City Publications Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
City Publications is a direct mail advertising franchise, offering targeted marketing solutions through high-quality postcards and mailers to connect local businesses with potential customers.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
36
+
-8%
-8%
Franchise fee
?
$40,000 - $250,000
Investment
?
$46,000 - $270,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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City Publications is a direct-mail and digital marketing franchise founded in 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, it operates under its parent company ACP Brands. The company began franchising in 2004 and, as of 2024, has grown to approximately 50 franchise locations across North America.
The franchise offers affordable, home-based, B2B lead generation services. It primarily sells glossy, full-color direct-mail postcards targeting affluent homeowners, bundled with email, SMS, web lead generation, and SEO solutions.
City Publications differentiates through affluent homeowner targeting and a data-driven, glossy direct-mail format. Its proprietary mailing lists and production-grade glossy card packs are designed for high response rates and branding impact.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a City Publications franchise is
$46,000 - $270,000.
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
Franchise Fee
$40,000 – $250,000
Real Estate/Rent
$0 – $500
Utility Deposits
$0 – $500
Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $500
Required Software
$500
Initial Inventory of Order Forms
$150 – $200
Insurance
$600 – $800
Vehicle
$300 – $600
Office Equipment and Supplies
$400 – $2,500
Training
$250 – $500
Licenses & Permits
$0 – $250
Legal/Accounting
$500 – $1,000
Website and Email Setup Fees
$800
Startup Marketing Materials
$1,250
Additional Funds (3 months)
$1,500 – $10,000
TOTAL
$46,300 – $269,900
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$40,000 – $250,000
Real Estate/Rent
$0 – $500
Utility Deposits
$0 – $500
Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $500
Required Software
$500
Initial Inventory of Order Forms
$150 – $200
Insurance
$600 – $800
Vehicle
$300 – $600
Office Equipment and Supplies
$400 – $2,500
Training
$250 – $500
Licenses & Permits
$0 – $250
Legal/Accounting
$500 – $1,000
Website and Email Setup Fees
$800
Startup Marketing Materials
$1,250
Additional Funds (3 months)
$1,500 – $10,000
TOTAL
$46,300 – $269,900
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is City Publications's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
City Publications had 36 total units in 2024, of which 36 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
City Publications provides a structured and mandatory training program to prepare franchisees for successful operation. The training includes both virtual and on-site sessions, covering essential administrative, operational, and sales topics.
Initial Training Program Franchisees and their designated managers must complete approximately 40 hours of initial training, delivered through 2–3 days of virtual classroom instruction and 2–3 days of on-the-job training. This program covers the core aspects of running the franchised business and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction before opening.
Sales Employee Training Any new sales employees must undergo 8 hours of virtual training and be certified by the franchisor before conducting sales activities. This ensures that all sales efforts align with corporate standards.
New Designated Manager Training If a new Designated Manager is appointed after operations begin, they must complete the initial training within 60 days. The franchisee bears the cost of this training, including travel and accommodation.
Territory Protection
City Publications grants franchisees an Exclusive Territory defined by geographic boundaries, typically comprising about 100,000 homes determined using U.S. Census data. Within this territory, City Publications agrees not to establish or license another franchise location, as long as the franchisee remains in good standing.
This territory is detailed in Exhibit A of the Franchise Agreement and is intended to limit internal competition among franchisees. However, the franchisor retains the right to operate other systems or use different proprietary marks both within and outside the Exclusive Territory, as long as these do not follow the same loose card deck format.
City Publications can also engage in alternative distribution channels such as internet sales or retail outlets. Franchisees are not automatically entitled to additional or adjoining territories but may purchase them with approval.
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