- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$39K - $64K
- Units as of 2023
-
234
People everywhere need to grab cash and sometimes their bank of choice is not nearby. This is where ACFN comes in. With convenient ATMs located across the U.S. and Canada, customers can be sure to find an ATM when they need one most.
ACFN is an ATM franchise that began business in 1997. It is one of the few providing machines and services to hotels, travel, and entertainment-based businesses. ACFN began ATM franchising in 2003 and now has over 225 franchises and more than 2,000 ATMs in operation. If you're interested in opening a franchise with a company that offers a relatively low overhead, then you might want to check out ACFN.
Why You May Want to Start an ACFN Franchise
When opening an ACFN franchise, you can piggyback off a good reputation that your potential clients may already recognize. As a franchisee of ACFN, you have access to national databases. These databases help you to identify potential clients in your area. You also have the benefit of lead tracking software, showing you the activity of your potential clients and support for ATM installation and maintenance. Their support continues while you're running your franchise.
What Might Make an ACFN Franchise a Good Choice?
ACFN strives to provide its franchisees with a company that fits with what they need. You can run your ACFN as a full-time business, as well as a part-time business. You can also run it as a home-based business or serve as an absentee owner. Essentially, your involvement depends entirely on your goals. Running an ACFN franchise does not require prior business experience. The company will train you on the franchise, the ATM industry, and effective marketing strategies for the target audience.
Working with ACFN does not require hiring additional staff. That means you only have to keep track of yourself, and with only one employee, payroll costs can be kept low. That said, you should still make sure that you are financially prepared for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you’ll want to make sure you have enough capital available to cover ongoing fees, including advertising and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set liquid capital requirements.
How To Open an ACFN Franchise
If you want to open an ACFN franchise, there are a few things to know first. There is a multi-day training event you will need to attend at company headquarters in San Jose, California. You will have to pay for each ATM machine, as well as the contents of the machine. If you are a veteran, there may be a discount for you as a franchisee.
To get started with your ACFN franchise, you will need to submit an inquiry form. If your form appears to fit with the ACFN franchise model, a franchise representative may contact you. They may also provide you with additional franchise information.
ACFN holds its multi-day training classes monthly. If approved by the franchise representative, attend the course, review the Franchise Disclosure Document, and sign a franchise agreement. After that, you will be ready to find your first client and install an ATM.
Company Overview
About ACFN
| Industry | Financial Services |
|---|---|
| Related Categories | Miscellaneous Financial Services, Miscellaneous Services |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Parent Company | ACFN Franchised Inc. |
| Leadership | Jeffrey Kerr, CEO |
| Corporate Address |
4 N. Second St., #1240 San Jose, CA 95113 |
| Social | Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube |
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 2003 (21 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 18 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. |
| # of Units | 234 (as of 2023) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a ACFN franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$25,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$39,234 - $63,817 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$50,000 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
$1,000 off franchise fee |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
1% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| In-House Financing | ACFN offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee |
|---|
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| Classroom Training | 18 hours |
|---|---|
| Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | Yes |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
Yes |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
Yes |
| # of employees required to run | 1 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
No |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where ACFN landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where ACFN ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to ACFN.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
When I Became President of KFC, Franchisees and Corporate Hated Each Other. But I Believed This Behavioral Theory Could Bring Them Back Together.
I was handed the undesirable task of righting the ship at Kentucky Fried Chicken. But the challenge allowed me to test a leadership theory.
She Was a Regular at a Struggling Coffee Shop. Then She Bought It, and 4X the Annual Revenue to $1.8 Million.
Kristen Haseotes bought a failing location of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, and then slammed the gas on growth. Here's how she became the franchise's top performer.
How an Idaho State Senator Saved a Beloved Franchise By Hitting the Road In His Camper Van
Peter Riggs' first job out of college was as a Pita Pit franchisee. Years later, he returned as CEO to bring the brand back to life.
Why This Mother Daughter Duo Are Making a Killing on Consignment Handbags In New Jersey
For their business to work, Dianne and Gabrielle Melillo need more than customers. They need a community that has total confidence in them.
Inflation Threatens 87% of Franchisees — Here Are the Ways They're Fighting Back
From soaring labor costs to escalating supply prices, franchise owners are facing significant economic challenges, mostly due to inflation.
You Can Start a Merry Maids House Cleaning Franchise for Under $100k
Inspired by ServiceMaster founder Marion Wade's vision to deliver exceptional service and quality to customers, Merry Maids has grown into an established leader in the residential cleaning industry.