Loading FDD preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals
We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.
DISCOVERY MAP
Discovery Map franchises provide an advertising program in the form of illustrated tourist and visitor information maps supported by advertising purchased from restaurants, resorts, retail stores, local attractions, and other tourist-based businesses. Franchisees sell ad space on these maps to businesses in tourism-focused communities. The model may expand to include digital advertising and marketing services.
Loading preview...
Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase
Franchise Costs
10% royalty + 1% ad fund + $2,200/yr ($183/mo) DPS fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: The data is based on 102 maps (units) published by franchise businesses that completed a full sales cycle and published a map in standard sizes during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. This excludes 11" x 17" maps, maps not published during the fiscal year, and company or affiliate-owned maps.
* The document explicitly states that the provided figures reflect Gross Sales, not profits, and that costs of sales, operating expenses, or other costs and expenses must be deducted to obtain net income or profit. Therefore, profit-related fields cannot be calculated or estimated from the provided data.
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $58,171
Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock financial performance dataDISCOVERY MAP Franchise Analysis
Picture tapping into tourism without chasing tourists yourself—selling ad space on colorful visitor maps that businesses in resort towns can't resist. Discovery Map's model has been around since 1993, with Item 19 laying bare revenue realities for its operators. But with recent location dips and a flurry of transfers, is this a stable niche or a map leading to uncertain territory?
Item 7 details a lean initial investment of $29,250 to $36,300, mostly covered by the $25,000 franchise fee, leaving room for map production and marketing startup costs. Ongoing fees hit 10% royalty plus 1% brand fund and a fixed $2,200 annual DPS fee ($183/month), which keeps expenses predictable but eats into slim margins. Item 19 shines here: average gross revenue clocks $58,171 with a median of $53,210 across existing units—no EBITDA or profit figures, so operators likely net low five-figures after fees, fitting a home-based side hustle more than a full-scale business.
System metrics raise eyebrows: 116 locations after shrinking from 119 (-3% growth), alongside 6 terminations and 6 transfers, but 6 projected new units signal modest optimism. Franchising since 1993 from Vermont, it's a mature but stagnant player in business services advertising. For low-risk entry seekers eyeing $30K down, the numbers suggest supplemental income potential in tourist spots, but scalability looks limited—perfect if you're mapping a flexible gig, risky if banking on expansion.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How DISCOVERY MAP Compares
Key Insights
- Lower investment than 86% of Business Services franchises
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCOVERY MAP Current | $29K – $36K | $25K | 10.0% | 116 |
| Bimbo Foods Bakeries Distribution, LLC | $14K – $607K | N/A | N/A | 6,454 |
| THE UPS STORE (TRADITIONAL) | $216K – $609K | $30K | 5.0% | 4,500 |
| RE/MAX | $37K – $337K | $35K | 1.0% | 2,994 |
| JACKSON HEWITT TAX SERVICE | $71K – $105K | $25K | 15.0% | 2,744 |
| CRUISE PLANNERS | $2K – $21K | $11K | 3.0% | 2,655 |
Business Services Average 198 franchises | $121K – $289K | $47K | 10.2% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 198 Business Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+17 more states
Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock location growth dataFranchisee Contacts
72 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
72 Contacts Available
Unlock all DISCOVERY MAP franchisee contacts with verified contact information
Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports
Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a DISCOVERY MAP franchise ranges from $29,250 to $36,300. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 10.0% of gross sales.