Are you interested in franchise opportunities but simply hate paying ongoing franchise or royalty fees? You may have a perfect opportunity at Ace Hardware to reap the benefits of! This is due to the fact that Ace Hardware franchisees are not required to pay franchising or royalty fees. When you own a franchise for Ace Hardware, you control your business and gain access to Ace’s resources for brand awareness and business support. As a well-known retailer of home improvement products, the Ace Hardware Corporation proves to be a great franchisor partner for business owners of franchises.

As per statistics, between 2010 and 2021, the U.S. retail annual growth rate climbed from 5.63% to 19.38%. As of 2021, U.S. retail sales have exceeded $4.44 trillion, up 10% from 2020.  As of 2022, the value of all retail transactions worldwide is a remarkable $26.7 trillion.

 

What is Ace Hardware?

Established in 1924 as “Ace Shops,” the Ace Hardware Corporation changed its name to “Ace Hardware Corporation” in 1931.

Ace Hardware stores emphasize a pleasant, individualized shopping experience while selling high-quality home improvement products. The biggest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, Ace’s brand strategy aims to achieve the best of both worlds, leveraging the purchasing power of its thousands of locations while setting itself apart from the massive big-box chains through convenient, locally owned neighborhood locations staffed by friendly, knowledgeable associates. 

The franchisees of  Ace Hardware have the option to convert from independently held hardware stores to company shareholders.

Is Ace Hardware a Franchise Opportunity?

Yes, Ace Hardware is indeed a Franchising opportunity. 

Facts That Nobody Told You About Ace Hardware

  • No two stores are the same. 
  • They fail to always be the best deal around. 
  • At times, you can try and succeed in talking your way into a more effective price. 
  • It is a co-op model. 
  • They offer an Ace Rewards Program. 
  • The company has a less generous return policy. 
  • They do not have a knack for online platforms and operations. 
Ace Hardware Franchise Review and Information
Industry Type Retail Franchises
Sub Category Hardware Retail Businesses
Year Established 1924
Company Name Ace Hardware 
Founder/Management Head John Venhuizen
Franchising Started 1976
Employees at Company H.O 1,288
Franchise Expansion Plan US and worldwide
Number of Units 5,555
Number of Franchise Units 5,000
Social Media Handles Facebook
  Twitter
  Youtube
  Instagram
Company Office location  Oak Brook, Illionis

Ace Hardware Franchise Requirements

Franchises requirements to start an Ace Hardware are

  • Cash requirement: $250,000
  • Net worth: $400,000

Other costs and prices related to the franchise are provided below in the blog. 

Ace Hardware Franchise

How much does an Ace Hardware franchise cost

The franchise cost of Ace Hardware is $292,000-$2,119,230 with a franchise fee ranging somewhere between $5,000 and $97,500. 

Ace Hardware Franchise Price and Costs
Ace Hardware Franchise Fee $5,000
Ace Hardware Franchise Cost $292,000-$2,119,230
Royalty Fee
Advertising Fee
Term of Agreement None
Is franchise term renewable? No
Renewable Franchise Fees
Veteran Incentive Franchise fee waived

How much do Ace Hardware franchise owners make?

No data on the prospective earnings of a franchise owner upon having an Ace Hardware franchise is available. However, it is estimated that a franchise owner can earn 

What is Ace Hardware franchise profit?

Ace Hardware is considered to be a great company to buy because a franchise may bring in a profit of over $80,000 annually.

Ace Hardware Training to Franchises

The franchisor’s retail training division creates and provides in-person training at its headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, at specific regional locations, in stores, and at its yearly conferences in addition to online training, in-person training, and virtual classroom training. Before launching their store, new owners who are opening their first Ace location must attend the Base Camp New Owner program. 

The training courses for owners, their management team, and their employees are available on the franchiser’s Ace Learning Place online training platform. Franchisees get access to more than 1600 courses that they can use to teach their staff. The franchisor frequently plans seminars and training events for both single retailers and groups of retailers. 

At its spring and fall conventions each year, the franchisor also offers training seminars and workshops on subjects of interest to store owners and managers.

How is Ace Hardware Territory Granted to Franchises

Franchisees will not be given a territory that is all their own. Franchisees could encounter competition from other affiliate stores, rival brands, and alternative distribution channels. According to the Membership Agreement and Ace Brand Agreement, the membership of the franchisee is provided for a particular store location.

Ace Hardware Franchise

What is the Franchise Term of Agreement and Renewal?

The agreement does not have a set duration. For renewal or extension, there are no set durations as well.

Does Ace Hardware provide Financial Assistance to Franchises?

See the FDD for information on the franchisor’s various financial assistance initiatives. All of the programs mentioned there are financed by the franchisor. Also, Ace Hardware is a registered franchises with the Small Business Administration (SBA). Franchisees will benefit from a shortened loan application review process if they decide to apply for an SBA loan as a result of this listing.

Pros & Cons of owning an Ace Hardware Franchise

Pros of owning a Ace Hardware

  • New incentives for stores 
  • Each year, the retail owners receive a percentage of the firm revenues but no royalty fees.
  • Independent ownership with committed support and training
  • Adaptable product mix which may be tailored to the needs of your local market
  • Solid base and a future free from trends
  • acknowledged both nationally and internationally acknowledged

Cons of Owning a Ace Hardware Franchises

  • Crowded place
  • High overhead expenses
  • Financial struggles initially 

What are Ace Hardware franchise owner reviews

Many existing Ace Hardware franchisees are happy with the business relationship as of the time of this writing.

Ace Hardware Franchise

Ace Hardware Franchise Rankings

The rankings of Ace Hardware as a franchising can be categorized under the following heads

Franchise Deck Analysis and Overview

They are your neighborhood hardware shop, and therefore belong to your community. There are more than 5,000 Ace Hardware locations worldwide, the majority of which are privately owned and run by local business owners. These dedicated men and women are a crucial component of your community.

If you are considering opening an Ace Hardwares franchise, you probably know that there are no franchise fees and no royalty fees, which are the two biggest benefits for business owners and entrepreneurs like you.

That makes any Ace Hardwares store you open potentially more profitable than a different franchise location on its own.

But that is not the only reason you should think about opening an Ace Hardwares franchise and establishing yourself as the neighborhood’s go-to, helpful hardwares specialist. The name Ace Hardware is well-known as a brand. People immediately turn to names they know and love, like Ace Hardware, when they need hardware items.

Ace Hardware Franchise Success and Failure Rate

The below table will highlight the Ace Hardware franchises success and failure rate for the last 3 years. This will supplement your decision-making process.

Year Format Start End Change
2019 Franchise Owned 4353 4370 +17
Company Owned 123 186 +63
2020 Franchise Owned 4370 4441 +71
Company Owned 186 206 +20
2021 Franchise Owned 4441 4540 +99
Company Owned 206 211
+5

Competition Analysis of Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware Cost to Franchise Franchisee Fees Royalty + Ad fees Expected Profit Recoup of Capital FD Rating
Ace Hardware $292,000-$2,119,230 $5,000 $80,000 3.9/5
Rent-A-Center Franchise $363,275-$569,525 $35,000 5%+3% $1.024 billion 3.5-5 years 3.5/5
Batteries Plus Franchise  $190,144-$367,358 $37,500 5%+1% $723,405 4/5
Wireless Zone Franchise $160,000-$414,500 $1,000-$25,000 9-22% of gross profit $563,321 3.9/5
Slumberland Franchise $819,500-$3,215,000 $35,000-$55,000 3%+1%   3/5
Crown Trophy Franchise  $168,150-$227,700 $35,000 5% 3/5

The rating for the Ace Hardware franchises is 3.9/5.0.

Ace Hardware Franchise

Conclusion: Is Ace Hardware a good choice?

They are devoted neighborhood small business entrepreneurs. exactly like it should be. At Ace, they have continued to be small and quite personal while others have grown big and impersonal. Because of this, people often claim that seeing Ace is similar to visiting a neighbor. Fortunately, Ace Hardware has an unquestioningly positive reputation. Several Franchise 500 rankings have included Ace Hardware as a top franchise and numerous other publications and organizations also give it good ratings.

However, it is not the only reason why you should think about opening an Ace Hardware store in your neighborhood. You are not obligated to start a brand-new business from scratch. As an alternative, you might start a fresh location or turn an existing hardware store into an Ace Hardware franchised business.

Imagine if you tried to create a hardware store with your own branding but found it difficult to attract and keep a loyal customer base; an Ace helps look after this. To conclude, it is quite evident that Ace Hardwares stands out above all others in terms of franchise potential for hardwares stores. Invest in one today!

Entrepreneurs who want to open a franchise in the category  franchise opportunities categories can look at 

  1. BEHR Franchise 
  2. Rent-A-Center Franchise
  3. Batteries Plus Franchise 
  4. Wireless Zone Franchise
  5. Slumberland Franchise 
  6. Crown Trophy Franchise
  7. The Home Depot Franchise
  8. Menards Franchise
  9. Lowe’s Home Improvement Franchise 
  10. The Value Franchise 
  11. Motel 6 franchise
  12. Surestay franchises

  13. Grand Welcome Franchise
  14. HomeVestors Franchise
  15. Flip Cheap Houses

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Is the Ace Hardware franchises profitable?

Yes, a franchises of Ace Hardware is can prove to be profitable if managed correctly. 

  1. Can you make money owning Ace Hardware?

Yes, a potential franchisee can easily make money awning Ace Hardware. 

  1. Is Ace Hardware a franchises?

Yes, they started franchising in 1976. 

  1. How much is an Ace Hardware franchises?

The initial investment is $292,000-$2,119,239 and the franchises fee is $5,000 when it comes to starting a franchises of Ace Hardware. 

  1. How do Ace Hardware franchises make money?

They make money as a retailer and wholesaler of home improvement products, paints, and hardware. Apart from this, they are also known to offer RV and marine, automotive, plumbing, organization and storage, home and decor products, and tools. 

Published On: March 19th, 2023 / Categories: Blog, Real Estate Franchise Opportunities, Services Franchises /

6 Comments

  1. Daniel March 21, 2023 at 5:46 am - Reply

    Ace Hardware is an excellent franchise opportunity for those interested in owning their own business. Ace Hardware provides a wide range of quality products and services, making it a great choice for customers. The Ace Hardware franchise system allows franchisees to benefit from a national brand’s buying power and marketing. Ace Hardware stores are designed to offer a complete shopping experience with knowledgeable staff and a wide variety of products. With over 5,000 stores worldwide, Ace Hardware is one of the top hardware retailers in the world.

  2. Fox March 21, 2023 at 5:48 am - Reply

    Ace Hardware provides its franchisees with extensive training and support, allowing them to quickly become successful business owners. The Ace Hardware franchise system is designed to provide franchisees with a great return on their investment. Ace Hardware offers a wide range of services and programs to help franchisees succeed, such as marketing assistance, inventory management, and more. Ace Hardware stores are designed to provide an enjoyable shopping experience for customers, with a wide selection of products and knowledgeable sales staff. The Ace Rewards program allows customers to earn points on their purchases, which can be used for discounts and other rewards.

  3. Jill March 21, 2023 at 5:49 am - Reply

    Ace Hardware stores are designed to provide an easy and convenient shopping experience, with convenient locations and extended hours. The Ace Hardware franchise system is designed to help franchisees succeed by providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Ace Hardware offers a wide range of quality products, from tools and hardware to paint and home décor. Ace Hardware stores are designed to be customer-focused, with knowledgeable staff and helpful services.
    Ace Hardware is a great franchise opportunity for those looking to own their own business and be part of a successful national brand.

  4. Lotreck March 27, 2023 at 9:08 am - Reply

    Ace Hardware is an excellent franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to break into the hardware retail industry. Their stores are reliable and offer a wide selection of products for customers. The franchise provides comprehensive training and support for franchisees to ensure success. Ace Hardware is a well-known brand that has been around since 1924. The franchise has a strong customer service focus which ensures customers have the best experience possible.

  5. Richard March 27, 2023 at 9:15 am - Reply

    Ace Hardware offers a competitive pricing model which helps them attract more customers and increase sales. The franchise also provides valuable marketing and advertising resources to help franchisees get the word out about their business. Franchisees can expect to receive regular support from Ace Hardware’s corporate team. The franchise offers a wide range of products and services which makes it easy for customers to find what they need. Ace Hardware is a great franchise opportunity for those looking to start their own business.

  6. Montaya March 27, 2023 at 9:18 am - Reply

    The franchise has been very successful over the years and has grown to become one of the most recognizable names in the industry. Ace Hardware provides a great value to customers, offering quality products at competitive prices. The franchise has a strong customer loyalty program which helps keep customers coming back. Ace Hardware stores offer a friendly, knowledgeable staff that is committed to helping customers find what they need. The Ace Hardware franchise is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start their own business and join a well-established brand.

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