Franchise opportunities in Washington: real costs and the franchise rules that apply
A franchise costs the same on paper in Washington as anywhere else — each brand files one nationwide investment range in its FDD. The median filed minimum investment across 4,700+ brands with cost data is $179,200 (as of 2026-05). What Washington does control is franchise law. Washington is one of the 14 franchise registration states.
Franchise rules in Washington, in plain words
Washington is one of the 14 franchise registration states.
A franchisor must register its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with Washington's regulator before offering or selling franchises in the state. For you as a buyer, that means the FDD you receive is the state-registered version — and a franchisor that can't show a current Washington registration can't lawfully offer to you here. The federal 14-day FDD delivery rule applies on top of state registration.
After you sign: Washington's Franchise Investment Protection Act includes a franchisee bill of rights (RCW 19.100.180) — good-cause plus notice standards for termination and non-renewal.
Plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change — confirm current requirements with a franchise attorney before you sign.
The 14 franchise registration states
- California
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Filing states (notice or exemption only, no FDD review): Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah.
Separately, 19 states have franchise relationship laws limiting termination or non-renewal after you sign: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
What it costs to open — the filed numbers
Flags exist only where a brand documents them — a missing flag is not a missing program. Compiled from franchise disclosure filings.
Franchisors headquartered in Washington
MOD Pizza
- $1,001,223
Magnuson Hotels
- $210,000
Eat the Frog Fitness
- $384,000
ManageMowed
- $114,800
Yellow Van Handyman
- $30,000
Seal Team One
- $33,950
Rent A Ruminant
- $80,000
GoJoe Patrol
- $77,633
Lawn Army | Home Tasks
- $30,000
PROTINGENT STAFFING
- $89,100
Windermere Real Estate
- $271,000
Bobablastic
- $69,000
Keep comparing
Industries buyers research from Washington
Franchise questions specific to Washington
Is Washington a franchise registration state?
Washington is one of the 14 franchise registration states. A franchisor must register its Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) with Washington's regulator before offering or selling franchises in the state. For you as a buyer, that means the FDD you receive is the state-registered version — and a franchisor that can't show a current Washington registration can't lawfully offer to you here. The federal 14-day FDD delivery rule applies on top of state registration. Washington's Franchise Investment Protection Act includes a franchisee bill of rights (RCW 19.100.180) — good-cause plus notice standards for termination and non-renewal.
Does a franchise cost more to open in Washington?
Not on paper: each brand files one nationwide investment range in its FDD (Item 7), so the filed cost is the same in Washington as anywhere else. Where you land inside that range is local — real estate, build-out, labor, and permits. The median filed minimum investment across 4,700+ brands with cost data is $179,200, as of 2026-05. Compare brands on the full filed range, not the minimum.
The numbers don’t change at the Washington line. See them before anyone gets your number.
4,700+ brands with filed cost data, dated per figure.