Are you thinking about starting your own business and being your own boss? If that’s your dream, take a closer look at some of the best service franchises on the market today. Also known as business services franchises or service-based franchises, these companies are fairly plentiful — but all are not equal.
Find one with the training and support you need and the brand recognition that will yield you a motivated customer base from the moment you open your doors for business – and you’ll find success.
What Are Service Franchises?
The best place to start is with a brief general definition of a franchise. That’s a business that’s independently owned but adopts the name, logo, branding, products or services, and ways of doing business of the franchisor — a more established company with a proven track record and a (hopefully) valued brand.
This head start is the attraction of the franchise business model, especially if you’re a first-time business owner. The franchisee is the sole owner of the business, but they have a pattern to follow. Their customers might already recognize and respect the brand and have successfully done business with a franchisee in another location. They know what to expect and look forward to a repeat performance at your franchise.
Some franchises sell products — whether it be burgers or window treatments — while others provide services. These service-based franchises appeal to customers who need things done, whether it’s windows washed or cars insured.
Business services franchises can serve a consumer or commercial audience — or both.
Costs to Start a Franchise Business
Startup costs vary considerably. If you were to start a tree removal and pruning business, you’d need a lot more in the way of monster vehicles, tools, workers, and insurance than you’d need if you began a commercial window washing operation with a van and a hose and one employee (you).
Regardless of the complexity of the business, startup costs typically include both the franchise fee and working capital. The franchise fee is your entry cost, the payment that enables the franchisee to carry the name, branding, and opportunity to do business like the franchisor. For that cost, you should expect to be comprehensively trained and receive ongoing support and guidance.
Your working capital can cover numerous expenses, including payroll (if you initially have employees), a workplace (unless you can work out of your home), and whatever tools, gear, equipment, or vehicles you might need to get the job done. It’s also the funding you’ll need to keep the business going until it begins to turn a profit.
How long will that be? The return on investment also varies. But those are questions you’ll get answered by your franchisor once you show initial interest. Run the figures past your partners, investors, and financial advisors, and see what they think.
You might also try to talk to other franchisees to see how credible the numbers are in the real world.
You’ll also pay royalties, which are a percentage of gross sales, net profits, or another method of compensation. Royalties are a way of recognizing that what you’re selling are the services your franchisor devised, improved, and popularized before you came aboard.
In addition, you might well be responsible for taking a share of the marketing costs that deliver customers. Again, your franchisor will have details.
Here are some of the best service franchises for sale in 2025
Find a description of their services, a brief history, and some financial figures. Keep in mind, the costs are estimates that can change periodically without notice. Ask your franchisor for the most accurate numbers.
The Maids
This franchisor focuses on residential cleaning services. The company started franchising in 1980, so it’s fairly established. There are some 1,200 franchisees today in the U.S. and Canada.
The Maids charges about a $65,000 franchise fee, but the exact amount depends on the size of the territory purchased. Additional startup costs of about $18,000 or so cover such items as equipment, initial operating capital, and corporate software.
ServPro
These franchisees handle commercial and residential deep cleaning and restoration services. The company specializes in cleaning up and restoring properties that have been severely damaged after fires or other destructive events. ServPro became a franchise opportunity in 1969, and today has some 2,200 franchisees.
Your franchise fee will range between at least $49,000 and $100,000, depending on your location. Additional startup costs will range between about $108,000 and $216,000 for equipment and operating capital.
Mr. Handyman
Much as it sounds, Mr. Handyman franchisees provide maintenance and repair services for commercial and residential accounts. The franchise operation has been in effect since 2000, and they’ve taken on over 200 franchisees.
The franchise fee is $65,000, and you might spend up to another $25,000 for a van and equipment, and an additional $15,000 in working capital. You must also be able to demonstrate a net worth of at least $250,000. Ask about the franchise fee discount for military veterans if applicable.
Mosquito Joe
This franchisor runs a mostly seasonal business that sprays for and eradicates mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and other nasties for residential and commercial clients.
Your franchise fee will be about $42,500, and you’ll need additional capital of as much as $150,000. Franchisees must have a net worth of $250,000, including at least $50,000 in liquid assets.
Jani-King
Franchisees for this janitorial service attract commercial clients, including healthcare facilities and hotels. Services provided include deep cleaning and infection control. The first Jani-King franchise opened in 1974. Today, there are more than 7,500 of them in 10 nations, including the U.S.
Minimum financial requirements include $10,250 for the franchise fee and a total of up to $50,000 in operating capital. You must have at least $25,340 in cash on hand.
Freeway Insurance
As one of the nation’s largest personal lines insurance companies, Freeway has granted some 550 franchisees since just 2021 and is actively opening new territories coast to coast.
The franchise fee is between about $10,000 and $25,000, depending on the size of the territory. Additional startup costs are estimated to run about $35,000 to $84,000. It’s requested that applicants have at least $70,000 in liquid assets. U.S. military vets with honorable discharges receive a discount on the franchise fee.
Monster Tree Service
This company bills itself as the first national tree care franchisor. Its first franchisee was licensed in 2008, and today, there’s a network of more than 200 franchises. The focus here is on residential and commercial tree care, removal, and pruning services.
You’ll be charged a franchise fee of $49,500 and need total startup capital that could range between $400,000 and $500,000 or more. You must have a minimum net worth of $500,000.
The UPS Store
Franchisees for this organization primarily serve business clients with printing, postal, shipping, and related services. The franchisor began as Mail Boxes Etc. in 1980. Since that time, more than 5,700 franchise locations have been opened in the U.S. and Canada.
Your franchise fee will be between about $15,000 and $30,000, depending on location. Additional initial costs total between about $216,000 and $600,000, again depending on your location. You must have at least $250,000 in liquid assets.
Express Employment Agency
This company has been in operation on a franchisee model since 1985, two years after its founding. Today, there are more than 870 franchisees in the U.S., Canada, and other continents.
You’ll need to pay a $40,000 franchise fee and have between $131,000 and $241,700 in additional funding. The actual figure is based on which type of infrastructure you choose. You’ll also need to have a net worth of at least $250,000.
Fish Window Cleaning
This company operates in 45 U.S. states and has about 2,700 franchise locations serving both commercial and residential clients.
Your franchise fee will be between $49,900 and $74,900. You could have to come up with about another $50,000 to $100,000 or so for equipment, working capital, and other expenditures.
Put Freeway Insurance High on Your List
We invite you to consider joining our coast-to-coast network of franchisee business owners and insurance agents. We offer top-tier training — we’ll even help you identify and earn your state’s licensure — and ongoing support when you need it.
In addition, we represent leading brands of the insurance products your customers need, including auto, homeowners, renters, life, health, and many other lines. Your customers know and respect our brand, and we can get you into business quickly and affordably.
You’ll get an even faster start if you’re a veteran sales professional who knows how to turn lookers into buyers.
Care to chat? Simply call a Freeway franchisor representative at 877-822-3024 today. Or give us your contact information online, and we’ll check in with you.
However we make contact, it could become an incredibly rewarding career path with highly motivated policyholders and the support of a top service franchisor.
