IRIS Environmental Laboratories^®

Health & Wellness • Year: 2024

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What Is IRIS Environmental Laboratories?

IRIS Environmental Laboratories offers inspection and laboratory testing services for asbestos, mold and lead, providing a comprehensive solution for identifying these hazards. The operational model is mobile and typically home-based year‑round, with the option to operate from an approved small office. It serves a mix of business and consumer clients (B2B and B2C), including abatement companies, construction firms, real estate professionals, insurance adjusters, third‑party administrators, and residential and commercial property owners. The core service bundle is on‑site inspection and sampling by certified professionals combined with centralized laboratory analysis and related consulting, clearance certification, and referral services.

IRIS Environmental Laboratories Franchise: Pros and Cons

With 0 franchise terminations and 0 non‑renewals (both in the bottom 5% for Health & Wellness), this system shows unusually strong owner retention and a very clean legal record, but 5 reacquired outlets (well above typical) suggest higher-than-normal franchisee exits and potential turnover risk.

Pros

0 franchise terminations and 0 non‑renewals (both in the bottom 5% for Health & Wellness) - far fewer than peers, indicating stronger-than-typical operator retention and fewer abrupt owner exits.

0 disclosed lawsuits, 0 franchisee-initiated judgments, 0 settlements, 0 government penalties, and 0 franchisor enforcement actions (all well below typical) - a very clean legal and regulatory record that lowers litigation risk and related distractions.

Manager required equity is 0.0% (ranked well above typical for Health & Wellness) - you won’t be forced to tie up manager capital, which lowers the personal cash needed to operate compared with most peers.

Cons

5 reacquired outlets (well above typical for Health & Wellness) - an unusually high number of reacquisitions that suggests franchisees have been exiting the system at a higher-than-usual rate, indicating operator turnover.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

IRIS Environmental Laboratories reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

43/100

NORMAL

IRIS Environmental Laboratories grants a protected, site-specific territory (zip-code/population basis, up to 500k) set by census and market-density criteria. Territory rights are contingent on meeting performance quotas; franchisor approval governs special events/out-of-area work, franchisor retains e-commerce/alternative-channel sales and may develop nearby units without offering a right of first refusal.

Training & Support

44/100

NORMAL

The brand provides a targeted 50-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch assistance to support operational readiness; franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses, and there is an additional fee for on-site support.

Unit Growth Analysis

This franchise held 10 units in 2022 and 2023 and fell to 9 units in 2024, meaning a flat 0% change year-over-year from 2022→2023 followed by a -10.0% decline in 2024 (loss of one unit). For investors this signals a move from stability to contraction-no expansion and emerging franchisee attrition or operational/market issues-which increases risk to scale and future returns.

How Much Does It Cost to Open an IRIS Environmental Laboratories Franchise?

Opening an IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchise requires a total initial investment of $72,300 to $103,510, according to the 2024 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

$72,300

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$103,510

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$36,000

Real Estate$0

Equipment & Assets$4,740

Reserves$3,000

Training$1,400

Other$27,160

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$36,000

Real Estate$1,900

Equipment & Assets$14,730

Reserves$6,500

Training$4,450

Other$39,930

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 IRIS Environmental Laboratories Franchise Owners Make?

IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchise locations reported average gross sales of $67,109 and median gross sales of $67,109 in 2024, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$67,109

Median Gross Sales:

$67,109

High Gross Sales:

$103,740

Low Gross Sales:

$30,478

Sample Size:

Percent Attaining Average:

50.0%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: Franchised markets reported materially lower sample sizes and different average sales compared with company-owned markets, with the franchised average at 67108.75 in 2022 versus company-owned averages that were higher in 2022 and 2023.

Performance Variability Analysis: Franchised results show substantial spread (high 103740 and low 30477.5 in 2022) and only half of franchised units exceeded the average, indicating meaningful variability across franchised locations.

Data Scope and Limitations: Franchised data cover only 2021–2022 with a sample of five markets and are explicitly not audited, and no full-year franchised results were reported for 2023, limiting forward-looking reliability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IRIS Environmental Laboratories a good franchise to own?

Whether IRIS Environmental Laboratories is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2024 FDD: IRIS Environmental Laboratories operates 9 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 44/100. 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 an IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchise worth the investment?

The value of an IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $72,300 to $103,510. IRIS Environmental Laboratories disclosed average gross sales of $67,109 in 2024. 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 an IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchise?

Break-even timelines for IRIS Environmental Laboratories franchises are not disclosed in the 2024 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 IRIS Environmental Laboratories a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2024 FDD, IRIS Environmental Laboratories operates 4 franchised locations and 5 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

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