Bartercard franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Bartercard franchise fee is $40,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $99,450 to $227,450, with about $25,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Bartercard FDD.
What are the Bartercard franchise fees and investment?
The Bartercard franchise requires a franchise fee of $40,000 and a total initial investment of $99,450 to $227,450. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $99,450 to $227,450 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $25,000 |
| US locations | 21 |
| Industry | Business Services |
| Headquarters | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Franchising since | 1996 |
How does the Bartercard investment compare with other business services franchises?
Bartercard's minimum investment of $99,450 is above the median minimum investment of $67,093 across the 220 business services franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 74 of the other 219 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $40,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
What should you verify in the Bartercard FDD?
Verify six parts of the Bartercard Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Bartercard discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Bartercard?
These business services franchises have the closest minimum investment to Bartercard:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Retirement Income Source | $25,000 | $100,400 to $225,500 |
| M3Linked | $70,000 | $102,837 to $115,160 |
| TaxLeaf.com | $40,000 | $95,488 to $166,825 |
| Money Pages | $50,000 to $100,000 | $104,700 to $240,500 |
| Social Indoor | $50,000 to $95,000 | $94,050 to $310,700 |
See every brand in business services franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Bartercard franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Bartercard franchise ranges from $99,450 to $227,450, including a franchise fee of $40,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Bartercard franchise?
Bartercard lists a minimum of about $25,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Bartercard locations are there?
Bartercard reported 21 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Bartercard been franchising?
Bartercard started offering franchises in 1996 after the company was founded in 1991.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Bartercard and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bartercard. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.