Best Franchises Under $500K

Compare franchise opportunities under $500,000 total investment. FDD-verified data on fees, royalties, revenue, and SBA default rates for 1,000+ qualifying brands.

The $250K–$500K investment range is where franchising gets serious. You're past the entry-level service concepts and into established QSR, fitness, beauty, and specialty retail brands with proven unit economics and multi-unit development potential.

Our FDD corpus shows 1,000+ brands in this bracket - more than any other single investment tier. The key advantage at $500K is optionality: you can choose between high-margin asset-light service models and higher-revenue brick-and-mortar concepts, depending on whether you prioritize cash-on-cash return or absolute EBITDA.

At this level, Item 19 financial performance disclosures become the critical filter. Skip any brand that won't show you actual franchisee revenue data - there are too many transparent alternatives to gamble on undisclosed economics.

How to use this list

1. Start with total cash required

The franchise fee is only one line item. Compare the full investment range, build-out, equipment, opening inventory, and working capital before you shortlist a brand.

2. Check earnings disclosure

Prioritize brands with Item 19 data, stable unit growth, and transparent franchisee economics. A cheap franchise without revenue disclosure is not automatically a good deal.

3. Pressure-test risk

Use SBA default rates, royalty burden, and payback period to separate affordable franchises from fragile ones.

Find franchises by budget →Model ROI →Check SBA default risk →

3,444 franchises match·FDD-verified data·Updated 2026

#	Brand	Franchise Fee	Investment Range	Royalty	Total Investment
1	QFA Royalties LLC Individual Unit Franchise Program Other High Confidence	$10K	$20K – $250K	7.0%	$135K
2	That Something Other Medium Confidence	$25K	$27K – $258K	7.0%	$143K
3	Orozco's QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence	$0	$25K – $268K	6.0%	$146K
4	Zenshi AFC Advanced Fresh Concepts Wild Blue Other Medium Confidence	$6K	$45K – $251K	N/A	$148K
5	Bevaris Alliance Other No Item 19Medium Confidence	$5K	$45K – $252K	10.0%	$148K
6	Bean Bastard Coffee QSR No Item 19Medium Confidence	$29K	$8K – $293K	5.0%	$151K
7	Talem Home Care Home Services Limited DataMedium Confidence	$45K	$52K – $250K	5.0%	$151K
8	Howard Hanna Real Estate Associates, LLC Real Estate Medium Confidence	$25K	$45K – $259K	N/A	$152K
9	GBC Food QSR Medium Confidence	$5K	$26K – $279K	N/A	$153K
10	Yummi Go Gourmet Other Limited DataMedium Confidence	$5K	$26K – $279K	N/A	$153K
11	Chicago Doughnut QSR Low Confidence	N/A	$39K – $267K	N/A	$153K
12	Re MAX FDD For Use In Northern Illinois Other Medium Confidence	$35K	$45K – $266K	1.0%	$155K
13	REMAX FDD For Use In Northern Illinois Real Estate Medium Confidence	$35K	$45K – $266K	1.0%	$155K
14	ATC Healthcare Services Health/Wellness Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$50K	$10K – $303K	4.5%	$156K
15	Galardi Group Franchise Corp Wienerschnitzel Other Medium Confidence	$10K	$60K – $252K	5.0%	$156K
16	Supreme Deli QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence	$50K	$28K – $288K	N/A	$158K
17	CITY PUBLICATIONS Technology Limited DataMedium Confidence	$89K	$46K – $270K	6.0%	$158K
18	Red Barn Other Medium Confidence	$35K	$59K – $258K	N/A	$159K
19	Red Barn Homebuyers, LLC Real Estate Medium Confidence	$35K	$59K – $258K	N/A	$159K
20	Arthur Murray Dance Studio Fitness Limited DataHigh Confidence	$100K	$71K – $252K	8.0%	$162K
21	Arthur Murray Education/Tutoring Limited DataHigh Confidence	$599	$71K – $253K	8.0%	$162K
22	Restoration 1 Water Damage Experts Home Services High Confidence	$60K	$18K – $310K	7.0%	$164K
23	Salty Paws Ice Cream Truck QSR Limited DataHigh Confidence	$35K	$72K – $256K	6.0%	$164K
24	Salty Trucks Other High Confidence	$35K	$72K – $256K	6.0%	$164K
25	Chester's QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence	$4K	$28K – $302K	N/A	$165K
26	Novus Franchising 2 LLCNovus And Novus Glass Other High Confidence	$11K	$58K – $272K	6.0%	$165K
27	Signal Health Group Health/Wellness High Confidence	$25K	$40K – $290K	5.0%	$165K
28	Pizza Guys Franchises QSR High Confidence	$25K	$68K – $263K	5.0%	$165K
29	Novus Automotive Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$11K	$59K – $274K	6.0%	$166K
30	Nowlogy Clinic Health/Wellness Medium Confidence	$40K	$71K – $262K	7.5%	$167K
31	Nowlogy Technology Limited DataMedium Confidence	$40K	$71K – $262K	7.5%	$167K
32	CENTRO CLINIC LLC Health/Wellness Medium Confidence	$13K	$24K – $310K	14.0%	$167K
33	American Leak Detection Home Services Limited DataMedium Confidence	$120K	$77K – $260K	10.0%	$168K
34	i4 Search Group Staffing High Confidence	$50K	$65K – $271K	0.1%	$168K
35	Snowfox QSR No Item 19High Confidence	$100K	$5K – $335K	5.0%	$170K
36	JFE Other Medium Confidence	$100K	$5K – $335K	20.0%	$170K
37	JFE Sushi Box Snow Fox QSR Medium Confidence	$100K	$5K – $335K	N/A	$170K
38	ONE HOUR HEATING AND AND AIR CONDITIONING ONE HOUR AIR CONDI Home Services High Confidence	$43K	$71K – $270K	6.0%	$171K
39	WINE AND DESIGN Retail Limited DataHigh Confidence	$25K	$70K – $272K	6.0%	$171K
40	Ck Sales Other Medium Confidence	N/A	$58K – $286K	N/A	$172K
41	FLOWERS BAKING CO. OF OXFORD, INC. Retail Medium Confidence	$50K	$58K – $286K	N/A	$172K
42	CRITTER CONTROL Pet Services Limited DataHigh Confidence	$75K	$94K – $250K	9.0%	$172K
43	Wheel Repair Solutions Home Services Medium Confidence	$25K	$81K – $264K	5.0%	$172K
44	DryJect Management Other High Confidence	$30K	$46K – $302K	8.0%	$174K
45	DryJect Home Services Limited DataMedium Confidence	$30K	$46K – $302K	8.0%	$174K
46	ONE HOUR HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Home Services Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$43K	$74K – $274K	6.0%	$174K
47	Yogibo Retail Revenue OnlyMedium Confidence	$10K	$77K – $273K	1.0%	$175K
48	Merle Norman Cosmetics Beauty/Salon Limited DataMedium Confidence	N/A	$89K – $260K	N/A	$175K
49	Dd BEAUTY CARE Beauty/Salon Medium Confidence	N/A	$63K – $286K	8.0%	$175K
50	TFW Other High Confidence	$35K	$70K – $280K	10.0%	$175K
51	Certified Flooring Replacement Network, LLC Home Services Medium Confidence	$35K	$97K – $254K	7.0%	$176K
52	We Clean Heat Pumps Cleaning/Janitorial Limited DataHigh Confidence	$30K	$85K – $268K	6.0%	$176K
53	FBC Other Medium Confidence	$30K	$99K – $254K	6.0%	$176K
54	HBCT USA Other Medium Confidence	$25K	$93K – $261K	5.0%	$177K
55	Legacy Environmental Solutions IncArea Rep Other Low Confidence	N/A	$82K – $272K	N/A	$177K
56	Novus Novus Glass Other High Confidence	$11K	$70K – $285K	6.0%	$177K
57	Steri-Clean Cleaning/Janitorial Limited DataHigh Confidence	$80K	$89K – $266K	8.0%	$177K
58	Pizza Hut Non-Traditional QSR Medium Confidence	$5K	$51K – $304K	10.0%	$177K
59	William Raveis Real Estate Real Estate Medium Confidence	$25K	$75K – $281K	6.0%	$178K
60	ServiceMaster ResidentialCommercial Services Limited Partnership Home Services Medium Confidence	N/A	$77K – $280K	10.0%	$178K
61	MMI-CPR, LLC dba Cell Phone Repair Retail High Confidence	$20K	$77K – $279K	5.8%	$178K
62	Cell Phone Repair Retail No Item 19High Confidence	$20K	$77K – $279K	5.8%	$178K
63	BluTaco QSR Limited DataLow Confidence	$0	$9K – $349K	N/A	$179K
64	Neighborhood Barre Fitness Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$49K	$94K – $266K	7.0%	$180K
65	Raquel Symone Franchises Other High Confidence	$39K	$110K – $251K	6.0%	$180K
66	Trademark INT PTT Ab Dba Husse Pet Services Medium Confidence	$10K	$52K – $309K	5.0%	$180K
67	AIRA FITNESS Fitness Limited DataHigh Confidence	$30K	$49K – $312K	N/A	$180K
68	Craft Beer Stellar Casual Dining Limited DataMedium Confidence	$25K	$71K – $290K	2.0%	$180K
69	HOME INSTEAD Senior Care Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$54K	$91K – $270K	5.0%	$180K
70	Mister Sparky Health/Wellness Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$33K	$85K – $277K	6.0%	$181K
71	Alliance Franchise Brands LLC (RSVP) Retail Medium Confidence	$15K	$96K – $265K	7.0%	$181K
72	MyFitl8 Fitness Limited DataLow Confidence	$15K	$92K – $270K	N/A	$181K
73	T3 MARTIAL ARTS Fitness Limited DataMedium Confidence	$30K	$103K – $259K	6.0%	$181K
74	AD2019 Other Medium Confidence	$50K	$88K – $275K	7.0%	$182K
75	Roto-Rooter Corporation Nd Home Services Medium Confidence	$25K	$98K – $266K	N/A	$182K
76	PUROCLEAN Cleaning/Janitorial Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$59K	$101K – $262K	0.1%	$182K
77	NWS Other Medium Confidence	$27K	$78K – $286K	6.0%	$182K
78	Bella Bridesmaids Cleaning/Janitorial Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$50K	$103K – $262K	4.0%	$182K
79	SEVA BEAUTY, LLC Beauty/Salon Medium Confidence	$39K	$114K – $251K	6.0%	$183K
80	Dahan Hospitality Travel Medium Confidence	$25K	$98K – $268K	6.0%	$183K
81	G B Tokani Other Medium Confidence	$40K	$102K – $266K	10.0%	$184K
82	EGL USA, LP Other Limited DataMedium Confidence	$50K	$100K – $270K	6.0%	$185K
83	Nest Realty Real Estate No Item 19Medium Confidence	$25K	$86K – $284K	4.5%	$185K
84	Cryoluxe Health/Wellness No Item 19Medium Confidence	$15K	$115K – $256K	5.0%	$185K
85	BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING Home Services Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$43K	$85K – $287K	6.0%	$186K
86	One Hour Air Conditioning And Heating One Hour Heating And Air Conditioning Home Services High Confidence	$43K	$85K – $287K	6.0%	$186K
87	One Hour Air Conditioning Franchising SPE Home Services High Confidence	$43K	$85K – $287K	6.0%	$186K
88	Benjamin Franklin Franchising SPE Other High Confidence	$43K	$85K – $287K	6.0%	$186K
89	StretchMed Fitness Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$50K	$118K – $253K	6.0%	$186K
90	Enviro-Master Cleaning/Janitorial Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$60K	$121K – $252K	6.0%	$186K
91	pokemix QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence	$25K	$101K – $272K	6.0%	$186K
92	Security Dash Technology Limited DataMedium Confidence	$60K	$113K – $260K	8.0%	$187K
93	Delta Development Other Medium Confidence	$45K	$116K – $257K	7.0%	$187K
94	Freedom Learning Other Medium Confidence	$55K	$98K – $275K	8.0%	$187K
95	ActionCOACH OneCo LLC Firm Business Coach Financial Services High Confidence	$75K	$71K – $303K	10.0%	$187K
96	Cuppa Juice Cold Pressed Juicery QSR Limited DataMedium Confidence	$25K	$114K – $261K	6.0%	$187K
97	Painting with a Twist Home Services Limited DataHigh Confidence	$25K	$119K – $256K	6.0%	$187K
98	EnviroLogik Cleaning/Janitorial Limited DataMedium Confidence	$50K	$109K – $266K	6.0%	$187K
99	Level UP Learning Education/Tutoring Limited DataMedium Confidence	$49K	$87K – $288K	7.0%	$187K
100	The Vital Stretch Fitness Revenue OnlyHigh Confidence	$55K	$97K – $278K	7.0%	$187K

Showing 100 of 3,444 brands. View all →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best franchises under $500K?

Top franchises under $500K include established fitness concepts (Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness), QSR brands (Taco Bell, Dunkin'), beauty and wellness studios (Amazing Lash Studio, Massage Heights), and home service brands with multi-unit models. The best choice depends on whether you want owner-operator cash flow or semi-absentee scalability.

Can you make money with a $500K franchise?

Yes - many brands in this tier show median franchisee revenues of $500K–$1.5M according to Item 19 FDD data. Cash-on-cash returns typically range from 15–35% for well-run locations. The key is verifying actual franchisee performance through the FDD's Item 19 before committing.

How do $500K franchises compare to cheaper options?

The $250K–$500K tier typically offers stronger brand recognition, more comprehensive franchisor support, and higher absolute revenue than sub-$250K concepts. The trade-off is higher capital at risk and often longer break-even periods. Multi-unit operators frequently start in this tier because the economics support portfolio growth.

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Last updated: April 2026