Create an account to access more data and download FDDs.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Upgrade to Pro to access unlimited data and FDDs. For more information see our plans here.

Upgrade to Pro

Budget Rent A Car Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Budget Rent A Car offers affordable car rental services, providing a wide selection of vehicles and convenient rental options for travelers and locals alike.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

174
+
-8%
-8%
Franchise fee

?

$45,000
Investment

?

$626,000 - $1,588,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$0

+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade

Budget Rent A Car is a leading international car rental brand known for affordable, reliable service. Founded in 1958 by Morris Mirkin in Los Angeles, California, the company began with a fleet of just 10 vehicles aimed at cost-conscious travelers.

In 1960, Mirkin partnered with Jules Lederer to form Budget Rent A Car Corporation, which rapidly expanded through franchising. Today, Budget is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, and operates as a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group.

Budget began franchising in 1960, enabling rapid national and international growth. By offering lower rates and operating from off-airport locations, the brand appealed to value-conscious customers.

Budget’s core offerings include rental services for cars, trucks, and vans, catering to both leisure and business travelers. The company differentiates itself through competitive pricing, a wide range of vehicle options, and customer-focused programs like the Budget Business Program, which offers corporate discounts and complimentary Fastbreak service.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Budget Rent A Car franchise is $626,000 - $1,588,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Purchase Fee $50,000
Construction, remodeling, decorating, and leasehold improvements $15,000 – $50,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment $15,000 – $28,000
Signage $10,000 – $25,000
Three months’ rent and security deposits $9,000 – $18,000
Vehicle insurance premiums $15,000 – $37,500
Grand opening advertising and promotional costs $2,000 – $5,000
Office supplies $500 – $2,000
Miscellaneous opening costs $1,000 – $3,000
Automobiles $450,000 – $1,290,000 (plus interest)
Travel and living expenses during training $3,000 – $7,500
Additional funds (three months) $55,000 – $72,400
Total Estimated Initial Investment $625,500 – $1,588,400

Create a free account to access this table and more.
For more information see our plans here.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Purchase Fee $50,000
Construction, remodeling, decorating, and leasehold improvements $15,000 – $50,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment $15,000 – $28,000
Signage $10,000 – $25,000
Three months’ rent and security deposits $9,000 – $18,000
Vehicle insurance premiums $15,000 – $37,500
Grand opening advertising and promotional costs $2,000 – $5,000
Office supplies $500 – $2,000
Miscellaneous opening costs $1,000 – $3,000
Automobiles $450,000 – $1,290,000 (plus interest)
Travel and living expenses during training $3,000 – $7,500
Additional funds (three months) $55,000 – $72,400
Total Estimated Initial Investment $625,500 – $1,588,400

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Budget Rent A Car's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Budget Rent A Car had 1371 total units in 2025, of which 174 were franchised-owned and 1197 company-owned.

Competitors

Below are some of

Budget Rent A Car

key competitors in the

Other Automotive

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

174

New
+
-8%
-8%

7.50%

$626,000

-

$1,588,000

$0

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Training

Budget Rent A Car offers a comprehensive training program designed to ensure franchisees and their team members are fully equipped to operate their locations effectively. The training is primarily digital, allowing flexible access, and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction.

  1. Web-Based Training via Workday Learning: Franchisees, their General Manager, and other approved employees must complete online training programs that are accessible on any web-enabled device. These sessions are mandatory and designed to cover essential operational knowledge.
  2. Manuals and Support Materials: The franchisor provides detailed manuals that include administrative and operational procedures. These materials are used in conjunction with the online training to ensure consistent standards.
  3. On-the-Job Instruction: Practical training is incorporated to reinforce digital learning. Franchisees and their staff gain hands-on experience to better understand daily tasks and customer service expectations.

Territory Protection

Budget Rent A Car does not grant exclusive territory rights to its franchisees. While franchisees may be assigned a general area for operations, the franchisor retains the right to establish other Budget locations or distribution channels within or near that area.

This means franchisees might face competition from other Budget franchisees, corporate-owned locations, or different channels under the same brand. The lack of territorial exclusivity also allows Budget to maintain flexibility in strategic placement and market coverage.

However, franchisees are still expected to meet sales quotas and development milestones within their operating area as outlined in the agreement. This structure allows Budget to grow its brand presence while franchisees compete under uniform standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of Budget Rent A Car's key competitors in the Other Automotive sector.

Ideal Automotive Services

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$438,000 - $1,085,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Green Motion Car and Van Rental

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$168,000 - $1,547,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

4EverCharge

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$103,000 - $623,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

FlyMyRide

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$20,000 - $66,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Rivali Paint Protection

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$209,000 - $549,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

NextCar

Franchisees

?

12
+
9%
9%
Investment

?

$315,000 - $1,593,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

All the data you need

We're the leading database for franchise professionals

For
Franchisees
Franchisors
Investors
Franchise Consultants

Unlimited FDD access

Access our library of 5,000+ Franchise Disclosure Documents, updated every day.

Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs

Transparent franchise data

Analyze financial data on 2,500+ franchise brands, without diving into FDDs. Revenue, profits, growth and more.

Franchise fees
Detailed initial investment

?

Revenue
Operating Profit (EBITDA)
Sector Revenue
Sector Operating Profit

Our plans

Create a free account, or upgrade to Pro

Free
For anyone looking into franchises.
Sign up
Franchise fees

?

Franchise units & growth

?

Detailed investment costs

?

Pay $49 per FDD download

?

Free Expert consultation

?

Pro
$199 / year
Unlimited franchise data.
For franchisees, investors and more.
You're on the Free plan 🎉
Complete your upgrade now
Upgrade to Pro
Everything in Free, plus:
Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs
Revenue (AUV)

?

Profit margins

?

Dedicated Franchise Expert

?

Industry benchmarks

?