The 8 Cheapest Franchises to Buy in 2025

Understanding franchise investment tiers

Not all affordable franchises are created equal. Investment requirements vary significantly based on industry, business model and operational needs. Here’s how franchise opportunities typically break down by investment tier.

Under $1,000: Micro-franchises

These ultra-low-cost opportunities typically involve home-based or mobile businesses with minimal overhead. Examples include direct sales franchises, online tutoring services and digital marketing consultancies. While the barrier to entry is low, success often depends on personal networking and sales skills.

$1,000 to $5,000: Service-based franchises

This tier includes travel planning franchises, tax preparation services and business coaching opportunities. These franchises usually operate from home offices and require minimal equipment beyond a computer and phone.

$5,000 to $25,000: Mobile and home-based operations

Cleaning services, pet care and mobile repair franchises dominate this category. These businesses often require a vehicle, basic equipment and initial marketing materials but avoid the costs of commercial real estate.

$25,000 to $50,000: Established service franchises

This range includes more established brands in education, fitness and professional services. While still affordable compared to restaurant or retail franchises, these opportunities often provide stronger brand recognition and comprehensive training programs.

Top 7 cheapest franchises for 2025

The following table provides a quick comparison of the seven most affordable franchise opportunities. Detailed information on each franchise follows below.

1. Cruise Planners

• Initial investment: $1,945 to $20,465
• Franchise fee: $10,995 (there’s a limited-time discount, reducing the fee to $8,995 at the time of publication)
• Royalty fee: 0 to 3 percent (penalty fee up to 10 percent if you use suppliers not on Cruise Planners’ approved list.)
• Pros: Work from home flexibility, no inventory requirements, recurring commission opportunities.
• Cons: Income depends on sales volume, requires strong networking skills, seasonal fluctuations in travel demand.

As one of the largest home-based travel agent networks in the country, Cruise Planners offers entrepreneurs a low-cost entry into the $71 billion global cruise industry. The franchise provides comprehensive training, marketing support, and access to exclusive travel deals. Franchisees earn commissions on bookings and can specialize in various travel niches including corporate travel, destination weddings, and luxury cruises.

2. JAN-PRO

• Initial investment: $3,985 to $51,105
• Franchise fee: $2,520 to $44,000, depending on experience
• Royalty fee: 10 percent
• Pros: Guaranteed initial customers, comprehensive training, recession-resistant industry
• Cons: Physical demands of cleaning work, evening and weekend hours, competitive market

JAN-PRO has established itself as a leader in commercial cleaning franchises, serving customer locations across multiple countries. The franchise offers a unique business model where franchisees can start with a guaranteed customer base, reducing the typical challenges of finding initial clients. 

3. SuperGlass Windshield Repair

• Initial investment: $18,685 to $84,205
• Franchise fee: $5,000 to $17,500
• Royalty fee: 4 percent
• Pros: Mobile business model, high profit margins on repairs, insurance company partnerships
• Cons: Weather-dependent work, requires reliable vehicle, limited to specific types of damage

SuperGlass specializes in mobile windshield repair services, capitalizing on the growing demand for convenient automotive services. With over 284 million registered vehicles in the United States, the market for windshield repair remains robust. The franchise provides proprietary repair technology and comprehensive training, enabling franchisees to complete most repairs in under 30 minutes.

4. Buildingstars

• Initial investment: $2,195 to $52,795
• Franchise fee: Starts at $2,195
• Royalty fee: 4 to 12 percent
• Pros: Scalable business model, no physical cleaning required, recurring revenue streams
• Cons: Requires strong management skills, employee turnover challenges, competitive bidding for contracts

Buildingstars offers a unique approach to commercial cleaning by functioning as a management franchise rather than requiring owners to perform cleaning services themselves. Franchisees recruit, train, and manage independent cleaning crews while focusing on sales and customer relationships. This model appeals to entrepreneurs seeking a scalable business without the physical demands of direct service delivery.

5. Dream Vacations

• Initial investment: $12,595 to $20,970
• Franchise fee: $10,500 (available discounts could reduce costs for certain franchisees to as low as $3,500)
• Royalty fee: 1.5 to 3 percent
• Pros: Established brand recognition, comprehensive support system, flexible working hours
• Cons: Commission-based income, requires building client base, competitive online booking market

Part of World Travel Holdings, Dream Vacations provides a comprehensive platform for home-based travel advisors. The franchise offers access to exclusive rates, marketing tools and ongoing education through its proprietary training academy. The travel industry remains strong, with the Transportation Security Administration reported screening over 3 million passengers in a single day in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic records.

6. Jazzercise

• Initial investment: $2,170 to $3,200
• Franchise fee: Up to $1,250
• Royalty fee: 20 percent (minimum monthly payment of $250)
• Pros: Low startup costs, established brand, flexible class locations
• Cons: Requires fitness certification, income depends on class attendance, competition from boutique fitness studios

Jazzercise remains one of the most affordable fitness franchises, combining dance, strength training, and cardio in group fitness classes. With over 50 years in business and locations in 25 countries, the franchise has adapted to modern fitness trends by incorporating online classes and diverse workout styles. The global fitness industry is worth an estimated $257.7 billion and projected to grow at a rate of 5.6 percent annually. 

7. Stratus Building Solutions

• Initial investment: $4,450 to $79,750
• Franchise fee: $1,000 to $75,000
• Royalty fee: 10 percent
• Pros: Green cleaning differentiation, master franchise opportunities, strong franchisee support
• Cons: Competitive commercial cleaning market, customer acquisition challenges, equipment maintenance costs

Stratus Building Solutions focuses on green commercial cleaning services, appealing to environmentally conscious businesses. The franchise has earned recognition for its franchisee satisfaction and growth potential. With increasing corporate emphasis on sustainability, the North American green cleaning services market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 7.1 percent over the next decade.

What are the benefits of opening a business franchise?

Here are some of the benefits of opening a new location for a franchise business rather than building a new company.

Capital and access to financing

Any small business owner will lament the startup costs and time burden of acquiring capital when launching a company. When you start your small business as part of a franchise, the franchise directs you toward certain types of machinery and equipment, so you won’t spend time comparing options. Some franchises can connect you with lenders for easier funding options, too, so you won’t have to search high and low for business financing to cover your startup costs.

“Franchises are often viewed as safer investments by banks, as they come with a track record,” Pete First, chief development officer of the home care franchise BrightStar Care, told business.com. “This can make it easier to secure financing and startup loans, as lenders are more confident in the established nature of the business.”

>>Learn More: The Best Business Loan and Financing Options of 2025

Branding

As a business owner, you have to develop logos, slogans and other marketing materials that make your company stand out to consumers. Not all business owners are thrilled at the prospect of the more creative side of business ownership, not to mention the expenses. When you open a franchise, you get to use the company’s established branding, which makes it easier to build brand advocacy that spreads the word about your business.

“For somebody wanting to open a business, the risk of starting a concept or brand from scratch is very high,” said Lindsay Junk, partner at R.L.J. Consulting Group and former president of the fitness franchise YogaSix. “Partnering with a concept like YogaSix can give entrepreneurs an established brand name to tap into.”

First also named a franchise’s established branding as a benefit of starting a franchise. “Attracting customers to a new business can be a significant hurdle for entrepreneurs, but franchisees benefit from the power of having the backing of an established brand that customers recognize and trust,” First said. “This familiarity lends immediate credibility to new locations, making it easier to build trust and connect with potential customers, resulting in faster customer base growth, positioning them for rapid market success.”

Low risk

Worried that your new company won’t turn a profit? If your business has the familiar logo, layout, aesthetic and equipment of a widely recognized franchise, you should have significantly less trouble finding and retaining loyal customers; they already know and trust the brand. And, of course, with more customers comes more revenue and, hopefully, profit.

“Franchises typically have lower failure rates compared to new independent businesses,” First said. “By following the franchise’s business model and leveraging their support, franchisees often achieve profitability more quickly.”

Extra management and marketing help

In addition to its many storefronts, a franchise likely has a corporate office. This office houses employees who oversee marketing, so you won’t need to hire a marketing expert. The corporate office also houses management and training for all franchise locations, so when you need help on any of these fronts, you have built-in assistance.

“With a franchise, a new business owner receives consistent support before and after the grand opening,” said Ron Holt, founder of the franchises Two Maids & A Mop and Pink Zebra Moving. “Whether it’s regulatory challenges or operational inefficiencies, a franchise brand works directly with a franchisee to ensure the business is following the prescribed business model in order to produce optimal top-line and bottom-line results.”

Franchisor support is one of the key benefits of starting a franchise. “Franchisors supply a suite of ready-to-use resources, including marketing assets, HR guidance, company policies and established business models that help the business get off the ground smoothly and turn a profit quickly,” First explained. “Most franchises provide extensive training, which can be especially valuable for those who may not have experience in the industry.”

Extra purchasing power

The cost of new inventory and supplies is often lower for a franchise. A franchisor may have larger collective buying power than an individual business does, which can result in cost savings when you’re buying large quantities of equipment or other materials. The money saved via that purchasing power is often passed on to franchisees.

Greater autonomy

First pointed out that owning a franchise strikes a middle ground between starting your own business and working for a huge corporation.

“Franchising strikes an ideal balance between entrepreneurial independence and structured business support,” he said. “Franchisees enjoy the benefits of business ownership, including the freedom of leading their local teams, making tailored decisions for their community and supporting local economies — all within the established framework of the proven business model.”

Larger potential support network

Junk and Holt named peer support as a huge advantage of starting a franchise over building your own business from the ground up. “You [always] have a big network of fellow franchise owners to lean on,” Junk said. “These people are going through the exact same journey as you, so you can share best practices, learnings, etc. to help make improvements to your own franchise.”

Franchisees can also learn from other franchisees. That way, they may avoid some of the costly mistakes that could prevent slower growth or profits, Holt added. “Franchise brands typically offer peer support groups, along with virtual and face-to-face group meetings to facilitate communication between franchise owners,” he said.

Ease of scaling

Junk said that, in her experience as YogaSix’s president, she has frequently seen franchisees expand from one to multiple locations. As a franchise owner, you could put yourself on a similar path toward easily scaling your business.

“Once you learn the ropes of a franchise brand and have success, the business model makes it easy to license more locations,” Junk said. “YogaSix has been able to grow very quickly, with owners investing in second, third and more studios after their first.”

Due diligence tips for franchise investors

Before committing to any franchise opportunity, thorough due diligence is essential. The Federal Trade Commission requires franchisors to provide a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least 14 days before any agreement is signed. This document contains crucial information about the franchise’s financial performance, legal history, and obligations.

Review the franchise disclosure document carefully

The FDD contains 23 items covering everything from litigation history to financial performance representations. Pay particular attention to Item 19, which provides earnings claims if the franchisor chooses to disclose them. Also scrutinize Item 7 for all initial investment requirements beyond the franchise fee.

Calculate total investment requirements

Beyond the initial franchise fee, consider working capital needs, equipment costs, marketing expenses, and living expenses during the startup phase. Many franchises require 3-6 months of operating capital in addition to the initial investment.

Understand ongoing fees and royalties

Most franchises charge ongoing royalties ranging from 4% to 12% of gross revenue, plus additional fees for marketing, technology and other services. Calculate how these fees will impact your profitability at different revenue levels.

Evaluate territory rights and restrictions

Understand whether you’ll receive exclusive territory rights or if other franchisees can operate nearby. Some franchises offer protected territories while others allow market saturation. Review any restrictions on online sales, customer solicitation, and business expansion.

Assess training and support systems

Quality training and ongoing support significantly impact franchise success. Evaluate the comprehensiveness of initial training, availability of ongoing education, marketing support and operational assistance. Strong franchisor support can justify higher fees.

Hidden costs to consider

While these franchises have low initial investments, several hidden costs can impact profitability:

• Insurance requirements: Liability, property, and workers’ compensation insurance can add thousands annually
• Technology fees: Software subscriptions, point-of-sale systems, and website maintenance
• Professional services: Accounting, legal, and consulting fees
• Vehicle and equipment maintenance: Ongoing costs for mobile and service-based franchises
• Employee costs: Wages, benefits, training, and turnover expenses
• Marketing beyond required fees: Local advertising and promotional expenses