How Dollar General is run
Dollar General ran 20,959 stores in 48 states and Mexico in early 2026, and its annual report describes no franchised stores. (Dollar General annual report, fiscal 2025)
Franchises like Dollar General
If you want to own a discount store business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to Dollar General, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-ElevenFee $0–$800K · Royalty Share of gross profit | $165K–$1.62M | $0–$800K | Share of gross profit | 8,303−502 in 3 yrs | – |
| MinisoFee $50K · Royalty No royalty; 45%–65% product share | $361K–$745K | $50K | No royalty; 45%–65% product share | 351+277 in 3 yrs | – |
| Family FareFee $10K · Royalty 56% of gross profit | $30K–$1.17M | $10K | 56% of gross profit | 102+9 in 3 yrs | – |
| DaaBIN StoreFee $35K · Royalty 5% | $162K–$276K | $35K | 5% | 11+11 in 3 yrs | – |
| Just-A-BuckFee $25K · Royalty 4% | $176K–$298K | $25K | 4% | 10−4 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.
7-Eleven is the largest, with 8,303 US locations, and Family Fare costs least to open, from $30,300. Miniso added the most locations, +277 over 3 years. The typical retail franchise starts at $198K to open; see where the money goes.