ScorecardWorth It?HistoryDatabaseCompareDistress Signals
TechnologyLimited DataItem 19: ✓ DisclosedMedium Confidence · 75/100FDD data: 2025 · Fresh

CITY PUBLICATIONS Franchise Cost and Profit

FDD-based startup cost, franchise fee, revenue, profit, SBA default rate, and investment risk signals for CITY PUBLICATIONS.

Based on 2025 FDD · 8 filings in corpus

FranchiseIQ Score
49
D
High Risk
Composite score from 3 risk dimensions. Click for breakdown ↓
Health Score
D
41/100
5/7 metrics · High confidence
Full analysis unlocks:
✓ Cash-on-Cash return
✓ Payback period
✓ SBA default rate
✓ Red flags assessment
✓ Comparable franchises
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Cost and profit at a glance

How much does a CITY PUBLICATIONS franchise cost and make?

Based on FDDIQ's FDD corpus, a CITY PUBLICATIONS franchise shows an estimated initial investment of $46K – $270K. The franchisor does not provide enough Item 19 data for a clean profit estimate. Use the links below to compare the cost, revenue, SBA loan history, and ROI against other franchises before you request the full FDD.

Startup Cost
$46K – $270K
Total initial investment
Profit / Revenue
Item 19 not disclosed
FDD Item 19 signal
Payback Signal
Estimate unavailable
Modeled return metric
SBA Default Rate
28.6%
Loan repayment history
Compare franchise costs →Estimate franchise ROI →Check SBA default rates →Browse Technology franchises →Compare similar franchises →

Quick fee read: $89K franchise fee · 6% royalty/ad burden. These figures are directional screening data, not a substitute for reading the current FDD and speaking with existing operators.

Free decision snapshot

Before you talk to CITY PUBLICATIONS, check the numbers buyers usually miss.

The unlocked report ties this brand's FDD disclosures to SBA outcomes, Item 20 movement, fee load, missing-data labels, and buyer assumptions — so you can decide whether this is worth deeper diligence.

FDD disclosure qualitySBA default outcomesItem 20 unit movementFee/cost stressComparable brands
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Total Investment Range$46K – $270K
MinMid: $158KMax

Key Metrics

Franchise Fee
$89K
Royalty Rate
6%
Ad Fund Rate
-
Total Burden
6.0%
Royalty + ad fund
Units (2023)
36
-2 vs prior yr
Net Unit Growth
↓ -5.4%
Year over year
Net Closure Rate
5.3%
From FDD Item 20
Cash-on-Cash Return
~8–15%
Annual estimated return
Payback Period
~5–12 yrs
Break-even timeline
SBA Default Rate
28.6%
vs ~7.2% industry avg
Median Revenue
~$800K–$2M
Item 19 disclosed
Red Flags Assessment
HIGH: SBA default rate 28.57% · MEDIUM: Significant unit decline
HIGH ×1MED ×1
Premium Data

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CoC ReturnPayback PeriodSBA Default RateMedian RevenueEbitda MarginRisk Score
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Estimated using sector-average margins. Actual franchise economics vary by location, operator, and market conditions.

CITY PUBLICATIONS vs. Technology Average

MetricCITY PUBLICATIONSTechnology Avg
SBA Default Rate28.6%▼7.2%
Cash-on-Cash Return - 15.5%
Total Investment$158K$250K

Industry averages based on FranchiseIQ corpus benchmarks. ▲ = better than avg, ▼ = worse.

SBA Loan Performance

Real lending data from SBA 7(a) loans (2015-2024). 10 loans across 6 states.

Default Rate
28.6%
High Risk
Total SBA Loans
10
6 states
Total Loan Volume
$2.1M
SBA 7(a) approved
Avg Loan Size
$207K
Per franchisee
Loan Status Breakdown
5
Paid in Full (50%)
3
Currently Active
2
Charged Off (10.1% by $)
$208K
Total Charged Off ($)
● Paid● Active● Charged Off

Source: SBA 7(a) loan data via FOIA. Default rate = charged-off loans / total originated. Industry avg default rate ~7.2%.

Compare

CITY PUBLICATIONS vs Tender SoftwareCITY PUBLICATIONS vs techJOYnTCITY PUBLICATIONS vs Franchise Creator

Similar Franchises · Technology

Tender Software
Limited Data
$8K–$29K
techJOYnT
Limited Data
$156K–$223K
Franchise Creator
$38K–$45K
Tender Software
$8K – $29K
techJOYnT
$156K – $223K
Franchise Creator
$38K – $45K
SONITROL SECURITY, INC.
$50K – $220K

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Questions to Ask Before You Sign

5 data-driven questions every CITY PUBLICATIONS franchise buyer should ask.

  1. 1.What is CITY PUBLICATIONS's SBA default rate compared to its competitors?Learn more →
  2. 2.Does CITY PUBLICATIONS disclose Item 19 financial performance representations?Learn more →
  3. 3.What is the net unit growth trend over the past 3 years?Learn more →
  4. 4.What is the franchisee termination and transfer rate per Item 20?Learn more →
  5. 5.What do the FDD litigation disclosures (Item 3) reveal about franchisor legal history?Learn more →
Generate attorney questions for CITY PUBLICATIONS →Validation call guide →
Data sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) submitted to state franchise regulators. SBA loan data from public SBA 7(a) records. Information reflects the most recent FDD filing in our database and may not reflect current terms. Always verify with the franchisor's current FDD before making any investment decision. Not legal or financial advice.

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