America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Fence installation is a trade business most franchises avoid, which is why Superior had the category largely to itself after 2017. The edge is purchasing: buying millions of pounds of material a year lands it 20% to 30% below what an independent pays, and in-house vinyl fabrication turns eight SKUs into hundreds of options. Owners need a warehouse and a yard, not a storefront. The royalty declines as sales grow. There are 300 locations open, under Empower Brands.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $50,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator, or flexible ownership under 20 hours a week
- Location Type: 3,000 sq ft warehouse with grade-level access and outside storage
- Time Commitment: Full-time, or part-time with a general manager in place
- Experience Required: None in fencing; sales and team-building matter more
About Superior Fence & Rail
Superior Fence & Rail started in 2001 and became the first fence installation franchise in the United States when it began franchising in 2017. It now has 300 franchise locations open plus two company-owned, with 53 territories awarded in the last twelve months. The brand is part of Empower Brands.
Revenue comes three ways: installing fence for homeowners, installing for builders, pool contractors, developers and property managers, and selling material to customers who install it themselves. Territories cover 400,000 population. Start to open averages four to six months.
Why Own a Superior Fence & Rail Franchise?
Superior Fence & Rail is one of few fence companies in the United States that have multiple locations. There are many fence companies that service multiple geographical areas, but very few have been successful enough to open up more than one or two locations. Why has Superior Fence & Rail been able to achieve what its competitors have not? The answer is simple…it’s because of our proven system.
- National purchasing power on millions of pounds of material a year, landing 20% to 30% below what independents pay.
- In-house vinyl fabrication lets owners buy generic and customize, turning eight SKUs into hundreds of product options while simplifying inventory.
- A declining royalty that steps down as gross sales hit targets rather than staying flat at every level.
- Proprietary software covers fence mapping and design, automated ordering, and the installation crew’s execution plan in one system.
- Three revenue streams: residential installation, commercial and builder accounts, and material sales to customers installing it themselves.
- Flexible ownership is supported at under 20 hours a week with a general manager, and veterans receive 15% off the first territory fee.
Why This Opportunity, Why Now
ABF Market Analysis —
Fencing sits in a strange spot: a $10 billion category where almost every operator is a local contractor with a truck and a crew. There is no national brand a homeowner thinks of first, and no competitor with purchasing power at scale. That gap is the business. Demand is also straightforward — pools require fencing by code, dogs and children require it by preference, and commercial property requires it for security. Builders, developers and property managers buy it on a schedule rather than once.
ABF Timing Insight —
Superior awarded 53 territories in the last twelve months and opened a net 45 locations, which is fast growth for a trade category. Territories require 400,000 population, so the strong metros fill first. The model also suits someone who does not want to be on site daily — a general manager can run it, which is unusual in a business with crews and a warehouse. Start to open runs four to six months.
Training & Support
- The Quick Start Program runs roughly 200 specific tasks between signing and training, so launch preparation begins immediately.
- Classroom and in-field training in Jacksonville, Florida covers sales, installation, administration and production.
- After launch, a dedicated business coach spends a week in your market continuing the training on site.
- Site selection and lease negotiation assistance help secure the warehouse and storage yard.
- Recruiting support, group health insurance, and Empower Brands’ vendor relationships back the operation after opening.
Who Are We Looking For
- Motivated owners with a genuine interest in running a business
- Strongly client-service oriented
- Able to build, train and motivate a crew
- Competitive and results-driven
- No fencing or construction background required
Who Is Not A Good Fit
- Anyone expecting a home-based business — the model requires 3,000 square feet of warehouse with grade-level access and up to half an acre of outside storage
- Owners unwilling to recruit and manage installation crews or subcontractors, which is where capacity and job quality are decided
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does the Item 19 financial performance data show?
A: The Franchise Disclosure Document reports average sales of $3,497,555 with average gross profit of $1,447,769, or 41.4%, across all reported locations. Average project value is $7,767. Individual results vary by market, ownership, team performance and other factors. Review the complete FDD with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Q: Do I need fencing experience?
A: No. Training covers sales, installation, administration and production. Building and motivating a team matters more than knowing how to set a post.
Q: Can this run without me on site every day?
A: Yes. Flexible ownership is supported at under 20 hours a week with a general manager or operations manager running daily work. That requires capitalizing the business to afford the hire.
Q: What space do I need?
A: Roughly 3,000 square feet of warehouse with grade-level access, plus up to half an acre of improved outside storage. This is not a home-based business.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to a category with no national competitor, purchasing power an independent cannot match, three ways to earn from the same market, and a royalty that falls as you grow, Superior Fence & Rail is worth a direct conversation. We recommend reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document and speaking with existing owners as part of your due diligence. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Superior Fence & Rail.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Why Own A Superior Fence Franchise?
Who Makes a Good Franchise Owner
Proven System with Robust Support
I was one of the few early members of the Superior Fence & Rail team who actually had prior fence experience. I had always been a pretty good operator, having been involved in fencing since I was a young man, but my prior fence company still struggled. Once I joined on with Superior Fence & Rail in 2009, it allowed me to tap into a proven system that had already been successful, and to take advantage of incredible material pricing based on their cumulative purchasing volume. The result was immediate profitability, and that was in 2009 when the construction market was extremely soft! Simply put, Superior Fence & Rail allowed me to focus on my strengths as an operator while giving me the system and the tools to allow my business to grow. I would strongly recommend the Superior Fence & Rail opportunity to anyone who is looking to gain financial independence for a relatively modest investment.
I had been working in a large corporate job when I decided that I would never have the financial security I desired if I continued along that career path. I had initially been looking at purchasing an independent business when I found the Superior Fence & Rail opportunity. The fact that I had no prior fence experience whatsoever caused me some initial concern but after speaking to some of the existing team members and learning about the Superior System, I felt confident that I could be successful using their framework. But the main reason I took the leap is because when I did the analysis of the investment required compared to the income potential of the business, there was nothing else I had looked at that even came close. That was almost 10 years ago!
Any time we’re in a situation where we need help, help is just a phone call away. If that person can’t help, they find someone who can. We don’t feel like we’re here on our own. We feel like we’re part of a bigger team and we’re all working together to do the same thing.