You’ve asked the big question: How much can you make in the franchise world?
And the answer starts with: “It depends.” A lot depends on how well you choose a franchise that fits your unique goals, how well you execute, how you scale, and how hard you’re willing to work. But while there’s no guaranteed formula, there are real numbers and success stories out there. And they give us a useful window into what’s possible when things line up.
Let’s start with a few quick stories of everyday people who took the leap into franchise ownership – and what happened next. After that, we’ll walk through a few key points to consider as you think about your own path.
Real People. Real Franchise Wins.
Here are a few examples that show just how far the franchise ownership path can take you:
- A former retail manager opened one franchise location and grew it into 63 stores, now employing over 400 people with projected annual revenues of $20 million in 2025. Learn more
- An HVAC technician transitioned into business ownership and now runs a franchise generating over $70 million annually. Learn more
- A U.S. Army veteran started with a single franchise unit and has since expanded to 14 locations, bringing in approximately $8.8 million per year. Learn more
- A woman who bought her first Denny’s at age 23 has grown her portfolio to 75 restaurant units across the country. Learn more
- Renowned entrepreneur John Hewitt founded the following brands: Jackson Hewitt, Liberty Tax, and https://loyaltybrands.com/john-hewitt/ has created over 1,000 millionaires.
But how much are Franchisees taking home?
This depends on many factors, like the brand, the operator, the industry, the territory, the royalty, etc. But to give you a general idea, here are some average profit margins by industry:
- Business Services 12-22%
- Technology Services 15-25%
- Healthcare Services 12-20%
- Home Services 10-18%
- Senior Care 10-20%
Another example: According to this blog from Senior Helpers, franchises that had been open for more than 60 months reported an average gross annual revenue of $1,686,350. (Note: These figures are based on self-reported data from franchise owners and exclude any locations that had been in operation for less than 12 months.)
Bottom line is that with $1,686,350 in average gross revenue and a 10% net profit, your take home pay could potentially be $160,000+. As illustrated above, there are plenty of success stories and examples of owners taking home more, much more in fact, but there are also other owners who are making less. Again, it depends on many factors.
For perspective, the median U.S. household income in 2024 was $83,730 – so these examples illustrate how franchise ownership can dramatically increase earning potential over time.
And according to the book The Millionaire Next Door by Dr. William D. Danko and Dr. Thomas J. Stanley: About 66% of millionaires are business owners (living normal lives in normal neighborhoods). The data says: being self-employed significantly boosts your odds of big financial success – even if “big” for you just means “freedom from the 9-to-5 grind.”
So if you’re sitting there thinking: “I don’t need to be a millionaire, I just want financial independence,” that’s okay. That’s actually more common. What most people want is to make money for themselves and their family, not for someone else’s company.
If that sounds like you, I’ve got plenty more stories just like that – everyday people finding the right franchise fit and building a better life. Here’s one example. Plus another. And there are countless others out there!
Taking the Leap Into Franchise Ownership: A few points to consider
1. How do you measure success?
In most franchise systems, the top 10% to 25% of owners tend to do especially well. But “very well” can mean different things depending on the industry, brand, and market.
During your research, dig into what high performance actually looks like – in your area and other similar areas across the country.
2. Are you ready to own the outcome?
Once you sign that franchise agreement, it’s your business. The wins? Yours. The challenges? Also yours.
And that’s also the financial upside. Business owners statistically have higher earning potential than employees – but that comes with risk, responsibility, and the need to show up and lead.
3. Do you understand how the business actually makes money?
Every franchise has its own financial model – some are high volume, low margin; others are recurring-revenue machines.
Pay attention to things like territory size, pricing power, fixed costs, and what it takes to break even and grow. Ask questions. Make sure there’s room to scale.
4. What role do you want to play in the business?
Are you planning to be hands-on day to day, or hoping to step back and let a team run it?
Some franchise models support “executive ownership” or “semi-absentee” structures, but fully absentee ownership is rare and usually comes later.
Early on, you’ll likely need to be involved, especially if you want to build something strong.
A Few Final Thoughts on Franchise Ownership
- Your mindset and beliefs matter. As Napoleon Hill said: “Our only limitations are those we set up in our own minds.”
- The right franchise can give you a platform – but you’ll still need to show up, make decisions, learn, lead a team and push the business forward.
- Use the stories above as inspiration – not as guarantees. They’re proof that it’s possible. But your success will reflect your effort, the system you choose, the fit with your goals, and the reality of execution.
- Business ownership doesn’t mean $10 million dollars in revenue overnight. But for many people it means: control over your time, control over your earnings, and creating the life and balance you want for yourself.
If that resonates – and if you’re curious about whether franchise ownership fits your mindset, goals, and future vision – let’s talk.
Reach out and schedule a chemistry call with me to see if I am the right fit to help you explore the franchising world. https://franchisecoachonline.com/contact-me/
It could be the first step toward a next chapter with more flexibility, more fulfillment, and yes – more earning potential too!