Craters & Freighters franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Craters & Freighters franchise fee is $35,000 to $45,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $207,000 to $390,000, with about $50,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Craters & Freighters FDD.
What are the Craters & Freighters franchise fees and investment?
The Craters & Freighters franchise requires a franchise fee of $35,000 to $45,000 and a total initial investment of $207,000 to $390,000. 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) | $35,000 to $45,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $207,000 to $390,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $50,000 |
| US locations | 65 |
| Industry | Business Services |
| Headquarters | Golden, Colorado |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Franchising since | 1991 |
How does the Craters & Freighters investment compare with other business services franchises?
Craters & Freighters's minimum investment of $207,000 is above the median minimum investment of $67,093 across the 220 business services franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 31 of the other 219 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $35,000 compares with an industry median of $35,000.
By minimum investment, Craters & Freighters belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Craters & Freighters FDD?
Verify six parts of the Craters & Freighters 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 Craters & Freighters 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 Craters & Freighters?
These business services franchises have the closest minimum investment to Craters & Freighters:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Image360 | $40,000 to $45,000 | $206,765 to $502,239 |
| Spherion | $30,000 to $60,000 | $211,725 to $423,925 |
| Flexwerk | $60,000 | $201,300 to $422,700 |
| TheHomeMag | $30,000 to $100,000 | $199,000 to $349,000 |
| FASTSIGNS | $49,750 | $215,194 to $377,334 |
See every brand in business services franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Craters & Freighters franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Craters & Freighters franchise ranges from $207,000 to $390,000, including a franchise fee of $35,000 to $45,000, 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 Craters & Freighters franchise?
Craters & Freighters lists a minimum of about $50,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Craters & Freighters locations are there?
Craters & Freighters reported 65 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 Craters & Freighters been franchising?
Craters & Freighters started offering franchises in 1991 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. Craters & Freighters and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Craters & Freighters. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.