4 Best Franchises to Own with a Low Investment

When exploring franchise ownership, affordability is a top priority for many investors. However, "low investment" can mean different things based on industry standards, franchise fees, and operational costs. For 2025, identifying a franchise that combines affordability with growth potential is key to maximizing returns while minimizing upfront and ongoing expenses.

Let’s dive into what makes a franchise affordable, the types of businesses that work best for those with a limited budget, cost-saving factors, and the essential green and red flags when selecting a low-cost franchise.

Low-Investment Franchises: Things to Keep in Mind

An affordable franchise generally requires a modest initial investment, often under $150,000, covering franchise fees, setup costs, and working capital. In some cases, franchises can even offer entry points for under $50,000. Affordability isn’t only about the initial fee; it’s also about low operational costs, including inventory, rent, utilities, marketing, and staffing expenses.

Excellent franchises under $100k aren’t impossible to find. For instance, with Two Maids, we’ve crafted a franchise model that allows for operational flexibility and minimizes the need for high overhead. With a service-based approach, Two Maids focuses on delivering residential cleaning services directly to customers without substantial inventory or brick-and-mortar retail locations. This approach keeps operational costs manageable and helps franchisees achieve profitability sooner.

Best Types of Low Investment Franchises

If you’re considering affordable franchise opportunities, several industries stand out for their lower upfront investment and lean operating costs. Here’s a look at the most budget-friendly franchise categories:

1. Service-based franchises: Service franchises, especially in sectors like residential cleaning, consulting, and tutoring, typically have lower overhead since they don’t require substantial inventory or storefronts. These franchises can often be run from home or a small office space, making them an ideal choice for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. Two Maids, for example, is a service-based franchise that operates from a small site space and without inventory-heavy processes which helps keep costs down.
2. No or low inventory business models: Certain franchises require little or no inventory, significantly reducing storage and management costs. With residential cleaning businesses like Two Maids, franchisees benefit from a low inventory model and do not need large storage spaces or have overwhelming inventory management. This allows owners to focus on nurturing their teams and building customer relationships.
3. Mobile franchises: Mobile franchises—such as residential cleaning services, mobile pet grooming, or mobile detailing—eliminate the need for traditional retail locations, reducing real estate expenses. With a Two Maids franchise, the flexibility of a mobile approach is built into the model, as cleaning teams travel directly to clients, making it an adaptable and cost-effective franchise option.
4. Home-based franchises: Many franchises today can operate from a home office, offering substantial savings on rental and utility costs. Whether you’re looking to start a residential cleaning service like Two Maids or offer consulting or virtual services, a home-based franchise can reduce overhead and let you scale as you grow.

What Helps These Types of Franchises Keep Costs Low?

Affordable franchises generally share common cost-saving attributes. Here are the main factors that help keep expenses manageable:

• No physical inventory: Franchises like Two Maids avoid large inventory requirements, cutting out the need for a warehouse and storage costs. This lets franchisees focus on growing their client base rather than managing massive amounts of stock.
• No brick-and-mortar location: Home-based or mobile franchises eliminate the need for retail space, cutting expenses related to rent, utilities, and property insurance. Franchises like Two Maids only requires an office site where franchisees and/or office managers can meet with their staff in the mornings to start their day.
• Streamlined operations: Some franchisors, including Two Maids, provide back-office support, IT systems, client scheduling, marketing support, and more. This reduces the operational burden on the franchisee, allowing them to focus on running and growing their business.
• Minimal staff requirements: Service franchises like Two Maids typically offer an Owner-Operators model, where the franchisee can typically serve as the Office Manager, providing day-to-day management duties including sales support, customer service, personnel management, quality control and cleaning crew logistical support. Our franchises are operated very lean so that operating margins can be high.

Explore Low-Cost Franchising with Two Maids

Two Maids offers an accessible entry point into the franchising world, with a proven model combining affordability with high demand. Operating in the booming residential cleaning industry, Two Maids supports franchisees with extensive training, marketing support, and streamlined operations that keep costs down. With a flexible model that allows for mobile service delivery and low overhead, franchisees can enjoy the benefits of a service business without the need for substantial startup capital.

As part of the Home Franchise Concepts family, Two Maids joins other renowned brands dedicated to home services, including Budget Blinds, Kitchen Tune-Up, and Aussie Pet Mobile, giving franchisees access to a broad network of resources and brand recognition.

Ready to learn more about joining Two Maids? Request info today to explore the opportunities available.