How much does a Chem-Dry franchise cost?
The March 30, 2026 Chem-Dry, Inc. Franchise Disclosure Document estimates $77,600 to $248,295 to open one Initial Franchise in the United States. The range applies to the mobile Chem-Dry Business described in Item 7, with an Executive Portable Package or Truck Mount Equipment Package, at least one white cargo van, and the option to operate from a home where zoning permits.
The 2026 FDD states that $67,500 to $118,345 of this amount is paid to Chem-Dry, Inc. or affiliates. The balance covers third-party items such as a vehicle, installation, technology, training travel, insurance, deposits, advertising, and Additional Funds for the first three months. Source: 2026 FDD cover and Item 7, pp. 19–22.
Data basis. Legal franchisor: Chem-Dry, Inc., formerly Harris Research, Inc.; FDD issuance date: March 30, 2026; U.S. offer analyzed: Initial Franchise; principal cost sources: Items 5, 6, and 7, with cost-relevant provisions from Items 8, 10, 11, and 17. Information and official webpages were checked on July 20, 2026. No matching 2026 FDD was located on a franchise-controlled public domain, so FDD references below are plain-text Item and page citations rather than clickable FDD links. Corporate affiliation is corroborated by BELFOR Franchise Group’s official Chem-Dry brand page.
The official Chem-Dry investment page, checked July 20, 2026, lists a different total investment of $92,150 to $249,500, while the official franchise homepage lists a $36,000 franchise fee and describes a tiered royalty structure. The March 30, 2026 FDD instead discloses $77,600 to $248,295, a $23,500 Initial License Fee plus a $44,000 to $78,000 Initial Package, and a fixed $491.40 Monthly Franchise Fee. This article uses the verified FDD figures for the cost contract. A buyer should ask Chem-Dry to identify any later amendment or replacement FDD before relying on the website figures.
Capital snapshot
What is included in the $77,600 to $248,295 range?
The 2026 Item 7 total combines payments to Chem-Dry, Inc. with third-party purchases and three months of startup funding. The low and high columns reconcile exactly to the official total, but they do not describe a “typical” package or local budget. The largest variables are the Initial Package, vehicle choice, Optional Additional Equipment, insurance, and whether a separate business location is used.
Franchisor package and mobile operating assets
| Item 7 cost entity | Disclosed amount | Payment timing and payee | FDD reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial License Fee | $23,500 | At Franchise Agreement and Promissory Note signing; CDI | Item 7, p. 19 |
| Initial Package | $44,000–$78,000 | At Franchise Agreement and Equipment Agreement signing; CDI | Item 7, p. 19 |
| Optional Additional Equipment | $0–$16,845 | At agreement signing; CDI | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Vehicles | $0–$81,450 | Before opening; third parties, usually through a purchase or lease | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Installation Costs | $600–$6,000 | As agreed; third-party installers | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Technology System/Computer, Software, Telephone, Electronic Mail | $800–$4,000 | Before opening; third parties | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Computer System | $800–$2,000 | As agreed; lump sum or installments if financed | Item 7, p. 21 |
Item 7 presents the Technology System line and the separate Computer System line as distinct expenditures. They should not be silently combined or removed when reconciling the official total.
Premises, pre-opening expenses, and first-three-month funding
| Item 7 cost entity | Disclosed amount | What the amount covers | FDD reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Months’ Rent | $0–$5,000 | Optional separate premises; home operation may be permitted | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Training and Convention Attendance Expenses | $1,250–$3,000 | Travel, accommodations, meals, and attendee-related expenses | Item 7, pp. 20–22 |
| Insurance | $600–$7,000 | Business and vehicle liability coverage; statutory workers’ compensation where applicable | Item 7, pp. 20–22 |
| Security Deposits/Utility Deposits | $0–$3,500 | As incurred with third parties | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Miscellaneous Pre-Opening Expenses | $550–$4,000 | Other pre-opening amounts paid to third parties | Item 7, p. 20 |
| Additional Funds — 3 months | $2,500–$9,000 | Startup expenses and employee payroll; owner compensation excluded | Item 7, pp. 20–22 |
| Advertising — 3 months | $3,000–$5,000 | Local advertising in addition to the Brand Marketing Fund contribution | Item 7, p. 21 |
| Total Estimated Initial Investment | $77,600–$248,295 | Official Item 7 total for one Initial Franchise | Item 7, p. 21 |
A home-based setup can reduce the Three Months’ Rent line to $0, and a suitable existing van can reduce the Vehicles line to $0. Neither choice eliminates compliance costs: the location must satisfy zoning and System Standards, and every vehicle must be insurable, professionally maintained, marked with required graphics, and capable of transporting approved equipment and cleaning solutions. The official Chem-Dry business-model page describes the mobile operating model, but the FDD controls the disclosed cost range.
What is the franchise fee, and does it change for additional territories?
For a first Chem-Dry acquisition, the 2026 Initial License Fee is $23,500, but the complete Initial Fee is $67,500 to $101,500 because the buyer must also purchase the $44,000 to $78,000 Initial Package. Existing Chem-Dry franchisees may instead qualify for an Expansion Franchise at an $18,000 Initial License Fee or a Small Market Franchise at $6,000; neither additional-franchise option includes an Initial Package.
Chem-Dry’s three disclosed acquisition paths
Initial Franchise
$23,500 license feeRequires an Initial Package. Item 7 provides the $77,600–$248,295 total only for this path.
Expansion Franchise
$18,000 license feeFor approved existing franchisees or additional purchases; no Initial Package is included.
Small Market Franchise
$6,000 license feeGenerally an area below 120,000 population with no current Chem-Dry presence; no Initial Package is included.
Item 5 states that a qualifying Related Franchisee may receive a 25% discount on the Initial License Fee, although the disclosure wording should be confirmed in the signed agreement, that first-time VetFran-eligible veterans and spouses of active-duty personnel may receive a 20% discount, and that eligible First Responders may receive a 10% discount. Eligibility and stacking should not be assumed. The official Chem-Dry veteran information page confirms that veteran and first-responder incentives exist, while the FDD supplies the specific percentages and limitations.
When is the startup money paid?
The largest franchisor payments are committed when the Franchise Agreement and Equipment Agreement are signed, while vehicle, technology, insurance, training travel, deposits, and advertising are paid before opening or during the first three months. The FDD estimates a four-to-six-week interval from signing to opening and requires operations to begin within 90 days, although equipment, training, vehicle, and premises timing can change that schedule.
Sign the Franchise Agreement
Pay the Initial License Fee or at least the required down payment if Chem-Dry approves a Promissory Note. The Initial License Fee is non-refundable.
Sign the Equipment Agreement
Pay the $44,000 to $78,000 Initial Package and any $0 to $16,845 Optional Additional Equipment. Chem-Dry does not commit to finance the Initial Package.
Complete pre-opening purchases
Secure the van, equipment installation, technology, computer, insurance, any premises or storage, deposits, and training travel. Third-party payment and refund terms depend on the separate contracts.
Fund the first three months
Use the disclosed $2,500 to $9,000 Additional Funds and $3,000 to $5,000 advertising allowance as expenses arise. The Additional Funds estimate includes employee payroll but not owner compensation.
Begin continuing payments
The Monthly Franchise Fee generally starts in the fourth month after New Buyer Training; the Brand Marketing Fund contribution begins in the same month. Promissory Note principal payments generally start in the fourth month after training, but no later than the eighth month after signing.
The Item 7 total is not the same as cash due on signing day. A financed Initial License Fee can spread part of one cost over as long as 36 months, but the Initial Package, vehicle, third-party startup costs, and operating reserves still require separate funding on their disclosed schedules.
Which fees continue after opening?
The 2026 FDD’s routine system charge is a fixed Monthly Franchise Fee of $491.40, rather than an Item 6 percentage of Gross Sales. A franchisee also pays a $349 monthly CRM Fee, a $160 monthly Brand Marketing Fund contribution, required local marketing spend, and at least $3,422 of proprietary-product purchases per franchise each calendar year. Several amounts can increase through CPI adjustments or other disclosed annual increases.
| Continuing cost entity | Current disclosed amount | Basis and timing | FDD reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Franchise Fee | $491.40 | Monthly; generally due on the 10th beginning in month four after training | Item 6, pp. 11–12 |
| Yearly Minimum Purchase Amount | $3,422 | Annual proprietary-product purchases from CDI, per franchise | Item 6, p. 11; Item 8, p. 23 |
| Customer Service Management Software Fee | $349/mo. | Monthly for required CRM software | Item 6, p. 12 |
| Initial Monthly Marketing Spend by You | $1,000 then $2,000/mo. | $1,000 for four months, then at least $2,000; 12-month requirement with specified digital spend | Item 6, p. 12 |
| Brand Marketing Fund Contribution | $160/mo. | Monthly from the first Monthly Franchise Fee month; may rise to $300 | Item 6, p. 12 |
| Franchise Advanced Website | $25–$100/mo. | Per site after the first year, depending on upgrades | Item 6, p. 19 |
| Renewal Fee | $3,600 | Before the end of the five-year term; may increase up to 10% each year | Item 6, p. 12; Item 17, pp. 42–43 |
| Transfer Fee | $1,500–$3,600 | At the start of an approved transfer; higher separate fees can apply to CDI-introduced prospects | Item 6, pp. 12–13 |
Conditional fees and cost triggers
A CDI-introduced buyer can trigger a $9,900 fee for transfer to a new franchisee or $3,000 to a current franchisee. If CDI uses a third-party broker, the broker fee is approximately $30,000 or 10% of the sales price, due at closing.
Additional training is currently $175 to $500; extra Initial Training attendees and transferees pay $100 per person per day; convention registration is currently $850 per person. Travel, lodging, meals, and other attendance expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility. Failure to satisfy annual training or convention attendance can trigger a $2,500 charge.
An agreement amendment or d/b/a change is currently $500. Improper advertising is $2,000 per violation. Unauthorized products, equipment, cleaning systems, unapproved services, or work outside the Franchised Area are currently $5,000 per violation. A failed Quality Control evaluation varies with the job and includes an evaluation fee currently approximated at $550.
The late fee is 5% of the amount due or $50 per week, whichever is greater; an NSF is $50. An audit can cost $2,500 to $6,000 plus understated amounts, interest, late fees, and a 10% of the total understated Gross Sales when the understatement exceeds 3%. Attorneys’ fees, indemnification, complaint resolution, and enforcement costs can be charged at actual cost.
A five-year domain right is currently $125 or the actual purchase price; one domain is included in the Initial Package, but renewal costs shift to the franchisee. Credit-card processing varies. Continuing month-to-month after expiration costs twice the then-current Monthly Franchise Fee until a successor agreement is signed or operations cease.
Liquidated Damages can equal the then-current Monthly Franchise Fee, Minimum Purchase Amount, and Brand Marketing Fund contribution multiplied by the months remaining in the term, plus loans and other accrued amounts. This obligation is separate from de-identification, equipment, and outstanding-payment duties.
The 2026 FDD contains an unresolved National Accounts fee conflict. Item 6 says no fee is currently assessed and describes a possible charge of up to 5% of Gross Sales, while Item 11 states a 15% to 25% deduction from amounts collected, depending on the national account. Because the percentage and denominator differ, neither figure should be treated as settled without a written clarification or updated disclosure from Chem-Dry.
How much liquid capital or net worth is required?
The 2026 FDD does not state a minimum Liquid Capital or Net Worth threshold. The official U.S. Chem-Dry franchise website, checked July 20, 2026, lists $50,000 in Liquid Capital and $250,000 in Net Worth. These are candidate-screening qualifications, not components of the $77,600 to $248,295 Item 7 investment.
- Estimated Initial Investment
- The 2026 Item 7 range for opening one Initial Franchise: $77,600 to $248,295.
- Liquid Capital
- Funds the official franchise site expects a candidate to have readily available: $50,000 as checked July 20, 2026.
- Net Worth
- Assets minus liabilities; the official franchise site lists $250,000. It is not the same as cash available to invest.
- Personal Guaranty
- Owners of a franchisee entity personally guarantee the Franchise Agreement, and Chem-Dry financing requires a Personal Guaranty.
What can Chem-Dry finance?
Chem-Dry, Inc. has no obligation to lend. For an approved, creditworthy buyer, Item 10 permits financing of up to 50% of the Initial License Fee, with at least 50% down, a term of up to 36 months, 9% simple interest, and a Personal Guaranty. Principal payments generally start in the fourth month after training, but no later than eight months after signing. There is no prepayment penalty. Chem-Dry does not finance the Initial Package under its disclosed internal note program.
The official Chem-Dry franchise FAQ and official investment page also refer to in-house financing for qualified candidates and third-party funding resources. Those pages do not guarantee approval and do not replace the Promissory Note terms in Item 10.
Ask for a written sources-and-uses schedule that separates the Initial License Fee, Initial Package, Optional Additional Equipment, vehicle down payment, third-party startup costs, and unrestricted operating cash. Approval to finance part of the license fee does not establish that the remaining startup capital is available.
Which cost obligations vary by format or circumstance?
The Item 7 range is most sensitive to equipment selection, vehicle acquisition, home-based eligibility, storage needs, insurance, local advertising, and the number of Franchised Areas being developed. The 2026 FDD expressly says a buyer developing more than one Franchised Area will need more funds than the one-area Additional Funds estimate.
The official training and support page identifies the CRM, training, coaching, websites, and marketing systems used in the franchise. Item 6 and Item 7 determine which related fees and expenses are charged to the franchisee.
What capital figure should a prospective buyer use?
Use $77,600 to $248,295 as the latest verified 2026 FDD range for one Initial Franchise, not as a promise of a local all-in budget. Within that total, distinguish the $67,500 to $101,500 Initial Fee, the broader $67,500 to $118,345 paid to Chem-Dry or affiliates, third-party startup purchases, and the $2,500 to $9,000 Additional Funds reserve that excludes owner compensation.
After opening, plan separately for the $491.40 Monthly Franchise Fee, $349 CRM Fee, $160 Brand Marketing Fund contribution, required local marketing, annual $3,422 Minimum Purchase Amount, and event-triggered transfer, renewal, training, audit, default, and equipment-replacement obligations. The most important unresolved issue is the conflict between the March 30, 2026 FDD and the current official franchise website. Before signing or paying, obtain the then-current complete FDD and written clarification of the investment range, franchise fee, National Accounts charge, and continuing fee structure. The FTC franchise-buying guide explains the required disclosure period and how to review the FDD and attached agreements.