America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Express sits in a category most candidates overlook. Staffing is a B2B service business with no inventory, no retail buildout, and revenue that scales with headcount rather than square footage. What makes the model unusual is corporate payroll funding — the franchisor covers worker paychecks and handles invoicing, removing the working-capital squeeze that sinks most service startups. The trade-off is that this is a sales business first. Owners who don’t want to prospect will struggle.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $200,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator
- Location Type: Small commercial office
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None in staffing; sales background helpful
About Express Staffing Franchise
Express Employment Professionals was founded in 1983 by William H. Stoller and Robert A. Funk, with franchising beginning two years later. The system now operates more than 800 locations across the United States, Canada, and South Africa, placing temporary, contract, and direct-hire workers for local employers.
Each franchise operates from a small commercial office within an exclusive territory. Owners focus on business development and client relationships while corporate handles payroll funding, client invoicing, and back-office processing from the international headquarters in Oklahoma City. Territories are protected for the length of the agreement.
Why Own an Express Staffing Franchise?
- Corporate funds 100% of worker payroll and handles client invoicing, removing the largest cash-flow risk in staffing.
- No inventory, no equipment, and a small office footprint keep startup costs low relative to sales volume.
- Item 19 reports first-year offices averaging $999,949 in sales, $5,342,686 at two-plus years, and $5,775,277 at five-plus years.*
- Revenue recurs through ongoing client relationships rather than one-time transactions, building a book of business over time.
- Standard weekday business hours, unlike food, retail, or home services franchises that require nights and weekends.
Why This Opportunity, Why Now
ABF Market Analysis —
U.S. employers continue to rely on flexible staffing to manage headcount without permanent hiring commitments, and small and mid-sized businesses rarely have internal recruiting capacity. That gap is what a staffing office fills. Express has operated in it since 1983 and ranks first in Entrepreneur’s staffing and recruiting category, a position it has held for fifteen consecutive years. Scale matters here — national brand recognition helps a local owner win accounts against independent recruiters working without it.
ABF Timing Insight —
Staffing demand tracks hiring cycles, which means the business builds through relationships rather than seasonal spikes. New owners who open ahead of a hiring cycle have time to establish accounts before volume arrives. Territory availability is the practical constraint: strong metropolitan markets are largely taken, so the useful first question is what remains open near you. The system is entirely franchised, so corporate is not competing with owners for accounts.
Training & Support
- Four weeks of initial training covers staffing operations, sales process, and system tools. The Franchise Research Institute reported a 96% franchisee satisfaction rating on training quality.
- Corporate funds 100% of temporary worker payroll and handles all client invoicing and collections, so owners never carry receivables or chase payment from clients.
- A toll-free assistance center operates weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central, backed by a technical support line and a field support team that visits each location.
- The Oklahoma City headquarters staffs more than 400 professionals providing specialized advice across marketing, technology, and operations, plus onsite support when needed.
- Ongoing development runs through Express University online courses, monthly regional owner meetings, annual conferences, the Express Leadership Academy, and sales coaching for new owners.
Who Are We Looking For
- Comfortable prospecting and asking local business owners for the meeting
- Enjoys building long-term client relationships over one-time sales
- Natural leader who likes hiring, coaching, and developing a small team
- High-energy and outgoing in face-to-face business settings
- Wants to be hands-on in the office every day
Who Is Not A Good Fit
- Cannot document $200,000 in liquid capital and $250,000 net worth
- Wants a semi-absentee or passive investment managed by someone else
- Uncomfortable with outbound sales calls and in-person business development
- Expects meaningful revenue before an account base has been built
- Prefers working alone over managing and developing employees
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need staffing or recruiting experience?
A: No. Express provides four weeks of initial training and ongoing coaching. Sales aptitude matters more, since the owner’s primary job is winning and keeping client accounts.
Q: Who pays the temporary workers I place?
A: Express corporate funds 100% of worker payroll and handles client invoicing. You are not fronting wages or managing collections, which is the main working-capital risk in independent staffing.
Q: What is the total investment?
A: Total investment runs $131,000 to $287,700, including a $40,000 franchise fee. The range reflects differences in market and office setup. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for the full breakdown.
Q: Is this an owner-operator business?
A: Yes. Express looks for owners who work in the business daily, leading sales and managing a small staff. It is not structured for absentee or semi-absentee ownership.
Q: How important is the leadership team when choosing a franchise?
A: Very important. A proven model matters, but the people leading the brand matter too. During due diligence, spend time with leadership and operations—not just franchise development—and ask how they prioritize franchisee profitability, support, and long-term brand health.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to a B2B service business with no inventory, corporate-funded payroll, standard weekday hours, and revenue that grows with a book of client relationships, Express is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Express.
*For territories open more than 24 months, average sales in 2025 were $5,342,686. For territories open more than 60 months, average sales in 2025 were $5,775,277. First-year offices averaged $999,949 in annual sales according to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Why Express?
Why Express Franchising
The best thing about being an Express Franchise Owner is being part of a team and a brand that is recognized nationwide. There is a mission and vision behind it, and you know you’re part of that.”