Under what condition might the real estate cost be $0 for a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing franchise?

According to Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the cost for rent/lease of real estate can be as low as $0. This would occur if a prospective franchisee already owns real estate that meets Benjamin Franklin Plumbing's standards for franchised businesses. However, even if the real estate cost is $0, the franchisee may still be responsible for property taxes.

The FDD notes that the estimated costs are based on data from 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 and are subject to local and international market conditions. The estimate for a location assumes approximately 2,000 to 3,000 rentable square feet. The cost per square foot can vary significantly based on location, property type, and market conditions.

For a startup franchise, the low estimate for rent/lease of real estate is $3,090, while the high estimate is $9,270. For a conversion franchise, the low estimate is $0 and the high estimate is $9,270. The initial investment cost may be substantially higher if the franchisee decides to purchase the real estate instead of leasing it. The estimate includes three months of rent, but the landlord may also require a security deposit of one or two months' rent.