Ace Hardware vs Circle K: franchise cost side by side
Ace Hardware is the cheaper of the two to open, from $603,850; Circle K starts at $1,472,500.
Every figure comes from the brand's FDD, the disclosure file it must hand you before you sign.
Ace Hardware is the cheaper to open, from $603,850.
Circle K starts at $1,472,500, the lowest cost to open given in each FDD.
| From each FDD |  Ace Hardware |  Circle K |
|---|
| Total cost to open | $603,850 to $2,001,550 | $1,472,500 to $2,874,650 |
|---|
| Upfront fee | $5,000 | $25,000 |
|---|
| Royalty (ongoing fee) | None, because the store owners own Ace together as a co-op | 3.5% to 6% of gross sales, depending on the funding package (at least $1,000 a month) |
|---|
| Marketing fund | $6,000 in the first year, then 2% of the prior year's purchases | 0.25% of gross sales, plus local and national promotion fees |
|---|
| Published sales | $2,997,732 a year (average of 343 locations, 2023) | None published |
|---|
| Outlets | 4,885 franchised, 259 company | 515 franchised, 5,556 company |
|---|
| Year filed | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|
Not sure which brands to pick? Get help choosing or browse the full table.
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Read the full figures on the Ace Hardware franchise page and the Circle K franchise page, or read how to compare franchise costs.
Every brand's fee, royalty and Item 7 range is also in one table you can download: the franchise fee comparison.
