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:

✔ Resale with $3.8M in Total Sales*

✔ Is Ace Hardware a good investment?

✔ How Joseph & Cristina Doubled Down on Business Ownership

✔ Is a Jersey Mike’s Franchise Worth It in 2025? (Sales, Costs, & Fees)

✔ Is The UPS Store Franchise Still A Good Investment in 2025? (Costs, Sales, & Fees)

**Franchisee’s share is $559,044. Franchisee Share: Gross Profit Margin is NOT Net Profit, as it is used to pay local operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, internal staff salaries and commissions, recruiting and marketing expenses, etc.

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

• Staffing Industry
• Started in 2014
• Prime Territory
• Asking price of $650,000
  • Includes a fully equipped office and an established network of clients and job seekers
• 2024 Revenue of $3.8M. Franchisee’s Share of $559,044*/ **
• This business is not eligible for an SBA loan; other funding will be required. (HELOC, unsecured loans, ROBS, etc.)***

*Franchisee Share: Gross Profit Margin is NOT Net Profit, as it is used to pay local operating expenses, such as rent, utilities, internal staff salaries and commissions, recruiting and marketing expenses, etc.
**Franchisee Net Profit: will be disclosed directly by the Seller, after receiving a signed Non-Disclosure Statement (see NDA below) from a qualified potential buyer, when PrideStaff Franchise Development introduces him/her to the seller
***Available Additional Funds: some or all will be necessary to run and grow the business, however, access to the full amount in liquid funds is required to purchase this business (unfortunately, SBA is not available at this time, as the Franchisor is the employer of record of the Temporary Associates), which is a benefit to franchise owners

• Business owners’ pain points are always tied to staffing and people. That will never change; companies like this serve a critical role for businesses.
• This business does temporary staffing placements, direct hire (permanent placements), and temp-to-hire full-time.
• This is a great opportunity for a full-time owner to come in who’s got strong management and leadership experience, and robust financials to hit the ground running and take over an already well-performing business that has a lot of room for growth.

Joseph and Cristina have been successfully running a pool service business in Mesa, Arizona, for over 11 years. With that business thriving, they started looking for their next venture, something that could match or even surpass what they had already built.

They came to us looking for a brand that aligned with their goals and gave them room to grow in their local market. We explored a few different directions together, but when they discovered Woofie’s, everything clicked.

The model made sense, the opportunity in Gilbert was strong, and it allowed them to build a second business without stepping away from the one they already run.

Now, Joseph and Cristina are officially Woofie’s franchise owners and are set to bring premium pet services to their community in Gilbert, Arizona.

Congrats to both of you! You’re building something special, again!

Most people think Ace Hardware is just another big franchise. But it’s not.

Back in 1924, four small hardware store owners in Chicago had a problem. The big chains were crushing them on prices. So they teamed up to buy products together and save money. They called it Ace Stores, and their mission was simple: help independent shops survive and thrive.

By 1929, they opened their first warehouse. Two years later, the company adopted a new name: Ace Hardware Corporation. Then in 1973, when founder Richard Hesse stepped away, the company reached a crossroads.

Most businesses would have sold to investors or gone public. But Ace did something different, something bold. They handed ownership to the people who knew the business best, the store owners themselves.

Most Ace Hardware stores today are owned by a local entrepreneur who is also a shareholder in the entire company. It is not a franchise. It is a cooperative. That means Ace does not make money from royalties. They earn revenue by selling products to their store owners, just like they did a century ago.

And it’s working. Really well.

Because now, every Ace store is not just another location. It is someone’s legacy. That is why you will see names like “Johnson’s Ace Hardware” or “Pitkins Ace” on the front.

Today, Ace Hardware has over 6,000 stores around the world, with the majority independently owned and operated by hardworking entrepreneurs who might just be your neighbor.

And customers feel that difference. While competitors focused on size, Ace focused on service. They have ranked number one in customer satisfaction for 15 years straight and are now planning to invest over one billion dollars into growth and remodeling.

It is a model built on ownership, community, and trust. And now the question is…What would it look like to open one of your own? 👇

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

• Units: Over 6,000 Worldwide
• Flat annual brand assessment fee: $6,000
• Initial Investment: $650,000 – $1,500,000+ (estimated based on store size)
• Minimum Net Worth Requirement: $700,000
• Minimum Liquid Capital Required: $350,000
• No Royalties: Instead of paying ongoing royalties, owners buy into the co-op by purchasing stock.
• Affiliation Agreement: Owners sign an affiliation agreement, not a fixed-term franchise contract.
• Annual Rebates: A portion of fees paid on inventory purchases is rebated back at year-end, aligning incentives across the co-op.

*Numbers according to their FDD released on March 27, 2025

• Retail or Business Operations Experience: Ace looks for owners who understand inventory, customer service, and team management. Hardware experience is helpful, but not required.
• Community-Oriented Leader: Because each store is locally owned, ideal candidates are deeply invested in serving their communities and becoming the “helpful place” people rely on.
• Long-Term Builder: This isn’t a short-term flip. Ace Hardware owners are in it for the long haul, building equity in their stores and a stake in the co-op itself.
• Financially Prepared: With startup costs ranging up to $2M, candidates must be financially ready to invest and scale responsibly, no shortcuts.
• Excited by Ownership, Not Just Operations: You’re not just running a store, you’re becoming a shareholder in one of the largest hardware co-ops in the world.

*Information below taken from the Ace Hardware 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document – Item 19 

Benefits for the Franchisee:

Equity in the Business: As a co-op member, you own your store and a piece of the entire Ace Hardware Corporation, meaning real equity and profit-sharing potential.

No Royalties, More Margin: Since there are no royalty fees, more of your revenue stays with you. The brand earns income by acting as your wholesale supplier.

Backed by 100 Years of Brand Power: With a century of trust, loyal customers, and global reach, Ace gives you the benefits of a massive brand, without the bureaucracy of a franchise.

High Customer Loyalty & Satisfaction: Ace has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction for 15 years running, thanks to its small-town service model and helpful culture.

Jersey Mike’s Subs is ranked #2 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for a reason, but is it still worth the investment in 2025? In this episode, Tariq Johnson breaks down the startup costs, average earnings, royalties, and major risks hiding in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Watch this before you buy.

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Podcast Platforms

Is The UPS Store a smart franchise investment in 2025? In this video, Tariq Johnson breaks down the startup costs, royalties, and average earnings for UPS Store owners, straight from the latest FDD. Find out what they don’t tell you and whether this iconic brand is a low-cost winner or a money trap.

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

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