Epcon Communities specializes in developing lifestyle communities for active adults, offering customers beautifully designed homes and resort-style amenities in desirable locations.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
71
+
-1%
-1%
Franchise fee
?
$75,000
Investment
?
$1,066,000 - $5,100,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$592,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Epcon Communities Franchise is a specialized real estate franchise focused on single-level, low-maintenance homes designed primarily for buyers aged 55 and over. The company was founded in 1986 by Ed Bacome and Phil Fankhauser in Columbus (Dublin), Ohio. Epcon quickly gained recognition for its unique approach to active adult living.
In 1995, Epcon launched its franchise model, operating under Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc.. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, and offers franchisees access to copyrighted floor plans, comprehensive development systems, marketing tools, and streamlined purchasing support.
Epcon’s business model includes a proven pre-sales system to ensure successful community launches.
The brand has delivered over 30,000 homes across more than 450 communities nationwide. Homes typically range from 1,300 to over 3,000 square feet and feature open layouts, private courtyards, and resort-style amenities.
Homeowners also benefit from HOA-maintained exteriors and landscaping, making Epcon an ideal choice for low-maintenance luxury living.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Epcon Communities franchise is $1,066,000 - $5,100,000. 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.
Epcon Communities offers 2 types of franchises:
Type of Epcon Communities Project
Initial Investment
When purchasing raw land for your Epcon Communities project
$3,413,025 to $5,099,553
When purchasing developed lots for your Epcon Communities project
$1,065,525 to $1,426,725
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening an Epcon Communities Project (when purchasing raw land for your Epcon Communities project).
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Land Purchase
$600,000 to $1,300,000
Financing Costs for Land Acquisition and Land Development During Initial Period
$0 to $106,828
Due Diligence and Land Entitlement
$42,500 to $105,000
Land Development and Site Improvements
$1,950,000 to $2,600,000
Large Pavilion Community Amenity
$75,000 to $96,000
Vertical Construction Costs for Model Home Unit
$214,800 to $264,600
Vertical Construction Costs for First Unit Offered for Sale
$214,800 to $264,600
Upfront Sales and Marketing
$130,000 to $150,000
Training Salary for In-House Sales Consultant
$20,800
Direct and Indirect / Overhead Project Costs
$65,000 to $75,500
Initial Franchise Fee
$75,000
Initial Marketing Program Membership Fee
$5,000
Mortgage and Security Agreement Recording Fees and Administrative Fee
$300 to $1,200
Marketing Program Fee
$3,125
Initial Training Program
$2,000 to $3,000
BuildTopia Software License
$2,700 to $5,400
Additional Funds (for 3 month period)
$12,000 to $24,000
TOTAL
$3,413,025 to $5,099,553
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Epcon Communities offers 2 types of franchises:
Type of Epcon Communities Project
Initial Investment
When purchasing raw land for your Epcon Communities project
$3,413,025 to $5,099,553
When purchasing developed lots for your Epcon Communities project
$1,065,525 to $1,426,725
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening an Epcon Communities Project (when purchasing raw land for your Epcon Communities project).
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Land Purchase
$600,000 to $1,300,000
Financing Costs for Land Acquisition and Land Development During Initial Period
$0 to $106,828
Due Diligence and Land Entitlement
$42,500 to $105,000
Land Development and Site Improvements
$1,950,000 to $2,600,000
Large Pavilion Community Amenity
$75,000 to $96,000
Vertical Construction Costs for Model Home Unit
$214,800 to $264,600
Vertical Construction Costs for First Unit Offered for Sale
$214,800 to $264,600
Upfront Sales and Marketing
$130,000 to $150,000
Training Salary for In-House Sales Consultant
$20,800
Direct and Indirect / Overhead Project Costs
$65,000 to $75,500
Initial Franchise Fee
$75,000
Initial Marketing Program Membership Fee
$5,000
Mortgage and Security Agreement Recording Fees and Administrative Fee
$300 to $1,200
Marketing Program Fee
$3,125
Initial Training Program
$2,000 to $3,000
BuildTopia Software License
$2,700 to $5,400
Additional Funds (for 3 month period)
$12,000 to $24,000
TOTAL
$3,413,025 to $5,099,553
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Epcon Communities's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Epcon Communities had 89 total units in 2024, of which 71 were franchised-owned and 18 company-owned.
Epcon Communities Franchising, LLC provides structured training to equip franchisees with the knowledge necessary for developing and managing a residential community project. The training offerings are outlined as follows:
Initial Training Program Franchisees are required to attend an Initial Training Program prior to launching their project. This program costs between $2,000 and $3,000 and is designed to familiarize franchisees with Epcon’s unique development system, architectural plans, and business procedures. It ensures that the franchisee can apply Epcon's model effectively to their residential development.
Ongoing Support Resources In addition to the formal training, franchisees have access to proprietary software like BuildTopia, which supports construction and project management. Although use of the software is optional, franchisees choosing to utilize it pay an additional licensing fee. This tool acts as a supplement to the training by providing real-time assistance with operational needs.
Territory Protection
Epcon Communities Franchising, LLC offers defined territory protection to its franchisees through a structured development plan. Upon signing the Franchise Agreement, franchisees are expected to identify and secure a development site within a specified timeframe, during which they hold exclusive rights to develop that community under the Epcon brand.
This exclusivity is maintained as long as the franchisee meets the agreed-upon development milestones, such as entering a land purchase agreement and progressing through due diligence, zoning, and construction stages.
The franchisor ensures that no other Epcon franchise will be authorized within the designated area of a franchisee’s project, provided that the franchisee adheres to the project schedule and performance obligations. This effectively shields the franchisee from internal brand competition within their assigned territory.
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