Express Employment Professionals Franchise — Veteran Cost & Requirements (2026)
Connect great people with great jobs. As an Express Employment franchise owner, you run a staffing agency that matches qualified workers with local businesses who need them. You're solving two huge problems at once: helping companies grow and helping people provide for their families.
What Is Express Employment Professionals?
In 2013 Express will honor the service of our veterans by waiving the $35,000 franchise fee for the first five qualified U.S. veterans awarded a new f...
You're running a professional staffing and recruiting firm that serves your local business community. Your team recruits, screens, and places workers in temporary, contract, and permanent positions across industries from industrial to administrative to professional roles. A typical day involves meeting with local business clients to understand their staffing needs, overseeing your internal recruiting team as they screen and interview candidates, and building relationships that turn into long-term contracts. Your revenue comes from marking up the hourly rate you charge clients above what you pay workers — the deeper your client relationships and the more efficient your recruiting process, the better your margins. This is a relationship-driven business that scales through repeat clients and referrals. You'll need strong networking skills and the ability to manage both the sales side (working with businesses) and the operations side (managing your internal team and ensuring quality placements).
Quick Facts
Founded
1983
Franchising Since
1985
Headquarters
Oklahoma
Location Type
Commercial Location
Semi-Absentee
No
SBA Approved
Yes
Express Employment Professionals Franchise Cost Breakdown (2026)
The total investment to open a Express Employment Professionals franchise starts at $132,000. Here's what that covers and what you'll need to qualify.
Investment Breakdown
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Lease and Deposit | $2,000 | $3,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $5,000 | $25,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $200 | $600 |
| Training Costs | $4,000 | $7,000 |
| Office Supplies | $500 | $1,000 |
| Office Equipment | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Computer System Hardware | $7,000 | $10,000 |
| Furniture and Fixture | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Signs | $4,500 | $6,400 |
| Insurance | $500 | $1,000 |
| Professional Service Fees | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Additional Funds – (9 months) | $60,000 | $100,000 |
The initial franchise fee is 40000, with startup costs bringing the initial investment to around 92000. The total investment range is 132000 to 213000, which includes nine months of working capital to get established in your market. The ongoing royalty is structured as a 40% share of gross margin, with a 0.6% ad fund fee. There's also a technology fee of 595 per month for communications and cloud computing. During your consultation, we'll map out exactly what you need liquid and how the revenue share model works in real numbers.
Beyond your initial investment, you'll pay a 40% of the Gross Margin royalty on gross sales plus a 0.6% of the Gross Margin marketing contribution. The true monthly cost of ownership includes additional fees most buyers don't account for until they're already in.
→ We break down your realistic monthly overhead during your consultation.
What Do Express Employment Professionals Franchise Owners Make?
Express Employment Professionals includes an Item 19 Financial Performance Representation in their Franchise Disclosure Document — which means they voluntarily share revenue and earnings data from their franchise system.
Express Employment Professionals includes an Item 19 Financial Performance Representation in their Franchise Disclosure Document — which means they voluntarily share revenue and earnings data from their franchise system. Not every franchise provides this level of transparency. The fact that Express Employment Professionals does tells you something about their confidence in franchisee performance. But raw numbers don't tell the full story. What matters is how those numbers apply to your market, your investment level, and your operating model.
Not every franchise provides this level of transparency. The fact that Express Employment Professionals does tells you something about their confidence in franchisee performance.
But raw numbers don't tell the full story. What matters is how those numbers apply to your market, your investment level, and your operating model.
Why Veterans Succeed with Express Employment Professionals
Running a staffing agency requires the same operational discipline you relied on in uniform — managing multiple moving pieces, maintaining high standards, and following through on commitments. Your success depends on building trust with both clients and candidates. This business lets you continue serving your community in a tangible way. You're helping local businesses grow while creating opportunities for people who need work. It's about more than just matching resumes to job descriptions — you're impacting families and strengthening your local economy. The most successful Express owners are comfortable being the face of their business, building relationships with local business leaders, and managing a team to maintain consistent quality. Sound familiar?
Military Fit Analysis
Military Fit Score
Best Suited For
If you've managed teams, coordinated logistics, or worked in personnel, you'll recognize many aspects of this business model. Experience evaluating people, maintaining standards, and building systems that scale are all relevant. The key is being able to balance the relationship-building side with the operational demands.
🎖️ Veteran & Military Discount
Express Employment Professionals participates in the VetFran program and offers a $35,000 discount on the franchise fee for qualified veterans, active duty, and military spouses.
In 2013 Express will honor the service of our veterans by waiving the $35,000 franchise fee for the first five qualified U.S. veterans awarded a new franchise.
This discount applies to the initial franchise fee. Combined with SBA veteran loan programs and VA small business resources, your actual out-of-pocket investment could be significantly lower than the listed range.
→ We calculate your true cost — including available discounts, financing options, and veteran-specific programs — during your consultation.
Is Express Employment Professionals the Right Franchise for Your Background?
Every veteran's transition is different. Your MOS, leadership experience, and financial goals all factor into which franchise makes sense. We've helped veterans across every branch find franchise businesses that match their strengths — not just their budget.
Talk to a veteran franchise consultant who's been where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions About Express Employment Professionals
How much does a Express Employment Professionals franchise cost?
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Does Express Employment Professionals offer a veteran or military discount?
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Is Express Employment Professionals a home-based franchise?
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Can you run a Express Employment Professionals franchise semi-absentee?
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What do Express Employment Professionals franchise owners make?
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Is Express Employment Professionals a good franchise for veterans?
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What is Express Employment Professionals's FDD and where can I read it?
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Your Next Chapter Starts with a Conversation
You've done the research. You've looked at the numbers. Now the question is whether Express Employment Professionals — or one of 500+ franchises in our network — is the right fit for where you're headed.
In 30 minutes, we'll cover:
- Whether this franchise matches your skills & goals
- What the FDD reveals that most buyers miss
- Your true cost after veteran discounts & financing
- 2-3 alternative franchises worth comparing
Free. No obligation. Veteran to veteran.