The Top 15 Franchises Under $25,000

Although buying a franchise can come with a hefty price tag, it doesn’t always have to break the bank. Foodservice naturally comes to mind when thinking about starting a franchise, but there’s a multitude of opportunities across various industries, many of which are mobile-based and therefore don’t require as high of a buy-in.

Commercial cleaning, travel services and real estate — among others — are viable opportunities to engage in franchise ownership without draining your savings. For those looking to explore business ownership through franchising who want to keep their initial investment low, these 15 franchises are a great place to start, based on our 44th Annual Franchise 500 List.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now and take this quiz to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Commercial cleaning

Initial franchise fee: $2,520-$44,000

Initial investment: $4,830-$58,070

Number of U.S. units: 10,418

Explore Ownership with Jan-Pro

Environmentally friendly commercial cleaning and disinfecting

Initial franchise fee: $3,600-$69,000

Initial investment: $4,450-$79,750

Number of U.S. units: 2,472

Explore Ownership with Stratus

Commercial cleaning

Initial franchise fee: $5,015-$31,000

Initial investment: $11,265-$68,250

Number of U.S. units: 1,708

Explore Ownership with Anago

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now and take this quiz to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Travel agencies

Initial franchise fee: $495-$10,500

Initial investment: $1,795-$21,000

Number of U.S. units: 1,616

Explore Ownership with Dream Vacations

Travel agencies

Initial franchise fee: $695-$10,995

Initial investment: $2,295-$23,465

Number of U.S. units: 2,584

Explore Ownership with Cruise Planners

Commercial cleaning

Initial franchise fee: $8,500-$18,500

Initial investment: $9,575-$34,500

Number of U.S. units: 1,475

Explore Ownership with Corvis

Leadership and organizational training and development

Initial franchise fee: $15,000

Initial investment: $20,000-$27,500

Number of U.S. units: 114

Explore Ownership with Leadership Management International

Related: Franchising Could Be the Secret to Reaping the Rewards of a Down Economy. Here Are 5 Reasons Why.

Real Estate

Initial franchise fee: $4,500-$8,750

Initial investment: $16,250-$220,345

Number of U.S. units: 578

Explore Ownership with NextHome

Property and casualty insurance

Initial franchise fee: $10,000-$60,000

Initial investment: $23,100-$173,500

Number of U.S. units: 306

Explore Ownership with Brightway

Recreational billiard leagues

Initial franchise fee: $10,000-$12,000

Initial investment: $22,936-$29,411

Number of U.S. units: 313

Explore Ownership with American Poolplayers

Auto, home, and business insurance

Initial franchise fee: $10,000-$25,000

Initial investment: $12,250-$84,000

Number of U.S. units: 180

Explore Ownership with Estrella Insurance

Related: The Top 5 Hot Franchise Categories for 2023, According to One Industry Expert

Facility services and commercial cleaning

Initial franchise fee: $5,900-$29,600

Initial investment: $8,200-$49,000

Number of U.S. units: 155

Explore Ownership with Jantize America

Special-occasion yard sign rentals

Initial franchise fee: $1,000

Initial investment: $4,150-$9,900

Number of U.S. units: 759

Explore Ownership with Sign Gypsies

Commercial cleaning

Initial franchise fee: $995-$46,995

Initial investment: $2,245-$53,200

Number of U.S. units: 956

Explore Ownership with Buildingstars

Related: A Billionaire Who Operates More Than 2,400 Franchises Knows These Types of Franchisees Make the Most Money

Special-occasion yard sign rentals

Initial franchise fee: $8,000

Initial investment: $9,800-$18,000

Number of U.S. units: 501

Explore Ownership with Card My Yard

For more information on the best franchise opportunities of 2023, check out our 44th Annual Franchise 500 List — a comprehensive list of franchise leaders across various industries. If you’re interested in a big-name brand with decades of history or hopping on the next emerging trend, there’s something for every prospective franchisee.

Related: Here’s How You Can Tell Which Franchise Opportunity Is Best for You