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Padgett Business Services

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Financial Services
Tax

Padgett Business Services

Padgett Business Services Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Padgett Business Services specializes in providing small business accounting, tax, and financial services, offering personalized solutions to help entrepreneurs manage their finances, minimize taxes, and achieve their business goals.

Padgett Business Services is a trusted franchise that provides bookkeeping, tax, payroll, and business consulting services to small businesses. The company was founded in 1965 by Walter Padgett in Athens, Georgia.

Its headquarters remain in Athens, with a secondary office in Burlington, Ontario. Padgett began offering franchise opportunities in 1975, starting with its first franchise location in Augusta, Georgia.

The franchise serves small business clients across North America by offering a consistent, proven system. Padgett offers a wide range of essential financial services. These include tax preparation and planning, accounting, payroll processing, financial reporting, and business consulting.

What differentiates Padgett from competitors is its strong focus on small business advocacy. Franchisees develop long-term relationships with local clients, acting as trusted advisors.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Application Fee $1,000
Initial License Fee $2,500 - $37,000
Training Fee $0 - $18,000
Travel and Living Expenses $2,000
Real Estate Improvements Not Required
Equipment and Fixtures $0 - $3,500
Marketing $0 - $41,200
Initial Software Fee $0 - $6,750
Office Supplies $0 - $2,000
Initial Insurance $0 - $800
Rent, Telephone, Postage, etc. $0 - $1,200
Other Expenses $2,000 - $2,375
Additional Funds – 3 Months $1,200
Total Estimated Initial Investment $85,000 - $117,000
Type of Expenditure Amount
Application Fee $1,000
Initial License Fee $2,500 - $37,000
Training Fee $0 - $18,000
Travel and Living Expenses $2,000
Real Estate Improvements Not Required
Equipment and Fixtures $0 - $3,500
Marketing $0 - $41,200
Initial Software Fee $0 - $6,750
Office Supplies $0 - $2,000
Initial Insurance $0 - $800
Rent, Telephone, Postage, etc. $0 - $1,200
Other Expenses $2,000 - $2,375
Additional Funds – 3 Months $1,200
Total Estimated Initial Investment $85,000 - $117,000

Padgett Business Services

2025

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Padgett Business Services provides a comprehensive and phased training program to franchisees, designed to equip them with operational, technical, and client service capabilities essential for success. The training includes both virtual/classroom and on-the-job components and must be completed prior to and shortly after launch. Periodic continuing education and specialized sessions are also required annually.

  1. Initial Training for Start-ups
    Covers operations, computer systems, client acquisition, and service offerings.
    Up to 80 hours delivered virtually or in-class.
  2. Local Operations and Marketing Training
    Focuses on daily business management and local marketing strategies.
    Training hours included within the overall 106-hour estimate.
  3. Tax Training
    Involves annual attendance at a tax seminar or similar event offering CE credits.
    Travel and related expenses are the responsibility of the franchisee.

Territory Protection

Padgett Business Services grants its franchisees a non-exclusive right to operate within a defined territory, usually outlined by specific zip codes. Franchisees may offer services to clients outside their territory and advertise in broader media, including online channels.

However, Padgett retains the right to allow other franchisees or channels of distribution, including company-owned outlets or other brands it controls, to operate within the same area without restriction.

This means franchisees do not receive exclusive or protected territories under the franchise agreement. Padgett also makes it clear that overlapping services by other franchisees or the franchisor itself within a territory is possible, especially due to the nature of its service-based model.

Competitors

Below are some of

Padgett Business Services

key competitors in the

Tax

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

167

New
+
-3%
-3%

$59,700

$85,000

$117,000

n.a.

$477,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

34.6%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Ledgers

Ledgers is an accounting and bookkeeping franchise that provides tax preparation, payroll, and financial consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses.

Franchisees

?

4
+
-43%
-43%
Investment

?

$28,000 - $70,000

Fiesta Insurance

Fiesta Insurance provides affordable auto, home, and business insurance with a focus on serving Hispanic and multicultural communities.

Franchisees

?

219
+
-11%
-11%
Investment

?

$88,000 - $172,000

Liberty Tax Service

Liberty Tax Service offers professional tax preparation services, helping individuals and businesses maximize their tax refunds and ensure compliance with tax laws.

Franchisees

?

1813
+
-15%
-15%
Investment

?

$42,000 - $61,000

Transworld Business Advisors

Transworld Business Advisors specializes in business brokerage and franchise consulting services, assisting clients in buying or selling businesses and exploring franchise opportunities to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

Franchisees

?

452
+
19%
19%
Investment

?

$104,000 - $131,000

Supporting Strategies

Supporting Strategies provides outsourced bookkeeping and operational support services, helping businesses manage their finances and streamline operations.

Franchisees

?

98
+
-2%
-2%
Investment

?

$75,000 - $98,000

Paramount Tax & Accounting

Paramount Tax & Accounting is a franchise offering tax preparation and accounting services, providing expert financial guidance and support to individuals and businesses.

Franchisees

?

54
+
157%
157%
Investment

?

$72,000 - $157,000

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