This story appears in the Spring 2017 issue of Startups. Subscribe >>
Interested in finding a franchise that fits your budget? The following are the top franchises that can be started for less than $50,000, ranked based on the scores their received in the 2017 Franchise 500.
This list is not intended as a recommendation of any particular company. To find the right opportunity for you, regardless of cost, it’s important that you do your due diligence. Carefully read the company’s franchise disclosure document, consult with a franchise attorney and an accountant, and talk to existing and former franchisees about their experiences.
For more budget-friendly franchises, check out our other lists here.
1. RE/MAX
Real estateStartup cost: $37.5K-$224K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 7,217/0
2. Jan-Pro Franchising International
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $3.99K-$51.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,224/0
3. HomeVestors of America
Home buying, repair, and sellingStartup cost: $44K-$347.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 724/0
4. Pillar To Post Home Inspectors
Home inspectionsStartup cost: $33.9K-$42.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 541/0
5. Rooter-Man
Plumbing, drain, and sewer cleaningStartup cost: $46.8K-$137.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 609/3
6. Stratus Building Solutions
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $3.5K-$64.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,508/0
7. Coverall
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $16.8K-$49.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,871/0
8. Cruise Planners
Travel agenciesStartup cost: $2.1K-$22.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,432/1
9. Jazzercise
Group fitness classes, conventions, apparel, and accessoriesStartup cost: $3.5K-$12.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 8,880/0
10. Synergy HomeCare
Nonmedical home careStartup cost: $35.4K-$149.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 338/0
11. Anago Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $10.5K-$65.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned:1,458/0
12. Novus Glass
Auto glass repair and replacementStartup cost: $49.97K-$268.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,953/41
13. Jantize America
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $29.6K-$207K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 291/0
14. Estrella Insurance
Auto, home, and business insuranceStartup cost: $49.95K-$84K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 121/0
15. Vanguard Cleaning Systems
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $10.9K-$39.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,167/0
16. Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet and upholstery cleaning, tile and stone care, granite renewalStartup cost: $31.8K-$155.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 3,498/0
17. CruiseOne/Dream Vacations
Travel agenciesStartup cost: $3.2K-$21.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,090/0
18. Fiesta Auto Insurance and Tax
Insurance and tax-preparation servicesStartup cost: $49.7K-$107.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 155/0
19. Chester’s Chicken
ChickenStartup cost: $3.2K-$21.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 1,116/0
20. You’ve Got Maids
Environmentally friendly residential cleaningStartup cost: $36.4K-$107K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 63/0
21. Mosquito Squad
Outdoor pest controlStartup cost: $29.6K-$69.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 201/0
22. Acti-Kare
Nonmedical home careStartup cost: $33.7K-$52.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 108/0
23. Window Gang
Window, gutter, and dryer-vent cleaning, pressure washing, chimney sweepingStartup cost:$34.4K-$81.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 90/96
24. Bricks 4 Kidz
Lego-engineering classes, camps, partiesStartup cost: $34.5K-$52.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 659/2
25. My Gym Children’s Fitness Center
Early-learning/fitness programsStartup cost: $36.8K-$249.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
26. WIN Home Inspection
Home inspectionsStartup cost: $36.2K-$53.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 192/0
27. N-Hance
Wood floor and cabinet refinishingStartup cost: $24.3K-$147.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 425/0
28. NaturaLawn of America
Organic-based lawn careStartup cost: $42.5K-$112.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 72/8
29. Mr. Sandless/Dr. DecknFence
Interior and exterior sandlesswood refinishingStartup cost:$26.8K-$87.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 250/11
30. National Property Inspections
Home and commercial property inspectionsStartup cost: $43.2K-$47K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 219/0
31. Colors On Parade
Mobile auto paint and dent repairStartup cost: $33.8K-$103K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 229/10
32. Property Management Inc.
Commercial, residential, and association property managementStartup cost: $19.4K-$60K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 153/2
33. Buildingstars International
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $2.2K-$53.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 682/0
34. H&R Block
Tax preparation, electronic filingStartup cost: $31.5K-$149.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 4,208/6,614
35. Club Z! In-HomeTutoring Services
In-home tutoringStartup cost: $33.6K-$57.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 388/0
36. Soccer Shots Franchising
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 8Startup cost: $31.8K-$39K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 172/9
37. Jet-Black Franchise Group
Asphalt maintenanceStartup cost: $43K-$100.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 88/10
38. SuperGlass Windshield Repair
Windshield repair, glass scratch removal, headlight lens repairStartup cost: $9.9K-$31K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 325/0
39. Little Kickers
Preschool soccer programsStartup cost: $23.2K-$34.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 251/1
40. Engineering for Kids
Math, science, technology, and engineering activitiesStartup cost: $27.2K-$93.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 152/1
41. Coffee News
Weekly newspapers distributed at restaurantsStartup cost: $9.8K-$10.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 834/5
42. Oxi Fresh Franchising
Carpet, upholstery, hardwood floor, tile, and grout cleaningStartup cost: $38.9K-$66.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 298/6
43. Drama Kids International
After-school drama classes and summer campsStartup cost: $28.6K-$48.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 216/0
44. AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services
Home inspectionsStartup cost: $46.8K-$58.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 271/0
45. CEO Focus
Peer consulting groups for small-business ownersStartup cost: $41.5K-$63K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/1
46. GarageExperts
Garage cabinets, floor coatings, organization productsStartup cost: $48.1K-$85.98K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 34/0
47. Lil’ Angels Photography
School, childcare, and family photographyStartup cost: $36.3K-$40.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 59/0
48. Concrete Raising of America
Concrete raising, leveling, stabilizing, and repairs; cement grout injectionStartup cost: $34.9K-$249.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 16/3
49. Aire-Master of America
Restroom odor-control and maintenanceStartup cost: $39.6K-$142.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 105/7
50. Interior Magic International
Auto appearance reconditioningStartup cost: $33.1K-$100.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
51. Flower Tent
Flower storesStartup cost: $30.9K-$69.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 61/9
52. Town Money Saver
Direct-mail advertisingStartup cost: $5.7K-$17K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/0
53. Wine & Design
Paint-and-sip studiosStartup cost: $46.2K-$95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 64/1
54. The Decor Group
Holiday and event lightingStartup cost: $19.6K-$62.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 259/0
55. Leadership Management
Leadership and organization training and developmentStartup cost: $20K-$27.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 463/0
56. HappyFeet Legends International
Soccer programs for ages 2 to 18Startup cost: $22.5K-$29.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 165/3
57. Rhea Lana’s Franchise Systems
Children’s consignment eventsStartup cost: $18.1K-$36.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 74/3
58. OpenWorks
Commercial cleaning, facility servicesStartup cost: $17K-$124.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 343/7
59. Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network
Restoration of textiles and electronicsStartup cost: $45.6K-$235.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 156/0
60. Kinderdance International
Movement/educational programsStartup cost: $17.95K-$46.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 136/2
61. Proforma
Printing and promotional productsStartup cost: $4.7K-$50.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 675/0
62. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems
Children’s and maternity consignment eventsStartup cost: $32.8K-$45.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 148/0
63. Unishippers Global Logistics
Shipping servicesStartup cost: $45K-$421.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 206/109
64. BirthdayPak
Direct-mail advertisingStartup cost: $34.9K-$135.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 14/2
65. Duct Doctor USA
Residential and commercial air-duct cleaningStartup cost: $41K-$136.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/0
66. Touching Hearts At Home
Nonmedical home care for seniors and people with disabilitiesStartup cost: $48.4K-$69.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/0
67. Happy & Healthy Products
Frozen fruit barsStartup cost: $49.7K-$92.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 58/0
68. The Glass Guru
Window and glass restoration and replacementStartup cost: $37.3K-$135.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
69. Amazing Athletes
Educational sports programsStartup cost: $39.4K-$52.9K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 95/0
70. Bloomin’ Blinds
Window-covering sales, installation, and repairsStartup cost: $47.4K-$111.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 14/1
71. Pet Butler
Pet-waste cleanup and removalStartup cost: $30K-$42K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 130/0
72. FranNet
Franchise consultingStartup cost: $44.3K-$81.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 66/0
73. SandFree
Wood floor refinishingStartup cost: $40.6K-$64.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 13/1
74. Street Corner
Convenience storesStartup cost: $45.6K-$1.5M
Total franchises/co.-owned: 38/1
75. Mint Condition Franchising
Commercial cleaning, building maintenanceStartup cost: $4.9K-$45.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 330/0
76. RSVP Publications
Direct-mail advertisingStartup cost: $44.4K-$176K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 89/0
77. Image One Facility Solutions
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $34.4K-$103.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/0
78. CleanNet USA
Commercial cleaningStartup cost: $17.98K-$46.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 2,549/10
79. eMaids
Residential cleaningStartup cost: $29.9K-$64.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 9/2
80. Masterpiece Mixers Paint & Party Studios
Paint-and-sip studiosStartup cost: $27.6K-$65.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 11/4
81. CompuChild
Science, technology, engineering, art, and math classesStartup cost: $18.3K-$33K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 42/1
82. Assist-2-Sell
Discount real estateStartup cost: $24K-$45.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 158/1
83. OMEX - Office Maintenance Experts
Commercial cleaning and maintenance managementStartup cost: $40.4K-$70.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 24/1
84. The Grout Medic
Grout and tile maintenance, restorationStartup cost: $24.7K-$57.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 56/0
85. Homes & Land
Real estate marketing magazinesStartup cost: $47.5K-$116K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 194/15
86. TGA Premier Junior Golf
Golf enrichment programsStartup cost: $19.3K-$72.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/2
87. Get A Grip Franchising
Countertop, cabinet, tub, tile, and shower resurfacingStartup cost: $43.6K-$92.7K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 18/1
88. Home Cleaning Centers of America
Residential and commercial cleaningStartup cost: $32.8K-$34.8K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 30/0
89. Payroll Vault
Payroll servicesStartup cost: $31.95K-$74.2K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 27/1
90. Squeegee Squad
Residential and high-rise window cleaning, building maintenanceStartup cost: $38K-$135.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 50/3
91. In Home Pet Services
Pet-sitting, dog-walkingStartup cost: $9.2K-$35.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 12/1
92. Abrakadoodle
Art-education programsStartup cost: $37.8K-$80.5K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 220/2
93. Critter Control
Wildlife management, pest controlStartup cost: $23.7K-$94.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 100/5
94. Young Rembrandts Franchise
Drawing classes for ages 3 to 12Startup cost: $41.3K-$48.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 103/0
95. Fetch! Pet Care
Pet-sitting, dog-walkingStartup cost: $37K-$44.3K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 96/6
96. Inspect-It 1st
Property inspectionsStartup cost: $32.4K-$43.4K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 29/0
97. Two Maids & A Mop
Residential cleaningStartup cost: $47.1K-$127.95K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 28/1
98. Surface Specialists
Bathtub repair and refinishing, tub liners, bath remodelingStartup cost: $43.2K-$56K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 44/0
99. Sculpture Hospitality
Bar and restaurant management solutionsStartup cost: $43.4K-$57.1K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 369/5
100. The BrickKicker Home Inspection
Residential and commercial inspections, related servicesStartup cost: $16.8K-$44.6K
Total franchises/co.-owned: 41/1 
Tracy Stapp Herold
Tracy Stapp Herold is the special projects editor at Entrepreneur magazine. She works on franchise and business opportunity stories and listings, including the annual Franchise 500.
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