How U-Haul is run
U-Haul rents its trucks and trailers through more than 2,400 company-operated stores and more than 23,000 independent dealers. Over half of its truck and trailer rental revenue comes from its own stores. (U-Haul Holding annual report, fiscal 2026)
Who owns U-Haul
U-Haul Holding Company is public, with shares on the New York Stock Exchange. Its chairman and chief executive, Edward J. Shoen, and his brother Mark V. Shoen, together with Willow Grove Holdings, which they manage, own about 50.1% of the voting stock. (U-Haul Holding annual report, fiscal 2026)
Becoming a U-Haul dealer
U-Haul invites small businesses to add truck and trailer rental to what they already sell. It says there's no franchise fee or start-up cost, no long-term contract, and no need for a large parking area. (U-Haul: become a U-Haul dealer)
Dealers set aside part of their lot and their time for U-Haul customers. U-Haul says it pays an average commission of 21% across its product lines, weekly by direct deposit. (U-Haul: become a U-Haul dealer)
The company says it is focused on growing its independent dealer network. (U-Haul Holding annual report, fiscal 2026)
Franchises like U-Haul
If you want to own a moving business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to U-Haul, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Men and a TruckFee $50K–$85K · Royalty 6% · Sales $2.84M a location | $147K–$512K | $50K–$85K | 6% | 351+55 in 3 yrs | $2.84M |
| College Hunks Hauling Junk & MovingFee $45K · Royalty 7% + minimum · Sales $1.64M a location | $159K–$284K | $45K | 7% + minimum | 155+51 in 3 yrs | $1.64M |
| UNITS Portable StorageFee $56K · Royalty 8% | $518K–$1.27M | $56K | 8% | 69+6 in 3 yrs | – |
| U-Save Car & Truck RentalFee $10K–$800K · Royalty 6% + minimum | $168K–$1.55M | $10K–$800K | 6% + minimum | 67−4 in 3 yrs | – |
| Priceless Car & Truck RentalFee $25K–$30K · Royalty 4% | $265K–$2.59M | $25K–$30K | 4% | 35−2 in 3 yrs | – |
| Pink Zebra MovingFee $30K · Royalty 5%–7%, subject to minimums · Sales $1.07M a location | $128K–$261K | $30K | 5%–7%, subject to minimums | 19+16 in 3 yrs | $1.07M |
| MyWay Mobile StorageFee $40K · Royalty 3% + minimum | $238K–$834K | $40K | 3% + minimum | 60 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.
Two Men and a Truck is the largest, with 351 US locations, and Pink Zebra Moving costs least to open, from $128,368. Two Men and a Truck added the most locations, +55 over 3 years. Of the brands that publish sales, Two Men and a Truck reports the most per location, $2.84M a year. The typical moving franchise starts at $159K to open; see where the money goes.
Sources
Questions
Which of these moving franchises loses the fewest owners?
UNITS Portable Storage. None of its franchised locations closed, were terminated or weren't renewed over the years its latest filing covers, against 8.1% a year at College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. Buy-backs by the franchisor and sales to new owners don't count as exits. Failure rates by brand
Is there a cheaper way into a moving franchise like U-Haul?
Yes, a smaller format. Two Men and a Truck lists a mod market franchise (smaller market) from $92K, against $147K for its standard location. Formats like these go into sites such as campuses, airports or other businesses, so there are fewer of them and they usually sell less.