Franchise opportunities compared
Surface Experts vs System
Reviewed figures from each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), side by side. Each figure carries its FDD year and page. This is not a ranking or recommendation, and the two FDDs may cover different years and location groups.
Initial investment · Item 7
Surface Experts
$155,893 – $273,200
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 17System
$73,500 – $111,800
2025 FDD · Item 7Initial franchise fee · Item 5
Surface Experts
$75,000
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 11System
$55,000
2025 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 11Royalty · Item 6
Surface Experts
Greater of 8% of Gross Sales or $1,600 per month, beginning after your first year; $1,800 minimum after 18 months for a larger territory with more than 500,000 people.
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 12System
8%
2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 11Before you compare
- Surface Experts figures come from its 2026 FDD and System figures from its 2025 FDD, so the years differ.
- System discloses more than one business format, so the investment range spans formats; the full report breaks them out.
- Item 19 figures cover the location groups each FDD names (Surface Experts: 4, System: 4). Different groups are not directly comparable.
Financial commitment
Surface ExpertsSurface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
System scale & health
Surface ExpertsSurface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Surface Experts
System
Financial performance (Item 19), by location group
Surface ExpertsItem 19 groups are shown separately and never combined. Revenue or sales figures are not profit. Net outlet change and turnover are Franopolis calculations from the disclosed counts; turnover is a count-based rate, not a measure of owner earnings.
Surface Experts vs System: common questions
- Which costs less to open, Surface Experts or System?
- Surface Experts: $155,893 – $273,200 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 17); System: $73,500 – $111,800 (2025 FDD · Item 7). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for System. At least one range spans several business formats. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
- How do Surface Experts and System royalties compare?
- Surface Experts: Greater of 8% of Gross Sales or $1,600 per month, beginning after your first year; $1,800 minimum after 18 months for a larger territory with more than 500,000 people. (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 12); System: 8% (2025 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 11). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
- Which has more locations, Surface Experts or System?
- Surface Experts: 103 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 45); System: 44 (2025 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 60). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
- Do Surface Experts and System disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Surface Experts has reviewed Item 19 figures for 4 location groups; System has reviewed Item 19 figures for 4 location groups. Different location groups are not directly comparable, and revenue is not profit.
Answers restate the reviewed figures above. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Keep researching
Full Surface Experts report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure
Full System report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure
