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28 Best Franchise Opportunities in Ireland and Their Cost

Do you want to start a business in Ireland by buying a profitable franchise? If YES, here are 28 best franchise opportunities in Ireland and their cost. The franchise sector in Ireland has increased job creation figures every year since 2006. But it’s very important to state that the types of franchise businesses that exist in Ireland are varied with over half in the service sector, one-third in the retail sector and the minority of franchise opportunities being van based.

In terms of the business sector in which franchise owners operate, the food and drink industry is the most popular comprising of over one-fifth of franchise owners. Nearly one-third have held a master franchise for three years or less, indicative of the continued growth in the sector. Report has it that indigenous Irish franchises account for almost one-fifth of the franchise market.

When looking at the origin of franchise systems operating in Ireland, the uk has overtaken the US as the dominant player, accounting for over one-third of the market. An interesting finding is that new entrants from other countries such as Australia, Spain and the Far East have established themselves in the Irish franchise market.

The most dynamically developing business areas are information technology, telecommunications, textile, food, chemical, health and pharmaceuticals, international and financial services, software production, e-commerce. The annual turnover of franchise businesses in the Republic of Ireland exceeds €2.4 billion.

The Irish franchise industry has created 4,086 operating franchise units and 42,927 full-time equivalent franchise jobs. Dublin (527,612), Cork (125,657), Limerick (94,192), Galway (79,934), and Waterford (53,504) are the largest cities so they have the most attractive business opportunities for franchise companies. The average initial franchise fee for buying a franchise in Ireland is €24,638.

The research also shows that the average working capital for setting up a franchise business in Ireland is €21,873 and the total set-up cost is an average of €124,330. Indeed, there are high investment business opportunities, as well as cheap franchises in Ireland presented for review, the choice is yours.

28 Best Franchise Opportunities in Ireland and Their Cost

  1. Interim HealthCare®

Interim HealthCare®, founded in 1966, is a home care, hospice and medical staffing company. Interim’s more than 300 independently owned and operated franchise locations offer a variety of home health, senior care, hospice, palliative care, pediatric care and healthcare staffing services.

Franchisees employ nurses, therapists, aides, companions and other healthcare professionals who provide 25 million hours of home care service to 190,000 people each year.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $125,500 – $198,500
  • Net-worth: $250,000 – $450,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000 – $250,000
  1. Fastway Couriers

This company , established in 1983, is the world’s largest courier franchise system with 104 Regional Franchisees and 1,500 Courier Franchisees and serves a strong market niche untapped by other couriers. Sole Regional Franchise rights for each city are awarded to only one entrepreneur who enters the business of franchising, not package distribution.

Cities are then divided into territories which are awarded to Courier Franchisees who conduct the actual distribution of packages. Fastway Global Ltd is the overall entity that heads up the Fastway Couriers brand around the world.

Operating the Fastway business in each country is a Fastway National Master Franchisee; running a total business management franchise, establishing and controlling the sales, marketing, administration, technology, operations and support services in their country.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: $8,000
  • Franchise Fee: $20,000 – $25,000
  1. Junk King

Junk King is known as a privately held junk removal and recycling company with over 70 franchise territories in the united states, Canada and Europe. Junk King was started in San Carlos, California in 2005 by childhood friends Mike Andreacchi and Brian Reardon.

Junk King began franchising in 2010 and within a few years, expanded across the United States and also into Canada under the “Junk Works” brand. Junk King and Junk Works reuse, recycle, or donate high percentages of items collected.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $79,700 – $197,900
  • Net-worth: $150,000 – $1,000,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $35,000 – $75,000
  1. Pearle Vision

Pearle Vision is an American chain of eye care stores. This company was founded in 1961 by Stanley Pearle, an optometrist in Savannah, Georgia, United States. They offer personal eye examination services, including senior and child eye care services; they also offer eyewear and eyewear accessories, compare and precision lenses, multifocal lenses, contact lens, sunglasses, and frames.

They also provides adjustment, repair, exchange, and replacement services. Pearle Vision currently has more than 500 EyeCare Centers and is aggressively expanding nationwide, with plans to reach 1,000 EyeCare Centers by 2022.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $399,439 – $603,904
  • Net-worth Requirement: $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 8%
  1. Expense Reduction Analysts

Started in 1992, Expense Reduction Analysts is a specialized cost and supplier management consultancy focused on delivering improved business performance to clients of all sizes in both the private and public sectors. Franchising in over 25 countries with more than 650 consultants, Expense Reduction Analysts provide deep industry expertise in a wide variety of business cost areas, working with mid-sized companies to many internationally well-known names.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $66,000 – $885,90
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $59,900
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 15%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 3%
  1. Subway

Subway is an opportunity you need to explore. Subway has one of the lowest start-up costs in the industry and provides an opportunity to serve customers delicious, nutritious and innovative food options (no grease – no fryolators – just bread baked fresh daily and more fresh vegetables to pile on your sandwich!).

With the Subway franchise model, the company have Business Development Agents all over the world to help and support Franchise Owners so they have a better chance to become successful in their business. A large number of Subway franchise owners have reinvested in the brand and have become multi-unit owners.

Financial Requirements

  • Total initial investment: $40,000
  • Net Worth: $80,000 – $310,000
  • Total Investment: $150,050 – $328,700
  • Franchise Fee: $15,000
  1. Poolwerx

Poolwerx, founded in 1992, is Australasia’s largest pool and spa maintenance network. With over 350 territories made up of retail stores and mobile vans, Poolwerx clients have some of the best people and latest technology available anywhere they live or work to take care of backyards or commercial pools.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $78,500 – $288,500
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $15,000 – $50,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 3%
  1. The Zip Yard

The Zip Yard was founded in 2005 as a garment alteration service provider and has grown across the UK and Ireland as a successful franchise due to high demand among customers for cost-effective tailoring services. The Zip Yard carries out a variety of services from repairs and sizing adjustments to more bespoke tailoring and changes, and offers fast and cost-efficient services for everyday and special occasion wear.

The Zip Yard offers a range of technical services to customers, including re-sizing and restyling existing clothing, carrying out repairs and mending, replacing zips and fastening on clothing, and also working on more complicated services, such as repairs and modifications on soft furnishing, curtains, and leather. They also provide volume-services for corporate clients.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: £38,500
  1. Wingstop Restaurants, Inc.

Wingstop Restaurants, Inc. is a chain of nostalgic, aviation-themed restaurants specializing in chicken wings. Wingstop locations are decorated following a 1930s and 1940s “pre-jet” aviation theme. Its menu includes wings, boneless wings and strips, meals, individual combos, sides, and drinks.

The company also enables customers to order their menu online. The restaurant chain was founded in 1994 in Garland, Texas, and began offering franchises in 1998. Since then, Wingstop has grown into a chain with more than 1,000 restaurants either open or in development.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $346,775 – $733,249
  • Net-worth: $1,200,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $600,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $20,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee 4%
  1. Sport Clips, Inc.

Sport Clips, Inc. offers haircut services for men and boys. It offers hot steamed towel treatment, relaxing neck and shoulder massage, scalp massage, and massaging shampoo services. The company also offers hair care and styling products. In addition, it offers franchising services. Sport Clips, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Georgetown, Texas.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $204,800 – $368,300
  • Net-worth Requirement: $400,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $200,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000 – $59,500
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 5%
  1. Supermac

Supermac’s restaurants come in a variety of formats depending on the location, size and suitability of the site. Supermac’s restaurants can be tailored to a High Street, Drive Thru or a Fresh Express premises. Papa John’s Pizza or SuperSubs can be incorporated into the existing premises. Supermac’s provides a comprehensive support structure to all its franchisees, including: Site selection, Innovative outlet design, Management and staff training.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: £64,428
  1. O’Brien’s Irish Sandwich Bars

While the focus for O’Briens has always been on healthier choices, they constantly strive to introduce a more ethical way of doing business with organic deli dishes and snacks, a wide variety of gourmet coffees where a growing percentage of beans come direct from the grower, and Fairtrade and organic tea.

O’Briens has a greater variety within its Tossed Salads and healthy Wrappo ranges, which are perfect for lighter meals during the warmer spring and summer months.

For autumn and winter, the menu moves more towards the warming hot organic roast carvery, traditional and specialty soups, not to mention toasted sandwiches, in all shapes and forms. O’Briens has more than 300 stores providing the healthy food option in 13 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Their reputation has been shaped on their famous made-to-order hot or cold sandwiches.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: $400,000 – $610,000
  • Franchise Fee: $32,000
  1. Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC

Jimmy John’s Franchise, LLC is an American franchised sandwich restaurant chain, specializing in delivery. It was founded by Jimmy John Liautaud in 1983 and is headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. In 35 years, the company has grown to more than 2,800 locations. Jimmy John’s has opened approximately 200 locations per year over the past three years. As of 2014, 98% of the locations were franchise-owned.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $329,500 – $557,500
  • Net-worth: $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $80,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
  • Ongoing Fee: 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 4.5%
  1. Kumon

Kumon was founded by Toru Kumon, a Japanese educator, in 1958. He opened the first Kumon Math Center in Moriguchi City, Osaka. Initial growth of Kumon was slow, only gaining 63,000 students over its first 16 years. However, in 1974 Kumon published a book titled The Secret of Kumon Math, leading to a doubling of its size in the next two years.

Kumon opened their first United States locations in 1983, and by 1985, Kumon reached 1.4 million students. As of 2008, Kumon had over 26,000 centers around the globe with over 4 million registered students.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $69,583 – $148,965
  • Net-worth Requirement: $150,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $70,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $1,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: $34 – $38/student/month.
  1. Choupette

Renowned as a fashionable brand for children’s clothes and accessories, their production and firm distribution network has guaranteed them high quality and a flexible price policy. The company is among the 5 leading domestic manufacturers according to the authoritative consulting Agency Kids Fashion Retail in 2018.

Today, the brand chain Choupette has more than 100 stores. The company is actively developing its own franchise program. The franchisee becomes a part of the time-tested and market-tested system, getting a ready-made concept and products, which in just a decade managed to gain a leading position in the market.

Financial Requirements

  • Franchise fee: $2,170,
  • Total initial investment: $46,000
  1. Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements is a U.S. – based franchising business that specializes in fresh fruit arrangements, melding the concept of fruit baskets with designs inspired by the floral business. The company also sells a variety of specialty fruit gift items, such as gift boxes featuring premium chocolate dipped fruit, and fresh-fruit-to-go products.

The company was founded by Tariq Farid, who partnered with his brother Kamran Farid to open the first Edible Arrangements store in East Haven, Connecticut in 1999.

As of 2012, the business had grown to more than 1,100 stores serving locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong, Oman, india and China.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $189,750 – $348,950
  • Net-worth: $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $80,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 5%
  1. RoboThink

RoboThink is an exciting and unique edu-tainment franchise focusing on STEM enrichment: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math. RoboThink Franchises offer educational and fun classes, camps, workshops and events in the fields of robotics, coding, and engineering. RoboThink programs cover a wide range of ages and a diverse target market. You get to work with private schools, daycares, recreation centers, school districts, home school students, etc.

Financial Requirements

  • Franchise fee: $25,000,
  • Total initial investment range: $40,700 – $110,500
  1. Primrose

Primrose offers full early childhood education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 6 years and after-school programs for children up to age 12. Each Primrose school is independently owned and operated by franchise owners who undergo training at both the Primrose corporate campus in Georgia and with experienced franchise owners before opening a school. Franchise owners are provided with a system of support via field consultants and ongoing training opportunities.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $553,180 – $7,039,578
  • Net-worth: $700,000 – $1,000,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $350,000 – $7750,00
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $80,000
  • Ongoing Fee: 7%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 2%
  1. Petland

Petland is a privately owned operator and franchisor of pet stores based in Chillicothe, Ohio. Ed Kunzelman founded the company in 1967. Petland currently operates 131 stores in the United States, and at least 63 in foreign markets including south africa, Ireland, Canada, Japan, China, Mexico, Brazil and El Salvador.

Petland sells products and services worth about $300,000,000 in the United States, South Africa, Ireland, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. The company currently sells birds, fish, small animals, puppies, and kittens.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $280,000 – $1,034,000
  • Net-worth: $500,000 – $1,000,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000 – $5500,00
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $40,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 4.5%
  1. Massage Envy

Massage Envy is the largest chain of franchised massage spas in the United States. It was founded in 2002 with a single location in Scottsdale, Arizona. As of 2017, it has 1,170 franchised locations, employs 25,000 massage therapists and estheticians, and has over 1.65 million members in the United States and Europe.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $453,323 – $1,059,000
  • Net-worth Requirement: $500,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $45,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 6%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 6%
  1. Cruise Planners

Cruise Planners is a privately owned American Travel Agency franchise network. The company is headquartered in downtown Coral Springs, Florida. The company’s travel agency franchisees specialize in booking cruises/travel to destinations around the world.

The company has more than 1,800 franchise owners in The United States and Europe.  Cruise Planners was inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame as the Travel Agency Innovator of the year.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $2,295 – $23,367
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $695 – $10,995
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 3%
  1. Dale Carnegie

The Dale Carnegie Course in Effective Speaking and Human Relations is a learn-by-doing based program for individuals based on Dale Carnegie’s teachings. It was founded in 1912 and is represented in more than 90 countries. More than eight million people have completed Dale Carnegie Training.

Since its founding, Dale Carnegie Training has expanded into sales training, leadership training, presentations training, and most recently customized corporate solutions. The flagship program is the Dale Carnegie Course which is offered at all locations around the globe.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $51,200 – $186,500
  • Net-worth Requirement: $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $50,000 – $200,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $10,000 – $30,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 12%
  • Ad Royalty Fee 3%
  1. Cleanbros

Cleanbros is a leading cleaning company in Moscow. They clean apartments, cottages and offices. This company has already carried out more than 40,000 cleanings, 65% of their customers became permanent and their number are constantly growing. 90% of all their cleaning processes are automated, which allows them to save time, money and keep the best prices in the market, while feedback is one of it’s priorities in working with customers.

Financial Requirements

  • Franchise fee: $15,030
  • Total initial investment: $16,200
  1. Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs is an American submarine sandwich chain headquartered in Manasquan, New Jersey. The Jersey Mike’s franchise has almost 1,300 locations open and about 70 more in development across the United States. Five additional locations are open outside the U.S. The company provides cold subs, hot subs, wraps, kids’ meals, combos, drinks, and desserts. It also offers franchising and catering services.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $178,523 – $746,342
  • Net-worth Requirement: $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $18,500
  • Ongoing Fee: 6.5%
  • Ad Royalty Fee: 5%
  1. TOPGUN

TOPGUN barbershop chain is the largest chain in Russia and the most intensively growing chain in the world. It is represented in three countries, 45 cities, more than 250 open barbershops, and more than 290 signed contracts. By purchasing a TOPGUN franchise, you get a ready-made Business model, support from the management company at each stage, software, special conditions for equipment purchase and men’s cosmetics, and regular chain advertising campaigns.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: $55,000
  1. The Goddard School

The Goddard School was founded in 1983 by Lois Goddard Haines in an effort to better the lives of children and their families who required childcare. Each Goddard School is independently owned and operated by franchisees. These franchisees receive training at GSI’s corporate office in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania before opening their Schools.

GSI provides franchisees with ongoing support in real estate, site development, operations, IT, marketing, advertising, quality assurance and training.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial investments: $619,900 – $760,600
  • Net-worth Requirement: $750,000 – $2,000,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement: $150,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee: $135,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee: 7%
  • Ad Royalty Fee 4%
  1. Butlers Chocolate Café

Butlers Chocolate Café aims to spread happiness around the world one chocolate at a time, and this is a commitment the Irish chocolateur takes quite seriously; so much so that when a new customer stops into a Butlers Chocolate Café and orders a coffee, they will receive a free chocolate of their choice. It’s one small way Butlers backs up its commitment.

Pieces of delectable chocolate line the displays of Butlers, but the cafes also feature a long list of treats, including chocolate biscuit cake, chocolate coffee cups, chocolate crunch bars, chocolate macaroons, chocolate soufflés, Molten Chocolate Volcanoes, brownies, white chocolate strawberry ice cream cake…the list goes on.

Financial Requirements

  • Total Initial Investment: $259,000 – $870,000
  • Franchise fee: $35,000
  1. McDonald’s

This restaurant is among the most identifiable brands in the entire world. The McDonald’s Golden Arches logo has become one of the most ubiquitous marketing symbols ever. Happy Meals, McDonald’s French fries, chicken McNuggets, the Big Mac, McDonald’s has led the way in the innovation of fast-food trends one after another.

Since 1940, when McDonald’s Corporation first opened as a barbecue restaurant, then a hamburger stand, it has grown into the largest chain of hamburger fast-food restaurants on the planet, serving some 68 million customers every day in 119 countries.

Financial Requirements

  • Total initial Investment: $750,000
  • Total Investment: $989,352 – $2,217,045
  • Franchise fee: $45,000

Franchising is now a significant contributor to new business start-ups throughout Ireland. There is nothing to suggest that this upward trend won’t continue. It’s time to consider this route, especially now in Ireland where competition is becoming intense.