Surface Specialists
Surface Specialists Systems, Inc. · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Surface Specialists franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Surface Specialists franchise specializes in hard surface restoration and refinishing services for countertops, bathtubs, tile, and other surfaces in residentia
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a Surface Specialists franchise?
- The Surface Specialists Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $43,200–$56,000 for total (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 15); $3,400–$38,500 for expansion total (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 17). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does Surface Specialists charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5% of Gross Receipts, subject to $250 monthly minimum (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 1% of Gross Receipts (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 12). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Surface Specialists disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Surface Specialists FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 35). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many Surface Specialists locations are there?
- The FDD reports 131 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 38). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $43,200 – $56,000 (Total); $3,400 – $38,500 (Expansion Total); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 3 separate groups: revenue for 44 franchised locations; revenue for 35 franchised franchise; revenue for 44 franchised franchisees. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 9 in 2025, to 131 (Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
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
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- ExpansionPDF p. 17$3,400 – $38,500
- TotalPDF p. 15$43,200 – $56,000
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty FeeMain ongoing fee
6 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?
3 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Franchised locations
Revenue · 44 locations
- Who is counted
- 44 operational franchisees; 44 had been in operation for at least a full year; three franchised outlets closed part way through 2025 and their results are not included
- Period
- January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Three franchised outlets closed part way through 2025 and their results are not included
- Method
- Six of the 44 Reporting Franchises submitted a single report combining Average Gross Sales for multiple territories; estimated percentage of sales attributed per Designated Territory was used to determine Average Gross Sales per Designated Territory
Franchised locations
Revenue · 35 locations
- Who is counted
- All 44 outlets in operation as of December 31, 2025; 35 franchise owners completed and returned the 2026 survey
- Period
- 2026 pricing survey
- Excluded
- Some franchise owners operate multiple outlets; each owner submitted one response applicable to all outlets they own
- Method
- 30% discount assumes that a new franchise may discount its initial price structure up to 30% to obtain work when entering the market and establishing its franchise business
Franchised locations
Revenue · 44 locations
- Who is counted
- The total gross sales of the 44 Reporting Franchisees
- Period
- January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025
- Excluded
- Three franchised outlets closed part way through 2025 and their results are not included
- Method
- Reported gross sales information for the Reporting Period
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of year end of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 38
Net −12 outlets, 2023–2025
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 2025 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 2026 Item 7 estimate ($3,400 – $56,000) 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 decreased from 140 to 131 in 2025. What drove the change?
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 (2026 FDD)
- [1]Item 19 — Franchised (44 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 35
- [2]Item 19 — Franchised (35 franchise) — revenue · PDF p. 36; PDF p. 37
- [3]Item 19 — Franchised (44 franchisees) — revenue · PDF p. 35
- [4]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 38
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
38 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Bankruptcy disclosed
Initial term
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
Loading…
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 and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Head-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Owner participation
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Agreement term
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 1 · PDF p. 8 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Description of business: Surface repair, refinishing/resurfacing, replacement, conversions, repairs, polishing, coatings, protection, and installation services for residential and commercial customers.
“A Surface Specialists Business offers high quality repair and refinishing/resurfacing and replacement of kitchen and bathroom surfaces including bathtubs, showers, sinks, vanities, ceramic tile, countertops, fiberglass, cultured marble, acrylic, PVC/ABS and porcelain fixtures, wood, appliances and metal surfaces, pools and spas.”
Note: Quote does not state conversions, repairs, polishing, coatings, protection, or installation services.
Item 8 · PDF p. 21 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Supplier service fee: 0% to 10% or more of suppliers’ sales to franchisees
“The fee may range from 0% to 10% or more of the suppliers’ sales to franchisees.”
Note: The provided source ends at Supplier Payments to Us and does not state the quoted fee range.
Item 9 · PDF p. 21 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Key franchisee obligations: Select and develop the site; complete training; pay fees; comply with standards, manuals, trademarks, product restrictions, insurance, advertising, reporting, inspections, transfer, renewal, termination, noncompetition, and dispute-resolution requirements.
“This table lists your principal obligations under the franchise and other agreements.”
Note: Quote only states the table lists principal obligations; it does not state the extracted obligation details.
Item 10 · PDF p. 22 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Financing offered: Yes, franchisor may finance up to $7,000 of the Initial Franchise Fee at up to 10% APR for up to 36 months.
“We may, at your request, finance up to $7,000 of the Initial Franchise Fee... We will finance this portion of the Initial Franchise Fee over up to a 36 - month period at an annual percentage rate of interest (“APR”) of up to 10%.”
Note: The provided source is Item 5 and does not include the quoted Item 10 financing terms.
Item 11 · PDF p. 24 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Advertising fund status: Not yet established; no advertising fund fees were collected or spent in the last fiscal year ended December 31, 2025
“Although we have not yet established the Advertising Fund, ... In our last fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, we did not collect or spend any Advertising Fund fees.”
Note: Advertising Fund statement is not present in the provided source excerpt.
Item 17 · PDF p. 34 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Dispute venue: North Carolina state and federal courts nearest corporate headquarters; Illinois claims are arbitrated before the AAA in the city or county of headquarters
“All litigation not subject to an arbitration clause must be tried in North Carolina ... Claims by Illinois franchisees are to be brought in arbitration before the AAA.”
Note: Source states North Carolina and AAA arbitration for Illinois, but not headquarters venue details. Pages 26-27.
Item 17 · PDF p. 87 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Transfer fee: $5,000
“Franchisee shall fully pay to Franchisor a transfer fee of $ 5,000”
Note: The provided source discusses transfer conditions but does not state the $5,000 transfer fee.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.