ShelfGenie franchise unit economics
ShelfGenie franchisees run home-based businesses that design, sell and install pull-out shelving and storage for cabinets, pantries, closets and garages.
ShelfGenie franchise at a glance
ShelfGenie’s Item 19 names each of 43 markets with its territory count, 2025 gross sales, cost of goods, gross margin and rebates, and reports average order value by franchisee quintile and the appointment close rate.
ShelfGenie franchisees averaged $123,918 of sales in 2025, with a median of $91,751, according to Item 19 of ShelfGenie’s 2026 FDD, issued 1 April 2026. The 234 in that group are 89%* of ShelfGenie’s 262 franchised territories. Fees paid to ShelfGenie come to about 13.07%* of sales. A ShelfGenie franchise costs $95,300 to $148,350 to open.
- An Executive ShelfGenie franchise, the standard offer of two adjacent territories, costs $95,300 to $148,350 to open, including a $69,500 initial franchise fee.
- ShelfGenie charges a license fee of 7% of gross sales up to $200,000 in each calendar year, stepping down to 5% above $1,200,000, with a minimum of $400 a month a territory after the first six months.
- ShelfGenie also charges a 2% MAP Fee and requires local marketing spending of $20,000 in year 1, $30,000 in year 2 and then the greater of $40,000 or 8% of the prior year’s gross sales.
- ShelfGenie’s 234 reporting territories, run by 48 franchisees in 43 named markets, had $28,873,113 of gross sales in 2025, an average of $123,918 a territory.
- ShelfGenie reports a system gross margin of 77.12% after the cost of core products and freight, with markets ranging from 65.24% to 85.47%.
- ShelfGenie’s median market had $91,751 of gross sales a territory*, 74.0%* of the system average.
- ShelfGenie reports an average order of $4,912 and a 53% close rate: 11,968 appointments produced 6,343 closed orders.
- ShelfGenie had 262 franchised and 12 company-owned outlets in the US at the end of 2025.
- The franchisor, ShelfGenie SPV LLC of Waco, Texas, is part of Neighborly, and it and its predecessor have offered ShelfGenie franchises since 2008.
These figures come from ShelfGenie's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, as the brand reported them, and were read by Averan Advisors. The $91,751 median market figure (median of the 43 market rows) and the 74.0% ratio to the $123,918 average.
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Talk to Averan → Averan ShelfGenie Conversion Package →- The median market had $91,751 of gross sales a territory*, against a $123,918 system average. 12 of the 43 markets, holding 66 of the 234 territories, were at or above the average*. The five markets above $200,000 a territory held 35 territories and $10,337,849 of gross sales*, 35.8%* of the system total.
- Gross margin after core products and freight was $95,153 a territory*. That is $28,873,113 of gross sales less $6,607,277 of cost of goods, spread over 234 territories. Cost of goods excludes clips, spacers and other installation supplies, delivery charges and taxes, and does not deduct manufacturing rebates.
- 13 markets holding 66 territories had gross sales below $68,571 a territory*. At that level 7% of gross sales equals $4,800* a year, the $400 monthly minimum license fee for one territory. The FDD reconciles the minimum monthly and credits it back for any quarter in which the minimum is met.
- 12 of the 43 markets received a manufacturing rebate in 2025, $316,460 in all*. Those 12 markets held 117 territories and $18,590,791 of the gross sales*. Item 19 says rebates begin once a franchisee passes a minimum quarterly purchase threshold for each franchised business.
- Average order value by franchisee quintile ran from $3,281 to $6,341. The system average order was $4,912 and the median $4,631, excluding orders discounted 80% or more. 2,829 of the 6,343 orders, 44.6%, were at or above the average.
Gross sales by market
How much does a ShelfGenie franchise make?
| Measure | System, as printed | Median market* | Lowest market | Highest market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Territories | 234 | 4* | 1 | 16 |
| Gross sales | $28,873,113 | $417,191* | $46,896 | $3,860,162 |
| Gross sales a territory | $123,918 | $91,751* | $24,041 | $534,274 |
| Cost of goods sold | $6,607,277 | |||
| Gross margin | 77.12% | 76.20%* | 65.24% | 85.47% |
| Annual rebate (12 markets) | $316,460* | $2,493 | $91,911 |
System figures as printed in Item 19, except the rebate total, which adds the 12 printed market rebates. Median, lowest and highest are taken across the 43 market rows. Gross sales a territory is market gross sales divided by the market’s territories. Figures are reported by franchisees through the franchisor’s software and are not prepared under generally accepted accounting principles.
The 234 reporting territories had $28,873,113 of gross sales in 2025, an average of $123,918 a territory. Item 19 counts 262 franchised businesses at 31 December 2025 and leaves out 7 franchisees, operating 35 businesses, that did not have a business open for the whole year. Each business is one territory of about 125,000 households.
The median market had $91,751 of gross sales a territory*. That is the Milwaukee row, the middle of the 43 markets ranked by gross sales a territory, and it is 74.0%* of the system average. The median market gross sales figure is $417,191*.
Gross margin was 77.12% across the system. Item 19 defines cost of goods as the cost of core products such as shelving and cabinets, plus freight. Market gross margins run from 65.24% to 85.47%, with a median of 76.20%*.
Item 19 does not report wages, installation labor, marketing or profit. The table stops at gross margin, so costs below that line, including the brand charges, local marketing and owner pay, are not shown.
Orders and close rate
Orders and appointments, 2025
| Group | Franchisees | Territories | Average order | Median order | Low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All reporting | 48 | 234 | $4,912 | $4,631 | $2,233 to $7,537 |
| 1st quintile | 10 | 56 | $6,341 | $6,104 | $5,621 to $7,537 |
| 2nd quintile | 10 | 60 | $5,203 | $5,168 | $4,907 to $5,561 |
| 3rd quintile | 10 | 49 | $4,593 | $4,597 | $4,351 to $4,872 |
| 4th quintile | 9 | 41 | $3,978 | $3,980 | $3,647 to $4,334 |
| 5th quintile | 9 | 28 | $3,281 | $3,323 | $2,233 to $3,635 |
As printed in Item 19. Quintiles rank franchisees by their own average gross sales an order. Orders for friends, family, charity or employees discounted 80% or more are excluded. Order and appointment figures include sales from adjacent territories a franchisee serves under an Out of Area amendment, so they cover a wider base than the market table.
11,968 appointments produced 6,343 closed orders in 2025, a 53% close rate. 25 of the 48 franchisees, 52%, reached or beat that rate. Item 19 counts each new order from a repeat customer as a separate order and a separate appointment.
The system average order was $4,912 and the median was $4,631. 2,829 orders, 44.6%, were at or above the average, and 19 of the 48 franchisees had their own average at or above it.
The first quintile averaged $6,341 an order and the fifth $3,281. The first quintile’s 10 franchisees held 56 territories and the fifth quintile’s 9 held 28.
Spread across markets
Gross sales a territory by market, 2025
| Gross sales a territory | Markets | Territories | Gross sales | Gross sales a territory* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $50,000 | 6 | 34 | $1,347,523* | $39,633* |
| $50,000 to under $100,000 | 18 | 86 | $6,403,050* | $74,454* |
| $100,000 to under $150,000 | 9 | 54 | $6,285,254* | $116,393* |
| $150,000 to under $200,000 | 5 | 25 | $4,499,437* | $179,977* |
| $200,000 and over | 5 | 35 | $10,337,849* | $295,367* |
| All 43 markets | 43 | 234 | $28,873,113 | $123,918 |
Averan grouped the 43 market rows printed in Item 19 by each market’s gross sales a territory, then added gross sales and territories within each group. The groups add up to the printed totals.
Item 19 does not group franchisees into revenue bands. It does print every market. Grouping the 43 rows by gross sales a territory gives the table above.
The highest market on gross sales a territory was Wilmington/Myrtle Beach, at $534,274 across 2 territories. The lowest was South Denver - Front Range, at $24,041 across 4 territories, with the first territory opened in 2024. Seattle had the highest market total, $3,860,162 across 14 territories.
Markets whose first territory opened in 2023 or 2024 averaged $115,487 a territory*. There were 13 of them, holding 45 territories. The 30 markets first opened from 2009 to 2022 held 189 territories and averaged $125,270*. Item 19 gives the year the first territory in each market opened, not the age of every territory.
From the second full calendar year, each territory must reach gross sales in the top 90% of the system’s gross sales a territory. Item 12 calls this the Gross Sales MPS. A territory that misses it goes on a performance improvement plan, and failing that plan is a default under the franchise agreement.
Brand charges
Brand charges
| Charge | As printed | A year at $247,837 of gross sales* |
|---|---|---|
| License fee | 7% to $200,000 of gross sales in the calendar year, 6% to $700,000, 5.5% to $1,200,000, 5% above; minimum $400 a month a territory after six months | $16,870* |
| MAP Fee | 2% of gross sales | $4,956* |
| Business management software (WishPortal) | $300 a month a business | $3,600* |
| Software System Technology Package | $125 a month, plus $20 for the franchise portal and $11 for 2 email addresses | $1,872* |
| Cadsoft design software | $75 a month a license | $900* |
| Call center program | $349.99 to $449.99 a month, plus $30 a booked appointment | $4,199* (base fee at the lower rate) |
| Total | $32,398*, 13.07%* of gross sales |
Rates and amounts as printed in Item 6 and Item 11. Averan applied them to two territories at the $123,918 average, $247,837 of gross sales, and assumed the license fee steps apply to the two territories’ combined sales. The total leaves out the $30 a booked appointment, the $60 a month ClosetPro license paid to a third party, local marketing spending and any local marketing group contribution.
The license fee rate steps down as the calendar year’s gross sales build. Each year starts at 7%, moves to 6% on sales above $200,000, 5.5% above $700,000 and 5% above $1,200,000. The fee is collected weekly; half is due when the order is uploaded and half after installation.
The minimum license fee is $400 a month for each territory of an Executive franchise and $200 a month for an Owner/Operator franchise. It starts after the first six months. If a month’s percentage fee falls short, the difference is due on the next payment date, and it is credited back for any quarter in which the minimum is met.
Local marketing spending is required on top of the MAP Fee. It is $20,000 in year 1 and $30,000 in year 2, then the greater of $40,000 or 8% of the prior year’s gross sales, starting in month four. Contributions to a local marketing group, which can be up to 3% of gross sales, count toward it.
At the $123,918 average, $40,000 of local marketing equals 32.3%* of one territory’s gross sales. Item 6 does not say whether the amount applies to each territory or to the whole business. The 8% figure exceeds $40,000 when the prior year’s gross sales are above $500,000*.
Cost to open
Cost to open
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $69,500 | $69,500 |
| Leasehold improvements (home office) | $0 | $1,000 |
| Vehicles (first three months) | $0 | $1,500 |
| Furniture, home show display and fixtures | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Technology, office equipment and supplies | $2,500 | $5,250 |
| Insurance | $4,000 | $7,000 |
| Advertising and local marketing, first three months | $3,200 | $9,600 |
| Training travel, lodging and food | $1,000 | $3,500 |
| Business licenses and permits | $100 | $1,000 |
| Professional fees | $0 | $5,000 |
| Additional funds, 3 months | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Total | $95,300 | $148,350 |
As printed in Item 7. The high end does not include the $240 per 1,000 households for a territory above 250,000 households. The business is run from a home office, so there is no lease.
An Executive franchise costs $95,300 to $148,350 to open. The $69,500 initial franchise fee covers two adjacent territories of about 125,000 households each, $34,750 under each of two franchise agreements. A third territory costs $30,000, a fourth $20,000 and each one after that $20,000.
An Owner/Operator franchise, a single territory, costs $55,550 to $100,550. Its initial franchise fee is $35,000. Item 5 says that in 2025 only Executive franchises were sold, and the average initial franchise fee paid was about $30,101.
A business must open within 6 months of signing. Item 7 puts additional funds for the first three months at $5,000 to $15,000 and says that amount leaves out the owner’s salary and living expenses.
Locations
Locations, 2023 to 2025
| Year | Start | Opened | Terminated | Not renewed | Reacquired | Ceased, other | End | Company-owned at end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 227 | 44 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 16 |
| 2024 | 255 | 28 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 261 | 20 |
| 2025 | 261 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 262 | 12 |
| 2023 to 2025 | 227 | 85 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 262 | 12 |
As printed in Item 20, Tables 1 and 3. The three-year total row adds the yearly figures. Item 20 counts franchise agreements, so a renewing franchisee that signed several agreements for the same area after the 2019 cut in territory size appears as several outlets.
ShelfGenie had 262 franchised outlets at the end of 2025, up from 227 at the start of 2023. 13 opened in 2025, 7 were terminated, 4 were not renewed and 1 ceased operating.
Company-owned outlets fell from 20 to 12 in 2025. 4 were sold to franchisees and 4 closed. 14 franchised outlets changed hands in 2025.
7 franchise agreements were signed but not open at the end of 2025. The franchisor projects 8 new franchised outlets in 2026. A further 23 ShelfGenie franchises operate in Canada under a separate disclosure document.
Questions we get asked
Questions owners ask
How much does a ShelfGenie franchise cost to open?
Item 7 puts an Executive franchise, with two territories of about 125,000 households each, at $95,300 to $148,350, including the $69,500 initial franchise fee. An Owner/Operator franchise with one territory is $55,550 to $100,550. The business runs from a home office.
What fees does a ShelfGenie franchisee pay?
A license fee of 7% of gross sales up to $200,000 in the calendar year, stepping down to 5% above $1,200,000, with a minimum of $400 a month a territory after six months. There is a 2% MAP Fee, software and call center fees, and required local marketing spending of $40,000 or 8% of the prior year’s sales from year 3. At the 2025 average, Averan puts the listed charges at 13.07%* of gross sales for a two-territory business, before local marketing.
How much revenue does a ShelfGenie franchise make?
The 234 territories that reported in Item 19 averaged $123,918 of gross sales in 2025. The median market had $91,751 a territory*, and markets ranged from $24,041 to $534,274 a territory. Item 19 reports gross sales by market, not by individual territory.
Does the ShelfGenie FDD show profit?
No. Item 19 stops at gross margin, which was 77.12% for the system after the cost of core products and freight. It does not report labor, marketing, brand charges or profit.
How large is a ShelfGenie order?
The 2025 average order was $4,912 and the median $4,631, excluding orders discounted 80% or more. By franchisee quintile the average runs from $3,281 to $6,341. 53% of appointments produced a closed order.
How many ShelfGenie locations are there?
Item 20 reports 262 franchised and 12 company-owned outlets in the US at the end of 2025. There were 227 franchised outlets at the start of 2023, and 7 signed agreements were not yet open at the end of 2025.
Questions worth putting to ShelfGenie
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 ShelfGenie 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 ShelfGenie locations closed, were sold, or changed hands last year, and why?
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.
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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.
Where these figures come from
Every figure here comes from ShelfGenie SPV 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. ShelfGenie 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: ShelfGenie SPV LLC, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued 1 April 2026.