25 Best Franchise Opportunities for Sale Under $20k

Do you want to start a business by buying a franchise that cost less than $20k? If YES, here are 25 best franchise opportunities for sale under $20k. One of the downsides to buying a franchise is that franchising is expensive. Of course you do not expect a business to let you build on their already established reputation while making use of their marketing skills all for nothing.

If you want to skip the difficult stage of starting a new business, then you should be ready to cough out the money to build on someone else’s suffering. But then again, not all franchises are terribly expensive. There are indeed franchises that can fit any budget size.

If you want to buy the franchise of an established business, but you do not have thousands of cash to lay down, you might want to take a look at these franchises that are between $11k to $20k. When going this low, you have to do your research to ensure you get a viable franchise that can make you money in the long run.

25 Best Franchise Opportunities for Sale Under $20k and Their Cost

  1. Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots is among one of the low cost but successful franchises in the united states. This franchise business is a children’s soccer program that aims at teaching children football skills as well as keeping them fit and active.

Franchisees of the company are given access to many tools to aid them in the day-to-day success of their business including online training and curriculum guides, online enrollment and payment, a custom-built customer communications portal and more. Soccer Shots is ranked number one in the Children’s Fitness Category by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required – $15,000

  1. Parisi Speed School

Bill Parisi started Parisi Speed School in 1992 by offering free clinics and seminars on speed training and motivation for high school athletes. Parisi Speed Schools offer training to improve speed, coordination, agility, flexibility and endurance for children who are 7-years-old and up, adults, and even professional athletes.

Over the years, the company has opened three more facilities while also combining health clubs with Parisi Speed Schools. He began franchising the concept in 2005.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $20,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $6,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – $600 per month
  • Ad Royalty Fee – $600 per month

  1. Pawn Castle

Pawn Castle is a pawn shop that sells and buys valuables and pays with cash. They can buy gold, jewelry, laptops, precious stones, old cash etc from people, and pay cash for it. In their franchise agreement, the franchisee owns 80 percent of the company and gives Pawn Castle 20 percent stock fun ownership to be invested back into the business.

Financial Requirements

  • Up front fee: $10,000
  • Monthly fee: 5 percent of gross

  1. Valley Goldmine

Valley Goldmine is a gold jewelry and precious metals buyer. The company provides a six figure income potential as a provider of a high demand, upscale service in a billion dollar, recession proof industry. The ongoing royalty for Valley Goldmine is 300%. The low end of the total investment required to open a new franchise is $19,565.  In total, there are 8 units of this franchise open today.

Valley Goldmine is a premiere jewelry buyer that is based in Phoenix, Arizona. With three locations, a proven history of fair prices, and great customer service, you will get the cash you need in a safe, secure environment. They do not resell jewelry to the public, so they don’t have inventory costs, store front costs or high employee costs.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid capital required – $20,000
  • Total investment – $19,565 – $47,105
  • Royalty – 300.0% – 600.0%

  1. Jani-King

Jani-King International, Inc. is an American cleaning service that provides commercial cleaning and janitorial services. It offers office and building cleaning, hotel and resort housekeeping, healthcare environmental services, manufacturing and facility cleaning, bank cleaning, stadium and event cleaning, government building cleaning, retail store cleaning, restaurant cleaning, and school and university cleaning services.

Founded in the late 1960s, Jani-King is today one of the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchise company with more than 10,000 franchisees and serving tens of thousands of customers. Jani-King’s Unit Franchise opportunity provides individuals with a proven plan, training and support to build a successful commercial cleaning business of their own.

Financial requirements

  • Investment – $16,250
  • Franchise fee – $16,250
  • Sales Royalty – 10% of monthly Gross Revenue
  • Advertising – 2% of monthly Gross Revenue

  1. Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Vanguard Cleaning Systems is a company that provides corporate cleaning and janitorial services in 38 states in the US and Canada. The company cleans offices and businesses for small, mid-sized and large companies. Vanguard Cleaning Systems provides office cleaning services, as well as carpet cleaning, hard wood floor care, window washing and power washing.

Vanguard Cleaning Systems franchises are found throughout North America, and offer their clients quality commercial and residential cleaning at competitive prices. Clients may sign short-term or long-term cleaning or janitorial contracts for office buildings, multi-tenant facilities, and healthcare offices. Franchises may also perform bond cleaning services.

Financial requirements

  • Liquid capital required – $2,800
  • Investment – $8,200 to $38,100
  • Franchise fee – $8,000

  1. The BrickKicker

The BrickKicker was founded in Naperville, Illinois in 1989 with the goal of offering homebuyers and sellers professional, and timely home inspections. The BrickKicker’s mission of providing professional, quality home inspections and helping people achieve their dreams intelligently has become a tradition among those who are part of the nationally recognized franchise network.

The BrickKicker has developed a proven strategy for training its inspectors and has equally developed a curriculum supported by a dynamic classroom interaction, hands-on labs, field-tested exposure and an apprenticeship others can only mimic.

Len Franckowiak founded the Home Building Institute (HBI), a school that taught about the different facets and trades of home building. One of the courses at HBI, Old House Rehab, dealt with the inspection and analysis of old houses.

Realtors would take the class to learn about older homes and would often call on Franckowiak for his insight into the condition of a property. Through these consultations, Franckowiak saw the need for a home inspection service and, with the help of Ronald Ewald, started BrickKicker in 1992.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $16,750
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $12,000 – $27,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 2%
  • Veteran Discount – $2,000 to $4,000 off franchise fee

  1. Instant Tax Service

Instant Tax Service specializes in providing professional tax preparation, refund anticipation loans and expedited refund. Known to be a low-cost business venture, Instant Tax Service has become a major competitor, providing customers with outstanding service and instant results. Today Instant Tax provides both in-person and online filing services across the entire United States.

Founded in Cincinnati by Fesum Berhane Ogbazion, an Ethiopian native, in 1994, Instant Refund Tax Service was created while Ogbazion was pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Cincinnati. Over the next five years, Ogbazion opened 26 additional locations throughout Ohio and Northern Kentucky and in 1999 Ogbazion sold his business to Jackson Hewitt. The next year Ogbazion moved to Dayton, Ohio and founded Instant Tax Service.

Financial Requirements

  • Liquid capital required – $15,000
  • Net worth required – $10,000

  1. Background Screeners of America

The Background Screeners of America is a background checking business that is based in the United States. This business franchise specializes on the provision of background screening for individuals, businesses and organizations. The mode of business transaction for this franchise is mostly online based.

Background Screeners of America is a low cost, work from home business opportunity that costs $19,950. There are no royalties, and no profit sharing involved in the franchise. The cost of the business enables you to own your business and profits outright.

There is no inventory requirement and your overhead is minimal (a phone and computer only are required). The company provides a thorough training package, as well as a dedicated training and support.

As a Background Screeners of America business owner, you will have the assistance of a back office team to help with background searches, marketing and getting clients to sign on the dotted line. Much of the training and support is designed to help you generate clients and cash flow.

Financial requirements

  • Total Investment: $19,950
  • Cash Required: $19,950

  1. Jazzercise Inc.

While teaching traditional jazz dance classes in Evanston, Illinois, in 1969, Judi Sheppard Missett turned her students away from the mirrors and started a “just for fun” class that incorporated dance moves to provide aerobic exercise.

After moving to Southern California, she started training other instructors in the Jazzercise program in 1977. Six years later, the company began franchising. Now Jazzercise’s CEO, she continues to teach weekly Jazzercise classes and choreograph new dance routines.

Based in Carlsbad, California, Jazzercise’s instructors teach its total-body conditioning program to almost half a million participants each year in the United States and more than 30 other countries. Jazzercise instructors are trained and certified before becoming franchised.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $2,405 – $17,155
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $1,250 – $1,250
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 20%

  1. Coffee News

Coffee News was started by Jean Daum in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1988. She began franchising in 1994. In 1995, Bill Buckley became the first U.S. franchisee. He bought the company from Daum in 2008, and Coffee News headquarters is now based in Bangor, Maine. Coffee News is a free weekly publication distributed in restaurants, coffee shops and hotels.

In addition to ads for local businesses, it contains news stories, jokes, trivia and horoscopes. Coffee News offers in-house financing to cover franchise fee and startup costs.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $10,750 – $11,750
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $9,500 – $9,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – $40-$80/wk.
  • Veteran Incentives – Three-year 0% financing for 2nd through 5th units

  1. TSS Photography, LLC

TSS Photography is the leader in youth sports, school, and event photography for over 30 years. The company specializes in team picture days, sports photography, school photography, special events, and tournament photos.

Here are just a few of the many TSS Advantages: immediate cash flow, no royalties, low overhead, proven Business model, comprehensive training program, etc. If you love photography, enjoy working with kids, or have an interest in sports, now you can enjoy a picture perfect future as a franchise owner with TSS Photography.

Financial Requirements

  • Start up cost: $20,000

  1. Results! Travel

Results! Travel is part of the Travel Leaders Franchise Group, which also franchises Travel Leaders. Existing travel agencies can become franchisees of Results! and gain access to the company’s resources, suppliers, training and technology while maintaining their own business name.

Results! Travel presents investors with a means to achieve greater revenue for the sales they get. Results! Travel offers their businesses the chance to override agreements with carriers who carry over half of the U.S. air traffic. They also provide them overrides on car rentals, lucrative commission structures with tour companies and cruise lines. And a hotel program with preferred rates and last-room availability at major hotel groups.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $10,400 and up
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $1,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – to $300/yr.

  1. Travel Leaders

In 1872, Georges Nagelmackers began his company, Wagons-Lits, to install sleeping compartments in European trains. A few years later, he created the Orient Express. In 1888, Ward G. Foster founded Ask Mr. Foster, a travel agency based in St. Augustine, Florida.

Each company expanded–Wagonlit throughout Europe and Africa, Ask Mr. Foster across the United States and Europe. Carlson Companies Inc. purchased Ask Mr. Foster in 1979; the company changed its name to Carlson Travel Network in 1990.

Carlson Travel Network and Wagonlit Travel merged in 1997, forming Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Then in 2008, that company joined with Travel Leaders and Tzell Travel Group to form what is known today as the Travel Leaders franchise.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $2,270 – $16,910
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $1,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – to $1K/mo.
  • Ad Royalty Fee – $109-$274/mo.

  1. Rhea Lana’s

Rhea Lana Riner, now president and CEO of Rhea Lana’s, which holds events to consign used clothing, got the idea for the company after inviting her friends over to buy and sell their children’s clothes in her home, according to the company’s website. In 1997, she turned the idea into a business. Now, the Arkansas-based company boasts 80 franchises in 21 states.

Financial Requirements

  • Cash Requirement: $10,000 – $13,500
  • Total start-up investment: $18,050 – $36,050

  1. Frontier Adjusters

Independent claims adjusters has joined the Frontier Adjusters network to earn business and referrals. All claims adjusters must be able to handle casualty and property insurance issues, tackling an average of 150,000 assignments each year.

Some of the services Frontier Adjusters network members provide include property estimates, vehicle appraisals, catastrophe evaluations, and complex casualty claims. When customers turn to Frontier Adjusters for a referral, they can have the confidence that the claim adjuster they are assigned to is an expert in the field and will provide honest, quality work.

Financial Requirements

  • Investment: $6,680 – $20,130
  • Franchise fee: $5,000
  • Liquid capital required: $5,000

  1. Mattress By Appointment

Mattress By Appointment™ has grown with an industry that has increased every year for the past 30 years. One out of ten people are looking for a mattress everyday! Mattress By Appointment offers a significant savings to its customers.

Mattress By Appointment™ consists of a network of independent business owners who have an extreme competitive advantage over traditional retail sleep shops and furniture stores. Their low overhead business model and results driven advertising strategy simply cannot be beat by any competitor. As a dealer with Mattress By Appointment™, you work independently and create your own schedule.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Investment: $7,500 – $15,000
  • Initial Investment: $7,500

  1. Hotel Key Kaddy

Metro Marketing has developed a patented product for the hotel industry. It’s called the Hotel Key Kaddy. Upon check-in, hotels across America are give out their patented product, Hotel Key Kaddy, with their room keys.

10,000 Hotel Key Kaddys are provided, free of charge, to hotels, saving them thousands of dollars and serves as a one of a kind effective marketing tool. Businesses are showcased on the Hotel Key Kaddy in full color, with discounts that are being referred by the front desk daily. The company is looking for enthusiastic individuals that are seeking a $6,000 per week residual income. The $18,900 investment could be recovered in up to 30-45 days.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required – $18,900

  1. Hang Up Garment Covers

Hang up garment covers may be one of the most amazing business opportunities in the history of everything. The company prides itself for having no franchise fee, no royalties and no competition. Being first to market in your exclusive territory, a $300,000 annual net income could be yours.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required – $12,900

  1. Teddy Bear Mobile

Kids get to stuff their very own teddy bear with the teddy bear mobile exclusive lightweight portable stuffing machine. With millions of children born every day, this idea will never grow old. Their teddy bear system teaches new franchisees how to sell hundreds of teddy bears in just 2 hours each and every day. Teddy Bear Mobile provides over 15 years of combined experience in the mobile teddy bear stuffing industry.

They are said to operate their business with the highest level of integrity, honesty, customer care and support. They are on the look out for highly motivated and capable people who would enjoy our same mission. Make A Bear Mobile LLC, donates a percentage of profitable income each holiday season to local hospitals and homes delivering products and money to those in need of a smile.

Financial Requirements

  • Min. Cash Required: $14,500

  1. Health Wealth Vending

Health Wealth Vending Machines are the perfect business opportunity for anyone serious about starting their own healthy vending business. Health Wealth Vending offers a turnkey business opportunity for anyone looking to cash-in on the healthy snack craze.

Everyone from schools, office buildings and shopping malls are seeking out healthy alternatives to offer their customers, visitors, students and employees. With Health Wealth Vending you can cash in on this growing industry with your own healthy vending business.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $11,295

  1. CTi

Concrete Technology Inc, or CTI for short, has developed a special resurfacing coating that repairs concrete and turns it into something stunning. With CTI coatings, franchisees can turn concrete into beautiful brick-lined walks, create designer patterns and textures, and even apply special effects for something unique.

The special coatings can be manipulated during application to be as smooth, glossy, or as textured as needed and can replicate other types of materials.

Instead of having to break up and remove damaged concrete, CTI franchisees simply apply the coating and transform old, damaged concrete into a new surface. There are many, many design options, from faux brick, granite, or marble to traditional concrete looks.

The coating is durable and protects the underlying concrete from further damage. Resistant to salt, thawing and freezing cycles, water and oil damage, and fading, CTI’s coatings make concrete last much longer. And because it comes in many colors and can be applied in even hot environments, franchisees can also choose pale colors that make the surface cooler to the touch, perfect for areas around pools or for homes.

Franchisees get the benefits of constant training from CTI through long distance learning programs that bring new techniques to life. Since the coatings are so versatile, franchisees and CTI are always looking for new ways to use the coatings to produce beautiful end products for their customers.

With so many options, there are thousands of things to learn and perfect. CTI provides ongoing training in new techniques to keep franchisees up to speed after extensive on-boarding training during the initial franchise setup period.

Financial Requirements

  • Total investment cost – $15,000

  1. Global Financial Training Program

Global Financial Training Program will train you to run your own business and arrange loans for businesses who need money to grow. You will get paid up to 15% for every deal you make, creating the potential for unlimited income.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $19,950

  1. Mirage-LLC

Mirage system was launched 20 years ago by their parent company Stampcrete International, Ltd which has been in business for 35 years. Stampcrete is a global leader in manufacturing decorative concrete equipment and materials. Mirage System has been time tested and has a dealer that has been installing the systems for the past 20 years trouble free.

The company decided to start franchising after having two decades of trouble free installations along with a proven marketing plan that actually gets dealers jobs. Mirage system has been formulated for the northern half of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required – $19,995

  1. HOS Solutions

Consider starting a high demand and completely automated fundraising business that helps local schools, churches, and other non-profits fund-raise effectively with a proprietary and turnkey program. HOS Solutions is an ideal work-from-home business that provides cutting edge tools and access to their state-of-the-art fundraising platform that allows their owners to build equity in a profitable business that can offer low overhead and the opportunity to build a residual income stream.

Financial Requirements

  • Minimum Cash Required: $20,000

  1. Lil’ Angels Photography

Lil’ Angels Photography is a network of franchise owners specializing in children portraiture. Taking its state-of-the-art set-up on site to preschools, daycares, and other child care centers, each franchise provides professional studio quality portraits at school picture prices.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Lil’ Angels Photography offers a number of benefits that make it very attractive to prospective franchise owners such as low investments, home-based nature of business, complete control of scheduling, a great product, protected territories and valuable tools, training and support.

Financial Requirements

  • Net-worth Requirement – $15,000 – $20,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $15,000