Counselor franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Counselor franchise fee is $7,500 to $15,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $22,850 to $105,700, with about $10,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Counselor FDD.
What are the Counselor franchise fees and investment?
The Counselor franchise requires a franchise fee of $7,500 to $15,000 and a total initial investment of $22,850 to $105,700. 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) | $7,500 to $15,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $22,850 to $105,700 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $10,000 |
| US locations | 11 |
| Industry | Real Estate |
| Headquarters | Coon Rapids, Minnesota |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Franchising since | 2002 |
How does the Counselor investment compare with other real estate franchises?
Counselor's minimum investment of $22,850 is at or below the median minimum investment of $97,161 across the 116 real estate franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 104 of the other 115 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $7,500 compares with an industry median of $34,750.
By minimum investment, Counselor belongs with franchises under $50,000.
What should you verify in the Counselor FDD?
Verify six parts of the Counselor 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 Counselor 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 Counselor?
These real estate franchises have the closest minimum investment to Counselor:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Frontier Adjusters | $15,000 | $21,500 to $30,450 |
| Realean | $19,900 | $24,710 to $40,220 |
| Property Sellwise | $49,500 | $25,200 to $122,500 |
| Mossy Oak Properties | $5,000 to $15,000 | $20,250 to $72,250 |
| JPAR Real Estate | $6,250 to $27,500 | $17,940 to $235,400 |
See every brand in real estate franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Counselor franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Counselor franchise ranges from $22,850 to $105,700, including a franchise fee of $7,500 to $15,000, 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 Counselor franchise?
Counselor lists a minimum of about $10,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Counselor locations are there?
Counselor reported 11 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 Counselor been franchising?
Counselor started offering franchises in 2002 after the company was founded in 1964.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Counselor and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Counselor. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.