Culligan franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Culligan franchise fee is $0 to $38,515 and the total initial investment ranges from $130,000 to $813,515, with about $60,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Culligan FDD.
What are the Culligan franchise fees and investment?
The Culligan franchise requires a franchise fee of $0 to $38,515 and a total initial investment of $130,000 to $813,515. 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) | $0 to $38,515 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $130,000 to $813,515 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $60,000 |
| US locations | 551 |
| Industry | Home Services |
| Headquarters | Rosemont, Illinois |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Franchising since | 1986 |
How does the Culligan investment compare with other home services franchises?
Culligan's minimum investment of $130,000 is above the median minimum investment of $112,373 across the 516 home services franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 200 of the other 515 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $0 compares with an industry median of $45,000.
By minimum investment, Culligan belongs with franchises from $100,000 to $250,000.
What should you verify in the Culligan FDD?
Verify six parts of the Culligan 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 Culligan 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 Culligan?
These home services franchises have the closest minimum investment to Culligan:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Tune-Up | $19,950 | $129,930 to $188,850 |
| Security 101 | $59,500 | $130,100 to $235,000 |
| Hello Garage | $49,500 | $130,828 to $160,334 |
| Ecomaids | $94,950 | $129,149 to $150,949 |
| Ace Handyman Services | $70,000 to $100,000 | $131,997 to $223,797 |
See every brand in home services franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Culligan franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Culligan franchise ranges from $130,000 to $813,515, including a franchise fee of $0 to $38,515, 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 Culligan franchise?
Culligan lists a minimum of about $60,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Culligan locations are there?
Culligan reported 551 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 Culligan been franchising?
Culligan started offering franchises in 1986 after the company was founded in 1986.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Culligan and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Culligan. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.