The UPS Store vs Keller Williams: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Retail & Services Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
TU

The UPS Store

Retail & Services
$178K – $403K
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VS
KW

Keller Williams

Real Estate
$184K – $337K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Keller Williams wins on investment range ($66K less) vs The UPS Store.
Fee Burden
The UPS Store wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Keller Williams.
Unit Count
The UPS Store wins on total units (4,400 more) vs Keller Williams.
Satisfaction
Keller Williams wins on franchisee satisfaction vs The UPS Store.

Investment & Fees

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Min Investment $178K $184K
Max Investment $403K $337K
Franchise Fee $30K $35K
Royalty Rate 5.0% 6.0%
Ad Fund Rate 2.5% 0.0%

Unit Economics

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Avg Unit Revenue $550K $2.0M
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Total Units 5,600 1,200
Annual Growth 0.5% 1.0%
Failure Rate 2.0% 2.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Franchisee Satisfaction 70/100 78/100

Track Record

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Years in Business 44 41
Years Franchising 44 37

Financial Requirements

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Min Net Worth Required $150K $300K
Liquid Capital Required $75K $150K

Operations

Metric The UPS Store Keller Williams
Avg Employees 4 20
Training Weeks 2 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The UPS Store or Keller Williams a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. The UPS Store has 5,600 total units and a 70/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Keller Williams has 1,200 total units and a 78/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a The UPS Store franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a The UPS Store franchise requires an initial investment of $178K – $403K. The franchise fee is $30K, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Keller Williams franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Keller Williams franchise requires an initial investment of $184K – $337K. The franchise fee is $35K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for The UPS Store vs Keller Williams?

The UPS Store's royalty rate is 5.0%. Keller Williams's royalty rate is 6.0%. That means The UPS Store has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — The UPS Store or Keller Williams?

The UPS Store has 5,600 total units. Keller Williams has 1,200 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is The UPS Store or Keller Williams semi-absentee friendly?

The UPS Store is typically run as a owner-operator model. Keller Williams is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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