Ace Hardware
Franchise research report · reviewed 2025 disclosure data
Researching Ace Hardware franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Ace Hardware franchises operate retail hardware stores selling tools, building materials, home improvement products, and related merchandise.
Headline figures
Ace Hardware quick facts
- Is Ace Hardware a franchise?
- Yes. Ace Hardware offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2024, it reported 4,885 franchised and 259 company-owned outlets (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 74).
- How much does it cost to open an Ace Hardware franchise?
- The Ace Hardware Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $134,600–$1,229,000 for conversion only (conversion total estimated initial investment: $134,600 to $1,229,000) (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 32); $603,850–$2,001,550 for start-up total estimated initial investment: $603,850 to $2,001,550 (2025 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 29). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- Does Ace Hardware disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Ace Hardware FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2025 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 73). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Ace Hardware locations are there?
- The FDD reports 5,144 outlets at the end of 2024 (2025 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 74). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is Ace Hardware a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2025 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $134,600 – $1,229,000 (Conversion total estimated initial investment: $134,600 to $1,229,000); $603,850 – $2,001,550 (Start-up total estimated initial investment: $603,850 to $2,001,550); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 8 separate groups: revenue for 194 locations; other measures and memberships for 689 locations; revenue for 194 locations; revenue for 13 locations; revenue for 83 locations; revenue for 343 locations; revenue for 13 locations; revenue for 56 locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets grew by 150 in 2024, to 5,144 (systemwide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Ace Hardware head-to-head
Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 2 single-unit formats
2025 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- Conversion total estimated initial investment: $134,600 to $1,229,000PDF p. 32$134,600 – $1,229,000
- Start-up total estimated initial investment: $603,850 to $2,001,550PDF p. 29$603,850 – $2,001,550
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
56 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
8 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
194 locations
Revenue · 194 locations
- Who is counted
- 2023 RFR participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the Super Hardware Format; all had been open at least one full year
- Period
- 2023
- Excluded
- The representation excludes Ace stores operated by subsidiaries Westlake or GLA. RFR data was voluntarily supplied by participating stores; all Reporting Stores had been open at least one full year.
- Method
- 2023 RFR prepared by Profit Planning Group, Inc.
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
systemwide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 4885 of each year.
2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 74
Net +277 outlets, 2022–2024
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2024 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2025 Item 7 estimate ($134,600 – $2,001,550) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units went from 4,994 to 5,144 in 2024. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2025 FDD)
- [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the Super H… · PDF p. 73
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the 2023 RFR · PDF p. 72
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR Reporting Stores in the Super Hardware Format · PDF p. 73
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the Express… · PDF p. 72; PDF p. 73
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the Conveni… · PDF p. 73
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR participating Ace branded single-store Reporting Stores in the Core Ha… · PDF p. 73
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 Retail Financial Report from participating single-store operations; exclud… · PDF p. 72
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — 2023 RFR Reporting Stores in the Home Center Format · PDF p. 73
- [9]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 74
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.
Territory & operations
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
| Fiscal year | Measure | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | net income | $314 |
| 2024 | net cash provided by operating activities | $548 |
| 2024 | net cash used in investing activities | -$223 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $36 |
| 2024 | total assets | $4,293 |
| 2024 | total liabilities | $3,371 |
| 2024 | total equity | $922 |
| 2024 | cash and cash equivalents | $36 |
| 2024 | total revenues | $9,491 |
| 2023 | total revenues | $9,131 |
| 2023 | net cash provided by operating activities | $364 |
| 2023 | net cash used in investing activities | -$502 |
These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format, overlapping investment range, Item 20 outlet count and search interest. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Head-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Reader notes on wording
Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.
Item 19 · PDF p. 72 · 2025 FDD
Our summary: Express Hardware Format average annual sales volume — 2023
“The average annual sales volume of the Reporting Stores in the Express Supply Format was $1,664,867.”
Note: The claimed average is cited at a page break as 'Express Hardware Supply Format'; surrounding text describes the Express Hardware Format but does not settle whether 'Supply' is a source typo or a distinct population.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.