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Top 10 Cheapest Franchises to Open Under $100K in 2025 — Affordable Opportunities

When it comes to opening a business, a franchise is considered to be the cream of the crop. It comes with an already-established brand value and a built-in support system that increases the success rate. But usually owning a franchise takes a lot of investment, and finding a profitable as well as cheapest franchise to open is an uphill battle. 

Therefore, we have stepped in and presented you with the list of the cheapest franchises to start. So without any further discourse, let’s directly hop on the list along with taking a peek at the consideration factors. 

Understanding the Realm of Franchise Extensively 

A franchise is a business license that gives the other party, the franchisee, the rights to use the name, brand, operational structure, and other functional business elements. 

In return for obtaining the logo, name, and brand value, the franchisee pays a franchise fee and royalty fees to the franchiser. In simple words, the franchise is like a contract that allows a party to use the name and goodwill of a company in return for initial fees and royalties.

While understanding the franchise business model, people often confuse it with the branch business model. But actually, both of these are completely different. 

In a branch business model, the parent company fully owns a branch in shares and also bears the complete liabilities, whereas, in a franchise, a party purchases the operational rights of a company. The party that owns the rights is called the franchisee, and the company whose rights are owned is called the franchiser. However, the franchiser doesn’t own the businesses of franchisees.

Which Is the Cheapest Franchise to Open with the Lowest Startup Costs?

Town Money Saver is the cheapest franchise to open with the lowest total startup investment. With the aggregate investment of $17,000, you can make your franchise business completely operational. The complete setup will be established with this much sum of money and your business will be good to go.

10 Cheapest Franchise to Open Under the Budget of $100K

Although the budget of $100K is taken on the lower side of the chart, there are hundreds of options available to open an inexpensive franchise. Here is the list of the most inexpensive franchises to open under the budget of $100K for profit maximization. 

10 Cheapest Franchise Startup Investment Information

S. No.	Franchise Name	Total Startup Investment
1	Town Money Saver	$5,700 to $17,000
2	Dream Vacations	$2,590 to $21,870
3	Cruise Planners	$2,295 to $23,465
4	Rhea Lana’s	$28,675 to $45,900
5	SuperGlass Windshield Repair	$50,000
6	United Country Real Estate	$10,875 to $50,380
7	Stratus Building Solutions	$3,450 to $53,800
8	Image One	$43,625 to $61,225
9	TSS Photography	$20,415 to $74,725
10	PatchMaster	$82,000 to $105,500

Town Money Saver is a direct mail advertising company that delivers exciting deals and offers right in your mailbox. The services are pivotal for all the small firms aiming at widening their customer base. 

If you are looking for the cheapest franchise to open, Town Money Saver should be your ultimate choice. This franchise has been awarded with FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s “10 Year’s Hall of Fame” and “Top Franchises.”

Type of Business	Advertising Company
Total Startup Investment	$5,700 to $17,000
Minimum Requirement	$8,200
Royalty Fee	Varies
Number of franchises in the USA	37
Type of Franchise	Direct-mail advertising franchise

Fond to satisfy its customers since its establishment in 1929, going with the Dream Vacations franchise could be the cheapest franchise to open. Known for dealing in both land and cruise vocations, this home-based travel agency’s franchise starts at $495.

Awarded with the “Top Franchises For Veterans,” “Most Innovative Franchises,” “Top Low-Cost Franchises,” etc., Dream Vacations is rated with an impeccable score of 93 out of 100 on FranchiseBusinessREVIEW.

Type of Business	Travel
Total Startup Investment	$2,590 – $21,870
Minimum Requirement	$3,500
Royalty Fee	1.5% – 3% of the annual commissionable sales
Number of franchises in the USA	1,954
Type of Franchise	Home-based travel agency

Another home-based travel agency that is the least expensive franchise to start is Cruise Planners. With their intriguing travel plans, they have created a strengthened reputation in their customer base. Its strong goodwill and lowest total investment franchise opportunity make it one of the cheapest franchises to open in the USA.

To support the reliance and trustworthiness of the Cruise Planners franchise, FranchiseBusinessREVIEW has rated it with an immense score of 99 out of 100.

Type of Business	Travel
Total Startup Investment	$2,295 – $23,465
Minimum Requirement	$10,995
Royalty Fee	1.5% – 3% of the annual commissionable sales
Number of franchises in the USA	2,500
Type of Franchise	Home-based travel agency

Rhea Lana’s is a children’s consignment event business that allows businesses to sell the outgrown clothing of families at cheap prices. Known for providing extensive support, which includes proprietary software for event management, marketing, and operational guidance, along with training, the franchise is one of the most inexpensive franchises. 

To further support the satisfying operations of Rhea Lana’s, we present you the FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s awards: “Top Low-Cost Franchise,” “Top Franchise Recession-Proof,” “Most Innovative Franchises,” “Hall of Fame,” and “Best in Category.”

Type of Business	Children’s consignment event business
Total Startup Investment	$28,675 – $45,900
Minimum Requirement	$19,500
Royalty Fee	1% – 3% of the gross sales
Number of franchises in the USA	Over 120
Type of Franchise	Consignment event franchise

Renowned as one of the best windshield repair companies in the USA, SuperGlass Windshield Repair offers mobile services to its customers. The company was established in 1992 and has been successful in satisfying its customers. Furthermore, it also accommodates their franchisee training programs. 

Type of Business	Glass Repair
Total Startup Investment	$50,000
Minimum Requirement	$9,910
Royalty Fee	6% of annual sales and 3%–5% of the cost of material
Number of franchises in the USA	Over 300
Type of Franchise	Windshield glass repair business

Considering the light-shedding FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s awards of United Country Real Estate like “Top Low-Cost Franchises,” “Franchise Rock Star,” and “Top Franchises for Veterans,” the franchise can easily be engraved with the title cheapest franchise to open in the USA. 

Established in 1989, United Country Real Estate has helped buyers and sellers choose from a wide range of properties, like vacation homes, land, ranches, farms, hunting properties, waterfront properties, recreational properties, and over 40 more. 

Type of Business	Real-estate franchise marketing
Total Startup Investment	$10,875 – $50,380
Minimum Requirement	$15,000
Royalty Fee	2% – 12%
Number of franchises in the USA	466
Type of Franchise	Real Estate

Stratus Building Solutions is a US-based company that serves commercial janitorial services to their clients. With one of the highest growth rates and low investment costs, it is one of the most profitable as well as least expensive franchises to start.

What’s commendable about Stratus Building Solutions is that they provide two franchise options: Janitorial Unit Franchise and Master Franchise.

The unique approach has led to being awarded FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s “Top Franchises for Veterans,” “Most Profitable Franchises,” and “Top Franchises.” 

Type of Business	Cleaning
Total Startup Investment	$3,450 – $53,800
Minimum Requirement	$4,450
Royalty Fee	5%
Number of franchises in the USA	3,641
Type of Franchise	Commercial cleaning service franchise

Image One is a national commercial cleaning service franchise that has witnessed a great positive growth rate since its services started in 2010. Their annual average sale of $200K is another factor that makes it the best available franchise opportunity available.

Considering the ROI of the Image One franchise, it is the least expensive franchise to start in 2025. Its FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s awards include “Most Innovative Franchises,” “Top Low-Cost Franchises,” and “Franchise Rock Star.”

Type of Business	Cleaning
Total Startup Investment	$43,625 to $61,225
Minimum Requirement	$50,000
Royalty Fee	10% of the total annual sales
Number of franchises in the USA	Over 100
Type of Franchise	Commercial cleaning service franchise

TSS Photography, a well-known name in the photography industry that has been dominating event photography, is a pioneer franchise opportunity for those looking for inexpensive franchises. Since its establishment in 1984, they have been serving schools, sports, and other different types of events. 

The annual sales of $148,222 are the attention-grabbing feature of this franchise, which helped it get a rating of 78 out of 100 from FranchiseBusinessREVIEW. 

Type of Business	Photography Services
Total Startup Investment	$20,415 – $74,725
Minimum Requirement	$10,500
Royalty Fee	Varies
Number of franchises in the USA	156
Type of Franchise	Events photography franchise

Looking for an inexpensive franchise to open in the USA but haven’t been exposed to the top drywall service business, PatchMaster. Newcomers entering the world of franchises also get ease with the franchise of PatchMaster, as it offers complete training to its franchisees.

The drywall services of PatchMaster are available all over the USA, making an average annual sales of over $200K.

Its FranchiseBusinessREVIEW’s award list includes “Top Low-Cost Franchises” and “Top Franchises.”

Type of Business	Drywall repair company
Total Startup Investment	$82,000 – $105,500
Minimum Requirement	$50,000
Royalty Fee	Starts at 9%
Number of franchises in the USA	Over 125
Type of Franchise	Home service franchise

Considerations for Selecting a Franchise 

Just randomly deciding on the cheapest franchise to open can end up the other way around. Thus, we have mentioned some factors to put into consideration before taking any potential action: 

• Franchise Fee: This is the amount of fee that a franchiser charges to the potential franchisees for using its logo, name, and other useful resources. Carefully analyze the fee and evaluate the other options with the same franchise fees.

• Demand: Before picking any particular franchise, evaluate its market demand. It is concerned with how a large portion of the community demands the products and services of the franchiser. Choose a franchise that has a high popularity, as it can benefit you to generate higher sales. 

• Local Competition in the Market: A franchise’s revenue and profits are largely affected by the competition in the local market. Thus, look if there is no or low level of competition in the area. 

• Training and Support: One of the biggest considerations for choosing a franchise is the training and support provided by the franchiser. Not all the franchiser’s training and support quality are the same. Go through the reviews of other franchisees to find out the quality of training and support. 

• Contact Existing Franchises: Without any hesitation, reach out to the previous and currently owned franchisees to collect their review about the franchise. Franchisee reviews play a pivotal role in estimating average annual revenue, customer satisfaction, and other crucial aspects. 

• Brand Reputation: Look out for a franchise with a strong brand presence, customer relations, and positive feedback. This directly reflects a sense of credibility and trustworthiness among the customers, resulting in a heightened scale of annual sales and profit. 

• Possibility of Growth: The growth rate is an important metric and factor in deciding a franchise. It showcases the potential, competitiveness, and sustainability of franchises in the market. 

• Location: Always search for a franchise that is not available to a certain coverage area, which means your chosen franchise should not be already available near your location. Otherwise, it will cut off a major portion of your generated revenue. 

• Setup Investment: The setup investment fee is also an integral consideration for acquiring a franchise. It includes costs like contractor fees, signage, inventory, furniture, installations, equipment, legal aspects and accounting fees, travel expenses, area development fees, and deposit agreements.

Wrapping Up

After making a decision from the aforementioned list of the cheapest franchises to open, you need to look at the considerable factors to decide whether the chosen option fits well with you or not. Looking into these factors can make setting up easier with a prior estimation of all the challenges.