How CVS is run
CVS Health had about 9,000 retail locations at the end of 2025, along with more than 1,000 walk-in and primary care clinics. Its annual report describes no franchised stores. (CVS Health annual report, 2025)
Who owns CVS
CVS Health is a public company; its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CVS. (CVS Health annual report, 2025)
Franchises like CVS
If you want to own a pharmacy business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to CVS, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good Neighbor PharmacyFee $0 · Royalty $599 per month | $44K–$556K | $0 | $599 per month | 2,204−71 in 3 yrs | – |
| GNCFee $20K · Royalty 6% · Sales $484K a location | $188K–$530K | $20K | 6% | 1,960−340 in 3 yrs | $484K |
| The Vitamin ShoppeFee $40K · Royalty 5% | $493K–$945K | $40K | 5% | 681−63 in 3 yrs | – |
| The Medicine ShoppeFee $0 · Royalty 3% or qualifying $599 monthly option | $521K–$914K | $0 | 3% or qualifying $599 monthly option | 244−53 in 3 yrs | – |
| Medicap PharmacyFee $0 · Royalty 3% or qualifying $599 monthly option | $521K–$914K | $0 | 3% or qualifying $599 monthly option | 83+16 in 3 yrs | – |
| PharmaconicFee $30K · Royalty 3% | $322K–$435K | $30K | 3% | 3+1 in 3 yrs | – |
Locations are US locations, franchised and company-owned, at the end of the latest year filed. Sales are yearly, before costs, where the brand publishes them.
Good Neighbor Pharmacy is the largest, with 2,204 US locations. Medicap Pharmacy added the most locations, +16 over 3 years. Of the brands that publish sales, GNC reports the most per location, $484K a year. The typical retail franchise starts at $198K to open; see where the money goes.