Cheapest Franchises to Own

Cheapest Franchises Ranked by Total Investment

$73,373 to over $5 million is the range of traditional franchise investments on this site, starting with Kumon at the low end. The table below ranks traditional franchises from cheapest to most expensive based on the low end of total initial investment listed in each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Non-traditional models like Chick-fil-A's operator program are listed separately below.

Non-Traditional Models (Not Standard Franchises)

These brands use alternative ownership structures that differ significantly from traditional franchising. They are listed separately because the economics, ownership rights, and risk profiles are fundamentally different.

Investment figures are based on the most recent publicly available Franchise Disclosure Documents. Actual costs vary by location, market, and build-out requirements.

Cheapest Franchises Under $100,000

$10,000 to $84,235 gets you into the most affordable franchise tier. These are the brands where you can become a franchise owner without six-figure capital, though each model comes with its own set of trade-offs.

Chick-fil-A sits alone at the top of this list with a total investment of just $10,000. But the catch is significant: Chick-fil-A is not a traditional franchise. The company owns the restaurant, the land, and the equipment. You are selected as an operator, not an owner. You pay $10,000 to become a hands-on manager with a profit-sharing arrangement, but you do not build equity in the business and cannot sell or transfer your location. The acceptance rate is under 1%, making it one of the most competitive franchise applications in the country.

7-Eleven starts at $47,550, which is one of the lowest entry points among convenience store franchises. The low end represents smaller-format stores in less competitive markets. However, the high end stretches to $1,149,900, so total costs depend heavily on the store format and location. 7-Eleven's model includes ongoing inventory financing that helps reduce the upfront capital requirement.

Kumon costs $73,373 to $154,825 to open, making it one of the most affordable brick-and-mortar franchise concepts. Kumon tutoring centers operate in leased retail spaces and do not require specialized build-outs, commercial kitchens, or expensive equipment. The franchise fee is just $2,000, which is the lowest on this entire list. The business runs on a simple model: students come to the center for structured math and reading practice using Kumon's proprietary worksheets.

Visiting Angels requires $84,235 to $125,735 in total investment. As a home care franchise, Visiting Angels does not need a retail storefront, commercial kitchen, or significant equipment. The business operates from a small office space, and most services are delivered at clients' homes. This keeps overhead low compared to food or retail franchises. The model focuses on non-medical home care for seniors, a market segment that continues to grow as the population ages.

Cheapest Franchises Under $250,000

$112,750 to $241,900 is the investment range for the next tier of affordable franchises. This group includes some well-known food brands alongside education and service concepts.

Mathnasium costs $112,750 to $148,110 in total investment. Like Kumon, Mathnasium is a tutoring center model with low build-out costs and a small retail footprint. The franchise fee is higher at $49,000, but the overall investment stays under $150,000 thanks to minimal equipment and inventory requirements. Mathnasium focuses specifically on math instruction for students from elementary school through high school.

Domino's is one of the cheapest restaurant franchises at $119,950 to $461,700. The low-end figure makes Domino's one of the few pizza chains where you can get started for around $120,000. Domino's locations are built for delivery and carryout, so they do not need expensive dining room build-outs. The brand's strong delivery infrastructure and digital ordering platform give franchisees a built-in customer acquisition system.

Great Clips requires $177,250 to $398,300. Hair salons have a straightforward build-out compared to restaurants, and Great Clips benefits from a walk-in model that does not depend on appointments. The brand has over 4,400 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

The UPS Store costs $177,955 to $402,595. This retail services franchise benefits from a well-known brand and a diverse revenue model that includes shipping, printing, mailbox services, and notary. Locations are typically in strip malls and require modest build-outs.

Rita's Italian Ice starts at $200,000 and tops out at $522,000. The seasonal frozen treats model has lower build-out costs than full-service restaurants, especially for walk-up window formats. Rita's operates primarily on the East Coast and in the Sun Belt.

Papa John's requires $202,200 to $818,100. Like Domino's, Papa John's locations focus on delivery and carryout, which keeps the build-out costs lower than dine-in restaurants. The franchise fee is $25,000, and ongoing royalties are 5% of gross sales.

Jersey Mike's costs $209,482 to $770,072. Jersey Mike's is one of the fastest-growing sandwich franchises in the country, with strong same-store sales growth in recent years. The brand's made-to-order sub sandwiches have built a loyal customer base, and locations range from small strip mall units to larger inline spaces.

Subway requires $233,050 to $504,900 in total investment and charges one of the lowest franchise fees in the industry at $15,000. Subway has more U.S. locations than any other restaurant chain, though the brand has been closing underperforming stores and focusing on higher-quality locations. The relatively low build-out cost makes Subway accessible to first-time franchisees.

Crumbl Cookie costs $227,550 to $567,875. Crumbl has been one of the fastest-growing franchise brands in recent years, driven by its rotating weekly cookie menu and strong social media presence. Locations are built around an open-kitchen concept where customers watch cookies being made.

Cinnaholic requires $241,900 to $488,500. This vegan cinnamon roll franchise occupies a niche in the desserts category with customizable toppings and a plant-based menu. Locations are relatively small and do not require complex kitchen equipment.

Cheapest Franchises Under $500,000

$248,491 to $439,250 covers the mid-range franchise investments. Many popular food and fitness brands fall in this tier, offering a balance between brand recognition and startup affordability.

Firehouse Subs costs $248,491 to $775,132. The brand, now owned by Restaurant Brands International (the same parent company as Burger King and Popeyes), benefits from corporate-level supply chain and marketing support. The franchise fee is just $20,000.

Jamba requires $249,500 to $523,700. Jamba smoothie locations operate in malls, strip centers, and non-traditional venues like airports and college campuses. The smaller footprint keeps build-out costs manageable compared to full-service restaurants.

Burn Boot Camp costs $249,700 to $513,700 for its group fitness franchise model. The brand targets women and uses a camp-style workout format in dedicated gym spaces. Fitness franchises generally have simpler build-outs than restaurants but require significant investment in flooring, equipment, and HVAC systems.

Five Guys requires $306,200 to $641,300. Five Guys is a fast-casual burger brand known for its customizable burgers and hand-cut fries. The franchise does not use freezers (everything is served fresh), which simplifies kitchen equipment but increases food costs. The brand's loyal following and strong average unit volumes make it attractive despite the higher investment.

Wingstop costs $389,300 to $867,800. Wingstop has been one of the strongest performers in the QSR chicken wing category, with high average unit volumes and a delivery-forward model. The brand's digital sales mix is among the highest in the restaurant industry, which helps drive efficiency.

Swig requires $439,250 to $852,500 for its custom soda and treats concept. Swig has grown rapidly from its Utah roots, building a cult following for its dirty sodas and cookies. The drive-thru-focused model keeps labor costs lower than traditional QSR.

What Makes a Franchise "Cheap"?

$10,000 to $250,000 is generally considered the "low-cost" franchise range, but the sticker price only tells part of the story. Understanding what goes into franchise costs helps you compare apples to apples when evaluating opportunities.

Total Investment vs. Franchise Fee

The franchise fee is the one-time upfront payment to the franchisor for the right to use their brand and system. It typically ranges from $2,000 (Kumon) to $60,000 (Burn Boot Camp). But the franchise fee is almost always a small fraction of the total investment. The total investment includes build-out, equipment, inventory, insurance, training, working capital, and other startup costs. Subway charges just $15,000 in franchise fees, but the total investment starts at $233,050. Always focus on total investment, not franchise fee, when comparing costs.

Ongoing Costs Matter More Than Startup Costs

Royalty fees, advertising fund contributions, technology fees, and required vendor purchases are ongoing costs that eat into your margins every month. A franchise with a $100,000 startup cost but a 10% royalty rate may cost you more over ten years than a franchise with a $300,000 startup cost and a 4% royalty. Some franchises also require periodic renovations, equipment upgrades, or rebranding that add to long-term costs.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

Read the Franchise Disclosure Document carefully. Common hidden costs include mandatory technology platform fees, required minimum advertising spending, lease guarantees that the franchisor requires, insurance minimums that exceed standard business coverage, and training costs for additional staff beyond the initial program. Some franchisors also charge transfer fees, renewal fees, or audit fees that are not obvious during the initial sales process.

Low Investment Does Not Mean Low Risk

A cheap franchise is not automatically a safe investment. Some low-cost franchise systems have high failure rates, weak unit economics, or limited brand recognition that makes it hard to attract customers. The best measure of franchise quality is not the entry price but the financial performance of existing franchisees. Item 19 of the FDD, if the franchisor provides it, shows revenue and sometimes profitability data for current locations. Not all franchisors disclose this information, and the ones that do not are worth questioning.

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