

Marketing services 

Oct. 

2014 

$37,000 – 

$66,050 

$40,000 14 

Baby Boot Camp 

Fitness programs 

Feb. 

2014 

$4,790 – 

$10,200 

$4,000 – 

$6,000 

126 

Critter Control 

Wildlife control & removal 

Welcomemat Services 

Printing & marketing services 

THE TUTORING CENTER 

Tutoring services 

* Happy and Healthy Products 

Distributer, healthy snacks 

The Traveling Photo Booth — more on p. 14 

Photography 

Jet-Black 

Asphalt sealcoating & repair 

Image One 


4 Pillars Consulting 

Financial consulting 

* Showhomes Home Staging 

Home staging 

Boulder Designs 

Landscape design 

Oct. 

2014 

June 

2014 

April 

2014 

March 


March 


March 

2014 

Jan. 


Dec. 

2014 

Jan. 


Sep. 

2014 

$12,250 – 

$80,500 

$56,000 – 

$83,850 

$90,000 – 

$130,000 

$45,000 – 

$90,000 

$44,350 – 

$62,250 

$44,440 – 

$104,310 

$24,750 – 

$103,208 

$11,000 – 

$47,000 

117 

$75,000 46 

$39,000 64 

$24,508 – 

$89,045 

65 

$16,000 22 

$16,475 – 

$36,035 

$24,750 – 

$103,208 

97 

76 

$61,500 $61,500 42 

$45,300 – 

$78,000 

$55,965 – 

$129,800 

$10,000 55 

$40,000 94 

“The support that I have 

received from the 

managing partners over 

the past 2 years has been 

awesome. The guidance 

and business coaching 

has not only given me 

more confidence in what 

I am currently doing, but 

also for what is coming 

in the near future. I don’t 

know where they find 

the time to do everything 

they do but it is very 

much appreciated. They 

genuinely care about 

the franchisees.” 

CareBuilders at Home 


Aug. 

2014 

$68,750 – 

$97,000 

$75,000 13 

– 4 Pillars Consulting Franchisee 

FPC National 

Personnel consultants 

Oct. 

2014 

$50,000 – 

$100,000 

$75,000 – 

$100,000 

64 

Caring Senior Service 


April 

2014 

$58,585 – 

$102,450 

$35,000 60 

The Grout Doctor 

Grout repair services 

Dec. 

2014 

$20,405 – 

$33,415 

$20,405 – 

$33,415 

71 

NYS Collection Eyewear 

Eyewear retailer 

Oct. 

2014 

$13,580 – 

$97,148 

$13,580 – 

$97,148 

50 



Continued from page 6. 

What a Typical Low-Cost 

Franchisee Looks Like 

62% 

28% 

male/female 

10% partnerships 

Median age range: 

45 – 54 

82 % 

Caucasian 

64% 

have a Bachelors degree 

or higher 

15% 

have an Associates degree 

21% 

have a high school diploma 

11 % 

are military veterans 

Focus Your Search 

After deciding which franchise concepts interest 

you most and fit your budget, you’re ready 

to begin narrowing down your choices. An 

experienced franchise consultant can help you 

do so by analyzing whether or not you are a 

good fit for a particular business opportunity. 

Connect With the Franchisor 

Contact the brand’s corporate office to find out 

what the investment requirements are and what 

kind of training and support you would receive. 

It’s a good idea to also ask what they feel makes 

their top franchisees successful as well as what 

their advantages are over competitors. 

Scrutinize the FDD 

Read the Franchise Disclosure Document 

(FDD) very carefully. It clearly defines what 

the franchisor will do for you and what they 

expect of you. There are 23 sections to 

review, so we suggest that you consult an 

established franchise attorney. He can ensure 

you understand every aspect of the FDD and 

alert you to any red flags. An in-depth breakdown 

of the FDD, presented as on-demand 

video segments, is featured in our Franchise 

Buyer’s Toolkit. It is available at www. 

FranchiseBusinessReview.com/Toolkit. 

Interview Franchise Owners 

The best feedback will come from those who 

know the most about the franchise opportunity 

you are considering—franchisees who own it. 

“It’s essential to find out how supportive 

the franchise is of the concerns and needs of 

franchisees,” says U.S. Lawns franchisee, Kirk. 

Even though our List features low-cost 

opportunities with the most satisfied franchisees, 

you should still take the time to speak 

with at least a dozen current franchise owners. 

Once a franchisor determines you are a 

qualified candidate, you’ll be provided with 

franchisees’ contact information. When you 

start reaching out to them, keep in mind 

that they are busy. Try sending a brief e-mail 

outlining why you are contacting them that 

asks if there is a good time for you to call. 

Remember, they don’t have to get back to you, 

so it is important to keep your tone friendly, 

professional and appreciative. It is worth being 

persistent since you will obtain insight regarding 

whether or not the franchise can meet 

your goals via your conversations. You can 

also ask a few owners if they would be willing 

to have you job-shadow them so you see what 

running the franchise is really like. 

Find Funding 

You can obtain funding via a bank or less 

traditional methods such as: 

• Security-backed loans: Enable you to 

take a loan using a financial portfolio, 

such as a mutual fund, as collateral. There 

are several potential advantages to doing 

so. First, you can leave your portfolio in 

place, which enables it to grow. Second, 

because the loan is backed by your portfolio’s 

value, the interest charged will 

be lower than for an unsecured loan. 

It is important to note that the risk 

of borrowing against the value of your 

securities is that if your investments fall 

in value, the money borrowed will 

emphasize your losses. 

• Rollovers as Business Start Up (ROBS): 

You can invest up to 100% of your retirement 

funds into a franchise without 

taxes, penalties or a loan via ROBS. You 

must have at least $50k in eligible retirement 

accounts such as an IRA, 401(k), 

or 403(b). Your retirement funds can 

be combined with a spouse’s, partner’s 

or traditional business loans. Since the 

money is yours interest free, ROBS can 

increase your chances of being profitable 

sooner. That said, there are setup fees, and 

on-going maintenance fees associated 

with doing a ROBS transaction. Consult 

with your tax professional to determine if 

this the best option for you. 

“About half of our new franchisees use their 

401K to fund their franchise fee,” says Hopkins 

of Office Pride. “The rest pay for it in cash.” 

“We funded our U.S. Lawns franchise using 

our 401K and savings after which we had no 

cushion. It was very unsettling, but worth the 

discomfort to be where we are today,” says Kirk. 



Most Profitable* 

Low-Cost Sectors 

Sector 

Median Income 

Business Services $87,500 

Senior Services $75,000 

Advertising/Sales $62,500 

* Data based on franchisees who have owned 

their business for two or more years. 

ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN FRANCHISING 

One of the biggest advantages to franchising is 

that you can get your business off the ground 

faster since you are implementing a proven 

business model. Your franchisor already went 

through the typically painful and expensive 

period of trial and error to establish it. We’ve 

spoken to a lot of franchisors and franchisees 

over the years, and hear time and time again 

that franchisees who do not appreciate this 

fact and “go cowboy”, meaning they do not 

follow the system, always face unnecessary 

challenges as a result. 

In addition to adhering to the business model, 

successful franchising requires diligence, motivation 

and commitment. When you first start 

your business, you’ll have to work hard to 

strategically promote it via marketing, participating 

in community events, networking and 

other means in order to be noticed in your 

market. Once you have customers, you’ll have 

to meet or exceed their expectations. 

“To be a successful franchisee, you don’t 

need a fancy-pants business degree, but you 

need to be likable, have a strong entrepreneurial 

spirit and an incredible work ethic, be a 

great problem solver, have a hankering to be 

your own boss and the desire to find financial 

freedom and generate real wealth,” says Stewart 

of The Traveling Photo Booth. 

As you begin exploring franchise concepts, 

please keep in mind that a franchise is 

not a get-rich-quick scheme. It necessitates 

just as much dedication as any small business. 

Be sure you understand every aspect needed 

to run it successfully. A good place to begin 

your search is our List. Check to see if 

any of the brands you are interested in 

share their franchisee satisfaction reports at 

www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com. If they 

do, you’ll learn a lot about their leadership, 

culture, training and support, and financial 

outlook. 

RATED THE #1 

TRAINING FRANCHISE 

BY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE 

FOR 12 YEARS INCLUDING 2015 

Sandler Training is a global network 

of sales and management trainers 

with hundreds of training centers 

throughout the world. Become a 

Franchise Owner and be at the 

forefront of a business niche that 

is growing exponentially, with the 

support of a pioneer and leader in 

the training industry. 

BUILD ON THE 

LEADERSHIP 

OF SANDLER TRAINING 

FranchiseBusinessREVIEW 

has recognized 

Sandler Training as the 

#1 Business Services 

Franchise in 2015. 

SANDLERFRANCHISING.COM 

800-669-3537 ext. 2033 

© 2015 Sandler Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. S Sandler Training Finding Power In Reinforcement 

(with design) is a registered service mark of Sandler Systems, Inc. 


SPECIAL REPORT: Top Low-Cost Franchises // MARKETPLACE 

Sandler Training 

Startup Investment: $73,000 – $105,125 

Cash Requirement: $100,000 

Total Units: 181 

Sandler Training is the leader in innovative sales 

and sales management training. We have over 

235 training centers in major cities throughout 

the country and around the world, offering 

instruction in a dozen languages. Entrepreneur 

Magazine has ranked Sandler as the No. 1 training 

franchise nine times. Our training is designed to 

create lasting performance improvement rather 

than the motivational “quick fix” typical of many 

seminar-based training programs. The demand 

for quality sales training has rarely been greater 

than it is today. As a Sandler franchisee, you can 

tap this vast market—and beyond. 

For more information on Sandler Training 

opportunities, call (800) 669-3537 x2005 

or visit www.sandler.com. 

Our Town America 




Our Town is America’s premier welcoming 

organization. Since 1972, we have been 

connecting new movers with the businesses 

they are searching for by mailing warm gifts 

from neighborhood businesses in a premium 

gift certificate package. Thousands of satisfied 

business owners throughout the United States 

attest to the success and effectiveness of our 

program, while dozens of locally owned Our 

Town franchises validate our success as a viable 

business opportunity. 

For more information on Our Town America 

opportunities, call (727) 345-0811 x232 

or visit www.ourtownamerica.com. 


Rhea Lana’s 


Cash Requirement: $8,000 – $10,500 


Rhea Lana’s is a national children’s consignment 

franchisor that was founded in 1997. As the 

leader in the industry, Rhea Lana’s offers 

trusted, upscale consignment opportunities 

to entrepreneurs across America. Rhea Lana’s 

trademarked and innovative software provides 

real-time tracking of sales for consignors, as 

well as item entry via voice recognition, item 

guarantee, and consignor checks on the final 

event day. Because of these superior consignor 

services, our franchisee management technology 

and our unwavering franchise support, we are the 

best in children’s consignment. 

For more information on Rhea Lana’s 

opportunities, call (501) 499-0009 

or visit www.rhealana.com/franchiseopportunities. 

HouseMaster 




For the past 35 years, HouseMaster has been 

empowering people from a diverse array of 

backgrounds to realize their dreams of business 

ownership and to help others. A HouseMaster 

franchise is one of the most affordable ways to 

develop a successful business in the growing 

home inspection industry. As part of the 

HouseMaster team, you will receive all of the 

training, systems, tools, and support you need 

to succeed. Your passion will be rewarded when 

you give customers peace of mind regarding and 

knowledge to protect their greatest investment— 

their home. Now is a great time to join our team! 

For more information on HouseMaster 

opportunities, call (800) 526-3930 or visit 

www.housemaster.com. 

The Mosquito Authority 




At Mosquito Authority ® , we don’t just kill 

mosquitoes. We are the experts in the emerging 

mosquito control market. We keep our finger on 

the pulse when it comes to all things mosquito 

control, from mosquito-borne disease and 

environmental responsibility to customer 

satisfaction and marketing best practices. 

We have developed THE standard for proper 

control with our proprietary REPEL+PLUS 

protocol, which allows us to offer every Mosquito 

Authority customer our exclusive “No Mosquito 

Guarantee.” And we do it all for one reason: the 

personal and financial freedom and flexibility 

that comes with owning a Mosquito Authority 

franchise is every entrepreneur’s dream. 

For more information on The Mosquito 

Authority opportunities, call (800) 709-1190 

or visit www.bugsbite.com. 

WARNING: 

BUYING THE WRONG FRANCHISE 

CAN SERIOUSLY DAMAGE YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH. 

When you invest in a franchise, you have only one chance to make the RIGHT choice — 

one that will give you and your family a bright future. Franchise Business Review can help. 

Our Franchise Buyer’s Toolkit provides all the resources you need to make an informed franchise 

investment. Learn the ins and outs of buying a franchise, get tips from the pros, and access insider 

insights that you won’t find anywhere else. 

Learn more at FranchiseBusinessReview.com/Toolkit 


SPECIAL REPORT: Top Low-Cost Franchises // MARKETPLACE 

Just Between Friends 




Just Between Friends (JBF) is North America’s 

leading children’s and maternity consignment 

sales event franchise. JBF Franchises offer sales 

events in safe, organized shopping venues two 

to three times per year. Local families sign up as 

consignors to sell new and gently used children’s 

and maternity items. Shoppers attend the events 

to purchase items they need at discounted 

prices—often 50-90% off retail. Just Between 

Friends provides franchisees with innovative 

branding and marketing materials as well as the 

latest technology needed to build a successful, 

community-supporting business. Just Between 

Friends is actively seeking franchises across the 

U.S. and Canada. 

For more information on Just Between Friends 


www.jbfsale.com/franchising.jsp. 

Murphy Business & Financial 




Murphy Business & Financial Corporation, LLC 

provides new or experienced business brokers 

with the support to build a successful business 

brokerage firm with multiple revenue streams. 

These include ownership transfers, business 

valuations, equipment appraisals and sales, 

mergers/acquisitions, preferred franchise sale 

referrals and property management. 

For more information on Murphy Business & 

Financial opportunities, call (727) 725-7090 

or visit www.murphyfranchise.com. 

The Glass Guru 




The Glass Guru is the world leader in glass 

restoration, repair, and replacement. Our cuttingedge 

window restoration process provides 

property owners with an environmentallyfriendly 

way to restore foggy windows, at about 

half the cost of traditional replacement. In 

addition to restoration services, our franchise 

locations offer an extensive array of replacement 

glass products, as well as window and entry door 

replacements, shower enclosures, in-glass pet 

doors, mirrors and frames, and more! The Glass 

Guru provides franchise owners with a winning 

concept, allowing us to become the fastest 

growing company in the glass, window, and door 

industry. 

For more information on The Glass Guru 


http://franchise.theglassguru.com. 


Image One 




The commercial cleaning industry is one of the 

fastest growing service industries in the United 

States. Image One Franchisees provide services 

that are in demand today, and will continue to 

be well into the future. As business formation 

rates continue to increase, the demand for 

top-of-the-line commercial cleaning services 

has never been greater, creating the perfect 

opportunity for you to leverage an amazing 

opportunity as you join the Image One franchise 

program. Franchise Owners, no matter their 

background, benefit from our solid systems and 

brand and will be able to operate a competitive 

business in their own market. 

For more information on Image One 

opportunities, call (630) 616-1010 

or visit www.imageonefranchise.com.

Top Low-Cost Franchises 2015

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