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Breakdown

Pop-A-Lock franchise unit economics

Pop-A-Lock franchisees run mobile locksmith businesses that sell commercial, residential and automotive locksmith services, car door unlocking and emergency roadside assistance.

Franchised outlets, end of 2025309

Initial fee$23,000

Total investment$117,566–$190,611

Fees paid to the brand8%*

Pop-A-Lock franchise at a glance

Pop-A-Lock’s 2026 FDD, issued 1 May 2026, makes no financial performance representation in Item 19, so it gives no sales or profit figure. A Pop-A-Lock franchise costs $117,565.95 to $190,610.95 to open, including an initial franchise fee of $23,000 to $63,000 set by territory population. Fees paid to Pop-A-Lock come to about 8%* of sales.

Pop-A-Lock charges a royalty of 7% of Gross Sales and an advertising and marketing fee of 1%, 8% of sales in all*, with no minimum royalty and no technology fee in Item 6.
Pop-A-Lock had 309 franchised outlets and 7 company-owned outlets at the end of 2025, down from 396 franchised outlets at the start of 2023.
Pop-A-Lock recorded 1 opening and 88 departures* across 2023 to 2025, and 56 of the departures were outlets that ceased operations for other reasons in 2025.
A Pop-A-Lock franchise must spend $25,000 on local advertising in its first year, according to Item 7; the franchise agreement attached to the FDD states $15,000.
A Pop-A-Lock franchise typically opens two to six months after the agreement is signed, according to Item 11.

These figures come from Pop-A-Lock's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The 8% total and the 88 departures are Averan sums of Item 6 and Item 20 figures.

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By Scott Engler · Averan Advisors · Source: SystemForward America, LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) · Updated 16 October 2026

Item 19 contains no financial performance representation. The franchisor states that it does not make representations about a franchisee’s future financial performance. A buyer of an existing outlet may be given that outlet’s actual records.
The continuing charges are a 7% royalty and a 1% advertising and marketing fee, with no minimum. Both are percentages of Gross Sales, paid monthly by the last day of the next month. Item 6 lists no technology, software or call-center fee.
Franchised outlets fell from 396 to 309 between the start of 2023 and the end of 2025, 87 outlets or 22.0%*. Sixty-three of the 87 left the count in 2025, a fall of 16.9%* in that year. Company-owned outlets stayed at 7, all in Louisiana.
Fifty-six outlets ceased operations for other reasons in 2025. The same year had 8 terminations, no non-renewals and 1 opening. By state, the 56 were 24 in California, 22 in Washington, 6 in Michigan, 3 in Maine and 1 in North Carolina.
The initial franchise fee steps up with territory population: $23,000, $50,000 or $63,000. At the top of each population band that is $230, $200 and $126 per 1,000 residents*. A buyer of an existing franchisee’s business who does not already own a majority of a Pop-A-Lock franchise pays the franchisor 12% of the purchase price.

Revenue

What the Pop-A-Lock FDD discloses about revenue

SystemForward America, LLC revenue for all three of its brands, from the audited statements in Exhibit G
Line	2023	2024	2025
Franchise fees	$1,458,941	$1,769,982	$1,149,272
Royalty income	$3,698,803	$3,256,941	$3,031,640
Total revenues	$5,339,278	$5,207,000	$4,343,022
Net income	$739,605	$1,276,691	$724,676

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Exhibit G, statements of income for 2025 and 2024 and for 2024 and 2023. These are the franchisor’s figures for Pop-A-Lock, TemperaturePro and PlumbingPro together, not an outlet’s sales.

The FDD makes no financial performance representation. Item 19 states that the franchisor does not make any representations about a franchisee’s future financial performance of company-owned or franchised outlets. The FDD gives no average revenue, median, range or profit figure for any outlet.

A buyer of an existing outlet may receive that outlet’s records. Item 19 says that if you are purchasing an existing outlet, the franchisor may provide you with the actual records of that outlet.

The franchisor’s royalty income was $3,031,640 in 2025, down from $3,256,941 in 2024. SystemForward America also franchises TemperaturePro and PlumbingPro, and the audited statements do not split royalty income by brand, so the figure cannot be read as Pop-A-Lock system sales.

The franchisee lists are in Exhibits H and I. Exhibit H lists current franchisees and Exhibit I lists those who left in 2025. Item 20 notes that some current and former franchisees have signed provisions restricting their ability to speak openly about their experience.

Term and territory

Term, territory and opening

Pop-A-Lock franchise terms
Provision	Terms
Initial term	10 years
Renewal	10 years; must be in good standing and sign the then-current agreement
Territory	Exclusive Franchise Area defined by ZIP codes, priced by U.S. Census population
Hours	Open as needed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Vehicles and staff	Minimum numbers of vehicles, car door unlocking technicians and locksmiths for each agreement year, set in Article 6.01
Typical time to open	Two to six months from signing or first payment
Initial training	Within about 90 days of signing and before opening
Relocation	Not allowed

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Items 1, 11, 12 and 17, and Article 6.01 of the franchise agreement in Exhibit C.

Missing the vehicle and staffing quota can lead to termination. Item 12 says that if the franchisee does not meet the market penetration quota, including the number of vehicles, car door unlocking technicians and locksmiths, the franchise may be terminated. The numbers are left blank in the form agreement and filled in for each franchise.

Territorial rights do not depend on sales volume. Item 12 says continued exclusivity does not depend on a sales volume or market penetration figure, and the franchisee keeps the area if its population grows. The franchisor may not solicit or accept orders from customers inside the territory.

The franchisor can add required services. It may require new services compatible with the system by written notice, and the franchisee must have the training, equipment and staff in place no less than 90 days after the notice.

Some work is free by rule. Franchisees must take part in the PAL Saves Kids Program and the National Accounts Programs, and must unlock a car free of charge when a child is locked inside or a life is in danger.

Exits

How outlets left the system, 2023 to 2025

Pop-A-Lock franchised outlets that left the system, from Item 20 *Averan calculation
Year	Terminated	Not renewed	Ceased, other reasons	All departures	Transfers to new owners
2023	2	1	10	13*	4
2024	7	4	0	11*	1
2025	8	0	56	64*	12
Three years	17*	5*	66*	88*	17*

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Item 20, Tables 2 and 3. The all-departures column and the three-year row are Averan sums. Figures use the Totals row of Table 3, which matches Table 1; the state rows of Table 3 do not add to those totals in any of the three years. No outlets were reacquired by the franchisor.

Item 19 does not report results by outlet, group or year. With no financial performance representation, the FDD gives no way to compare higher- and lower-revenue outlets. Item 20 shows how outlets entered and left the system.

Sixty-six of the 88 departures were outlets that ceased operations for other reasons, 75.0%* of the total. The FDD does not say what those reasons were. Terminations were 17 across the three years and non-renewals 5.

Fifty-six of the 64 departures in 2025 were in five states. California went from 34 franchised outlets to 10 and Washington from 22 to none, with smaller numbers in Michigan, Maine and North Carolina. In 2024, the 7 Georgia outlets were terminated and the 4 Rhode Island outlets were not renewed.

Twelve outlets transferred to new owners in 2025, against four in 2023 and one in 2024. Arizona and Texas had three each. The transfer fee is $11,500.

Brand charges

Pop-A-Lock recurring and event charges, from Items 5, 6, 7 and 11 *Averan calculation
Charge	Amount	Paid to	When
Royalty	7% of Gross Sales	Franchisor	Monthly, by the last day of the next month
Advertising and marketing fee	1% of Gross Sales	Franchisor, for the Ad Fund	Same as the royalty
Local advertising, first year	$25,000 (Item 7); $15,000 (franchise agreement Article 8.01)	Media outlets	First 12 months of operation
Tool kit lease	$310.95 per technician	Franchisor	Before opening
Technical trainee	$800 per trainee	Franchisor	1 week before training
Locksmith trainee	$2,140 per trainee	Franchisor or vendors	1 week before training
Computer system upgrade	About $1,500 a year (estimate)	Approved suppliers	Yearly; upgrade required every 3 years
Transfer	$11,500	Franchisor	Before the transfer
Buying an existing franchisee’s business	12% of the purchase price	Franchisor	If the buyer does not already own a majority of a Pop-A-Lock franchise
Audit	$5,000–$9,000	Franchisor	If Gross Sales were understated by more than 2%
Late royalty service charge	Lesser of 18% of the overdue amount or the highest legal rate	Franchisor	If paid more than 5 days late
Percentage charges	8% of Gross Sales*	Franchisor	Monthly

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Items 5, 6 (pages 10 to 12 of the FDD), 7 and 11, and Article 8.01 of the franchise agreement. The total row is an Averan sum of the 7% royalty and the 1% advertising and marketing fee. With no sales figure in Item 19, the fixed charges cannot be stated as a share of an average outlet’s sales.

Pop-A-Lock charges no minimum royalty. The royalty and the advertising and marketing fee are both percentages of Gross Sales, which excludes sales tax collected. Item 6 lists no monthly technology, software or call-center fee.

The FDD gives two figures for first-year local advertising. Item 7 says the franchisee must spend $25,000 on continuing local advertising in the first year, usually beginning 6 months after opening, and $25,000 to $60,000 for four franchises. Article 8.01 of the attached franchise agreement states $15,000 for the first 12 months.

Up to 20% of the Ad Fund a year may be paid to the franchisor for administration. Item 11 says 67% of the 2025 Ad Fund went to internet and website placement, TV and video production, printed materials and agency creative work, 26% to administrative expenses and 7% to recruitment, retention and communications. The Ad Fund is not audited.

Item 6 gives two interest rates on overdue sums after an audit. The fee table shows 1% per annum or the highest legal rate, whichever is less; the note to the table says 18% or the highest legal rate, whichever is less.

Cost to open

Pop-A-Lock estimated initial investment, from Item 7
Line	Low	High	Paid to
Initial franchise fee	$23,000	$63,000	Franchisor
Pop-A-Lock tool kits	$310.95	$310.95	Franchisor
Printed materials	$1,500	$2,640	Vendors
Car door unlocking training	$1,600	$1,600	Franchisor
Travel and living while training	$3,520	$3,520	Travel providers
Communication equipment	$600	$600	Vendors
Roadside service equipment	$600	$600	Vendors
Locksmith service training	$2,140	$2,140	Franchisor or vendors
Locksmith service equipment	$16,995	$34,000	Vendors
Office computer system	$3,000	$3,000	Vendors
Online and digital display advertising, 12 months	$3,900	$9,600	Directory publisher
Initial advertising, 12 months	$25,000	$25,000	Media outlets
Miscellaneous opening costs	$800	$1,200	Vendors, insurers, utilities
Additional funds, 12 months	$33,000	$41,000	Vendors and employees
Vehicle identification	$1,600	$2,400	Vendors
Total	$117,565.95	$190,610.95

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Item 7 (pages 13 to 17 of the FDD) and cover page. The lines add to the printed totals. Both ends assume 2 Pop-A-Lock Technicians and the use of a vehicle the owner already has.

The initial franchise fee is 19.6%* of the low estimate and 33.1%* of the high. It is $23,000 for a territory of up to 100,000 people, $50,000 for 101,000 to 250,000 and $63,000 for 251,000 to 500,000, paid in one lump sum at signing and not refundable.

Additional funds of $33,000 to $41,000 cover twelve months of start-up costs. Item 7 lists employee pay, answering and telephone service, GPS tracking, insurance and vehicle lease or finance payments. The figures include no salary or draw for the owner.

Locksmith equipment is the largest range in the table, $16,995 to $34,000. Item 7 says the average franchisee will spend about $20,000 on it, for items such as chip key machines, key blanks and lock-pick tools.

More technicians raise the cost. Each extra technician adds $310.95 for a leased tool kit, $800 of car door unlocking training and $600 of roadside equipment, and Item 7 says the total will then exceed the high estimate.

The franchisor does not finance any part of the investment. Item 7 says neither the franchisor nor any affiliate offers financing.

Locations

Locations, 2023 to 2025

Pop-A-Lock franchised outlets, from Item 20 *Averan calculation
Year	Start of year	Opened	Terminated	Not renewed	Ceased, other reasons	End of year	Net change
2023	396	0	2	1	10	383	−13
2024	383	0	7	4	0	372	−11
2025	372	1	8	0	56	309	−63
Three years	396	1*	17*	5*	66*	309	−87*

Source: Pop-A-Lock FDD, Item 20, Tables 1, 3, 4 and 5. The three-year row is an Averan sum. Company-owned outlets were 7 in every year, all in Louisiana.

Pop-A-Lock had 309 franchised outlets and 7 company-owned outlets at the end of 2025, 316 in all. The franchised count was 396 at the start of 2023. Item 1 says the franchisor does not offer company-owned businesses; Table 4 lists the 7 Louisiana outlets as company-owned.

No agreements were signed but not yet opened at the end of 2025. The franchisor projects 3 new franchised outlets in the next fiscal year, one each in Colorado, Florida and Utah, and no new company-owned outlets.

The franchisor also sells TemperaturePro and PlumbingPro franchises. Item 20 counts Pop-A-Lock outlets, not those of the other two brands.

Questions we get asked

Questions owners ask

How much does it cost to open a Pop-A-Lock franchise?

The FDD estimates $117,565.95 to $190,610.95, including an initial franchise fee of $23,000 to $63,000 set by territory population. Both ends assume 2 technicians, and the total includes $25,000 of first-year advertising and $33,000 to $41,000 of additional funds for 12 months.

What fees does Pop-A-Lock charge?

A royalty of 7% of Gross Sales and an advertising and marketing fee of 1%, paid monthly, with no minimum. Other charges include $800 per technical trainee, $2,140 per locksmith trainee, a $11,500 transfer fee and a tool kit lease of $310.95 per technician.

How much does a Pop-A-Lock franchise make?

The FDD does not say. Item 19 makes no financial performance representation, so there is no average, median or profit figure for any outlet. A buyer of an existing outlet may be given that outlet’s actual records.

How many Pop-A-Lock locations are there?

There were 309 franchised outlets and 7 company-owned outlets at the end of 2025. The franchised count fell from 396 at the start of 2023, and 56 outlets ceased operations for other reasons in 2025.

How long is a Pop-A-Lock franchise agreement?

The term is 10 years, with a 10-year renewal. To renew, the franchisee must be in good standing and sign the then-current agreement, which may have different terms.

What does it cost to buy an existing Pop-A-Lock business?

A buyer who does not already own a majority of a Pop-A-Lock franchise pays the franchisor 12% of the purchase price. A transfer of a franchise agreement carries a $11,500 transfer fee, and the franchisor has a right of first refusal.

Questions worth putting to Pop-A-Lock

These are questions the filing leaves open. An owner or a buyer can put them to the franchisor directly.

Is the revenue in Item 19 gross sales or collected revenue, and how many locations sit below the average?
Which factors does Pop-A-Lock see in its highest-selling locations, such as territory, years open and staffing?
How long does a new location take to reach the average you publish, and what does the build-up look like month by month?
At what level of sales do the minimum charges stop applying and the percentage take over?
How many Pop-A-Lock locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?

Part of our Home and Commercial Services guide · Averan Franchise

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Where this sits

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Questions owners ask next

The figures above raise these, and each one is answered on its own page.

At what level of sales does a minimum fee stop costing me more than the percentage?It works out the sales level where a minimum fee stops applying.
How much cash do I fund before a new location covers its own costs?It builds a 13-week forecast for the months before break-even.
What does this location earn on the money I put into it?It works out the payback period and cash-on-cash return for one unit.
How much of Item 19 can I rely on?It explains what an Item 19 financial performance representation tells you and what it leaves out.

Scott Engler

Founder & Principal, Averan Advisors

Averan provides bookkeeping, controller, and fractional CFO support for franchise owners and has Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors on the team. More about the team →

Where these figures come from

Every figure here comes from SystemForward America, LLC’s 2026 FDD and is unaudited by us. We are unaffiliated with the brand. Calculations of our own are labeled where they appear. The figures describe past performance at other businesses and are not a projection of yours. This page is an educational summary. It is not an offer to sell a franchise, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice. Pop-A-Lock is a trademark of its owner. How Averan reads a Franchise Disclosure Document.

These figures come from the brand's disclosure. They are not a forecast, an offer to sell a franchise or advice. Source: SystemForward America, LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 1 May 2026.