How Much Does a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Franchise Cost?

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2026 total investment

How much does a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise cost?

The 2026 U.S. Franchise Disclosure Document estimates a total initial investment of $182,300 to $303,500 for a new 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Franchised Business covering 8 to 12 subterritories. Eight subterritories are the minimum-sized new Territory offered. The range includes the Initial Franchise Fee, Initial Marketing Expense, truck lease or purchase deposits, insurance, a small operating location, training travel, local marketing and six months of Additional Funds.

Estimated Initial Investment $182,300-$303,500

This is the official Item 7 range for a franchisee with 8 to 12 subterritories. It includes $90,000 to $122,500 paid to 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC at or in connection with signing: the Initial Franchise Fee plus the $25,000 Initial Marketing Expense.

Source: 2026 FDD, cover and Item 7, pp. 13-17.

Data basis Legal franchisor: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC. FDD issuance date: April 30, 2026. The document describes a current U.S. franchise offer. Applicable U.S. format: a retail junk removal Franchised Business with 8 to 12 subterritories. Cost disclosures reviewed: Items 5, 6 and 7, with cost-relevant provisions from Items 8, 10, 11, 12 and 17. Information checked July 21, 2026. No matching 2026 FDD was located on the franchise-controlled website as of July 21, 2026, so FDD references below are unlinked Item-and-page citations. Current brand availability can be checked through the official U.S. franchise information, while registration status can be checked through the Wisconsin franchise registration tool.

Capital snapshot

Initial Franchise Fee $65,000-$97,500 $8,125 per subterritory; 8 to 12 subterritories.
Initial Marketing Expense $25,000 Paid at signing; used before and during the first six months.
Additional Funds $59,000-$75,000 Six months of disclosed business operating funds.
Royalty Fee 8% Of Gross Revenue; paid semi-monthly.
Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee 8% Of Gross Revenue; due on the same schedule as Royalty.
Local Marketing Requirement 8% Of Gross Revenue quarterly; first-year minimum is $3,600 per quarter.

Item 7 investment

What is included in the $182,300 to $303,500 range?

The 2026 Item 7 total is the sum of eleven disclosed cost categories. The low-end assumptions use eight subterritories, lower third-party setup costs and lease or finance deposits; the high-end assumptions use twelve subterritories and higher deposits, insurance, training and working-capital amounts.

Payments to the franchisor and core setup costs

Item 7 category 2026 range When paid Payee
Initial Franchise Fee $65,000-$97,500 At signing 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC
Initial Marketing Expense $25,000 At signing 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC, then third-party vendors
Computer Hardware and Software $1,500-$4,000 As incurred Third-party vendors
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $5,000-$15,000 As arranged Third-party vendors
Equipment: vehicle lease or purchase deposit $10,000-$30,000 Monthly lease or purchase arrangement Dealer, seller, lessor or finance company
Real Estate/Rent $1,200-$5,000 As arranged Landlord or lessor

Pre-opening, insurance and operating funds

Item 7 category 2026 range Period or timing FDD location
Local Marketing $3,600-$5,000 First three months Item 7, p. 14
Insurance $10,000-$30,000 As incurred Item 7, pp. 14-16
Additional Insurance Premiums in Certain States $0-$9,500 As incurred Item 7, pp. 14-16
Training Expenses $2,000-$7,500 Before opening Item 7, pp. 14 and 16
Additional Funds $59,000-$75,000 Six months, as incurred Item 7, pp. 14 and 16-17
Total Estimated Initial Investment $182,300-$303,500 Startup through initial operating period Item 7, p. 14

Largest Item 7 category ranges

The chart uses a $0 to $100,000 scale and shows the eight categories with the highest disclosed maximums. It highlights which obligations create most of the official range.

$0$25k$50k$75k$100k

Interpretation: the subterritory-based Initial Franchise Fee and six months of Additional Funds are the two largest disclosed components. Vehicle and insurance decisions create additional spread. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pp. 13-17. Values are official ranges, not averages.

Franchise-specific cost drivers

Why do subterritories and trucks matter so much?

The cost contract is built around a Territory containing at least eight subterritories, not a single storefront. Each subterritory carries an $8,125 Initial Franchise Fee, and the startup model requires at least two approved trucks with dump bodies. The operating location is comparatively small, but the fleet, insurance and territory count materially influence capital needs.

Minimum Territory 8 subterritories The 2026 offer uses eight as the minimum-sized new Territory.
Fee per subterritory $8,125 Twelve subterritories produce a $97,500 Initial Franchise Fee.
Startup fleet 2 trucks Additional trucks may follow an agreed schedule after startup.
Operating location 300-400 sq. ft. Item 11 describes a small records and communications base.

Item 12 says each subterritory is developed around a population of approximately 62,500 to 75,000 using recent U.S. Census Bureau data or another source selected by the franchisor. The Census Population Estimates geography resources explain the official population-data framework that may inform territorial analysis.

Item 5 also reserves discretion to charge a higher or lower Initial Franchise Fee for a particular Territory. The examples given include a previously serviced or especially favorable market for a higher fee, or a difficult-to-develop market or expansion incentive for a lower fee. The proposed Territory and fee should therefore be confirmed in the Franchise Agreement rather than assumed from the endpoints alone.

Cost implication

A buyer should not compare the $65,000 minimum Initial Franchise Fee with single-unit franchise fees from unrelated concepts. Here, that minimum purchases eight subterritories. A larger Territory increases the Initial Franchise Fee and may require more vehicles after startup, even though only two trucks are required initially.

Item 7 estimates the complete truck cost at approximately $77,750 for a gasoline-powered truck or $82,700 for a diesel-powered truck, including an approved dump body estimated at $25,100. Those complete purchase prices are not inserted into Item 7 as cash paid at startup. Instead, Item 7 includes a $10,000 to $30,000 vehicle lease or purchase deposit, assumes financing or leasing at the low end, and assumes a 20% down payment at the high end. Taxes and shipping are excluded from that truck estimate. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, p. 15.

Payment timing

When is the startup money paid?

The largest fixed payment occurs when the Franchise Agreement is signed: the Initial Franchise Fee plus the $25,000 Initial Marketing Expense. Third-party deposits, training travel and opening costs then accumulate before launch, while Additional Funds and part of the local marketing allocation are used during the first six months.

Before signing or paying The FTC Franchise Rule generally requires delivery of the FDD at least 14 calendar days before a prospect signs a binding agreement or pays the franchisor or an affiliate. The timing rule is summarized on the FTC Franchise Rule page.
At Franchise Agreement signing Pay the $65,000 to $97,500 Initial Franchise Fee and the $25,000 Initial Marketing Expense, unless the franchisor approves a discretionary installment arrangement for part of the Initial Franchise Fee.
During the 6-to-11-week pre-opening period Arrange the truck deposits or leases, operating location, insurance, Computer Systems, licenses, uniforms, truck equipment and other Miscellaneous Opening Costs. Training Expenses are paid before opening.
At launch and through month six Use the $59,000 to $75,000 Additional Funds for disclosed business operating expenses, marketing and certain insurance overages. The Initial Marketing Expense is deployed by the franchisor before and during this period.
After opening Royalty and the Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee are paid semi-monthly. Local Marketing is measured quarterly, and the annual Minimum Royalty test is settled by March 31 of the following year.
Payment timing

The $182,300 to $303,500 total is not one check due at signing. The 2026 FDD separates a $90,000 to $122,500 franchisor-directed signing commitment from later third-party setup expenses and operating funds. Financing one part of the Initial Franchise Fee does not finance trucks, insurance, rent, training travel or working capital.

The Initial Franchise Fee and Initial Marketing Expense are refundable, without interest, only if 1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC does not approve the application. Otherwise, fees paid to the franchisor are non-refundable; refundability of third-party payments depends on the buyer's separate arrangements with each vendor. Source: 2026 FDD, Items 5 and 7, pp. 6-7 and 17.

Ongoing fees

Which fees continue after opening?

The recurring cost structure has three separate percentage obligations: an 8% Royalty Fee, an 8% Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee, and a quarterly Local Marketing Requirement equal to 8% of Gross Revenue. These are distinct obligations. A Branding Cooperative contribution of up to 5% of Gross Revenue may also apply, but cooperative payments may be credited toward the Local Marketing Requirement.

Continuing obligation Amount or basis Timing Key qualification
Royalty Fee 8% of Gross Revenue Semi-monthly Electronic transfer within three business days after the 15th and month-end.
Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee 8% of Gross Revenue Same as Royalty Funds the Sales Center, CRM System, technology, advertising and related administration.
Local Marketing Requirement 8% of Gross Revenue Quarterly In year one, the quarterly spend is the greater of 8% or $3,600.
Branding Cooperative Up to 5% of Gross Revenue As directed Conditional; may be credited toward Local Marketing obligations.
Annual Conference $1,500-$2,000 As incurred Plus travel, entertainment and salaries not included in the fee.
Preferred payment processor fee Currently 0.12%; maximum 0.9% At transaction processing Applies to franchisees enrolled with the preferred vendor.

Minimum Royalty per subterritory by operating year

The annual Minimum Royalty rises through year five. The amount due is only the excess, if any, of the applicable minimum over Royalties already paid for that subterritory.

Interpretation: the annual floor is tested separately for every subterritory, so Royalties paid in one subterritory do not cure a shortfall in another. At renewal, the Minimum Royalty increases by no less than 10%. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pp. 7-12.

The FDD definition of Gross Revenue is broad: it generally covers the entire sale price of sales connected with the Franchised Business, subject to specified deductions for taxes collected for government authorities, approved refunds or credits, qualifying uncollectible accounts and approved discount coupons. The percentage fees above should not be converted into annual dollars without a buyer-specific, permitted revenue assumption.

Financing and qualifications

Does 1-800-GOT-JUNK? finance the franchise cost?

1-800-GOT-JUNK? LLC states that it does not generally offer financing. It may, in its sole discretion, allow the Initial Franchise Fee for some subterritories to be paid in equal monthly installments. The 2026 FDD permits up to half of the Initial Franchise Fee for multiple subterritories to be financed for up to 24 months, with no down payment on the financed portion and no interest if payments are timely.

Disclosed example
For eight subterritories, financing four subterritory fees means $32,500 divided over 24 months, or $1,354.17 per month.
Unfinanced portion
The part of the Initial Franchise Fee not included in the installment arrangement remains due at signing, along with the $25,000 Initial Marketing Expense.
Default cost
Late installments accrue interest at 24% per year or the maximum lawful rate if lower; material default can cause acceleration, collection costs, territory reduction or termination.
Guarantee
All owners of an entity franchisee must personally guarantee installment payments, and Item 9 states that directors, officers, shareholders, partners or members guarantee the franchisee's payment and performance obligations.
Territory access while paying
The franchisor may permit service in subterritories while installments remain outstanding, but it also reserves the right to withhold operation in those subterritories until the Initial Franchise Fee is paid in full.
FDD caveat

The installment option is discretionary, not an entitlement or a lender commitment. The franchisor does not guarantee debts, vehicle leases or other obligations, although it may introduce a prospect to third-party financing sources. Financing approval does not change the official Item 7 investment range.

The 2026 FDD does not disclose a fixed initial Liquid Capital, Net Worth or Non-Borrowed Funds threshold for a new buyer. For later approval to add another Franchised Business or subterritory, Item 12 requires an annual financial statement, a current personal net worth statement and 3 to 6 months of operating capital based on projections and living expenses. That expansion standard should not be presented as a published initial-buyer minimum.

Conditional and event-driven costs

Which charges apply only in certain circumstances?

Item 6 contains fixed event fees, reimbursable expenses, percentage penalties and charges that cannot be quantified in advance. These amounts sit outside the normal Item 7 opening range unless an initial payment is specifically included there.

Transfer $10,000: $2,500 when the franchisee announces an intention to sell and the balance at transfer.
Renewal $7,500 due within three months before expiration. Item 17 also requires vehicle upgrades as a renewal condition.
Additional Training or Retraining Currently up to $100 per person per day, plus the franchisor's transportation, lodging and meal costs; disclosed historical out-of-pocket expenses were $200 to $275 per day.
Audit Expenses Approximately $3,000 to $7,500, potentially more, plus any payment deficiency if an examination reveals a material reporting deficiency.
Late reporting and late payment Failure to report can trigger 5% of the Royalty, Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee and other amounts due for the semi-monthly period. Overdue amounts accrue 24% annual interest or the highest lawful state rate.
Management Assistance or standards breach Management Assistance can cost up to $750 per day plus expenses. Liquidated Damages for standards breaches range from $25 to $5,000 depending on the violation.
Termination for default Liquidated Damages equal 100% of projected Royalties and 30% of projected Sales, Marketing and Technology Fees for the remaining term, calculated under the Item 6 formula.
Future required products and services Prices are then-current and presently unquantified. The FDD says future charges may include direct and indirect cost plus a markup that is not expected to exceed 35% as of the issuance date.
Optional Local Marketing Services and Assistance Typically $100 to $500 per project, but only when the franchisee and franchisor agree to the amount in writing before the service is provided.
Declined electronic transfers Reimbursement of the declined amount and related costs, plus a current $50 administrative fee.
Proposed Supplier Evaluation Actual evaluation costs may be charged when reviewing a proposed supplier requires non-trivial expense, such as purchasing samples.
Indemnity The amount depends on the size of a covered loss arising from operation of the Franchised Business and is payable on demand.

Specified Item 6 dollar fees may be adjusted annually in proportion to changes in the Consumer Price Index, U.S. Average, all items. The Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI resources describe the referenced federal index. This clause means a listed fixed dollar amount may not remain fixed throughout the Franchise Agreement term.

Exclusions and variability

What does the official range not fully resolve?

Item 7 is a disclosed startup estimate, not a complete ceiling on cash needs. Several obligations are excluded from Additional Funds or depend on local contracts, vehicle choices, customer insurance requirements and later system changes.

Owner compensation and personal living costs Additional Funds do not cover an owner's draw, personal living expenses or unrelated business expenses.
Debt service and ongoing percentage fees Additional Funds exclude debt service and Royalty payments. Buyers should also distinguish the separate Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee and Local Marketing Requirement.
Truck taxes, shipping, fuel and maintenance The complete truck estimates exclude applicable taxes and shipping. Fuel, truck maintenance and ongoing vehicle payments continue after startup.
State and customer-driven insurance variation California, Florida, Louisiana, New York and Texas may have higher premiums, and customers may require insurance limits above the franchisor's baseline.
Relocation, hardware upgrades and system changes Relocation is at the franchisee's sole cost. The FDD places no frequency or cost limit on required Computer Systems upgrades and permits new required products, services and suppliers.
Required supplier exposure Trucks, dump bodies, signage, uniforms, marketing materials, tools, payment processing, communications equipment, computers and software must come from approved sources or meet specifications. Item 8 estimates that supplier-controlled purchases represent materially different shares of startup expense depending on whether vehicles are leased or purchased.

Initial insurance requirements include at least $2,000,000 per occurrence for Comprehensive Liability, at least $1,000,000 for Vehicle Liability or another amount required by the franchisor, and at least $1,000,000 for Employer's Liability. Umbrella limits vary with annual Gross Revenue and may be higher if a customer requires it. These are coverage limits, not premium estimates. Source: 2026 FDD, Items 7 and 8, pp. 15-18.

Buyer verification

What should be confirmed before the Franchise Agreement is signed?

A buyer should reconcile the current territory proposal, vehicle plan and local insurance quotes against the 2026 Item 7 assumptions. The most important open question is not the published total itself, but whether the buyer's assigned subterritories, truck financing, insurance market and lease deposits fit within the official low-high ranges.

Confirm the exact subterritory count and fee schedule Verify whether the proposed Territory contains 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or more subterritories and whether any discretionary price adjustment applies.
Obtain written truck terms Separate complete vehicle price, dump-body price, taxes, shipping, deposit, monthly payment and the agreed post-startup fleet schedule.
Quote the required insurance package locally Match each Operations Manual coverage requirement and customer-required overage to actual premiums and deductibles.
Test six months of operating funds without double-counting Keep the $59,000 to $75,000 Additional Funds inside the Item 7 total and add only obligations the FDD expressly excludes.
Request the latest FDD and quarterly updates The FTC's FDD review guidance explains why prospects should examine every Item and attached agreement, while the FTC Consumer's Guide to Buying a Franchise provides the broader disclosure framework.

Cost synthesis: The verified 2026 investment range is $182,300 to $303,500 for 8 to 12 subterritories. The main drivers are the subterritory-based Initial Franchise Fee, six months of Additional Funds, truck financing or purchase deposits, and insurance. That investment range is separate from any undisclosed Liquid Capital or Net Worth qualification and separate from the continuing 8% Royalty Fee, 8% Sales, Marketing and Technology Fee, and 8% Local Marketing Requirement. The buyer-specific budget remains most sensitive to territory size, vehicle terms, insurance and costs expressly excluded from Additional Funds.







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