Payless Car Rental Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Payless Car Rental offers affordable car rental services, providing reliable transportation solutions for travelers and individuals in need of temporary vehicles.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

-50%

Franchise fee

$45,000

Investment

$626,000 - $1,608,000

Revenue (AUV)

n.a.

Payless Car Rental is a prominent franchise known for its affordable and convenient car rental services. Established in 1971 and headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, the franchise has built a strong reputation in the industry.

Payless Car Rental has been offering franchising opportunities since 2001, enabling entrepreneurs to join a brand celebrated for its commitment to providing dependable and budget-friendly car rental options.

The franchise boasts a diverse fleet of rental vehicles, including economy cars, SUVs, and vans, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

What distinguishes Payless Car Rental from its competitors is its dedication to affordability without sacrificing quality or customer service. The franchise strives to make car rentals accessible to a wide range of customers, offering competitive prices and a seamless rental experience.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Payless Car Rental franchise is $626,000 - $1,608,000. 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 – $75,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment	$15,000 – $28,000
Signage	$10,000 – $20,000
3 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 – $1,608,400

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial License Purchase Fee	$50,000
Construction, remodeling, decorating, and leasehold improvements	$15,000 – $75,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment	$15,000 – $28,000
Signage	$10,000 – $20,000
3 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 – $1,608,400

Franchise Disclosure Document

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

Number of units

Payless Car Rental had 109 total units in 2025, of which 12 were franchised-owned and 97 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Payless Car Rental

key competitors in the

Other Automotive

sector.

Franchise

New

-50%

7.50%

$626,000

$1,608,000

n.a.

Avis Rent a Car

Over $500K

186

New

11%

7.50%

$626,000

$1,588,000

n.a.

Colors On Parade

Under $25K

223

New

20% - 30%

$21,000

$98,000

$119,000

n.a.

Glass Doctor

$100K - $200K

131

New

-9%

4% - 7%

$153,000

$323,000

$537,000

n.a.

Turbo Tint

$200K - $500K

New

42%

7.00%

$296,000

$415,000

$1,058,000

n.a.

TravelCenters of America

Over $500K

New

17%

2% - 4.5%

$7,423,000

$49,717,000

$10,725,000

n.a.

Pirtek

$200K - $500K

162

New

36%

4.00%

$235,000

$667,000

$937,000

n.a.

Training

Payless Car Rental provides extensive training to franchisees through various programs and instructions. Key aspects of this training include:

Web-Based Training and Seminars: Payless periodically updates and introduces new web-based training programs and seminars. These are mandatory for franchisees, their General Managers, and other managerial staff. Attendance at Payless conventions or seminars is also required.

On-the-Job Training: Experienced instructors, often from the Licensee Relations Department and with a minimum of one year in the car rental industry, provide hands-on training.

Operating Assistance and Training: A thorough training program is available, offering courses, resources, webinars, and training materials to help train the franchisee's General Manager and employees in running the rental business.

Territory Protection

Payless Car Rental ensures territory protection for its franchisees by assigning them an exclusive area, typically delineated by political boundaries or a designated radius around the franchise location.

Throughout the franchise term, Payless commits to not opening or authorizing another Payless franchise within this protected territory, as long as the franchisee adheres to all terms of the agreement.

However, Payless reserves the right to operate and grant licenses outside of this territory and, in certain situations, within the territory under specific conditions.