Franchise Cost Calculator (Australia)
Estimate only. Confirm every figure against the franchisor's disclosure document.
Why use this tool?
Franchisors advertise a headline “from” price that is usually just the initial fee. The number that actually matters is the all-in establishment cost — fee + fit-out + equipment + the working capital you need before the business is cash-flow positive — plus the ongoing percentage fees. This calculator adds those together so you compare the real cost, not the brochure figure. Category medians come from the Australian Franchise Fee Index.
Who uses the Franchise Cost Calculator?
- Prospective franchisees — budgeting before they enquire or sign, to know the true capital required.
- Career-changers & first-time buyers — sanity-checking whether a franchise fits their savings and borrowing capacity.
- Accountants & finance brokers — quickly modelling a client's establishment cost and ongoing fee load.
- Existing operators — comparing a second-site or second-brand investment against category norms.
How to use it
Estimate your all-in franchise cost in under a minute:
- Pick a category. Choose a franchise category to pre-fill typical initial fee, royalty and marketing levy from the Fee Index — or leave it blank and enter your own.
- Enter the establishment costs. Add the initial franchise fee, fit-out and equipment, working capital and any other setup costs. Use the franchisor's disclosure document figures where you have them.
- Add your projected annual sales. Enter a realistic first-year revenue estimate so the tool can calculate your ongoing royalty and marketing fees.
- Read your all-in total. The tool shows total establishment cost plus annual ongoing fees. Compare it against the category median and your budget.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to buy a franchise in Australia?
Australian franchises typically cost between $30,000 and $1.2 million all-in, depending on the category. Home-based service franchises (cleaning, lawn, courier) start lowest; food, fitness and childcare sit highest. Enter your figures above for a category-specific estimate.
What costs are included in a franchise's total investment?
The all-in total includes the initial franchise fee, fit-out and equipment, initial stock, training, and working capital to cover wages, rent and stock until the business is cash-flow positive. It does not usually include GST or your own living expenses.
What is the difference between the franchise fee and the total investment?
The initial franchise fee is a one-off payment for the right to operate the brand — often just 10–30% of the total. The total investment is everything you need to open and run the business until it breaks even. Always budget for the total, not the fee.
Are royalty and marketing fees included in the cost?
Those are ongoing fees, not part of the establishment cost. They are charged as a percentage of your gross sales (or a fixed periodic fee). This calculator shows both your one-off setup cost and your projected annual royalty and marketing fees separately.
Is this franchise cost calculator free?
Yes — it is completely free, runs in your browser, requires no sign-up, and stores nothing. For verified per-brand figures from disclosure documents, see the individual brand pages and the Australian Franchise Fee Index.