Payless
Payless Car Rental franchises operate businesses renting automobiles without drivers to the general public for periods of 180 days or less under the Payless trademarks and a uniform system. Franchisees provide additional services like loss damage waivers, optional insurance, child seats, and refueling, using the Wizard computerized reservation system, and participate in corporate rate programs. The business model serves business and leisure customers in competitive markets, often at non-airport locations, competing with national chains and independents.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
7.5% royalty + 0% ad fund + $327-$1,204/mo technology, support, admin, and network fees
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Payless Compares to Other Vehicle Rental Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 100% of Vehicle Rental franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Vehicle Rental
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Payless Current | $626K - $1.6M | $50K | 7.5% | 12 |
| PacLease | $454K - $904K | $4K | 1.0% | 437 |
| U-Save Car & Truck Rental | $165K - $1.5M | $25K | 6.0% | 69 |
| Fireside RV Rental | $38K - $80K | $35K | 10.0% | 37 |
| Priceless Car and Truck Rental | $214K - $1.8M | $30K | 4.0% | 37 |
| Priceless Car and Truck Rental | $315K - $1.6M | $30K | 4.0% | 12 |
Vehicle Rental Average 7 franchises | $283K - $1.3M | $32K | 5.5% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 7 Vehicle Rental franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Two cases alleging misclassification of agency operators (licensees) as independent contractors under California labor laws, and one case alleging misrepresentations about the operation and closure of a Budget rental location.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Payless franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Payless franchise ranges from $625,500 to $1,608,400. This includes a franchise fee of $50,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 7.5% of gross sales.
How many Payless franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, Payless has 12 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1971.
Is Payless a good franchise to buy?
Whether Payless is a good franchise investment depends on your personal goals, available capital, and local market conditions. We recommend reviewing the full FDD, speaking with existing franchisees listed in Item 20, and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Payless?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Payless is the right fit for you.
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