Franchises under $50,000: low-cost franchise opportunities
Short answer: Across 437 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database (compiled October 2026), the median minimum initial investment is $31,300 and the median starting franchise fee is $15,000. The lowest starting investment in this group is Mood Media at $0.
This list includes franchises whose total initial investment starts below $50,000, based on the low end of each brand's Item 7 range. The high end of the range is usually the better planning figure.
What do franchises in this group cost?
Franchises in this group have a median minimum investment of $31,300, a median starting franchise fee of $15,000 and a median liquid cash requirement of $10,000, calculated from 437 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database. Medians use the low end of each brand's reported range.
Which franchises are on the list?
The table sorts 437 franchises from the lowest to the highest starting investment, 100 per page. This page shows brands 401 to 437.
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment | Min. cash | US units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azal Coffee | $25,000 | $47,750 to $153,250 | $15,000 | 1 |
| Sears Handyman Solutions | $35,000 to $70,000 | $47,900 to $135,300 | $15,000 | 15 |
| Tapsnap | $17,500 | $47,948 to $208,128 | $20,000 | N/R |
| Bitcoin STEM | $30,000 | $48,000 to $139,500 | $15,000 | N/R |
| Drama Kids | $42,500 | $48,000 to $57,000 | $10,000 | 41 |
| Orthotic & Prosthetic Clinics Of America | $0 to $35,000 | $48,000 to $206,000 | $20,000 | 2 |
| Motivera Search Group | $25,000 | $48,100 to $66,750 | $10,000 | 3 |
| Pada Sushi | $20,000 | $48,100 to $101,350 | $10,000 | 40 |
| Ceiling Guru | $54,900 | $48,150 to $101,500 | $10,000 | 1 |
| Gym Skills | $25,000 to $37,500 | $48,150 to $295,500 | $20,000 | 3 |
| Nathan's BMP | $7,500 | $48,150 to $90,500 | $10,000 | 75 |
| WOW Windowboxes | $60,000 | $48,150 to $120,405 | $15,000 | N/R |
| Brilliant Minds Academy | $25,000 | $48,200 to $170,500 | $15,000 | 6 |
| SVN | $30,000 | $48,500 to $124,150 | $15,000 | 126 |
| Aira Fitness Center | $30,000 | $48,694 to $311,850 | $25,000 | 16 |
| Robothink | $35,000 | $48,700 to $120,500 | $15,000 | 15 |
| Fastrackids | $24,000 to $30,000 | $48,717 to $203,517 | $15,000 | N/R |
| Showhomes | $19,995 | $48,895 to $158,095 | $15,000 | 19 |
| Link Staffing | $35,000 | $49,000 to $199,000 | $15,000 | 40 |
| Zagg | $5,000 to $15,000 | $49,000 to $109,000 | $15,000 | 99 |
| Paul Davis Emergency Services | $20,000 to $39,000 | $49,090 to $213,930 | $20,000 | 102 |
| Send Me a Pro | $34,999 | $49,099 to $94,799 | $10,000 | 54 |
| Nationwide Lifts | $30,000 | $49,200 to $74,500 | $10,000 | 15 |
| Vanderburgh House | $35,000 | $49,300 to $98,400 | $10,000 | 21 |
| Let Mommy Sleep | $39,000 | $49,330 to $71,297 | $10,000 | 8 |
| Watters International Realty | $15,000 to $35,000 | $49,350 to $200,750 | $15,000 | 10 |
| KOKEE TEA | $25,000 | $49,385 to $430,750 | $30,000 | N/R |
| Sportball | $38,000 | $49,450 to $66,750 | $10,000 | 7 |
| Maid This | $39,000 | $49,550 to $67,650 | $10,000 | 15 |
| Sitting Made Simple | $35,000 | $49,649 to $64,249 | $10,000 | 10 |
| Five Lakes Coffee | $35,000 | $49,769 to $58,419 | $10,000 | 8 |
| Best Brains | $1,000 to $14,500 | $49,850 to $134,300 | $15,000 | 164 |
| Robin Autopilot | $24,000 to $29,000 | $49,850 to $108,450 | $15,000 | 1 |
| Image One Facility Solutions | $39,750 | $49,900 to $72,049 | $10,000 | 23 |
| Safe Ship | $14,900 to $24,900 | $49,900 to $143,900 | $15,000 | 33 |
| 1st Class Real Estate | $25,000 | $49,950 to $159,450 | $15,000 | 101 |
| Liberty Tax Service | $25,000 | $49,970 to $71,400 | $10,000 | 1,764 |
N/R = not reported.
How do you compare franchises from this list?
Compare franchises from this list by putting each brand's Item 5 fee, Item 6 ongoing fees and the high end of the Item 7 investment side by side, then checking Item 20 for closures and transfers. The guide to franchise costs explains each line, and the 8-step selection process shows the order of due diligence.
Frequently asked questions
What franchises can you open for under $50,000?
Across 437 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database (compiled October 2026), the median minimum initial investment is $31,300 and the median starting franchise fee is $15,000. The lowest starting investment in this group is Mood Media at $0.
How much cash do I need to buy a franchise in this group?
The median minimum liquid cash requirement in this group is $10,000. Franchisors set their own capital requirements, and lenders usually finance part of the total investment.
Are these figures guaranteed?
No. The figures come from franchise disclosure data and public listings and change with every annual FDD. Confirm fees in Items 5 and 6 and the investment in Item 7 of each brand's current FDD.
Other investment levels
- Franchises Under $100,000
- Franchises from $100,000 to $250,000
- Franchises from $250,000 to $500,000
- Franchises over $500,000
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Brand names belong to their owners; listing does not imply endorsement. Not an offer to sell a franchise.