THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE
Medicine Shoppe International, Inc. offers franchises for operating retail pharmacy businesses under The Medicine Shoppe® name, marks, and systems. Franchisees sell prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and potentially wellness services to the general public, with elderly persons comprising a disproportionate share of customers due to the aging population. The business model provides access to core support services from parent company Cardinal Health and affiliates, including pharmaceutical distribution and administrative support.
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
3% of Gross Sales continuing license fee (or $599/mo fixed if electing 95% pharmaceutical purchases from Cardinal Health) + no brand ad fund + optional monthly Retail Solutions fees ($55-$1,015 depending on services).
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 THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE Compares to Other Medical Services Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 86% of Medical Services franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Medical Services
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Medical Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE Current | $513K - $896K | N/A | 3.0% | 271 |
| VISION SOURCE | $100K - $450K | N/A | 2.5% | 3,007 |
| THE JOINT CHIROPRACTIC (UNIT) | $254K - $521K | $40K | 7.0% | 696 |
| FYZICAL | $168K - $419K | $49K | 6.0% | 539 |
| AFC/AMERICAN FAMILY CARE | $956K - $1.5M | $60K | 6.0% | 304 |
| ANY LAB TEST NOW | $171K - $298K | $55K | 7.0% | 237 |
Medical Services Average 22 franchises | $251K - $503K | $45K | 6.3% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 22 Medical 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
+25 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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298 franchisee contacts on file. Upgrade to see names, locations, phone numbers, and matched SBA loan data.
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily fee collection disputes where franchisees failed to pay amounts due under franchise agreements, including unilateral termination attempts, with counterclaims for breach of contract and good faith and fair dealing. All resolved via settlements involving payments to MSI, conversion to new agreements, or exit from the system.
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 THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchise?
The total initial investment to open a THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchise ranges from $513,050 to $895,653. Ongoing royalty fees are 3.0% of gross sales.
How many THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE has 271 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1970.
Can you get an SBA loan for a THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchises. Historical data shows 75 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE franchisees, with an average loan amount of $758,527. The historical default rate is 2.7%.
Is THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE a good franchise to buy?
THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE shows several positive indicators: established brand with 271+ locations, low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in THE MEDICINE SHOPPE OR MEDICINE SHOPPE?
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