Franchise Empire Articles

Franchise of the Week: Budget Blinds and a Resale for $215K**

Written by Tariq Johnson | Jan 18, 2026 3:45:00 PM

Hey Empire Builders, Welcome to this week’s Franchise Empire Newsletter, where we share specific franchise opportunities that we think are interesting and examples of everyday folks building their empires.

Today, in 5 minutes or less:

 A Resale for $215K**

 Is Budget Blinds a Good Investment? (Sales, Costs, & Fees)
 
 From Uncertainty to Ownership: Eric’s Next Chapter

 One of the Richest Automotive Businesses To Start in 2026

**Sales are non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the source; they should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.

Attention Franchise Buyers:

For those of you who are struggling to find the right franchise, or maybe you’ve worked with a broker or consultant and haven’t had success…

We now offer complimentary access to our proprietary Zero to Profitable Franchise™ system to help you get access to the most proven franchises and reduce your risk, so that you can buy a money-making franchise with confidence and PROTECT YOUR ASSETS. 

This is exclusively available for franchise buyers that want to work with our team in a brokerage capacity to find, vet, and launch a money-making franchise.

You can schedule a free consultation with our team to see if you qualify and if we are the right fit to work with each other.

You can do that here https://www.franchiseempire.com/ztpf

FEATURED RESALE

Franchise resales possess many benefits for aspiring business owners – established cash flow, experienced employees, systems in place, and brand awareness, to name a few. 

CONFIDENTIAL - For Qualified Buyers 

Maryland (CONFIDENTIAL: Brand & Location available upon request)
  • Home Services 
  • Asking Price: $215,000
  • Prior year Gross Sales: $668,000**
  • Cash Flow: $83,000

**Revenue, or any financial numbers, is non-verified information provided by the franchise Owner. The data provided has NOT been verified by the franchisor. You should treat the values as approximated values. Buyer is encouraged to independently verify the financial information and asking price supplied by the Seller.

Franchise Empire’s Take:

  • This Franchisor has over 300 franchisees (very mature) with proven systems and support, and limited opportunity for new territories
  • Significant opportunity to scale and grow through acquiring fellow franchisees
  • Proven model with excellent, experienced leadership
  • Prior leadership and/or management experience is a real plus
  • Pre-approval financing recommended

Curious to learn more about this particular franchise resale, or other resales available in your area?

We have a list of over 100+ resales with various brands spanning the United States and Canada. Click the link below to find out what specific opportunities are available in your area.

🎉 New Franchise Owner through Franchise Empire 🎉

After being furloughed from his job, Eric knew it was time to take control of his future. He had a background in real estate but wanted something more scalable and stable, something he could grow long term.

He came across Franchise Empire and said the process was “night and day” from anything else he’d tried. With our guidance, he narrowed in on what truly mattered: quick ramp-up, strong customer service, and real market demand.
“Eric was thoughtful, coachable, and committed from day one,” said Laura, the broker who worked with him. “He stayed open-minded, asked great questions, and made every step count.”

After exploring several options, he found the perfect fit. Today, Eric owns two franchise territories and is building a business that fits both his goals and his values. Big congrats, Eric! This is just the beginning!

FRANCHISE OF THE WEEK

Description & History:

It started in 1992 in Orange County, California, when five friends, Chad and Brent Hallock, Todd Jackson, David Lewis, and Tony Forbes, decided to do things differently. They had all worked inside another blinds franchise, learned the business from the inside, and realized two things: the product sold itself, and the traditional retail model was holding them back.

So instead of opening showrooms, they printed flyers, knocked on doors, and brought the showroom straight into customers’ homes. Each founder took on a role: operations, marketing, sales, IT, and franchise support, keeping the business lean while building systems that scaled.

By 1994, they franchised the model, becoming one of the earliest success stories in home services franchising. Growth followed fast. Budget Blinds expanded across North America, added custom shutters, drapery, shades, and smart-home automation, and quietly built the largest window coverings franchise in the industry. Today, the brand operates over 1,400 territories and completes tens of thousands of installations each week, without the overhead of traditional retail.👇

*You should treat the values as approximated values. These values were found online through research.

Numbers*:

  • Total Investment: $100,500 - $211,250

  • Franchise Fee: $19,950

  • Initial Territory Fee:

    • Tier 1: $70,000

    • Tier 2: $45,000

    • Tier 3: $30,000

  • Royalties:

    • Until December 31, 2025, each month you must pay:

      • Tier 1: $2,500/month
      • Tier 2: $1,875/month
      • Tier 3: $1,250/month

    • From January 1, 2026: you must pay the greater of the above amount or 3.5% of your Gross Revenue for the immediately preceding month.

  • Marketing Fee (Monthly):

    • Tier 1 Territory - $1,000 (until we have 1,500 territories and $1,500 from then on)

    • Tier 2 Territory - $750 (until we have 1,500 territories and $1,125 from then on)

    • Tier 3 Territory - $500 (until we have 1,500 territories and $750 from then on)

*Numbers according to their FDD, released in 2025, and their updated website.
 

Ideal Franchise Candidate:

  • Sales-Oriented Owner: Comfortable running in-home consultations and closing one-on-one with homeowners.

  • Relationship Builder: Enjoys referrals, repeat customers, and local reputation-driven growth.

  • Hands-On Operator: Willing to be involved early, especially in sales and customer experience.

  • Multi-Territory Mindset: Sees the opportunity to scale beyond a single territory over time.

Financial Data*:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Information above taken from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document – Item 19 

Benefits for the Franchisee:

  • Low-Overhead Mobile Model: No retail storefront, no expensive leases, and minimal fixed costs.

  • Proven Multi-Territory Upside: Sales scale meaningfully as owners add territories.

  • In-Home Sales Advantage: Personalized consultations increase close rates and average ticket size.

  • Established Brand Leadership: The #1 window coverings franchise in North America.

  • Recession-Resilient Demand: Home improvement and replacement cycles drive ongoing need.

To see if this franchise is available in your territory OR Check the availability of ALL franchises in your area

Episode #159: One of the Richest Automotive Businesses To Start in 2026

Ever wondered how much money those Valvoline quick lube locations actually make? In this video, w e’ll look at average tickets, oil changes per day, and whether owning one of these shops could be a smart investment or a money pit. We also walk through the fascinating history of the Valvoline brand and what they’re doing to stay ahead in the age of electric vehicles. If you're thinking about investing in the auto industry or just want to understand how much franchise owners really make, this video is for you.

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Podcast Platforms


That’s a wrap for this week’s Franchise Empire newsletter. 

Feel free to reply with any questions, or feedback. I appreciate and value your time and attention.

I’ll see you at the same time next week!

-Tariq and The Franchise Empire Team