9 Cheapest Franchises to Open in 2025

Opening a new business can be daunting, which is why many turn to franchises as a source of passive income with reduced overhead. After all, they typically cost much less to start and maintain over time compared to building a new business from scratch, among other advantages, such as having an already established business model, a faster return on investment, and guaranteed support from the higher-ups that would otherwise be non-existent as a solo entrepreneur.

Thanks to these pros, franchises are becoming increasingly popular to own. According to the 2025 Franchising Economic Outlook, as reported by the International Franchise Association, franchises have experienced an increase in units of over 20,000 this year alone.

You can be a part of this rapid growth by owning a low-cost franchise that won’t cost you a fortune. If you’re looking to become a franchisee this year without spending a ton, but still want to turn a profit, check out these nine low-cost, money-making franchises across food, health and wellness, and home maintenance that will put more money back into your pockets.

Food

Kona Ice

• Franchise Fee: $15,000
• Initial Investment Cost: $167,966
• Royalty Rate: 6 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $25,000

Ranked as the number one franchisor on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchises to Own list, Kona Ice is a business you’ll want to get in on. With a minimal franchise fee of just $15,000 and an initial investment cost well under $200,000, the brand provides corporate support and marketing for its franchisees. It’s also easy to get started, with Kona Ice guaranteeing that you’ll be up and running in 30 days or less. Having a Kona Ice franchise also means having low overhead costs, with only 6 percent of your investment going to the actual food product compared to the industry average of 32 percent.

Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

• Franchise Fee: $10,500 – $35,500
• Initial Investment Cost: $100,550 – $503,500
• Royalty Rate: 7 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $120,000

An American snack staple that first started in 1988 and can be found in malls everywhere, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels will always be in demand. Last year, it increased its number of operating locations and raked in close to $800 million in sales. Having an Auntie Anne’s franchise will run you about $10,500 to $35,500, which is relatively low compared to other fast-food franchises that can cost upwards of $50,000 or more, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell. Auntie Anne’s initial investment cost ranges from $100,550 to $503,500, has a 7 percent royalty rate, and requires a liquid capital of $120,000.

Acai Express

• Franchise Fee: $20,000
• Initial Investment Cost: $102,900 – $262,000
• Royalty Rate: 6% (weekly) + 2% brand development fees
• Required Liquid Capital: $50,000

With the rise of consumer trends in recent years that prioritize healthy living, companies like Acai Express are a go-to choice for those seeking to enhance their nutrition. Thanks to this continued consumer demand, Acai Express is one business you’ll want to invest in. It’ll only cost you about $20,000 to get started, along with a liquid capital of $50,000. The company advertises its franchise offerings as having a “low cost of entry,” and you don’t need any prior food industry experience. The company also takes an innovative approach to its franchise model, offering marketing and advertising tools and support as you grow.

Health and Wellness

Jazzercise

• Franchise Fee: $1,250
• Initial Investment Cost: $2,140 – $40,375
• Royalty Rate: 20 percent of gross customer enrollment
• Required Liquid Capital: $2,980

Raking in nearly $100 million in yearly revenue, Jazzercise is another company you can go all in on without having to spend your life savings. The initial franchise fee to obtain one is less than $1,000, and the required liquid capital is just shy of $3,000. With a Jazzercise franchise, you can expect to invest an initial amount of $3,000 to $33,100, depending on where your studio is set up, where you’re located, and what types of classes you offer. The franchise royalty rate also has a 20 percent contingency fee based on the revenue you’ve made from the number of people who enroll, instead of your franchise’s total profits. This fee supports your franchise in various areas, including branding and marketing, as well as studio development.

Fit4Mom

• Franchise Fee: $4,950
• Initial Investment Cost: $5,559 – $51,790
• Royalty Rate: 4 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $2,980

Geared towards mothers during pre- and post-natal care, Fit4Mom is another fitness-related franchise that has continued to experience rapid growth in the health and wellness industry. The company operates over 200 franchises nationwide and has a franchise fee that’s less than $5,000. Upfront investment costs are no more than $55,000, and you’re only required to have liquid capital of less than $3,000. Its royalty rate is relatively low as well, sitting at just 4 percent, which is taken from the total revenue your franchise earns each month.

Healthier 4U Vending

• Franchise Fee: None required
• Initial Investment Cost: $53,000
• Royalty Rate: 0 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $30,000

Healthier 4U Vending offers an array of healthy food choices compared to traditional vending machines. Their franchise business model is as unique as their product offerings, with no upfront franchise fee required and a 0% royalty rate. Instead, the company operates solely on your franchise’s initial investment, which is $53,000. As a franchisee, Healthier 4U Vending will offer you ongoing training and support as you run your business, and has a team that exclusively focuses on finding busy areas where you can set up shop and are guaranteed to make a profit.

Cleaning/Home Maintenance

1-800-DryClean

• Franchise Fee: $14,900
• Initial Investment Cost: $59,800 – $78,905
• Royalty Rate: 6 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $50,000

Mobile dry cleaning service 1-800-DryClean offers an affordable franchise model that allows you to scale and achieve rapid profits. It has a franchise fee of just under $15,000, an initial investment cost that’s up to a maximum of $78,000, and a required liquid capital of only $50,000. The company also offers a refund of your initial investment fee after the first 18 months of starting your franchise if you don’t achieve the gross sales you were initially targeting. As a franchisee, you’ll also get access to a franchise consultant and a franchise development manager, who’ll help you anytime as you expand your business.

Dryer Vent Squad

• Franchise Fee: $35,000
• Initial Investment Cost: $47,000 – $68,000
• Royalty Rate: 7 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $25,000

Dryer Vent Squad is an essential business that helps homeowners prevent fires in their homes caused by clogged dryer vents. As an on-the-go company, it doesn’t require franchisees to have an established office space or a large number of employees. Instead, you’ll receive a truck and the necessary equipment for your staff to do the job. Before becoming an official franchisee, the company provides three-day training to help you understand certain aspects of its business framework, including its sales and marketing processes, as well as its POS system. If you want to purchase this franchise, you’ll need to pay a franchise fee of $35,000 upfront, a required capital investment of $25,000, and an initial investment cost estimated between $47,000 and $68,000.

CleanNet USA

• Franchise Fee: $9,400 – $30,000
• Initial Investment Cost: $14,777 – $45,910
• Royalty Rate: 4 – 5 percent
• Required Liquid Capital: $5,000

Specializing in cleaning commercial business and retail spaces, CleanNet USA offers a robust business model that allows franchisees to receive on-the-job training, product, accounting, and billing support, among other benefits. The company also offers a certification program that you’ll obtain before starting, so that you can feel confident in maintaining day-to-day operations. CleanNet’s franchise fee ranges from $9,400 to $30,000 and has an investment cost that starts at about $14,000. Its royalty rate ranges from 4 to 5 percent, depending on where you plan to operate, as well as an additional 0.5 to 1 percent fee that goes towards your franchise’s local and national advertising.