The Scout Guide franchise
A The Scout Guide franchisee produces and distributes advertising guides featuring local businesses. At the end of 2025 there were 94 The Scout Guide locations in the US, 93 franchised and 1 company-owned.
- Cost to open
- $132K–$317K
- Franchise fee
- $50,000
- Royalty
- 10% of rate-card sales + minimum
- Locations, 2025
- 94+20 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- SBA loans
- On the SBA Franchise Directory
From SCOUT GUIDE LLC’s 2026 filing; SBA status from the SBA Franchise Directory, October 28, 2026.
How much a The Scout Guide franchise costs
Opening one territory costs an estimated $132,100 to $316,600. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: SCOUT GUIDE LLC, 2026 filing, page 20
The Scout Guide franchise fee
The franchise fee is $50,000. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: SCOUT GUIDE LLC, 2026 filing, page 10
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | 10% of advertising spreads valued at the specified royalty rate card, with a $16,000 annual minimum. |
|---|
The typical franchise royalty is 6% of sales, plus 2% for marketing. See franchise fees and royalties to compare.
Source: SCOUT GUIDE LLC, 2026 filing, page 11
Sales and earnings
No figures The Scout Guide does not share sales or profit figures for its locations. Talking to current and former franchise owners is the usual way to learn what a location earns.
Source: SCOUT GUIDE LLC, 2026 filing, page 40
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 88 (+15) | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | 94 (+6) | 1 | 7 |
| 2025 | 93 (−1) | 1 | 10 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
See which brands grew most in the fastest-growing franchises rankings.
Source: SCOUT GUIDE LLC, 2026 filing, page 41
