RANKED · STRONG & STEADY ONLY · 84 BRANDS
Best franchises under $250K
Only brands we rate Strong or Steady appear — from a current FDD (no more than two years old), with enough history to judge, and a loan record that doesn't cap the rating. Strong first. Verdicts are our opinion from the filed record, not investment advice.
The full disclosed Item 7 investment range is below this budget. These are filing estimates, not a quote for your location.
- 1. Best BrainsStrong
$50K–$134K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +64% · 2026 FDD
- 2. C12Strong
$38K–$68K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +14% · 2026 FDD
$80K–$84K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +53% · 2026 FDD
- 4. Scoop SoldiersStrong
$64K–$123K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +49% · 2026 FDD
- 5. CARING TRANSITIONSStrong
$76K–$123K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +32% · 2026 FDD
$90K–$146K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +17% · 2026 FDD
- 7. DOODYCALLSStrong
$76K–$94K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +253% · 2026 FDD
- 8. KONA ICEStrong
$115K–$229K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +16% · 2026 FDD
- 9. Mr. SandlessStrong
$42K–$91K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +17% · 2026 FDD
$63K–$109K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +28% · 2026 FDD
- 11. POOP 911Strong
$4K–$26K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +146% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
$98K–$181K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +35% · 2026 FDD
- 13. SYNERGY HOME CAREStrong
$80K–$164K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +25% · 2026 FDD
- 14. PET WANTSStrong
$148K–$239K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +8% · 2026 FDD
$22K–$31K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +9% · 2026 FDD
- 16. CAREPATROLStrong
$65K–$136K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +24% · 2026 FDD
- 17. iFixandRepairStrong
$78K–$147K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +117% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
$119K–$244K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +38% · 2026 FDD
- 19. PEST AUTHORITYStrong
$26K–$106K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +30% · 2026 FDD
- 20. HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERSStrong
$143K–$194K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +22% · 2026 FDD
- 21. TransworldStrong
$97K–$122K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +30% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 22. BRITISH SWIM SCHOOLSteady
$123K–$176K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +158% · 2026 FDD
$121K–$175K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +15% · 2026 FDD
$2K–$109K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +174% · 2026 FDD
- 25. WSISteady
$76K–$107K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +3% · 2026 FDD
- 26. Challenge IslandSteady
$58K–$74K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
- 27. JUNK KINGSteady
$121K–$236K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +27% · 2026 FDD
$119K–$163K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +9% · 2026 FDD
$114K–$134K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +41% · 2026 FDD
$100K–$154K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +18% · 2026 FDD
- 31. FASTEST LABSSteady
$131K–$200K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +33% · 2026 FDD
$66K–$128K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +13% · 2026 FDD
$99K–$244K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +7% · 2026 FDD
$20K–$39K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: -0% · 2026 FDD
- 35. SPRING-GREENSteady
$119K–$135K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +3% · 2026 FDD
$38K–$113K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: -1% · 2026 FDD
- 37. CRUISE PLANNERSSteady
$2K–$21K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2026 FDD
- 38. Mathnasium CentersSteady
$127K–$166K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +8% · 2026 FDD
- 39. SNAPOLOGYSteady
$75K–$106K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +83% · 2026 FDD
$132K–$226K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +6% · 2026 FDD
$90K–$113K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +25% · 2026 FDD
- 42. FriosSteady
$65K–$220K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +27% · 2026 FDD
- 43. DRYER VENT WIZARDSteady
$85K–$163K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +11% · 2026 FDD
- 44. MOSQUITO SQUADSteady
$162K–$220K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +12% · 2026 FDD
$66K–$88K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: 0% · 2026 FDD
- 46. BLOOMIN' BLINDSSteady
$129K–$246K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +104% · 2025 FDD
- 47. Class 101Steady
$75K–$130K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +14% · 2024 FDD · 1+ year old
- 48. Fresh CoatSteady
$86K–$125K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +5% · 2026 FDD
- 49. That 1 PainterSteady
$97K–$137K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +336% · 2026 FDD
$89K–$213K to open · Filed FDD
Net units: +13% · 2026 FDD
| # | Units · latest run | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Best Brains $50K–$134K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDTutoring, test prep & learning centers2026 FDD | Strong | +64% | |
| 02 | C12 $38K–$68K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness coaching & peer advisory2026 FDD | Strong | +14% | |
| 03 | Fundraising University $80K–$84K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness Services2026 FDD | Strong | +53% | |
| 04 | Scoop Soldiers $64K–$123K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPet waste removal2026 FDD | Strong | +49% | |
| 05 | CARING TRANSITIONS $76K–$123K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDEstate sales & senior moves2026 FDD | Strong | +32% | |
| 06 | ALWAYS BEST CARE SENIOR SERVICES $90K–$146K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Strong | +17% | |
| 07 | DOODYCALLS $76K–$94K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPet waste removal2026 FDD | Strong | +253% | |
| 08 | KONA ICE $115K–$229K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDShaved ice & Italian ice2026 FDD | Strong | +16% | |
| 09 | Mr. Sandless $42K–$91K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDFlooring2026 FDD | Strong | +17% | |
| 10 | OASIS SENIOR ADVISORS $63K–$109K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSenior living placement2026 FDD | Strong | +28% | |
| 11 | POOP 911 $4K–$26K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPet waste removal2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +146% | |
| 12 | ASSISTING HANDS (UNIT) $98K–$181K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Strong | +35% | |
| 13 | SYNERGY HOME CARE $80K–$164K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Strong | +25% | |
| 14 | PET WANTS $148K–$239K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPet stores2026 FDD | Strong | +8% | |
| 15 | American Poolplayers Association $22K–$31K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDRecreation & Entertainment2026 FDD | Strong | +9% | |
| 16 | CAREPATROL $65K–$136K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSenior living placement2026 FDD | Strong | +24% | |
| 17 | iFixandRepair $78K–$147K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPhone & electronics repair/resale2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +117% | |
| 18 | Keyrenter Property Management $119K–$244K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDProperty management2026 FDD | Strong | +38% | |
| 19 | PEST AUTHORITY $26K–$106K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPest & mosquito control2026 FDD | Strong | +30% | |
| 20 | HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS $143K–$194K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Strong | +22% | |
| 21 | Transworld $97K–$122K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness brokerage2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Strong | +30% | |
| 22 | BRITISH SWIM SCHOOL $123K–$176K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSwim schools2026 FDD | Steady | +158% | |
| 23 | HOME HELPERS HOME CARE $121K–$175K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Steady | +15% | |
| 24 | PACKAGEHUB BUSINESS CENTERS $2K–$109K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPack & ship / mailbox stores2026 FDD | Steady | +174% | |
| 25 | WSI $76K–$107K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness Services2026 FDD | Steady | +3% | |
| 26 | Challenge Island $58K–$74K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSTEM, coding & chess enrichment2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 27 | JUNK KING $121K–$236K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDJunk removal & dumpster rental2026 FDD | Steady | +27% | |
| 28 | THE CLEANING AUTHORITY $119K–$163K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDHouse cleaning / maid service2026 FDD | Steady | +9% | |
| 29 | The Entrepreneurs Source $114K–$134K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness coaching & peer advisory2026 FDD | Steady | +41% | |
| 30 | CARING SENIOR SERVICE $100K–$154K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIn-home senior care2026 FDD | Steady | +18% | |
| 31 | FASTEST LABS $131K–$200K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDrug, DNA & lab testing2026 FDD | Steady | +33% | |
| 32 | FITNESS MACHINE TECHNICIANS FMT $66K–$128K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDMobile equipment repair2026 FDD | Steady | +13% | |
| 33 | REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT $99K–$244K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDProperty management2026 FDD | Steady | +7% | |
| 34 | Aplus Area Representative $20K–$39K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDFuel stations & convenience stores2026 FDD | Steady | -0% | |
| 35 | SPRING-GREEN $119K–$135K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDLawn care, landscaping & trees2026 FDD | Steady | +3% | |
| 36 | Superglass Windshield Repair $38K–$113K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDAutomotive2026 FDD | Steady | -1% | |
| 37 | CRUISE PLANNERS $2K–$21K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDTravel agencies2026 FDD | Steady | +12% | |
| 38 | Mathnasium Centers $127K–$166K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDTutoring, test prep & learning centers2026 FDD | Steady | +8% | |
| 39 | SNAPOLOGY $75K–$106K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDSTEM, coding & chess enrichment2026 FDD | Steady | +83% | |
| 40 | ACE HANDYMAN SERVICES $132K–$226K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDHandyman & home repair2026 FDD | Steady | +6% | |
| 41 | BLUE MOON ESTATE SALES $90K–$113K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDEstate sales & senior moves2026 FDD | Steady | +25% | |
| 42 | Frios $65K–$220K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDIce cream & frozen custard2026 FDD | Steady | +27% | |
| 43 | DRYER VENT WIZARD $85K–$163K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDDryer vent, duct & chimney cleaning2026 FDD | Steady | +11% | |
| 44 | MOSQUITO SQUAD $162K–$220K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPest & mosquito control2026 FDD | Steady | +12% | |
| 45 | MURPHY BUSINESS & FINANCIAL CORPORATION $66K–$88K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBusiness brokerage2026 FDD | Steady | 0% | |
| 46 | BLOOMIN' BLINDS $129K–$246K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDBlinds, shutters & window film2025 FDD | Steady | +104% | |
| 47 | Class 101 $75K–$130K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDTutoring, test prep & learning centers2024 FDD · 1+ year old | Steady | +14% | |
| 48 | Fresh Coat $86K–$125K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPainting2026 FDD | Steady | +5% | |
| 49 | That 1 Painter $97K–$137K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPainting2026 FDD | Steady | +336% | |
| 50 | AMERICA'S SWIMMING POOL COMPANY $89K–$213K to open ✓ FROM FILED FDDPool cleaning & service2026 FDD | Steady | +13% |
A broker is usually paid by the franchisor to place you. I'm paid only by you, never by a franchisor you're considering — and the job is pressure-testing the numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.