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Franchises Opportunity

Home-based franchise costs and what the work is really like

All franchise brands

133 of the franchise brands we profile are matched to home-based or mobile operation — their name or disclosure-derived description says the business runs from a home office or a vehicle. Across the 118 of them that disclose a minimum investment, the median filed minimum is $101,728 — no storefront build-out is what keeps the entry number down. The catch is on the labor side: with no premises, what you're buying is a brand, a system, and lead flow attached to your own working hours.

Compare home-based franchise costs, brand by brand

What home-based franchising actually is

"Home-based" describes where the overhead isn't, more than where the work is. The office is your spare room; the revenue is almost always somewhere else — a client's kitchen, a job site, a van between appointments. Most of the brands below are service concepts: residential cleaning and repairs, mobile grooming and detailing, tutoring, senior companion care, travel planning, business coaching. What the franchise sells is a recognizable name, call handling and scheduling systems, trade pricing, and a playbook — the things a solo start spends its first two years assembling. What it cannot sell you is premises-free labor: without a storefront, the business IS your calendar, and in the early months the owner is usually the technician, the dispatcher, and the bookkeeper at once.

The economics differ from storefront franchising in both directions. Entry costs run lower — no build-out, no lease deposit, often a vehicle wrap instead of a fit-out — which is why this collection overlaps heavily with the under-$50K list. But ongoing fees weigh heavier at small revenue: a royalty on gross sales, and in some systems flat monthly technology or minimum-royalty fees, hit hardest exactly when a one-person operation is ramping. Read Item 6 and Item 7 of the FDD together, and price a manager into the plan if you intend to keep your day job — "flexible hours" in this trade means the customer picks them.

One caution specific to this corner of franchising: low entry prices attract hands-off marketing. Treat "semi-absentee," "runs itself," and "a few hours a week" pitches as claims to check against Item 19 and against current franchisees you choose — not ones the salesperson hands you. A home-based franchise done well is a real business run from a cheap office. It is not passive income, and the brands worth your shortlist don't pretend otherwise.

Home-based franchise costs, brand by brand

All 133 matched brands, fullest data records first. Matching is mechanical — the brand's name or filing description says home-based, from-home, or mobile operation — so the list is honest about its scope: a brand that runs from home but never says so in its filings won't appear here.

BrandIndustryCash to openFranchise fee
uBreakiFixProfessional Services$171,350 – $468,150$51,650 – $143,000
SUPERGLASS WINDSHIELD REPAIRAuto & Travel$37,602 – $112,522$28,652 – $57,922
360 PaintingProfessional Services$101,350 – $145,000$70,000
Tint WorldAuto & Travel$289,950 – $469,950$183,350 – $220,350
Creative ColorsProfessional Services$86,980 – $102,410$84,000
PoolwerxHome Services$153,000 – $350,500$68,000 – $135,000
Le Macaron French PastriesFood & Beverage$154,180 – $454,000$61,000 – $134,000
DrPhoneFix | Techy Repairs & Smart Home InstallsRetail$172,500 – $399,500$22,500
Genius KidsProfessional Services$122,200 – $619,500$50,000
Bottle & BottegaLodging & Leisure$97,800 – $162,250$29,000
Little Medical SchoolProfessional Services$58,200 – $79,400$50,000
Beeline BikesHealth & Fitness$78,200 – $132,750$10,000
Serendipity LabsProfessional Services$60,000 – $2,900,400$60,000 – $248,200
Signal Health GroupHealth & Fitness$40,200 – $290,300$29,500 – $69,500
Sweeto BurritoFood & Beverage$256,800 – $723,000$30,000
Vital RestorationProfessional Services$122,500 – $347,500$25,000 – $35,000
HERLIFE MagazineProfessional Services$55,000 – $100,000$35,000
Aqua Chill Drinking Water SystemsProfessional Services$113,100 – $171,800$75,000
Maids by TradeProfessional Services$8,995 – $109,995$2,995 – $9,995
MastercareHealth & Fitness$125,800 – $223,450$47,050
Kona IceFood & Beverage$167,115 – $212,100$165,225 – $179,950
AlphaGraphicsProfessional Services$291,289 – $374,189$227,089
Camp Bow WowPet Services$943,606 – $1,199,536$55,000 – $55,500
Tailored LivingProfessional Services$184,470 – $297,825$74,950
Novus GlassAuto & Travel$90,000 – $284,690$50,700 – $78,010
ScreenmobileProfessional Services$161,049 – $222,592$114,500
GYMGUYZHealth & Fitness$92,100 – $174,000$61,000 – $91,000
Aussie Pet MobileProfessional Services$180,385 – $203,210$125,150
Doc PopcornFood & Beverage$175,000 – $376,050$139,000 – $205,500
Sparkle Wash InternationalHome Services$88,450 – $131,450$20,000
Hokulia Shave IceFood & Beverage$209,800 – $786,000$17,500 – $50,500
VelofixHealth & Fitness$170,200 – $202,950$90,500 – $96,000
Fleet CleanAuto & Travel$160,325 – $436,375$74,125 – $227,625
City PublicationsProfessional Services$46,300 – $269,900$40,000 – $250,000
Games2ULodging & Leisure$125,050 – $414,100$30,000 – $37,000
AMH EnterprisesProfessional Services$52,200 – $149,700$35,000
UNITSProfessional Services$167,535 – $280,975$47,000
Pedal PubLodging & Leisure$117,450 – $270,400$94,085 – $206,108
Renew CrewProfessional Services$108,200 – $148,600$70,000
Kono PizzaFood & Beverage$164,976 – $331,986$39,000
Snaggle FootProfessional Services$21,760 – $62,450$20,000
Kitchen WiseProfessional Services$108,100 – $147,000$70,000
The Mobile Repair GuysProfessional Services$88,150 – $104,150$30,000
Buckhorn GrillFood & Beverage$430,000 – $980,000$50,000 – $60,000
Floor Coverings InternationalProfessional Services$180,350 – $243,500$100,800 – $110,800
Matco ToolsRetail$104,374 – $376,241$10,000
Smash My TrashProfessional Services$372,050 – $492,200$84,200 – $89,700
Cell Phone Repair (CPR)Retail$90,350 – $360,500Up to $25,000
Colors On ParadeAuto & Travel$19,350 – $84,000$10,000 – $18,500
Bumper ManAuto & Travel$73,025 – $104,800$50,000
Skin Type SolutionsHealth & Fitness$8,000 – $25,500$7,500
Dental FixHealth & Fitness$62,600 – $153,500$45,000 – $55,000
ExperimaxRetail$146,339 – $351,140$92,000 – $134,400
Cruisin' TikisEntertainment & Recreation$83,015 – $123,650$77,540 – $96,600
SlumberlandProfessional Services$829,500 – $3,215,000n/d
Mobility Plus Showroom & MobileHealth & Fitness$316,495 – $465,295$141,495 – $172,495
NuVinAir GlobalProfessional Services$213,200 – $223,300$20,000
Travelin' Tom's CoffeeFood & Beverage$191,120 – $246,325$188,950 – $209,675
Intelligent OfficeProfessional Services$228,000 – $1,520,498$49,500
Steel Coated FloorsHome Services$75,000 – $210,000$62,000 – $104,500
Germinator Mobile SanitizingHome Services$40,250 – $64,000$25,000 – $33,500
ManageMowedHome Services$114,800 – $245,800$87,300
Zoomin GroominProfessional Services$95,900 – $188,140$45,000
Al & Ed's AutosoundRetail$140,800 – $371,150From $25,000
Quickhit International Inc.Professional Services$127,830 – $157,500$94,400 – $94,900
MobiledumpsHome Services$61,640 – $220,100$30,100 – $40,500
The Inside CoupProfessional Services$42,900 – $48,700n/d
TourScale | Trolley Pub | Trolley Party | Paddle Pub | Tiki PubEntertainment & Recreation$75,150 – $204,150$51,100 – $125,450
Home SmilesHealth & Fitness$178,750 – $226,080$104,500 – $117,500
Deckhand DetailingHealth & Fitness$31,900 – $53,750$18,000
Kosha HibachiFood & Beverage$79,200 – $133,200$30,000
Sport LinesProfessional Services$31,300$19,500
Spring Touch Lawn & Pest ControlProfessional Services$82,700 – $148,800$30,000
Tilford's Wood Fired PizzaFood & Beverage$107,000 – $151,000$15,000 – $40,000
Snap-onRetail$217,505 – $481,554$145,800 – $163,800
Budget BlindsRetail$100,500 – $211,250$49,950 – $91,450
Mac ToolsRetail$121,320 – $344,275$81,545 – $89,950
FIBRENEWHome Services$102,105 – $122,280$89,000
The Tailored Closet | Closet TailorsHome Services$177,130 – $270,650$74,950 – $76,450
PREMIERGARAGEHome Services$186,730 – $284,250$74,950 – $76,450
EarthWise Pet | Groom Bar by EarthWise PetPet Services$486,500 – $863,000$60,000 – $168,000
Computer TroubleshootersProfessional Services$19,500 – $45,000$14,000 – $24,000
Concrete CraftProfessional Services$156,330 – $233,450$69,950
COMPLETE WEDDINGS + EVENTSLodging & Leisure$66,820 – $81,070$50,000
CoolVu Glass and Surface SolutionsHome Services$68,450 – $106,850$50,250 – $70,150
Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice CreamFood & Beverage$172,500 – $185,250$166,999 – $167,499
Bar-B-CleanProfessional Services$78,200 – $136,620n/d
Sports ImageProfessional Services$29,655 – $40,220From $25,000
Mobility CityHealth & Fitness$240,350 – $539,800$47,800 – $168,500
K & N Mobile Distribution SystemsRetail$67,318 – $195,307$53,173 – $80,192
Body & Brain CenterHealth & Fitness$19,680 – $36,300$12,950 – $14,300
MyWay Mobile StorageProfessional Services$225,200 – $801,500n/d
Rent A RuminantProfessional Services$80,000 – $128,000$30,000
Pawsitively SpoiledProfessional Services$33,570 – $62,000$20,000
Cornwell Quality ToolsRetail$174,380 – $320,680n/d
Growing RoomProfessional Services$889,000 – $954,500n/d
Action Duct Cleaning CompanyProfessional Services$52,500 – $110,750$19,500 – $29,500
Bubble BusLodging & Leisure$121,000 – $147,250$68,400 – $80,550
HydroDogProfessional Services$51,550 – $293,200$50,000 – $52,500
IRIS Environmental LaboratoriesProfessional Services$26,300 – $57,510$22,500
Lifetime BlindsProfessional Services$18,250 – $90,000$500 – $25,000
Milkster Nitrogen CreameryFood & Beverage$25,650 – $95,000$12,500 – $30,000
My Music WorkshopProfessional Services$31,104 – $48,500$22,500
MyTaxFilerProfessional Services$42,250 – $68,000$25,000
Rolling SudsHome Services$182,650 – $291,100$114,900
SPIFFYAuto & Travel$91,300 – $149,150$10,000
Trailer Birds Hot ChickenProfessional Services$97,224 – $102,033$27,475 – $49,812
Wings Mobile DetailingAuto & Travel$60,100 – $89,200$35,000 – $40,000
Colors on Parade (Area Representative)Auto & Travel$47,600 – $422,000n/d
Mighty KicksProfessional ServicesUp to $15,200n/d
GoMobile TiresAuto & Travel$258,100 – $307,600n/d
Kix MobileProfessional Services$59,700 – $233,000$30,000 – $70,000
USA Mobile Drug TestingHealth & Fitness$65,000n/d
HydroDog (Master Developer)Professional Services$238,000 – $876,900n/d
Puparazzi Mobile Pet SpawProfessional Services$57,528 – $84,249n/d
Advanced Mobile IV and AMIVHealth & Fitness$56,000 – $141,060$40,100 – $100,200
Mobility Plus MobileHome Services$125,188 – $221,188$73,894 – $94,394
Cool BinzProfessional Services$734,845 – $1,270,500n/d
Mobile Gaming RevolutionLodging & Leisuren/dn/d
Bike Doctor MobileHealth & Fitness$86,400 – $133,000n/d
DeLicefulProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
EXCELSIOR JD COFood & Beveragen/dn/d
Eximius Mobile Services, IncProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
GELATORO FRANCHISINGProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
ISLAND SOCIETYProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
Maui Wowi (Director of Regional Support)Food & Beveragen/dn/d
Orozco's (Regional Developer)Professional Servicesn/dn/d
Sport Performance TrainingHealth & Fitnessn/dn/d
Tread ConnectionAuto & Traveln/dn/d
Tulip Kids, IncProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
Rent-A-Husband Inc.Professional Servicesn/dn/d
Melt MobileFood & Beveragen/dn/d
PetDoc2U Mobile Veterinary ClinicProfessional Servicesn/dn/d
Source: FDD-derived filings · Matched by home-based/mobile keywords in the brand's name or filing description · n/d = not disclosed

Home-based franchise questions, answered straight

What is a home-based franchise?
A franchise designed to run without commercial premises: the office is a room in your house, and the work happens at the client's location, in a vehicle, or online. Common shapes are residential services run by dispatched crews, mobile van concepts, travel and consulting desks, and tutoring or coaching delivered on-site. The license, royalties, and FDD disclosure work exactly like any other franchise.
How much does a home-based franchise cost?
Across the 118 matched brands that disclose a minimum investment, the median filed minimum is $101,728, and disclosed minimums run $8,000 – $3,215,000. The filed minimum is the low end of the franchisor's own estimate — budget the full range plus working capital while the client base builds.
Are home-based franchises really work-from-home?
Mostly no — they're run-from-home. The scheduling, quoting, and bookkeeping happen at your desk, but revenue usually happens at the customer's property or in a vehicle: service visits, deliveries, lessons, inspections. Fully at-home models exist (travel booking, some consulting), and they're the minority. Ask any franchisor where a typical owner's hours physically happen before you buy the phrase "work from home."
What are the best home-based franchises?
Depends on what "best" measures. The table below ranks by data completeness so the fullest records surface first; our data-ranked best-franchises list applies a published formula — unit survival, unit trend, disclosure — across every fully documented brand. Filter either by what you'd genuinely do all day; a franchise you'd resent operating is the wrong franchise at any price.

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Every brand above links to its full cost ledger — fee, royalty, and how its units have held up — with "not disclosed" printed where a brand won't say.

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