Franchise vs Independent
Compare cumulative profit between franchise and independent models over 5+ years.
Configure
Adjust each field to match your business.
Timeframe
Revenue
Franchise
Independent
Results
Based on your inputs, here's what the numbers say.
5yr Difference
$72,500
Winner
Independent
Assumptions Used
7% royalty + 2% brand fund
$12,000/yr marketing (flat)
5yr Difference
$72,500
Winner
Independent
The Real Cost of a Franchise
Franchise initial fees ($30K-$100K) are just the start. Ongoing royalties (6-9% of revenue) and brand fund contributions (1-3%) permanently reduce your margin. On $250K revenue, that's $17,500-$30,000/year in fees — forever.
Independent operators spend $10,000-$15,000/year on marketing to generate similar lead flow. The math almost always favors independent over a 5-year horizon, unless the franchise brand genuinely commands premium pricing in your market.
Founder, ScaleYourJunk
Built ScaleYourJunk after identifying that junk removal operators were stuck using generic field service tools that didn't match their workflows. Every calculator on this site uses real industry data and operator-validated assumptions.
Franchise vs Independent Junk Removal Calculator FAQ
Rarely, from a purely financial perspective. Over 5 years, independent operators typically accumulate $50,000-$150,000 more in profit. Franchises make sense if you need the structure, training, and brand recognition to get started.
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