How much does a YESCO franchise cost?
A new U.S. YESCO business requires an estimated initial investment of $65,000 to $432,200 under the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. The range applies to one sign and lighting service and maintenance business operating in a defined Territory under one Franchise Agreement. It is not a storefront-only estimate: the business may start from a home office or vehicle, but home-office operation ordinarily cannot continue beyond six months.
Estimated Initial Investment for one YESCO Business. The 2026 range includes the $50,000 Initial Franchise Fee and three months of Additional Funds, but the Additional Funds estimate excludes owner compensation and staff salaries. Vehicles create the largest single disclosed swing, from $0 to $185,000. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 11–13.
Legal franchisor: YESCO Franchising LLC, a Utah limited liability company. FDD issuance date: March 29, 2026. Applicable format: one U.S. YESCO sign and lighting service and maintenance Business in a specific Territory. Financial Items reviewed: Items 5, 6 and 7, with cost-relevant provisions from Items 8, 10, 11 and 17. Checked: July 18, 2026. The offer is also listed among active registrations by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. No matching 2026 FDD copy was verified on a franchise-controlled public website, so FDD Item and page citations in this article are intentionally unlinked. The brand's current public opportunity page is the official YESCO franchising page.
Capital snapshot
For one U.S. Business under the 2026 disclosure, the six figures below separate the entry payment, the largest variable asset category, the initial operating allowance, the principal continuing charge, required advertising and the later renewal payment. They should not be added together as a second total because several describe different periods or contractual events.
What is included in the $65,000 to $432,200 investment?
The 2026 Item 7 total contains 14 expenditure categories. The official low and high totals equal the sum of the disclosed low and high line items, respectively. The range covers the Initial Franchise Fee, premises costs, training travel, equipment and technology, launch marketing, insurance, professional services, vehicles, Inventory & Tools, and Additional Funds for the first three months.
Contract, premises and deposits
For the single-Business format in the 2026 disclosure, this group ranges from the fixed entry payment through location-dependent rent, improvements, signage and deposits. The zero-dollar minimums reflect circumstances in which a category is not initially incurred, not a promise that it will never be needed.
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 range | When due | Payee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $50,000 | At signing | YESCO Franchising LLC |
| Rent | $500–$5,000 | Monthly, before opening | Landlord |
| Rental Improvements | $0–$20,000 | Lump sum, at signing | Vendors and/or landlord |
| Sign | $1,500–$6,000 | Before opening | Vendors |
| Deposits | $0–$35,000 | As incurred | Utilities and landlord |
Training, systems and launch materials
The 2026 amounts for one Business cover the buyer's travel-related training expense, office and computer setup, and launch materials. Initial instruction has no tuition charge for the permitted attendees, but travel, lodging, meals, wages and any related personal expense remain the franchisee's responsibility.
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 range | When due | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training Expenses | $500–$8,000 | During training | Travel, lodging, meals and related attendee expenses |
| Furniture, fixtures, equipment and software | $0–$12,000 | Before opening | Office furniture, telephone, copier, scanner, printer and software |
| Computer hardware and software | $1,000–$8,500 | Before opening | Computer, mobile devices, connectivity and required third-party software |
| Grand Opening Advertising, Marketing and Supplies; Office Branding Package | $1,500–$7,700 | At opening | Grand-opening activity, branding materials and a marketing list |
Operating assets and three-month reserve
For one U.S. Business in the 2026 disclosure, this group contains the categories most likely to move the total after the opening location is chosen. Existing compliant assets can lower the initial outlay, while a new fleet, higher insurance premiums and a larger operating cushion can move it upward.
| Item 7 expenditure | 2026 range | When due | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $1,000–$20,000 | When incurred | Must meet the Franchise Agreement and Manuals |
| Professional Services | $500–$5,000 | When incurred | Attorneys, accountants and other professionals |
| Vehicles | $0–$185,000 | When incurred | YESCO-approved vehicles capable of carrying and securing service materials and equipment |
| Inventory & Tools | $8,500–$20,000 | When incurred | Parts, materials and tools for sign and lighting service |
| Additional Funds — three months | $0–$50,000 | As incurred | Recurring and operating expenses; excludes owner draw and staff salaries |
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 11–13. Item 11, pages 25–26, further describes the required computer equipment, home-office limitation and approximately 90-day opening schedule.
Vehicles dominate the high end. Each bar starts at the disclosed minimum and ends at the disclosed maximum; the scale runs from $0 to $185,000.
Chart source: 2026 FDD, Item 7, pages 11–13. The bar positions are derived only by scaling the official minimums and maximums against the $185,000 vehicle maximum; no midpoint or typical amount is assumed.
The $367,200 spread between the official low and high totals is not mainly a franchise-fee issue. The Initial Franchise Fee is fixed at $50,000; vehicle acquisition, premises, deposits, insurance and the initial operating reserve account for most of the variability.
When is the money paid?
The first binding cash event is the $50,000 Initial Franchise Fee at signing. Most remaining Item 7 expenditures are paid during the approximately 90-day period before opening or as assets and services are acquired. The three-month Additional Funds amount is already included in the $65,000 to $432,200 total rather than added on top of it.
Item 5 also describes a separate area development arrangement for a qualifying existing franchisee in good standing that buys a second or subsequent YESCO Business. The reduced Franchise Fee for that program was $25,000 to $50,000 as of March 29, 2026. That range is not the Item 7 fee for a new buyer opening one Business, and YESCO Franchising LLC may change or discontinue the program.
- Sign the Franchise Agreement. Pay the $50,000 Initial Franchise Fee by wire transfer in one lump sum. Item 5 states that the fee is generally nonrefundable after signing, subject to the limited training-related termination refund described below.
- Build the opening budget during the 90-day window. Rent, Rental Improvements, the Sign, Deposits, office equipment, computer hardware, required software, Vehicles, Inventory & Tools, insurance, licenses and permits must be arranged before operations begin as applicable.
- Complete required training before opening. The Primary Owner and Principal Operator must complete training to YESCO's satisfaction at least 30 days before opening. Up to three designated attendees receive training without tuition, but the franchisee pays travel, lodging, meals, wages and related expenses.
- Fund the grand opening. The FDD requires at least $1,000 of grand-opening advertising. Item 11 places the grand-opening period within 30 days before and 30 days after operations commence; the broader Item 7 launch line is $1,500 to $7,700.
- Carry the first three months of operating expenses. Item 7 includes $0 to $50,000 of Additional Funds, but expressly excludes an owner's salary or draw and staff salaries. The FDD also warns that further operating capital may be necessary.
A low-end Item 7 plan can assume no immediate vehicle purchase, no Rental Improvements, no Deposits and no Additional Funds. That does not mean those needs disappear. The low end depends on the buyer already having compliant resources or not incurring a category during the stated initial period.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 5, pages 5–6; Item 7, pages 11–13; and Item 11, pages 20–26. The FTC explains the legal disclosure timing in its Consumer's Guide to Buying a Franchise and the FTC Franchise Rule materials.
Why can two YESCO openings have very different capital needs?
YESCO's cost range changes materially with the vehicle plan, starting premises and existing equipment. A buyer with approved vehicles, compliant office equipment and a temporary home-office arrangement can fall toward the lower end. A buyer acquiring a service fleet, leasing commercial space, funding deposits and improvements, and carrying the full Additional Funds allowance can move toward the upper end.
Approved-supply exposure is unusually important
Item 8 states that items purchased or leased under YESCO specifications are expected to represent approximately 70% to 85% of total purchases required to begin operations and approximately 20% to 60% of ongoing operating costs. YESCO Franchising LLC may specify brands, manufacturers or sources for computer systems, designated software, signs, design professionals, media services, uniforms and the Office Branding Package. YESCO Franchising LLC or an Affiliate may be a designated source, and the franchisor reserves the right to charge a fee to review an alternative item or supplier.
These are disclosed ranges, not spending recommendations. The horizontal scale is 0% to 100% of the applicable purchase base.
Chart source: 2026 FDD, Item 8, page 16. Each bar reproduces the FDD's disclosed percentage range on a 0%–100% scale.
- Home-office start
- Permitted for start-up purposes for up to six months unless YESCO gives written authorization for longer operation.
- Vehicles
- Must be approved and able to carry and secure materials and equipment needed to access and service signs and lighting.
- Computer system
- Includes a Windows-capable laptop, printer/copier/scanner, high-speed internet, approved mobile devices, Servizio applications and QuickBooks Online Plus or Advanced.
- Hardware refresh
- YESCO may change required hardware or software at the franchisee's expense but states it will not require a new computer more often than once every two years.
- Required insurance
- Includes general liability, employers' liability, automobile liability, excess liability, workers' compensation and Employment Practices Liability Insurance, subject to stated limits and endorsements.
Source: 2026 FDD, Items 7 and 8, pages 11–16, and Item 11, pages 25–26. The YESCO January 2026 executive summary provides official corporate context for the company's service network, while the FDD governs the franchisee's purchase obligations.
Which fees continue after opening?
The core continuing charge is a monthly Royalty equal to the greater of $1,000 or 6% of Gross Revenue. Gross Revenue generally includes total sales and receipts from the Business or the YESCO Marks, whether collected or not, excluding qualifying sales taxes collected at the point of sale and remitted to tax authorities. Gross Revenue must be reported before the fifth day of the following month, and the Royalty is due on the fifteenth.
| Continuing fee | Amount or basis | Timing | 2026 qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty | Greater of $1,000 or 6% of Gross Revenue | Monthly; due on the 15th | Automatically debited for the prior month |
| Local Advertising Fee | At least 2% of Gross Revenue annually; may increase to 3% | As incurred | 60 days' notice is required for an increase |
| National Advertising Fee | Up to 3% of Gross Revenue when implemented | Monthly with Royalty | 30 days' notice; combined national and local requirement cannot exceed 3% |
| National Lead Admin Fee | Up to 6% of amounts received from a National Lead | As incurred | Applies to National Accounts Program work |
| YESCO Software Fees | First 10 users at no cost; $100 per extra user per month | Monthly; due on the 15th | Per user above the included ten |
| Data Storage Fees | $0.25 per gigabyte per month | Monthly; due on the 15th | Based on storage used |
| Email Subscription Fee | Up to $150 per user and archived account per year | On invoice | Item 5 states no charge was being imposed as of issuance, but YESCO reserves the right to charge |
| Website Fee | $20 per month | Monthly; due on the 15th | Only if the franchisee elects a separate unique landing page |
| Computer maintenance, updates and support | $0–$1,000 per year | As required | Item 11 estimate includes internet service-provider fees |
How does the Early Renewal tiered royalty work?
The Tiered Royalty Program is not the standard opening fee schedule. It applies only to qualifying franchisees that enter the Early Renewal Program and reaches the Extended Successor Term. For each Successor Franchise Agreement Territory, the FDD applies 6% to monthly Gross Revenue from $0 to $41,666, 4% to the portion from $41,667 to $62,500, and 2% to the portion above $62,500. The calculation remains subject to a minimum Royalty of $1,000 per Successor Franchise Agreement and compliance conditions. Failure to report by the fifth day or remain compliant restores the greater-of-$1,000-or-6% structure across the agreements.
The 3% figure is a combined cap, not an automatic 3% National Advertising Fee plus a separate 2% or 3% Local Advertising Fee. The current FDD requires at least 2% local spending and permits a National Advertising Fund contribution, but total required national and local advertising cannot exceed 3% of Gross Revenue.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 6–10, and Item 11, pages 23–25. The official YESCO corporate website confirms the current company domain; the fee amounts and definitions above come from the 2026 FDD.
Which fees arise only after a specific event?
Item 6 also creates event-triggered obligations that are not part of the routine monthly fee stack. Several are open-ended because they depend on audit work, default costs, management intervention, insurance placement, territorial conduct or the size of a proposed transfer.
The late-fee table and its footnote use different units: “$50 for each late payment or report” versus “$50 per day.” Because that difference can be material, the operative Franchise Agreement and any state addendum should be checked before treating either wording as the final obligation.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 6, pages 7–11, and Item 17, pages 36–40.
Does YESCO disclose financing or a required liquid-capital threshold?
YESCO discloses potential financing through YESCO Financial Solutions LLC, or YFS, but does not state a fixed Liquid Capital, Net Worth or Non-Borrowed Funds minimum in the 2026 FDD. Item 10 instead conditions financing on then-current financial and credit qualifications. Any separate threshold quoted by a directory should not be treated as a 2026 FDD requirement unless YESCO confirms it in current official materials.
| Financed obligation | Potential amount | Disclosed pricing and term | Additional cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | Up to 66.67% | 4–8 percentage points above the current prime rate of YFS's primary lender; 12–60 months | Origination fee up to $350 |
| Standard Renewal Successor Franchise Fee | Up to 100% | 3% annual interest; 36 months | Origination fee up to $350 |
| Early Renewal Successor Franchise Fees | Up to 100% | No interest; minimum term of 36 months; payments begin with each Extended Successor Term | Origination fee up to $350 |
| Trucks or working capital | Amount depends on financing purpose and approval | 4–12 percentage points above the lender's prime rate; term varies | Origination fee up to $350 |
The Note is secured by business assets, requires guarantees from the individuals who guarantee the Franchise Agreement, and is paid by ACH. The unpaid balance can become due as a balloon payment at maturity, termination or transfer. Financing is therefore a payment-timing tool, not a reduction of the underlying Initial Franchise Fee, truck cost or working-capital obligation, and approval is not guaranteed.
- Ask for the current underwriting criteria. The FDD does not quantify the credit score, Liquid Capital, Net Worth or collateral threshold used by YFS.
- Confirm the current prime-rate reference. Item 10 identifies KeyBank as YFS's primary lender as of the FDD date, but the actual rate is set when the Note is signed.
- Separate financed cost from cash at closing. The buyer still needs funds for the unfinanced Franchise Fee portion, origination fee and the Item 7 expenses not covered by a specific loan.
- Check acceleration exposure. A default under the Note can be a default under the Franchise Agreement, and vice versa.
- Verify SBA eligibility independently. Inclusion in the SBA Franchise Directory is an eligibility aid for lenders, not an endorsement or loan approval.
Source: 2026 FDD, Item 10, pages 17–19. YESCO also maintains an official corporate financing page; the franchise-specific percentages, rates, security terms and maturities above are governed by Item 10 and the promissory note, not the general corporate page.
What costs remain unresolved by the official range?
The 2026 Item 7 range is complete as a disclosure table, but it cannot determine the buyer's final cash requirement without a specific Territory, vehicle plan, insurance quote, premises decision, staffing plan and financing terms. The most important unresolved issue is that the Additional Funds estimate excludes both owner compensation and staff salaries, even though staffing and technical work can create cash needs during the first three months.
- Vehicle plan: identify which existing vehicles, if any, YESCO will approve and price any required service or access vehicles separately.
- Premises timing: confirm whether the Business will begin from a home office or vehicle and budget the transition to commercial space before the six-month limit.
- Licenses and permits: identify the city, county and state requirements for the Territory; the FDD requires them before opening but does not provide a separate Item 7 amount.
- Payroll and owner living costs: add these outside Item 7 because the Additional Funds footnote excludes owner draw and staff salaries.
- Insurance limits: obtain quotes that satisfy the general liability, employers' liability, automobile, excess liability, workers' compensation and EPLI requirements.
- Technology growth: estimate users beyond the ten included YESCO Software accounts, data storage, optional website landing-page cost and any annual hardware or software maintenance.
- Supplier constraints: identify which startup and operating purchases must come from YESCO, an Affiliate, a designated source or an approved supplier.
- State-specific terms: review the applicable state addendum for changes to payment, renewal, transfer, termination or enforcement provisions.
The FTC's franchise buyer guide explains why Items 5–7 should be read with supplier restrictions, training obligations and contract terms rather than treated as a stand-alone price quote.
What is the clearest capital takeaway?
The verified 2026 YESCO Estimated Initial Investment is $65,000 to $432,200 for one U.S. Territory. The fixed $50,000 Initial Franchise Fee is only one component. The upper end is driven primarily by Vehicles, followed by Additional Funds, Deposits, Rental Improvements, Insurance and Inventory & Tools. After opening, the recurring contract begins with the greater of a $1,000 minimum Royalty or 6% of Gross Revenue, plus required advertising and technology obligations. A final funding plan must separately resolve payroll, owner compensation, approved-supplier pricing, commercial-space timing and the portion of startup cost—if any—that YFS or another lender will finance.