1-800-got-junk? logo

1-800-got-junk?®

Home & Commercial Services Year: 2025
All product and company names mentioned are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of these names does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by them.

What Is 1-800-got-junk??

1-800-got-junk? is a franchise for the operation of retail junk removal businesses providing residential and commercial junk removal services. It serves a mix of individual consumers and businesses, including homeowners, property managers, contractors, realtors and other businesses. The Franchised Business removes and hauls non-hazardous junk for disposal, re-use and recycling and uses a proprietary System that includes software, a national Sales Center, a web-based dispatch/online booking system, brand development, training, marketing and ongoing business support.

1-800-got-junk? Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise shows a clean legal profile with zero disclosed lawsuits, government penalties, franchisor enforcement actions, outlet terminations, or non‑renewals, but a major risk is its high initial cost (Item 7: $65,000 minimum, $97,500 maximum) and large company fleet (42 company‑owned, 30 reacquired outlets).

Pros

Zero disclosed lawsuits, government penalties, franchisor enforcement actions, outlet terminations, or non‑renewals - a noticeably cleaner legal and compliance profile than is typical in Home & Commercial Services.

Cons

A maximum Item 7 franchise fee of $97,500 (Item 7 minimum $65,000) is well above what's common in Home & Commercial Services, meaning your initial cash outlay to acquire the franchise rights will be higher than most peers.
Minimum required reserves of $59,000 are well above typical for the sector; since reserves usually cover about three months of operating costs, this points to higher ongoing monthly expenses than comparable franchises.
Forty‑two company‑owned units (top 5% for the sector) combined with 30 reacquired outlets (top 5%) suggests the franchisor runs a large corporate fleet and has had a notable number of franchisee exits - a signal to investigate the franchisor's commitment to growing via franchising and potential operator turnover.

Territory Protection

35/100
NORMAL

1-800-got-junk? grants a protected, non-exclusive territory composed of at least eight population-based subterritories (62,500–75,000 residents each), with site-specific rights contingent on meeting performance quotas. The franchisor retains the right to sell via e-commerce/alternative channels and to develop additional nearby units and national-account arrangements.

Training & Support

40/100
NORMAL

1-800-got-junk? provides a robust 80-hour training curriculum designed to prepare franchisee personnel, with the initial franchise fee covering training for 0 people. The program includes on-site launch support to aid operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and lodging expenses, and on-site assistance is offered at additional cost.

Unit Growth Analysis

Unit Growth Chart

1-800-got-junk? is effectively flat - up five net units to 146 over two years and showing a -2.0% deceleration last year. For a new owner this reads like a mature, cash-flow business rather than a growth play: expect most prime territories already claimed, modest resale upside, and a franchisor likely focused on optimizing existing operations (not rapid expansion), especially given the sizable 42 company-owned footprint.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a 1-800-got-junk? Franchise?

Opening a 1-800-got-junk? franchise requires a total initial investment of $183,800 to $294,000, according to the 2025 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

$183,800
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$294,000
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$65,000
Real Estate$1,200
Equipment & Assets$11,500
Reserves$59,000
Training$3,500
Other$43,600

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$97,500
Real Estate$5,000
Equipment & Assets$34,000
Reserves$75,000
Training$7,500
Other$75,000

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.

How Much Do 1-800-got-junk? Franchise Owners Make?

Average Gross Sales:
N/A
Median Gross Sales:
N/A
Sample Size:
147
Audit Status:
Unaudited
Franchise vs Corporate Performance: System-wide gross revenue for 2024 was $537,460,900. The U.S. accounts for the majority of that revenue ($479,673,717), with Canada at $40,837,998 and Australia at $16,949,185. Annual growth in gross revenue from 2023 to 2024 was $12,249,385 (2.3%). These figures are compiled from franchise-reported data and are not audited.
Performance Variability Analysis: Performance is highly variable by franchise age and subterritory. The largest cohort (89 franchisees operating >72 months) reported an average gross revenue per franchisee of $2,953,571, median $2,032,678, and a range of $9,741,743 (high) to $119,494 (low). On a per-subterritory basis for that cohort the average was $141,580, median $130,727, range $359,145 to $6,289. Shorter-tenured cohorts show much lower averages and similar dispersion (for example, franchises operating >12 and <24 months: average per franchise $376,350, median $396,488, range $551,144 to $76,319), indicating meaningful upside for established units but also substantial downside risk for underperforming or newer units.
Data Scope and Limitations: Item 19 covers 147 franchised businesses (105 unaffiliated franchisees plus 42 DBA affiliates) that reported sales during the 12 months ending December 31, 2024. The reported figures are gross revenue only and explicitly exclude costs of sales and operating expenses, so net income/profitability cannot be determined from these tables. The data were provided by franchisees (not audited) and per-subterritory metrics were calculated by dividing franchise gross revenue by the number of subterritories owned, then aggregating those per-subterritory results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 1-800-got-junk? a good franchise to own?

Whether 1-800-got-junk? is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: 1-800-got-junk? operates 146 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 40/100. 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 1-800-got-junk? franchise worth the investment?

The value of a 1-800-got-junk? franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $183,800 to $294,000. 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 1-800-got-junk? franchise?

Break-even timelines for 1-800-got-junk? franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 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 1-800-got-junk? a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, 1-800-got-junk? operates 104 franchised locations and 42 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in 1-800-got-junk??

Get more information and connect with the franchise directly.