How Much Does It Cost to Open a Minuteman Press Franchise – And How Much Can You Make?

Minuteman Press, the nearly 1,000-unit print service franchise, has made a name for itself as a leader in the printing and marketing category. As with any franchise, there are a wide variety of costs associated with opening a Minuteman Press location, and potential earnings will depend on a number of different factors. But how much exactly does it cost to open a Minuteman Press franchise – and how much can you make?

Initial investment costs

The Cost of Opening a Minuteman Press Franchise

To establish a Minuteman Press franchise, the initial investment can vary based on the location, size and equipment needs. However, the total initial investment generally ranges from approximately $100,000 to $150,000. Minuteman Press also offers financing options for qualified buyers, which may put the initial investment at approximately $45,000 to $55,000.

According to the brand’s franchising website, the initial investment covers the following expenses:

• Research of areas of interest to you

• Site selection and lease negotiations on your behalf

• Center layout plans that optimize workflow

• Coordination of renovations, inside and out

• Standard furniture, fixtures, signage and digital printing systems

• Proprietary business management and pricing software

• Two week training program

• Additional on-site training from a local field representative

• Assistance in business setup, finding employees and starting the marketing programs

Ongoing expenses and royalties

Of course, in addition to these initial costs, franchisees will also need to factor in ongoing expenses such as rent, utilities, employee salaries, marketing and advertising, and other operating costs. Minuteman Press has also developed a unique royalty incentive for eligible owners. Royalties are 6% of gross monthly sales and are capped at a reasonable monthly sales level, and owners are not required to pay any royalties on sales above that level. Meaning, owners can earn more, making it a favorable investment opportunity.

Potential earnings

Potential Earnings as a Minuteman Press Franchisee

The earning potential of a Minuteman Press franchise is “unlimited,” according to the brand’s official website. As per Minuteman Press’ Item 19 in its Franchise Disclosure Document, the average gross sales of a Minuteman Press franchise location in 2022 was $681,570.

Success as a franchise requires hard work, time and dedication. The brand’s well-established name, reputation and business model, which has been in existence for over four decades, can contribute to attracting customers and building the business more rapidly than starting from scratch.

Franchisee testimonials

Franchisee Testimonials

Kenny Clark, owner of Minuteman Press in McKinney, Texas, since 2014, says the cost to purchase a Minuteman Press franchise was reasonable and less than most other franchises. He also praises the royalty cap as the deciding factor in joining Minuteman Press.

“I am allowed to keep more of my well-earned money and invest it back into the business as I see fit,” says Clark. “As a business owner, you have the potential to earn unlimited income, which is directly tied to the success of your business. While the financial rewards are great, I value the freedom this affords me more than anything.”

Cindie and André Nel opened their own Minuteman Press franchise in Costa Mesa, California in January 2020. Similar to Kenny Clark’s story, the Nel couple has appreciated the freedom that owning their own business has afforded them. And despite buying the franchise during the pandemic, the couple has seen strong growth.

“Our biggest personal reward for owning our own business is that we get to remain connected with our children through time, flexibility and the ability to support them financially,” Cindie says. “Our professional rewards are how our clients have become our partners and friends, resulting in doubling the turnover of our business in the brief two and a half years since we’ve opened our shop,” she added.

Longtime Minuteman Press franchisee Scott Levine, who has owned Minuteman Press in Bellerose, Queens since 1985, has worked hard to build his business over the course of 38 years. Scott has been rewarded for his efforts, achieving all of his success from a single Minuteman Press franchise location.

“I do not come from a situation where I had financial support from anyone. Everything I have, I earned from my franchise ownership,” Scott says. “I have raised my two children, put them through college, made Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, owned boats, vacation homes, and traveled the world all on the proceeds from my franchise. And now, I also have five grandchildren.”

Bob and Ruth Davidson first opened their Minuteman Press franchise in Tigard, Oregon in December 1987. After 35+ years of hard work and dedication to their clients and their community, Bob and Ruth recently retired and paved the way for the next generation of owners – their son Craig Davidson and his wife Carolyn and longtime manager Christopher Brown and his wife Lisa.

Bob shares, “Life is a series of changes and this is one of them. Frankly, it is time for the next generation to have their opportunity to build on, and create, their own success story. And, it is past time for Ruth and I to enjoy some of the rewards that we have been blessed with, by the success of our business. We are retiring comfortably and that’s a great feeling.”

He concludes, “Also, if Minuteman Press International was not the company that it has been, there would have been no reason for us to renew our franchise agreement. We truly appreciate their business franchise model; their ongoing support, the network of ‘Preferred Vendors’; and their early adoption of computerized pricing, which has evolved into the FLEX software that does so many functions today that were not even dreamed of 35 years ago. All these and more make a great package and a desirable business model to follow and be successful.”

What are the costs associated with opening a Minuteman Press franchise, and how much can you expect to make as a franchise owner?