Franchise opportunities compared
Surface Experts vs The Grout Medic
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. 17The Grout Medic
$165,600 – $230,500
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 25Initial franchise fee · Item 5
Surface Experts
$75,000
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 11The Grout Medic
$0.00
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 21Royalty · 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. 12The Grout Medic
6% of Gross Sales; $150 per week minimum
2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 21Before you compare
- Both sets of figures come from 2026 FDDs.
- Item 19 figures cover the location groups each FDD names (Surface Experts: 4, The Grout Medic: 7). Different groups are not directly comparable.
Financial commitment
Surface Experts
The Grout MedicSurface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
System scale & health
Surface ExpertsThe Grout MedicSurface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Surface Experts
The Grout Medic
Financial performance (Item 19), by location group
Surface ExpertsThe Grout MedicItem 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 The Grout Medic: common questions
- Which costs less to open, Surface Experts or The Grout Medic?
- Surface Experts: $155,893 – $273,200 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 17); The Grout Medic: $165,600 – $230,500 (2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 25). These are each franchisor's Item 7 estimated initial investment. The low end of the disclosed estimate is lower for Surface Experts. Estimates are not quotes, and the FDD years may differ.
- How do Surface Experts and The Grout Medic 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); The Grout Medic: 6% of Gross Sales; $150 per week minimum (2026 FDD · Item 6 · PDF p. 21). Royalties as disclosed in Item 6; other recurring fees are listed separately.
- Which has more locations, Surface Experts or The Grout Medic?
- Surface Experts: 103 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 45); The Grout Medic: 94 (2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 50). Total outlets from Item 20. Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.
- Do Surface Experts and The Grout Medic disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Surface Experts has reviewed Item 19 figures for 4 location groups; The Grout Medic has reviewed Item 19 figures for 7 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 The Grout Medic report
Every reviewed fee, Item 19 group, outlet table and territory disclosure
