Don’t think you can afford to open a franchise? Think again. There are actually franchise opportunities available for a wide variety of investment levels. Even if your budget is limited, your options are myriad. To get an idea of all the affordable options the franchise world has to offer, check out our list of the top 100 franchises that can be started for less than $50,000.
These companies are ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500 ranking, a comprehensive analysis that looked at more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Please note that a company’s placement on this list does not mean that all franchisees will be able to start the business for less than $50,000, but simply that it is reasonably possible for some (without financing and without adding onto or converting an existing business). For reference, we list the full initial investment range from each company’s franchise disclosure document (FDD).
Keep in mind also that this ranking is not intended as an endorsement of any particular franchise. Whatever your budget, it’s always wise to carefully research any opportunity in which you’re considering investing. Read the company’s FDD, consult with an attorney and an accountant, and talk to current and former franchisees to find out if it’s a good fit for you.
