How much does a Ace Hardware franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $89,250–$153,470, including a $50,000 initial franchise fee.

How much do Ace Hardware franchise owners make?

Ace Hardware discloses little or no earnings data (Item 19) — meaning the franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. That's a red flag worth questioning.

Is a Ace Hardware franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Ace Hardware scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 3 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a Ace Hardware franchise

Painting Services Franchise (Ace Hardware Painting Services) · FDD 2025 · from public state filings

FDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses little to no earnings data (Item 19).

Investment

$89,250–$153,470

Total fees

8% of sales

Outlets

Closure signals

0 ceased, 0 terminated

Lawsuits

What their own earnings claim actually says

No financial performance data disclosed whatsoever. Franchisor explicitly declines to make any representations about past or future financial performance of franchised or company-owned outlets. Complete blackout with zero revenue, income, or sales figures provided.

Honesty grade F: the disclosed numbers are incomplete or framed to look better than an owner's real take-home.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

Brand-new system; only 8 franchised outlets opened in 2024, zero closures or terminations yet recorded.

Legal history (Item 3)

3 matters disclosed.

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: No financial performance data disclosed whatsoever. Franchisor explicitly declines to make any …

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Ace Hardware franchise — frequently asked

How much does a Ace Hardware franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $89,250–$153,470, including a $50,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Ace Hardware franchise owners make?: Ace Hardware discloses little or no earnings data (Item 19) — meaning the franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. That's a red flag worth questioning.
What is the Ace Hardware franchise failure rate?: Brand-new system; only 8 franchised outlets opened in 2024, zero closures or terminations yet recorded.
Is a Ace Hardware franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Ace Hardware scores F on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees, and discloses 3 legal matters. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Source: MN CARDS 33250-202503-03 (Clean FDD 2025). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Ace Hardware or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.