How much does a Cardinal Care franchise cost?
Last verified February 2025 · source: Disclosure document v1.1.
Full cost breakdown
| Initial franchise fee | $45,000 |
| Fit-out & equipment | $37,000 – $187,000 |
| Working capital | $15,000 |
| Total investment (all-in) | $97,000 – $247,000 |
Establishment range includes working capital. Where a franchisor’s published range excludes it, we publish our computed all-in figure and note the difference.
Ongoing fees vs the category
| Fee | Cardinal Care | Category median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty (% gross sales) | 5.9% | 6.5% | below median |
| Marketing levy (% gross sales) | 1.7% | 2.0% | below median |
Medians from the Aged & Disability Support Fee Index. See methodology.
What that buys you
The $45,000 initial fee covers your licence to operate under the Cardinal Care system, initial training and brand onboarding. The bulk of the investment — $37,000–$187,000 — is the physical site build. The term is 7 years, with a 5-year renewal option. Ongoing, you pay a 5.9% royalty and a 1.7% marketing levy on gross sales.
Estimate your cost
Indicative only — initial fee $45,000 + fit-out $120,960 + working capital $15,000. Confirm the exact figure in the disclosure document.
Cost questions
What is the cheapest way into a Cardinal Care franchise?
The lowest entry point is the bottom of the establishment range, $97,000 all-in. A resale of an existing site can sometimes reduce fit-out cost versus a greenfield build, but pricing depends on the site — compare both before committing.
Is a Cardinal Care resale cheaper than a new site?
Not always. A resale removes some fit-out and ramp-up cost but adds goodwill in the sale price. New sites carry the full $37,000–$187,000 fit-out but start with no goodwill premium.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Beyond the initial fee and fit-out, budget roughly $15,000 working capital for wages, stock and rent before the site is cash-flow positive. The 1.7% marketing levy and 5.9% royalty are ongoing, not one-off.
Do I get a refund during cooling-off?
Under the Franchising Code 2025 you have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing or making a non-refundable payment. If you exercise it, the franchisor must repay amounts paid, less reasonable expenses — this is a statutory right, not a franchisor concession.