Up to 93% of people say the hardest obstacles to overcome when starting a business are financial constraints, lack of skills, and their own self-doubt.

What if I told you that many business owners find success after buying franchises under $10K?

In fact, franchises succeed more often than other business models. A franchise system offers comprehensive training programs, marketing support, and assistance with customer accounts.

We’re going to discuss the top franchises to buy with an emphasis on cleaning franchises, travel franchises, marketing companies, and financial services.

Keep reading or click on any of the links below to jump to that section.

Benefits of Starting a Franchise Under 10K

Many franchises cost thousands or millions of dollars, but you can still find franchises under $10K. This price range often includes the following:

• Digital marketing franchises
• Travel agency franchise opportunities
• Commercial cleaning services
• Fitness franchises
• Financial services

There’s something for everyone who wants to be their own boss and find financial success. But what are the benefits of buying an affordable franchise opportunity?

Lower Initial Investment

A franchise opportunity under $10K means it’s easier to come up with the money. You’re less likely to need loans, so you can focus on growing with the franchise model without the stress of increased debt.

Quicker Return on Investment

Franchise owners recoup their initial investment cost quicker when they only have to recoup $10K than when a franchise unit requires more cash.

Lower Risk

A lower cost franchise has less risk than starting your own business since you’re following a proven process.

However, each franchise is slightly different. You’ll still need to understand the various business models low-cost franchises use before opening a franchise of your own.

Easier Financing

Financing can impact your opportunities when you’re thinking about owning a franchise. Getting a $50K loan for cheap franchises is often easier than getting a $2M loan for a McDonald’s because it isn’t as risky for the bank.

Agility and Adaptability

Most affordable franchises can be run from home. Small business owners need to have the ability to shift their funds and investment strategies as industry trends change. When you have all your funds tied up in office buildings and equipment, this can be hard to do.

Greater Personal Involvement

A low initial franchise fee appeals to people who want to start their own business but don’t have much money to spend upfront. That means you’ll be more involved in the business development. Just being more hands on will improve your business knowledge.

Initial Franchise Fee: Why It’s Important

Many of the top franchises for sale under $10K do not actually cost less than $10K to start. The franchise opportunity normally has several components that go into startup costs including franchise fees, inventory and equipment, comprehensive training, and other costs associated with your own boss.

The majority of research you will find on the internet uses the initial franchise fee to rank a franchise opportunity as costing under $10K.

We think there is more to it than that so we tried to provide the total upfront investment because we want you to choose the franchise opportunity that truly meets your goals.

What Is the Best Franchise Under $10K?

After researching the best franchises under $10K, Chick-fil-A franchises are the clear winner. However, those franchise opportunities come with a lot of catches:

• You have to be Christian.
• You don’t own the equipment, land, or even the franchise. Unlike other franchise opportunities, you can’t pass a Chick-fil-A franchise down to your family.
• You’re effectively a well-paid general manager.
• You’re required to work in the business.

Paying $10K for these low cost franchise opportunities is a steal, but you probably won’t be given the opportunity. Chick-fil-A restaurants are some of the hardest franchise opportunities to buy.

Best Cleaning Franchises Under $10K

Cleaning and janitorial franchises typically come with an exclusive territory and are some of the cheapest franchises to start. You’ll need to decide whether to focus on residential or commercial cleaning services.

UpFlip Cleaning Business Course

UpFlip doesn’t sell franchises under $10K, but our cleaning business course with Chris Mondragon prepares you to start a cleaning business for under $2,000. It even comes with a money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied.

#1. Buildingstars ($795)

If you want to start a commercial cleaning franchise business, Buildingstars franchise opportunities start with a franchise fee as low as $795. You’ll clean small businesses and earn $1K to $5K per month.

#2. JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting ($2.2K+)

JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting makes the cut for franchises under $10K. You can start for as little as $1,250 and the $900 starter kit. You’ll also need at least $1,000 in savings.

#3. Corvus Janitorial ($9.6K+)

Corvus Janitorial makes the list of franchises under $10K despite also being ranked by Entrepreneur as one of the top 10 franchises under $50K. The initial franchise fee is between $8.5K and $18.5K, but the initial investment is between $9.6K and $34.5K.

#4. OctoClean ($10K+)

OctoClean sells franchises under $10K, but it appears the franchise fee is based on how much you can earn monthly. You can earn up to $5K monthly for a $10K initial investment and $322.67 for the next 3 years.

Honestly, if the rest of their franchise opportunities are as confusing as their pricing, I would look into other franchises first.

#5. MaidThis: UpFlip Featured Franchise

MaidThis created a flexible business model where owning a franchise in the cleaning industry is possible from anywhere in the world. While it’s not the cheapest franchise to open, you’ll get amazing support from this low-cost franchise opportunity.

Check out our interview with Neel Parekh below:

#6. Vanguard Cleaning Systems

Many blogs claim Vanguard Cleaning Systems offers franchises under $10K. However, these franchise opportunities are governed by the area franchises. That means the initial franchise fee will vary depending on where you’re applying.

Best Travel Franchises Under $10K

These franchises earn extra income by selling travel packages. Both Dream Vacations and Cruise Planners help you earn an income stream with very little cash required upfront. Each company also offers discounts for your travel.

#7. Dream Vacations ($3.5K+)

When you start a Dream Vacations franchise, you’ll be buying a franchise that sells travel arrangements. You get a lot of perks with them, including discounts on your own personal travel.

This franchise under $10k can cost as low as $3,500. However, depending on other expenses and your selections, it could be as much as $21,000.

#8. Cruise Planners ($9K+)

Cruise Planners is another travel agency, but their low-cost franchise opportunities have a higher entry point than Dream Vacations. Franchises start at $8,995 for a limited time, or maybe that’s a gimmick hoping to get people to buy a franchise. The all-in cost can be up to $23,465.

Low-Cost Franchise Options for Marketing Solutions

Providing marketing solutions doesn’t require a lot of cash. This can be one of the most affordable sectors if you don’t have a lot of money to spend upfront.

#9. The N2 Company ($975 to $10K)

The N2 Company creates industry publications for local communities. These opportunities are one of the few chances to actually start a franchise under $10K. The initial franchise cost is $975 with an all-in cost under $10K, making it the cheapest franchise to start.

#10. SiteSwan Website Builder ($1.5K to $3.6K)

SiteSwan is a web design business in a box. You still have to find local businesses and build the websites, but you can manage up to 100 local businesses for $300 per month. This makes the initial investment much lower than many other franchise opportunities.

#11. SocialOwl ($2K to $4K)

SocialOwl lands on the franchises under $10k list because it offers white label social media, website building, SEO, and paid ads services. The prices are phenomenal too. Let’s look at each of them.

• Core: Your costs are only $1,997 per year to help clients with all their social media needs.
• Growth: Add SEO and website services for only $2,997 per year.
• Scale: For $3,997, you can add paid advertisement management to your service offerings.

#12. Eazi-Business ($7.5K+)

Eazi-Business has three ways to buy a franchise, and you don’t need to do the actual development yourself:

• Eazi-Site: You can sell websites without building them. This allows you to own a franchise for $7,554.30 upfront plus $157.51 monthly.
• Eazi-App: The mobile app development business costs $10,074.50 upfront plus $157.51 monthly.
• Full Pivot: With Full Pivot, you’ll sell apps, websites, and digital marketing services. This franchise costs $22,675.50 upfront plus $157.51 monthly.

Prices are subject to currency exchange rates, so these figures may not be exact. All three options can be phenomenal franchise opportunities because B2B services typically have lower marketing costs than B2C companies.

#13. Coffee News ($9.9K+)

Coffee News is a weekly publication that uses a franchise model. You book advertisers, market local events, and distribute the paper to local businesses that provide it to their customers as reading materials.

The initial franchise fee is $9.9K. You’ll also have $2.2K to $3.3K in other costs.

#14. Card My Yard ($8K+)

Card My Yard franchise opportunities start at $8,000 for the initial franchise fee and can cost up to $19,800 to start. These franchise opportunities involve decorating yards with festive cards to celebrate special occasions.

Affordable Entry Points for Finance Franchises

#15. Credit Repair USA ($0)

This isn’t a true franchise. It’s actually a credit repair affiliate program. Credit Repair USA is a secondary offering that works with mortgage companies, real estate agents, tax professionals, automotive companies, and other places that offer consumer credit. 

Credit Repair USA increases customer acquisitions by helping prospective buyers improve their credit to qualify for financing.

#16. Federal Direct Tax Services ($299 to $2.5K)

Offer tax services for $299 to $2,499 through Federal Direct Tax Services. The least expensive system provides training, software to help consumers with tax filing, and the refund advance program.

Meanwhile, the $2,499 program provides everything in the lower tier along with marketing support and software to help businesses and freelancers.

#17. Advisory Capital Brokerage ($10K+)

Offer in-house financing options between $1K and $600M through Advisory Capital Brokerage. They have four packages ranging from $9,995 to $34,995.

While this technically counts as a franchise under $10K, you’ll probably want to use the higher-level options because they come with more leads and include advertising.

#18. Farmers Insurance ($0)

Farmers Insurance is a bit of an oddity on this list of franchises under $10K. While there isn’t an initial franchise fee, you must have $50K of investable assets, Series 6 and 63 licensing, and pass a background check.

You also need to have a storefront, so this franchise opportunity could be even more costly depending on where you live.

More Successful Business Franchises Under $10K

While researching the cheapest franchises to open, we found numerous other investment options. These franchises may also have an initial franchise fee under $10K:

Augusta Lawn Care is the standout business franchise in this category. They have multiple ways to get a franchise with some of them starting under $10K.

Mike Andes is a great guy that we work with frequently on UpFlip. Check out our interview with him below:

Want Help Choosing a Franchise?

There are a lot of things to consider when looking for franchises under $10K. It can be hard to navigate all the franchise lingo, your needs, and the best way to get a franchise. Here are some common challenges you might encounter along the way:

We work with multiple franchise consultants who can help you find a franchise that works for you. They have defined processes to learn about your goals and guide you through the process of becoming a franchisee.

Request an appointment with a franchise consultant.

Are You Ready to Buy Your Own Business?

From cruise planners to social media services, we’ve covered a wide variety of cheap franchises to open. Most of these qualify as home-based franchises under $10K. Once you’ve found one you like, go to their website, learn more about the company, and request a franchise disclosure document.

What franchises would you like to know more about?