Thrifty Car Rental Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Thrifty Car Rental is a vehicle-rental franchise offering airport and local car hire services, serving business and leisure travellers, and known for recognizable brand strength, broad global presence and scalable fleet-management business model.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
73
+
9%
9%
Franchise fee
?
$25,000
Investment
?
$879,000 - $15,874,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$0
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Thrifty Car Rental is a global car rental brand with a long history in the industry. The company was established in 1958 and has grown from a small, budget-focused rental service into an international operation. Its headquarters are located in Estero, Florida, in the United States.
The brand expanded early through franchising, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to run rental locations under the Thrifty name starting in 1999. Today, the system includes a mix of franchised outlets and company-operated branches and forms part of a larger international rental group.
Thrifty provides vehicle rental services to travelers and business clients, offering everything from compact and economy models to larger SUVs and passenger vans. The variety of options allows the brand to serve customers with different needs and budgets.
Its competitive edge comes from targeting price-sensitive renters. The company emphasizes affordability, convenient pickup and drop-off points at airports and in major cities, and flexible rental options designed to appeal to travelers seeking value.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Thrifty Car Rental franchise is $879,000 - $15,874,000. 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 Franchise Fee
$25,000 to $125,000
Training Expenses
$3,000
Passenger Cars
$750,000 to $15,000,000
Courtesy Vehicles
$55,000 to $350,000 per location
Equipment and Supplies
$5,000 to $25,000
Insurance
$5,000 to $45,000
Real Estate & Improvements
As Required
Professional Fees
$3,000 to $10,000
Computer System, Hardware and Software
$11,500 to $250,000
Optional Software
$1,500 to $15,000
Business License
$100 to $500
Miscellaneous Installation Fees
$200 to $500
Additional Funds – 3 months
$20,000 to $50,000
Total (excluding Real Estate & Improvements)
$879,300 to $15,874,000
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000 to $125,000
Training Expenses
$3,000
Passenger Cars
$750,000 to $15,000,000
Courtesy Vehicles
$55,000 to $350,000 per location
Equipment and Supplies
$5,000 to $25,000
Insurance
$5,000 to $45,000
Real Estate & Improvements
As Required
Professional Fees
$3,000 to $10,000
Computer System, Hardware and Software
$11,500 to $250,000
Optional Software
$1,500 to $15,000
Business License
$100 to $500
Miscellaneous Installation Fees
$200 to $500
Additional Funds – 3 months
$20,000 to $50,000
Total (excluding Real Estate & Improvements)
$879,300 to $15,874,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Thrifty Car Rental's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Thrifty Car Rental had 282 total units in 2025, of which 73 were franchised-owned and 209 company-owned.
Thrifty Car Rental requires franchisees and their key personnel to complete several training programs to ensure operational excellence and brand consistency. These programs are mandatory and must be completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction. The training covers both theoretical knowledge and practical experience and is conducted at various locations including the franchisor’s headquarters, online, and designated sites.
Initial Training Program Franchisees, managers, and key employees must attend an initial training program before opening the business. This includes classroom sessions and on-the-job training covering onboarding, brand introduction, pre-opening procedures, fleet programs, privacy policy, and marketing.
Training Format and Locations The training includes sessions such as Airport Counter Observation and Revenue Management, held at franchisor facilities and operational sites. Instructional materials include printed content, presentations, and videos.
Remedial and Additional Training The franchisor may require franchisees to attend remedial training if performance standards are not met. Additional training sessions may also be conducted periodically to supplement and update knowledge.
Territory Protection
Thrifty Car Rental grants franchisees a non-exclusive geographic territory in which to operate their franchised business. This territory is typically defined by a specific city or political subdivision and is outlined in the franchise agreement.
While the franchisee may operate within this designated area, Thrifty Car Rental does not guarantee exclusivity or protection from internal or external competition. The franchisor reserves the right to operate or license others to operate under the Thrifty system within and outside the franchisee’s territory.
This means other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or alternative distribution channels under Thrifty or its affiliates may still compete within the same region. Therefore, the franchisee may face overlapping market presence despite having a named territory in the agreement.
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