Budget Blinds franchise
Budget Blinds sells and installs blinds, shutters, shades and drapery, meeting customers at their homes with a mobile showroom instead of running a store. That keeps overhead low compared with retail franchises. At the end of 2025 there were 1,355 Budget Blinds locations in the US, all franchised.
- Cost to open
- $101K–$211K
- Franchise fee
- $19,950
- Royalty
- 3.5%
- Locations, 2025
- 1,355+57 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1994
- Franchisor based in
- Irvine, California
- Time to open
- 30 to 60 days after signing
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Territory
- No exclusive territory
- Financing
- Some financing offered
From Budget Blinds, LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Budget Blinds franchise costs
Opening one Budget Blinds territory costs an estimated $100,500 to $211,250. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Budget Blinds, LLC, 2026 filing, page 23
Budget Blinds franchise fee
The franchise fee is $19,950, for a first franchise, plus an initial territory fee of $30,000 to $70,000 depending on territory size. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Budget Blinds, LLC, 2026 filing, page 14
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 3.5% of gross revenue or a monthly minimum ($1,250 to $2,500 by territory tier), whichever is greater, paid monthly. |
|---|
Source: Budget Blinds, LLC, 2026 filing, page 16
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Budget Blinds publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports 2025 annual sales for franchisees with one, two and three or more territories. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Budget Blinds, LLC, 2026 filing, page 47
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,362 (+64) | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | 1,366 (+4) | 0 | 31 |
| 2025 | 1,355 (−11) | 0 | 27 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Budget Blinds, LLC, 2026 filing, page 51
How Budget Blinds compares
Of the 16 retail franchises on this site, Budget Blinds is the cheapest to open and the 4th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Budget Blinds | Typical retail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $101K | $231K |
| Royalty | 3.5% | 5% |
| Closed or left per year | 1.8% | 3.4% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +4.4% | +7.2% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 15 of 16 |
Typical is the median across the 16 brands in retail franchises.
Other retail franchises
Budget Blinds franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Budget Blinds?
30 to 60 days after signing, according to Budget Blinds's 2026 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Budget Blinds help with financing?
Yes, in some cases. Budget Blinds may finance part of the cost, such as the franchise fee, for qualified buyers; terms are in its filing.
Do Budget Blinds franchisees get a protected territory?
No. Budget Blinds grants the right to run one location but no exclusive area, so another Budget Blinds can open nearby.
How long is a Budget Blinds franchise agreement?
The initial term is 10 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Budget Blinds growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 129 franchised locations opened and 72 closed or left, a net change of +4.4%. About 1.8% of locations closed or left each year. That is below the 3.4% typical for retail franchises.
How does Budget Blinds compare with other retail franchises?
Of the 16 retail franchises here, Budget Blinds is the cheapest to open (low end $101K against a $231K median) and the 4th largest by number of locations. Its 3.5% royalty is below the 5% median.
Does Budget Blinds say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports 2025 annual sales for franchisees with one, two and three or more territories. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Budget Blinds based?
Budget Blinds, LLC is based in Irvine, California and the brand has sold franchises since 1994.