Smart Investing: The 10 Best Franchises Under 100k to Own

When people think about buying a franchise, they often assume that they need to be sitting on a huge pile of cash to even be in the conversation. Perhaps that's because they've heard that you need $1.5 million or more to open a McDonald’s, which is what a lot of people think of when they think about franchises.

While it's true that the burger giants of the world are expensive to invest in, it is a massive misconception that all franchising requires millionaire status. The reality is that franchise ownership is far more accessible than you might think.

In fact, there are some really robust, high-margin opportunities available today that have an all-in investment range under $100,000. Even better? The cash you actually need to bring to the table (liquidity) is often significantly less than that total number.

If you are ready to leave the corporate grind but don’t want to drain your life savings, let’s look at the best franchises under 100k to own right now.

Understanding the Investment

All businesses require capital to start. That is true whether you are buying a franchise or launching a startup from your garage. However, one of the benefits of franchising is that the costs are transparent and known up front. There is no ambiguity as to what's going to be required to take your business from launch to profitability.

Generally, your investment in a franchise is broken down into three buckets:

1. The Franchise Fee: The licensing fee for the rights to use the brand, trademarks, and operating systems. It also covers initial training and support.
2. Start-Up Costs: The tangible items you need to open, such as equipment, inventory, software, a vehicle, marketing launch materials, lease payments, and so on.
3. Working Capital: This is usually 3 to 6 months of operating cash.

That third point—working capital—is often what pushes the "Total Investment" number higher on paper, but it is also part of the secret sauce that sets franchisees up for success.

The main reason independent startups fail is under-capitalization. They run out of money before they turn the corner. Franchisors analyze this data rigorously. They require you to have that working capital on hand to ensure that you have enough money not just to open the doors to your business, but to cover your costs in the first few months so that you can reach profitability.

Features of Low-Cost Franchises

What should you look for if you're trying to keep your total investment under $100k?

You can find low-cost franchises in lots of different industries, so there are plenty of options for you. But while the product or service you're delivering varies depending on the business, less-expensive businesses often have these four traits in common:

1. Home-Based: Brick-and-mortar leases are cash vampires. By operating from a home office, you eliminate rent, utilities, and expensive build-outs immediately.
2. Owner-Operator Models: In the beginning, you are the face of the business. You aren't hiring a manager to run it for you on day one. This keeps payroll—usually the biggest expense in business—manageable while you scale.
3. Service-Based (Low Inventory): Retail franchises require you to buy thousands of dollars of product that sits on shelves waiting to be sold. Low-cost franchises are typically service-based. You are selling expertise or a service, not a physical widget, which keeps cash flow healthy.
4. Mobile Operations: Instead of waiting for customers to come to you, you go to them. Whether it’s a branded van or a digital service, being mobile allows you to service a wider territory without paying for a premium storefront location.

The 10 Best Franchises Under 100k to Own Right Now

In the world of franchising, there are hundreds of concepts that meet the criteria described above and offer the systems, backing, and brand recognition of a franchise without the six- or seven-figure price tag.

But which ones are the best? 

Fear not! We've done the hard work for you and filtered through a ton of worthy candidates to bring you 10 brands from a diverse range of industries that have a solid reputation, successful owners, and are positioned to do well in today's economic landscape.

A quick disclaimer: Low cost does not mean low income. The businesses listed below have high income potential. They simply require you to build a solid foundation first. Once you establish the brand in your market, these models are designed to scale.

Without further ado, here are our top picks:

1. Schooley Mitchell

The Gist: The largest independent cost-reduction consulting firm in North America. You help other businesses save money on utilities, telecom, and shipping.
The Differentiator: The business model is contingency-based. If you don’t find savings for your client, they don’t pay you. It’s an easy "yes" for B2B sales.
Best Fit For: Professionals with a background in sales, executive management, or consulting who love B2B networking.
Learn more about Schooley Mitchell

2. HouseMaster Home Inspection

The Gist: A legacy brand in the home inspection industry. As the real estate market moves, home inspections remain a critical step in the buying process.
The Differentiator: They offer a guaranteed inspection, which provides immense peace of mind to homebuyers and real estate agents. They're also a Neighborly Brand, opening up cross-referrals with other Neighborly businesses in your area.
Best Fit For: Detail-oriented individuals who enjoy real estate but don't want to be agents.
Learn more about HouseMaster Home Inspection

3. Card My Yard

The Gist: The premier yard greeting rental service. You’ve likely seen their massive "Happy Birthday" signs on lawns in your neighborhood.
The Differentiator: It is a viral business. Every time you set up a job, the neighbors see it, and the customer usually posts it on social media. The marketing is built-in.
Best Fit For: Families looking for a side hustle, or community-minded individuals who want to spread joy.
Learn more about Card My Yard

4. NTV360

The Gist: A digital advertising franchise that connects local businesses through dynamic indoor digital signage. You place screens in high-traffic community hubs and manage ad content for small businesses targeting local customers.
The Differentiator: The revenue model is subscription-based. By offering hyper-local exposure that supports the community's "economic heartbeat," you build a predictable, recurring income stream with minimal overhead.
Best Fit For: Community connectors who want to act as a partner to local small business owners.
Learn more about NTV360

5. The Groutsmith

The Gist: Grout and tile cleaning and restoration. It sounds niche, but that’s the point.
The Differentiator: They use proprietary products that you can’t buy in stores. While general carpet cleaners try to do tile, The Groutsmith specializes in it, offering restoration results that generalists can't match.
Best Fit For: Someone who wants a specific niche with little competition and high margins.
Learn more about The Groutsmith

6. Send Me a Pro

The Gist: The first "Home Services Platform Franchise." Instead of limiting yourself to a single trade, you aggregate multiple services—from handyman work and cleaning to fitness and tutoring—connecting homeowners with vetted pros through one app.
The Differentiator: Total diversification. Traditionally, you would need separate franchises for each service category. Here, you get them all under one system. This allows you to pivot based on market demand and serve as the "Advil for the homeowner" by solving their headaches with transparent, fixed pricing.
Best Fit For: Entrepreneurs who want to mitigate risk by offering a wide portfolio of services without buying multiple brands.
Learn more about Send Me A Pro

7. DoodyCalls

The Gist: Pet waste removal for residential yards and commercial properties (apartment complexes, parks).
The Differentiator: Recurring revenue. Poop happens every day. This isn't a one-time purchase; it’s a subscription model that builds a predictable cash flow.
Best Fit For: Operations-focused owners who don’t mind an "unsexy" business if it means reliable income.
Learn more about DoodyCalls

8. Challenge Island

The Gist: An educational enrichment program that promotes STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) through creative challenges.
The Differentiator: It’s "edutainment." They partner with schools and camps, meaning you aren't selling to one parent at a time, but rather securing contracts for large groups.
Best Fit For: Former educators, parents, or creative individuals passionate about child development.
Learn more about Challenge Island

9. N Zone Sports

The Gist: Operates youth sports leagues, camps, and after-school programs.
The Differentiator: The focus is on the experience and values (teamwork, fun) rather than just competitive skill, making it appealing to the mass market of parents.
Best Fit For: Sports lovers who want to disconnect from the desk job and become a pillar in their local community.
Learn more about N Zone Sports

10. Decorating Den Interiors

The Gist: A mobile interior decorating and residential design franchise. You bring the design studio directly to the client, offering thousands of samples—from custom window treatments and furniture to flooring and accessories—right in their living room.
The Differentiator: The "showroom" is the client’s home. By bringing the design ideas and samples to them, you ensure the colors and textures match their specific lighting and lifestyle. This creates a high-end service experience without the high overhead of a retail location.
Best Fit For: Creative individuals—they call themselves "The Franchise for Creative Women" (though men join, too!)—who want to turn a passion for beautiful spaces into a profitable business.
Learn more about Decorating Den Interiors

Conclusion: How to Secure Your Spot

When the barrier to entry is low, the competition is high. Because these brands are affordable and proven, there are a lot of applicants and territories get snatched up quickly.

This is where Franchises for Fathers comes in.

As we always tell our clients, franchises are awarded, not sold. If any of the brands detailed above pique your interest, we can help position you as a high-priority candidate with these brands and coach you through the due diligence process. We can also connect you with funding partners who can introduce you to financial products (like ROBS or SBA loans) that make affording these businesses even easier.

Are territories available in your area for these franchises?

Step 1 is to ensure that your local territory is even available for each of these brands. Reach out to us at +1 828-279-2978 or [email protected], or book a free consultation to start your journey toward business ownership today.

Franchise ownership is within reach. We're looking forward to working with you!