Opening? Averan Redline Gear Cleaning Opening PackageAlready open? Averan Redline Gear Cleaning Conversion Package

Breakdown

Redline Gear Cleaning franchise unit economics

Redline Gear Cleaning franchisees run truck-based businesses that clean and inspect firefighter protective gear at the customer’s site, with optional on-site repair from a separate towed unit.

Franchised outlets, end of 20259

Initial fee$49,500

Total investment$141,000–$384,500

Royalty10% of sales

Redline Gear Cleaning franchise at a glance

Redline Gear Cleaning’s 2026 FDD, issued 23 March 2026, makes no financial performance representation in Item 19, so it gives no sales or profit figure. A Redline Gear Cleaning franchise costs $141,000 to $384,500 to open, including the $49,500 initial franchise fee and a $40,000 to $150,000 down payment on the truck.

A Redline Gear Cleaning truck, the Mobile Extraction Unit, costs $400,000 to $500,000 from the franchisor’s affiliate, and Item 7 counts the down payment, not the financed balance.
Redline Gear Cleaning charges a 10% royalty, a 2% brand development fund fee and a 1% charitable donation fee, 13%* of gross revenues in all, plus a technology fee of $150 to $250 a month.
After 12 full months of operation, Redline Gear Cleaning calculates all three percentage fees on at least $20,000 a month, which is $2,600* a month or $31,200* a year for each territory.
Redline Gear Cleaning had 9 franchised outlets and 1 company-owned outlet at the end of 2025, up from 1 franchised outlet at the end of 2023.
Redline Gear Cleaning reports no terminations, non-renewals, reacquisitions, other closures or transfers of franchised outlets in 2023, 2024 or 2025.
The franchisor, Redline Gear Cleaning Franchise Corp. of Hudson, Massachusetts, has offered franchises since 2022.

These figures come from Redline Gear Cleaning's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The 13% fee total (10% + 2% + 1%) and the $2,600 monthly and $31,200 annual fees at the $20,000 minimum (13% x $20,000; x 12).

Own this franchise?

See what your numbers should look like every month.

Talk to Averan → Averan Redline Gear Cleaning Conversion Package →

By Scott Engler · Averan Advisors · Source: Redline Gear Cleaning Franchise Corp., 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) · Updated 16 October 2026

The three percentage fees are charged on at least $20,000 a month after 12 full months of operation. Item 12 sets Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues of $10,000 a month for months 7 to 12 and $20,000 a month after that. In a month below the minimum, the royalty, brand development fund fee and charitable donation are calculated on the minimum.
Below $240,000* of annual gross revenues, the percentage fees stay at $31,200* a year. That is 13% of 12 months at $20,000. With the technology fee at $250 a month, Averan puts total fees at 28.50%* of actual revenue at $120,000* a year and 19.00%* at $180,000*, with revenue spread evenly across the months.
Missing the 12-month minimum allows the franchisor to terminate, add franchisees or reduce the territory. Item 12 applies the test to total gross revenues over any 12-month period. With several territories, a miss in any one allows termination of all of the owner’s franchise agreements. The franchisor may waive the requirement case by case.
The truck costs $400,000 to $500,000, and Item 7 counts the down payment. The franchisee pays the affiliate HC Risk Reduction $40,000 to $150,000 before opening and typically finances the rest with an unaffiliated lender. At $500,000 the truck is 1.3 times* the high Item 7 total.
All 9 franchised outlets opened from 2023 to 2025 were still open at the end of 2025. Item 20 shows openings of 1, 5 and 3 and no terminations, non-renewals, reacquisitions or other closures. The franchisor sold its first franchise in February 2023.

Revenue

What the Redline Gear Cleaning FDD discloses about revenue

The 2026 Redline Gear Cleaning FDD makes no financial performance representation. Item 19 states that the franchisor makes no representations about a franchisee’s future financial performance or the past financial performance of company-owned or franchised outlets. There is no average, median or profit figure to report.

Customers are mainly municipal fire departments. Item 1 describes the target market as fire departments of any size, with paid or volunteer firefighters or both, plus some military installations and airports with their own fire departments. It states that the business is not seasonal, though it may be slower in the colder months in colder climates.

The franchisor’s affiliate has run the business in Hudson, Massachusetts since July 2019. HC Risk Reduction, Inc. operates the one company-owned outlet and also retrofits and sells the trucks and repair units that franchisees buy. Item 8 states that the affiliate had revenues of $1,211,738 in 2025 from products and services provided to franchisees.

The franchisor reported a net loss in each of 2023, 2024 and 2025. Its audited statements show 2025 total revenue of $569,488, including royalties of $396,183, a net loss of $39,934 and a shareholders’ deficit of $271,292 at December 31, 2025. The FDD’s special risks page states that the franchisor’s financial condition calls into question its financial ability to provide services and support.

Fees by revenue

Fees at example revenue levels

Royalty, brand development fund, charitable donation and technology fee for one territory after month 12, at example annual revenue levels (Averan calculations from Item 6 and Item 12 terms) *Averan calculation
Annual gross revenues	Revenue the fees are charged on	Fees for the year	Share of actual revenue
$120,000*	$240,000*	$34,200*	28.50%*
$180,000*	$240,000*	$34,200*	19.00%*
$240,000*	$240,000*	$34,200*	14.25%*
$300,000*	$300,000*	$42,000*	14.00%*
$400,000*	$400,000*	$55,000*	13.75%*
$600,000*	$600,000*	$81,000*	13.50%*

Averan calculations. The revenue levels are examples for the arithmetic, not FDD figures. Revenue is assumed to be even across the 12 months; the FDD applies the minimum month by month. The technology fee is taken at $250 a month and the brand development fund fee at its current 2%.

Up to $240,000* a year, the percentage fees stay at $31,200*. That is 13% of 12 months at the $20,000 minimum. Above $240,000*, the percentage fees rise by 13 cents for each added dollar of revenue.

In months 7 to 12 the minimum is $10,000 a month. The percentage fees in that period are at least $1,300* a month, or $7,800* for the six months.

Each territory has its own minimum. Item 6 note 5 states that an owner of several territories must meet the Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues in each territory and pays a separate technology fee for each.

The brand development fund fee may rise to 3%. At 3% the percentage fees would total 14%*, or $33,600* a year at the $20,000 minimum.

Minimum revenue

Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues and territory

Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues for each territory, Item 12 *Averan calculation
Full months after commencement of operations	Minimum a month	Percentage fees at the minimum, a month	For the period
0–6	None	None	None
7–12	$10,000	$1,300*	$7,800* for six months
After 12	$20,000	$2,600*	$31,200* a year

Source: Redline Gear Cleaning 2026 FDD, Item 12. The fee columns are Averan calculations at 13%: the 10% royalty, the 2% brand development fund fee and the 1% charitable donation fee.

Item 19 gives no results by outlet, so the FDD has no spread of results to show. The revenue figures it does set are the minimums in Item 12.

The start date is worded two ways. The Item 12 text starts the minimum on the first day of the seventh full calendar month after the effective date of the franchise agreement, a date set in its Addendum. Item 6 note 4 and the Item 12 table count months from commencement of operations.

A 12-month shortfall gives the franchisor four remedies. If total gross revenues over any 12-month period fall below the total minimum for the same period, the franchisor may terminate the agreement, award other franchises in the territory, reduce the territory, or combine these, after notice. With several territories, a miss in any one allows termination of all of them.

Termination for default carries a royalty payment. Item 17 requires royalty fees on the greater of the past 12 months’ average gross revenues or the Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues, for the remaining term up to 36 months. On the $20,000 minimum, 36 months of 10% royalty is $72,000*.

The territory is protected but not exclusive. Item 12 states that the franchisor will not operate, or permit another franchisee to operate, in the territory while the franchisee is not in default. It also states that the franchisee will not receive an exclusive territory, and the franchisor keeps rights to serve National Accounts.

Brand charges

Recurring and event fees, Item 6
Fee	Amount	When
Royalty	10% of the greater of actual gross revenues or the Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues	By the last day of each month, on the prior month
Brand development fund	Currently 2% on the same basis; may rise to 3%	With the royalty
Charitable donation	1% on the same basis	With the royalty
Technology fee	$150 to $250 a month for each territory	10th of each month
Call center fee	None currently; may be imposed on 30 days’ notice	10th of each month
Additional training	$1,000 per attendee beyond the four covered at initial training	As incurred
Meetings and conventions	$1,500 per attendee, may rise to $3,000; $1,500 per missed mandatory meeting	As incurred
Successor franchise	$7,500	On signing the successor agreement
Transfer	$10,000	On closing of the transfer
Interest and late fees	Lesser of 18% a year or the highest lawful rate, plus $75 per late report or fee	As incurred
Insufficient funds	$50 per violation	As incurred

Source: Redline Gear Cleaning 2026 FDD, Item 6. Averan does not show a total fee as a share of average revenue because the FDD has no Item 19.

The percentage fees total 13%* of gross revenues. At the $20,000 minimum, a year’s fees for one territory come to $33,000* to $34,200* including the technology fee.

There is no required local advertising spend. Item 11 states that the franchisee must market the business in its territory, with no minimum amount to spend.

The franchisor is the sole approved supplier of soaps, detergents, cleaning agents, materials and gear bags. Item 8 lists these as purchases from designated or approved suppliers. The franchisor reported $42,187 of 2025 revenue from products and services provided to franchisees.

A $5,000 minimum bank balance is required at all times. Item 6 note 1 sets this for the account from which the franchisor may debit fees.

Cost to open

Estimated initial investment, one territory, Item 7
Item	Low	High
Initial franchise fee	$49,500	$49,500
Mobile Extraction Unit down payment	$40,000	$150,000
Mobile Repair Unit, optional	$0	$75,000
Truck storage facility lease	$7,500	$15,000
Tools and equipment	$500	$3,000
Office furniture and equipment	$0	$1,500
Computer and tablets	$1,000	$2,000
NFPA certification fee, paid to UL	$15,000	$25,000
NFPA certification assistance	$1,000	$1,000
Insurance	$10,000	$25,000
Training costs	$1,000	$3,000
Utility deposits	$0	$1,000
Business licenses	$0	$500
Professional fees	$500	$3,000
Additional funds, 3 months	$15,000	$30,000
Total	$141,000	$384,500

Source: Redline Gear Cleaning 2026 FDD, Item 7. The Mobile Extraction Unit line is the down payment; the purchase price is $400,000 to $500,000. The high column includes one Mobile Repair Unit and both NFPA certifications.

$90,500 to $275,500 of the total is paid to the franchisor or its affiliate. The FDD cover states this range. It covers the franchise fee, the truck down payment, the optional repair unit and the certification assistance fee.

The financed balance of the truck is outside the Item 7 total. Item 7 note 2 states that the franchisee pays 10% to 40% of the purchase price before opening and typically finances the rest through an unaffiliated lender. At $500,000 the truck is 1.3 times* the high Item 7 total. Item 10 states that neither the franchisor nor its affiliate offers financing.

The repair unit is optional and can be added later. It costs up to $75,000 from the affiliate and is towed behind a pickup truck or similar vehicle, which Item 7 assumes the franchisee already owns.

NFPA certification from UL is required before opening. Item 7 estimates $15,000 to $25,000 paid to UL, plus $1,000 to the franchisor for help preparing for the exam. First-year insurance is estimated at $10,000 to $25,000.

A second territory has a $24,750 franchise fee, 50%* of the $49,500 first fee. Each territory is a separate franchise with its own minimum, technology fee, successor fee and transfer fee. Item 11 states that the business must open within 90 days of delivery of the truck.

Locations

Locations, 2023 to 2025

Outlets by year, Item 20
Outlets	2023	2024	2025
Franchised at start of year	0	1	6
Franchised opened	1	5	3
Terminated, non-renewed, reacquired or ceased	0	0	0
Franchised at end of year	1	6	9
Company-owned at end of year	1	1	1
Transfers	0	0	0
Total at end of year	2	7	10

Source: Redline Gear Cleaning 2026 FDD, Item 20, Tables 1 to 4. Table 5 lists 1 franchise agreement signed but not opened, in Florida, and 4 projected franchised openings in the next fiscal year.

No franchised outlet left the system in 2023 to 2025. Item 20 shows no terminations, non-renewals, reacquisitions or other closures, and no transfers. The first franchise was sold in February 2023, and the franchise term is 5 years.

The 9 franchised outlets are in 8 states. At the end of 2025 Item 20 lists 2 in Texas and 1 each in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

The company-owned outlet is the affiliate’s business in Massachusetts. Item 20 counts HC Risk Reduction’s outlet as company-owned, open throughout 2023 to 2025.

Projected openings are in New York, Minnesota, Ohio and Washington. Table 5 shows one in each, plus one signed agreement in Florida not yet opened, and no new company-owned outlets.

Questions we get asked

Questions owners ask

How much does it cost to open a Redline Gear Cleaning franchise?

Item 7 estimates $141,000 to $384,500, including the $49,500 initial franchise fee. That includes a $40,000 to $150,000 down payment on the Mobile Extraction Unit, which costs $400,000 to $500,000 in full; the rest is typically financed through an unaffiliated lender and is outside the total.

What fees does Redline Gear Cleaning charge?

A 10% royalty, a 2% brand development fund fee that may rise to 3%, and a 1% charitable donation fee, each calculated on the greater of actual gross revenues or the Minimum Monthly Gross Revenues. There is also a technology fee of $150 to $250 a month for each territory.

How much does a Redline Gear Cleaning franchise make?

The 2026 FDD has no Item 19, so it gives no average revenue, median revenue or profit. The revenue figures it does set are minimums: $10,000 a month for months 7 to 12 and $20,000 a month after that, for each territory.

How many Redline Gear Cleaning locations are there?

Item 20 shows 9 franchised outlets and 1 company-owned outlet at the end of 2025, up from 1 franchised outlet at the end of 2023. No franchised outlet was terminated, not renewed, reacquired or closed in 2023 to 2025. One more agreement is signed but not yet open, and 4 franchised openings are projected.

What happens if a Redline Gear Cleaning franchise misses the minimum revenue?

In any month below the minimum, the royalty, brand development fund fee and charitable donation are charged on the minimum. If gross revenues over any 12-month period fall below the total minimum for that period, the franchisor may terminate, award other franchises in the territory, reduce the territory, or combine these. With several territories, a miss in one allows termination of all of them.

How long is the Redline Gear Cleaning franchise agreement?

The term is 5 years, with successor terms of 5 years each for a franchisee in good standing. The successor franchise fee is $7,500 for each territory.

Questions worth putting to Redline Gear Cleaning

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 Redline Gear Cleaning 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 Redline Gear Cleaning locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?

Part of our Home and Commercial Services guide · Averan Franchise

Run your own numbers.

The Franchise Numbers Check runs the same checks on your own numbers. It scores where you stand and compares you with Item 19 of your brand’s FDD. It works out what one location earns and spends, and builds a 13-week cash forecast. It also checks whether you are ready to open another one. It is free and it runs in your browser.

Launch the diagnostic →

Reporting for a Redline Gear Cleaning owner

We review your unit economics and cash forecast and build your monthly reporting around the figures on this page.

Talk to Averan

Where this sits

the franchise library, all 431 brands · how franchise unit economics work · running the books across several locations · what Averan does for franchise owners

The same business, other brands

Other brands in the Home and Commercial Services guide:

All 150 brands

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 Redline Gear Cleaning Franchise Corp.’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. Redline Gear Cleaning 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: Redline Gear Cleaning Franchise Corp., 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 23 March 2026.