FranchiseDiff

Best Franchises Under $250K

These franchise brands have minimum initial investments under $250,000. Compare their costs, ongoing fees, and FDD changes to find the right fit for your budget.

Showing 81 franchises

Cruise Planners

Travel · 3,009 units · $1.9K - $20.5K

Fee: $10,995Royalty: 1.5%Marketing: 0%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Jackson Hewitt

Tax Services · 5,221 units · $14.9K - $105K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 15%Marketing: 6.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

The UPS Store

Business Services · 5,365 units · $25.2K - $415.9K

Fee: $29,950Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2022

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate

Real Estate · 404 units · $32.9K - $449.5K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Coldwell Banker

Real Estate · 1,814 units · $32.9K - $514.7K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 5.5%Marketing: 0.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

ERA Real Estate

Real Estate · 444 units · $33.4K - $447.1K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 1.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

H&R Block

Tax Services · 8,764 units · $34.1K - $158.8K

Fee: $2,500Royalty: Tiered: 60% first $5K + 40% above; 20% Incentive Rate after 2 Tax SeasonsMarketing: 0%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Century 21

Business Services · 1,734 units · $34.7K - $466.3K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 0.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Goosehead Insurance

Insurance & Financial Services · 1,238 units · $40K - $118.5K

Fee: $60,000Royalty: 20%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2022

Liberty Tax

Insurance & Financial Services · 1,885 units · $42.2K - $61.4K

Fee: $15,000Royalty: 14%Marketing: 5%
23 changes

2024 vs 2021

Snap-on Tools

Automotive · 3,378 units · $45.1K - $67.9K

Fee: $16,000Royalty: none (Snap-on does not charge a percentage royalty on sales)Marketing: none (no advertising fund fee)
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Real Estate · 293 units · $45.3K - $90.4K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 1%
22 changes

2023 vs 2022

Sotheby's International Realty

Real Estate · 710 units · $46.1K - $512.1K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

AlphaGraphics

Business Services · 232 units · $53.5K - $374.2K

Fee: $49,750Royalty: 7%Marketing: 2.5%
21 changes

2024 vs 2023

Fix Auto USA

Automotive · 212 units · $55.1K - $3.1M

Fee: $10,000Royalty: 3%Marketing: 0.75%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

EXIT Realty

Real Estate · 518 units · $60.8K - $209K

Fee: $7,500Royalty: No flat percentage royaltyMarketing: Advertising funded out of Transaction Fees: portion of each Transaction Fee is a
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Kumon

Education & Tutoring · 1,689 units · $73.1K - $165.4K

Fee: $2,000Royalty: Initial Enrollment Royalty Fee: $30/newly enrolled student per reporting monthMarketing: 0%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

The Cleaning Authority

Home Services · 236 units · $76.6K - $147.1K

Fee: $20,000Royalty: 4%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Minuteman Press

Business Services · 743 units · $81.0K - $221.1K

Fee: $48,500Royalty: 6%Marketing: 0%
19 changes

2024 vs 2022

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

Home Services · 363 units · $84.6K - $204.8K

Fee: $43,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 1.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Always Best Care Senior Services

Health & Wellness · 275 units · $89.7K - $145.9K

Fee: $49,900Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Home Instead Senior Care

Health & Wellness · 625 units · $91.0K - $269.8K

Fee: $54,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Engel & Völkers

Real Estate · 237 units · $91.7K - $288.6K

Fee: $35,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Express Employment Professionals

Business Services · 786 units · $91.7K - $598.7K

Fee: $40,000Royalty: 8%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Right at Home

Health & Wellness · 551 units · $92.1K - $165.3K

Fee: $49,500Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Budget Blinds

Home Services · 1,366 units · $100.5K - $211.3K

Fee: $19,950Royalty: 3.5%Marketing: National Monthly payment: Funds drawn on the National Advertising
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Sylvan Learning

Education · 479 units · $100.8K - $226.8K

Fee: $36,900Royalty: 16%Marketing: 8%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

PuroClean

Home Services · 411 units · $101.3K - $262.1K

Fee: $59,000Royalty: 3%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Aire Serv

Home Services · 197 units · $107.3K - $253.1K

Fee: $45,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

HomeVestors of America

Real Estate · 1,003 units · $107.5K - $477.3K

Fee: $85,000Royalty: 0.8%Marketing: Regional spend at least $5,000 per month for advertising is marketing and advert
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Matco Tools

Automotive · 1,829 units · $108.1K - $382.8K

Fee: $10,000Royalty: None (no monthly or periodic royalty)Marketing: None
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

MaidPro

Home Services · 237 units · $109.9K - $158.7K

Fee: $45,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Papa John's

Food & Beverage · 3,291 units · $111K - $853.4K

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 6%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Mathnasium

Education · 972 units · $112.9K - $149.6K

Fee: $49,000Royalty: 10%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2022

GNC

Health & Wellness · 2,300 units · $113.7K - $511.1K

Fee: $20,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 3%
23 changes

2023 vs 2022

Bin There Dump That

Home Services · 226 units · $116.2K - $235.4K

Fee: $29,000Royalty: 0%Marketing: 0%
18 changes

2025 vs 2024

Mr. Appliance

Home Services · 310 units · $116.5K - $214.8K

Fee: $63,750Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Pop-A-Lock

Home Services · 380 units · $117.6K - $190.6K

Fee: $23,000Royalty: 7%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Mr. Rooter Plumbing

Home Services · 218 units · $118.1K - $280.8K

Fee: $42,500Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Amada Senior Care

Senior Care · 203 units · $118.2K - $430.1K

Fee: $57,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Comfort Keepers

Health & Wellness · 619 units · $119.6K - $190.7K

Fee: $55,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Mac Tools

Automotive · 820 units · $122.9K - $346.7K

Fee: $8,000Royalty: 0%Marketing: 0%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Merry Maids

Home Services · 802 units · $126.9K - $170.1K

Fee: $55,000Royalty: 7%Marketing: 1.3%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Kitchen Tune-Up

Home Services · 261 units · $129.9K - $188.8K

Fee: $19,950Royalty: 7%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

9Round

Fitness · 279 units · $130.5K - $390.3K

Fee: $19,900Royalty: $600 per month (flat fee, subject to CPI increases)Marketing: $250 or 2% of Net Sales, whichever is greater, per month
23 changes

2024 vs 2022

BrightStar Care

Senior Care · 408 units · $132.5K - $235.0K

Fee: $50,000Royalty: 5.25%Marketing: 2.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Lawn Doctor

Home Services · 630 units · $133.5K - $149.0K

Fee: $122,000Royalty: 10%Marketing: 5%
23 changes

2024 vs 2022

Molly Maid

Home Services · 448 units · $139.9K - $197.2K

Fee: $14,900Royalty: 3%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Mr. Handyman

Home Services · 347 units · $143.2K - $179.6K

Fee: $65,000Royalty: N/AMarketing: MAP Fee
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Two Men and a Truck

Home Services · 339 units · $146.9K - $506.4K

Fee: $50,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Senior Helpers

Health & Wellness · 360 units · $149K - $201K

Fee: $55,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Auntie Anne's

Food & Beverage · 1,167 units · $149.6K - $624.8K

Fee: $71,000Royalty: 7%Marketing: 1.5%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Mosquito Joe

Home Services · 417 units · $150.2K - $192.1K

Fee: $42,500Royalty: 7%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Ben & Jerry's

Food & Beverage · 151 units · $155.9K - $549.3K

Fee: $39,500Royalty: 3%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2021

Interim HealthCare

Health & Wellness · 230 units · $156K - $239K

Fee: $75,000Royalty: 3.5%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Domino's Pizza

Food & Beverage · 7,043 units · $156.4K - $743.5K

Fee: $10,000Royalty: 5.5%Marketing: 4%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Stanley Steemer

Home Services · 267 units · $158.2K - $522.2K

Fee: $20,000Royalty: 7%Marketing: 4%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Huntington Learning Center

Education · 275 units · $163.5K - $302.2K

Fee: $36,000Royalty: 9.5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Fantastic Sams

Home Services · 512 units · $171.5K - $462K

Fee: $40,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: National Advertising Currently, $146.49 Each Monday or such (Note 1, 3 and 4)
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Code Ninjas

Education · 244 units · $174.8K - $298.3K

Fee: $40,000Royalty: 10%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2022

Kona Ice

Food & Beverage · 1,820 units · $178.9K - $226.8K

Fee: $15,000Royalty: 15%Marketing: $500 per year for KEVs and KEV 2.0 Trucks
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Keller Williams

Real Estate · 773 units · $182.4K - $335.7K

Fee: $35,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 0.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2022

Wetzel's Pretzels

Food & Beverage · 425 units · $183K - $712.5K

Fee: $40,000Royalty: 7%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Supercuts

Personal Care Services · 1,938 units · $185.9K - $323.5K

Fee: $39,500Royalty: 4%Marketing: 5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Great Clips

Home Services · 4,439 units · $187.8K - $419.9K

Fee: $20,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Motel 6

Hospitality · 1,195 units · $195.3K - $1.5M

Fee: $25,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 3%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Maaco

Automotive · 363 units · $196K - $644K

Fee: $45,000Royalty: 8%Marketing: Weekly $1,200, or an amount Payable on the The weekly marketing fee is in
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Jersey Mike's Subs

Food & Beverage · 2,675 units · $203.6K - $1.3M

Fee: $18,500Royalty: 6.5%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Dickey's Barbecue Pit

Food & Beverage · 468 units · $210.1K - $528.6K

Fee: $20,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 3%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Jiffy Lube

Automotive · 2,075 units · $211K - $510K

Fee: $35,000Royalty: 4%Marketing: 1.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

FASTSIGNS

Business Services · 705 units · $215.2K - $377.3K

Fee: $49,750Royalty: 6%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Anago Cleaning Systems

Business Services · 46 units · $219K - $339K

Fee: $98,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2.2%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Wild Birds Unlimited

Retail · 340 units · $224.3K - $379.3K

Fee: $40,000Royalty: 4%Marketing: 1%
23 changes

2024 vs 2021

Meineke

Business Services · 716 units · $224.9K - $1.2M

Fee: $45,000Royalty: 3%Marketing: 8%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

PostNet

Business Services · 198 units · $230.2K - $296.8K

Fee: $39,950Royalty: 5%Marketing: 2%
23 changes

2025 vs 2023

Cinnabon

Food & Beverage · 974 units · $232.7K - $475.7K

Fee: $66,000Royalty: 6%Marketing: 3%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

AAMCO Transmissions

Automotive · 545 units · $236.8K - $361.2K

Fee: $39,500Royalty: 7.5%Marketing: 4%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Subway

Food & Beverage · 19,502 units · $238.6K - $536.7K

Fee: $15,000Royalty: 8%Marketing: 4.5%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

Edible Arrangements

Food & Beverage · 792 units · $240K - $531K

Fee: $30,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 3.5%
23 changes

2024 vs 2023

Cicis Pizza

Food & Beverage · 273 units · $242.1K - $1.0M

Fee: $30,000Royalty: 5%Marketing: 5%
23 changes

2024 vs 2021

Jamba

Food & Beverage · 727 units · $243.4K - $1.1M

Fee: $35,500Royalty: 6%Marketing: 3%
23 changes

2025 vs 2024

This information is extracted from publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). FranchiseDiff does not provide legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may contain errors from automated extraction. Always review the official FDD and consult with a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. All trademarks, logos, and brand names belong to their respective owners.