Owning a franchise can be a smart way to build steady income or make a career shift. However, not everyone wants to run day-to-day operations. Some folks want a business that runs without them being hands-on.
The good news? Many of the best franchises for absentee ownership are built for that exact setup. These models let you keep your day job (or enjoy retirement) while staying in control from a distance.
While truly absentee franchises are few and far between, many are great fits for both absentee and semi-absentee owners. We’ve reviewed dozens of opportunities and narrowed them down to the best franchises for absentee ownership in 2025.
Disclaimer: The information presented is based on the most recent Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs) we were able to access at the time of writing. In some cases, this may not reflect the latest available version filed by the franchisor. Where applicable, data has been summarized or approximated to represent average gross sales for comparison purposes.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and transparency.
Best Franchises for Absentee Ownership
| Franchise | Startup Costs (est.) | Franchise Fee | Training Provided | Why it Stands Out | Incentives | Average Gross Sales (Annual) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pool Scouts | $115,445–$152,920 | $50,000 | 8 days (virtual + in-person), ops manual, vehicle setup, marketing support | Recurring service revenue, low overhead | Veteran discount (20% off franchise fee) | $1,239,736 |
| Teriyaki Madness | $376,200–$975,860 | $45,000 | 4-phase: 30 hrs classroom, 14.5 hrs online, 119 hrs hands-on, 10–17 days on-site support | Fast-casual Asian QSR with simple operations and growing demand for healthy options | 15% discount on initial franchise fee to 3+ year hospitality professionals | $1,177,195 |
| Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning | $53,775–$83,830 | $47,900 | 2-day initial, advanced course (90–180 days), optional 17-hr commercial course, ongoing webinars | Low overhead, eco-friendly model with proprietary software and centralized booking | Veteran discount (10% off franchise fee) | $162,260 |
| The Exercise Coach | $259,840–$389,970 | $49,500 | 5 days management + up to 40 hrs in-studio, coach certification via online/live tools | Efficient, tech-driven fitness model for older adults and professionals with minimal staffing | Veteran discount (10% off franchise fee) | $291,424 |
| Tutor Doctor | $94,295–$138,995 (local/regional) $174,995–$220,695 (national) | $54,700–$69,700 | 24 hrs classroom, 12 hrs hands-on, includes sales, ops, marketing, and 3rd-party test prep cert | Home-based model with growing demand for personalized education, highly flexible for mission-driven owners | Periodic veterans discount (amount not specified) | $350,922 |
| Smoothie King | $661,150–$1,277,650 (traditional) $346,350–$679,465 (non-traditional) | $30,000 (traditional) $15,000 (non-traditional) | 20 days total, 60–80 hrs classroom, 80–120 hrs on-the-job, 5 days on-site at opening | Health-forward, nationally recognized QSR with strong brand equity and scalable operations | Veteran discount (up to 20% off initial franchise fee) | $659,567 |
| WaveMAX Laundry | $356,455–$1,556,350 | $54,950 | 11.5 hrs classroom in Jacksonville + 8 hrs hands-on at store with Laundrylux partner | Self-serve, remote-monitored laundry concept built for absentee ownership with minimal day-to-day needs | Veteran discount (5% off franchise fee) | $471,201.42 |
Pool Scouts
Pool Scouts offers a recurring revenue model through residential pool cleaning and maintenance: an approachable, service-based concept that doesn’t require a storefront. It’s well-suited for absentee or semi-absentee owners who want to manage a lean team and build income through repeat business.
Training includes an eight-day mix of virtual and in-person sessions in Virginia Beach, plus access to a detailed operations manual, vehicle setup guidance, and vendor sourcing support. You’ll also get marketing assistance to help drive local awareness and customer acquisition.
Risk profile: Low to moderate; substantial recurring revenue, but seasonal demand may impact performance in colder markets.
Teriyaki Madness
Teriyaki Madness brings bold, fast-casual Asian flavors to a scalable franchise model that is well-suited for absentee and semi-absentee ownership. This franchise streamlines operations, allowing owners to focus on oversight while managers run the business.
Training is extensive and structured across four phases: 30 hours of in-person classroom instruction, 14.5 hours of online learning, 119 hours of hands-on training, and 10–17 days of on-site support during opening. This layered approach ensures your team is prepared to handle operations, staffing, and customer service from day one.
Risk profile: Moderate, success relies on effective hiring of location managers.
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning
Oxi Fresh offers a very low-overhead service model with a low barrier to entry for absentee or semi-absentee franchisees, especially those looking to avoid brick-and-mortar operations. Backed by proprietary scheduling software and eco-friendly systems, it’s built to scale without the need for a large team or storefront.
One of Oxi Fresh’s standout advantages is its flat royalty fee of just $475 monthly, regardless of revenue. Over a year, that’s only $5,700, a significant cost saving compared to traditional percentage-based royalty models. For example, a franchise generating $1 million in sales with a 6% royalty would owe $60,000 annually in royalties alone.
Risk profile: Low to moderate. Low build-out costs and centralized booking reduce complexity, but consistent local sales effort is key to growth.
The Exercise Coach
The exercise coach takes a no-nonsense approach to fitness. I.E., shorter workouts, data-driven results, and a clear niche that serves older adults and busy professionals. The model is designed to be lean with a small footprint and minimal staffing needs. It appeals to semi-absentee owners looking for predictable systems and low overhead.
Training is hands-on and well-structured. Owners and coaches undergo five days of management instruction plus up to 40 hours of in-studio training. Fitness coaches’ certifications (GSC and SBB) are required and handled through a mix of live sessions and online tools. You’ll cover everything from sales and anatomy to customer service and equipment operation.
Risk Profile: Moderate. Requires certified staff and upfront time, but benefits from a clear target market and efficient, proven systems.
Tutor Doctor
Tutor Doctor taps into a proven home-based model with very low overhead and a growing demand for personalized education services. Franchisees match vetted tutors with students for in-home or online learning across subjects, including test prep and enrichment. The flexibility of the setup makes it an excellent fit for semi-absentee owners and mission-driven professionals.
Training includes 24 hours of classroom and 12 hours of hands-on instruction across operations, sales, and marketing, plus required test prep certification through a third-party provider.
Risk profile: Moderate. You’ll handle tutor hiring and certification costs, and the efficacy of your tutors will determine success.
Smoothie King
Smoothie King is a well-established, health-focused quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand with national recognition, taking advantage of today’s grab-and-go lifestyle. It’s a good choice for semi-absentee owners who are comfortable managing a team or bringing in a strong general manager.
Training is thorough. You’re looking at up to 20 days of instruction, including 60–80 hours in the classroom and 80–120 hours on the job. That covers everything from day-to-day operations and inventory to marketing and food safety certification. First-time franchisees also get five days of on-site support at opening, which helps shorten the learning curve.
Risk profile: Moderate. It’s a proven model with powerful brand equity. However, labor and location play a substantial role in performance.
WaveMAX Laundry
Ideal for absentee owners, WaveMAX Laundry is a streamlined, self-service laundry concept. Thanks to its unattended operations model and remote monitoring technology, owners can manage multiple locations with limited day-to-day involvement, provided they have a reliable local team or attendant in place as needed.
Training includes 11.5 hours of classroom instruction in Jacksonville, Florida, plus 8 hours of hands-on training at your store provided by equipment partner Laundrylux. Topics cover store maintenance, machine upkeep, cash handling, accounting, and marketing essentials. Owners offering mobile service must complete an additional on-site training program.
Risk profile: Low. Once up and running, the business is relatively hands-off. However, equipment costs, local staffing, and utility pricing can influence margins.
Serious About Absentee Ownership? So Are We
Now that you know about the best franchises for absentee ownership, you’ll likely be planning next steps. You don’t need to constantly be behind the counter or on-site daily to enjoy a profitable franchise. The best models are built around smart systems, reliable staging, and brands that understand how to support a more hands-off approach to ownership.
But not every absentee-friendly franchise lives up to the claim. That’s why guidance is so important.
At Franchise.com, we help first-time franchisees and experienced entrepreneurs evaluate real options based on what actually works for them, their schedule, their goals, and their budget. With a no-nonsense, transparent approach that gives you direct access to vetted franchisors, we help you make sense of the operational structure before you commit.
Let’s find a franchise that fits your life, not one that takes it over.
