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Five Iron Golf®

Entertainment & Recreation Year: 2026
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What Is Five Iron Golf?

Five Iron Golf is a franchise in the Entertainment & Recreation category that operates high-tech, multi-functional indoor golf simulator and entertainment centers. The Centers operate from approved brick-and-mortar premises and are open to the general public (B2C). The core service bundle centers on top-of-the-line golf simulator bays and related offerings - professional golf lessons, custom club fittings, weekly league play, monthly memberships, events, retail, an on-site restaurant and bar, and optional duckpin bowling.

Five Iron Golf Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor provides an unusually strong onboarding program-200 hours of initial training and a 100 score for training and support-helping new operators reduce the learning curve, but startup costs are very high, with total initial investment of $1,963,500–$4,655,000 and assets required of $890,000–$1,300,000, increasing cash and financing needs.

Pros

200 hours of initial training and a training/support score of 100 are well above what’s typical in this industry, showing the franchisor invests heavily in preparing new operators and reducing the learning curve before opening.
Zero disclosed lawsuits, zero franchisor enforcement actions, and zero terminations/non‑renewals/reacquisitions are well below industry norms, indicating few formal disputes and a stable franchise relationship history.
Initial franchise fees are refundable on failure (an uncommon policy-only ~14% of peers do this), which lowers your upfront downside risk compared with most competitors.

Cons

Having 30 company‑owned locations is well above typical (top 10%), which may signal the franchisor favors corporate expansion over developing franchisees and warrants scrutiny of their commitment to growing the franchise model.
Estimated startup costs are high: total initial investment ranges from $1,963,500 to $4,655,000 and assets alone range $890,000–$1,300,000 (both well above peers), while required reserves of $80,000–$150,000 are also unusually high - this materially increases the cash and financing you’ll need before reaching self‑sufficiency.
Managers are not required to complete initial training (an unusual absence-88.2% of peers require it), which could lead to inconsistent day‑to‑day operations and add to your hiring and training burden.

Territory Protection

43/100
NORMAL

Five Iron Golf grants a non‑exclusive, protected territory (urban: block‑based; suburban: minimum 2‑mile radius) confined to franchisor‑approved Premises. Area protections under a Development Agreement Rider are contingent on meeting performance quotas; the franchisor may develop nearby units, sell via alternative channels, and the franchisee lacks first‑refusal rights.

Training & Support

100
Excellent

Five Iron Golf provides a comprehensive 200-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness, which is offered for an additional fee, and franchisees are responsible for travel and lodging expenses.

Unit Growth Analysis

Unit Growth Chart

Five Iron Golf is growing quickly - up from 10 to 37 units since 2022 and accelerating at roughly 32% year-over-year. This is a "Corporate Takeover" story: the concept is validated but most growth is company-owned, so as a new franchisee you’ll face limited peer support, likely second-tier territory picks (the franchisor may keep prime locations), and the operational strain that accompanies fast, corporate-driven expansion.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Five Iron Golf Franchise?

Opening a Five Iron Golf franchise requires a total initial investment of $1,963,500 to $4,655,000, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$1,963,500
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$4,655,000
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000
Real Estate$885,000
Equipment & Assets$890,000
Reserves$80,000
Training$1,000
Other$57,500

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$50,000
Real Estate$2,955,000
Equipment & Assets$1,300,000
Reserves$150,000
Training$5,000
Other$195,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Five Iron Golf a good franchise to own?

Whether Five Iron Golf is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Five Iron Golf operates 37 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a Five Iron Golf franchise worth the investment?

The value of a Five Iron Golf franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $1,963,500 to $4,655,000. Five Iron Golf disclosed average gross sales of $2,872,177 in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with a Five Iron Golf franchise?

Break-even timelines for Five Iron Golf franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is Five Iron Golf a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2026 FDD, Five Iron Golf operates 7 franchised locations and 30 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in Five Iron Golf?

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