Free tool
Franchise Cost Per Sale Calculator
See what each signed franchise really costs you, how that compares to the industry average, and how much you're spending on leads nobody works.
Your cost per sale
$0
- Signed deals per year
- 0
- Leads needed per deal
- 0
- Total spend per year
- $0
- Spent on unworked leads per year
- $0
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. For a franchisor's internal planning only: it isn't a financial performance representation, so don't show it to candidates.
How to calculate cost per franchise sale
Add up everything you spent on franchise development in a period, then divide by the agreements you signed in that period.
Cost per sale = total development spend / signed agreements
Include media, lead portals, staff, broker fees, software and events. Our guide on calculating cost per franchise sale covers what people leave out.
Benchmarks
| Measure | Average |
|---|---|
| Cost per sale, 2025 | $17,550 |
| Cost per sale, 2024 | $13,757 |
| Cost per sale, under 25 units | $14,795 |
| Cost per sale, 26 to 100 units | $35,388 |
| Cost per lead, 2025 | $351 |
| Leads to signed deals, 2025 | 2% |
From the 2026 Annual Franchise Development Report, via Franchise Update and its breakdown by size. These are survey averages, and brands count costs differently, so treat them as a rough guide.
Questions
What is a good cost per franchise sale?
The average was $17,550 in 2025, but it ranged from $14,795 for brands under 25 units to $35,388 for brands with 26 to 100 units. Compare yourself to brands your own size.
What should I include in cost per sale?
Everything you spent on franchise development: media, lead portals, broker fees, staff, software and events. Then divide by signed agreements for the same period.
How many franchise leads does it take to make a sale?
At the 2025 industry average of 2%, about 50 leads per signed deal. Your number depends heavily on your lead sources.
Is my data saved?
No. The calculator runs in your browser, and nothing you type is sent to us or anyone else.