About Smooth Transitions Franchise
Smooth Transitions is a home services franchise that assists families and individuals with the process of downsizing, moving, and estate dispersal.
Franchisees help clients with day-to-day tasks such as sorting, space planning, coordinating and negotiating services, packing, and estate sales and auctions.
The target customers are primarily older adults aged 50 and over who are transitioning to new living situations, as well as families managing estate dispersal.
Smooth Transitions Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$65K
Average Investment
$87K
Maximum Investment
$109K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $48,900 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Sales up to $399,999.99 (sliding scale down to 0% over $900,000) of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 1% of Gross Sales up to $600,000 each year (Marketing Fund); 5% of Gross Sales (Local Marketing/Required Spending) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $64,700 – $108,950 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $65K–$109K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (6% of Gross Sales up to $399,999.99 (sliding scale down to 0% over $900,000)) and marketing fee (1% of Gross Sales up to $600,000 each year (Marketing Fund); 5% of Gross Sales (Local Marketing/Required Spending)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $48,900 | $48,900 |
| Real Estate/Rent | $150 | $600 |
| Market Introduction Program | $2,000 | $3,500 |
| Inventory | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Computer Systems | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Insurance | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Signage | $500 | $1,000 |
| Initial Part Time Sales Person | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| Office Expense | $500 | $750 |
| Licenses and Permits | $500 | $2,000 |
| Dues and Subscriptions | $750 | $1,000 |
| Professional Fees (lawyer, accountant, etc.) | $500 | $2,000 |
| Training | $1,900 | $9,200 |
| Additional Funds (for first 3 months) | $4,000 | $30,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $8,000 plus broker fees and out-of-pocket costs |
| Renewal Fee | No additional initial franchise fee on renewal |
| Technology Fee | $1,440 annually (STWare software) |
| Audit Fee | Our actual cost |
| Telephone Fee | $108 annually |
| Market Cooperative Contribution | As determined by co-op (currently none) |
| Replacement/Additional Training Fee | $250 per day plus expenses |
| Non-compliance Fee | Up to $1,500 or amount spent on behalf plus 10% |
| Late Fee | $100 plus interest at 18% per year |
| Insufficient Funds Fee | $30 |
| Liquidated Damages | Equal to royalty fees and marketing fund contributions for lesser of 2 years or remaining term |
| Indemnity | Our costs and losses from legal action related to franchise operation |
| Prevailing Party Legal Costs | Attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 9 hours classroom, 19.4 hours on-the-job training (approximately 28.4 total hours) |
| Classroom Training | 9 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | 19.4 hours |
| Training Location | Columbus, Ohio (some portions virtual) |
| Additional Training | Online training refresher and staff onboarding modules available on demand through ERP system. May offer training in adjunct services such as moving at then-current fee. Replacement/additional training at $250/day plus expenses. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | Area with population of approximately 125,000 people aged 50 and over |
| Description | Franchisee receives an area of primary responsibility delineated by zip codes, generally consisting of an area with a population of approximately 125,000 people aged 50 and over. Territory is not exclusive - franchisee may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other channels. Franchisor will refer orders from within territory to franchisee. Minimum annual revenue of $300,000 required after second year to maintain territory. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | Two successive 5-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | No additional initial franchise fee |
| Renewal Conditions | Give advance notice 90-180 days prior to end of term; be in compliance with all agreements; renovate to then-current standards; sign then-current franchise agreement and related documents; sign general release (unless prohibited by law) |
| Transfer Fee | $8,000 plus broker fees and out-of-pocket costs |
| Transfer Conditions | Pay transfer fee; buyer meets franchisor standards; buyer is not a competitor; buyer and owners sign then-current franchise agreement and related documents; all payments to franchisor current; in compliance with all contractual requirements; buyer completes training; sign general release; business complies with then-current system specifications |
| Termination for Cause | Non-payment (10 days to cure); curable defaults (30 days to cure); non-curable defaults include misrepresentation, bankruptcy, violation of law, violation of confidentiality, violation of non-compete, cease operations for more than 5 consecutive days, three defaults in 12 months, felony conviction |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | For 2 years after termination or expiration, neither franchisee, any owner, nor spouse of an owner may have ownership interest in, lend money to, provide financial assistance to, provide services to, or be employed by any competitor within 25 miles of former territory or any other Smooth Transitions territory operating on date of termination. Period extended by duration of any violation. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | No |
| Participation Details | Not required to participate personally in direct operation. Must designate a Principal Executive who owns at least 25% of the business (10% per franchise agreement Section 2.5), has decision-making authority, and must complete initial training program and all post-opening training programs. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisor affiliate is a supplier of some required items including ERP licenses, collateral and branded wear, branded boxes and give aways. Must purchase equipment, inventory and supplies from Approved Vendors. |
| Supply Restrictions | Must purchase or lease all goods, services, supplies, fixtures, equipment, inventory, computer hardware and software from franchisor, designee, or approved suppliers. Must request written approval to use alternative suppliers. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | $0 in prior fiscal year (0% of total revenues). Franchisor did not offer franchises in 2024. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We do not offer direct or indirect financing. We do not guarantee your note, lease or obligations. |
Smooth Transitions Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Smooth Transitions does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Smooth Transitions does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Smooth Transitions Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordSmooth Transitions has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Smooth Transitions System Growth
Total Units
2
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
2
Smooth Transitions currently operates 0 franchised locations and 2 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Transfers: 0 | Closures: 0
State Registrations
Registered in 30 states: CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, NE, NH, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI
Smooth Transitions Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Smooth Transitions franchise ranges from $64,700 to $108,950, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $48,900. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Smooth Transitions charges a royalty fee of 6% of Gross Sales up to $399,999.99 (sliding scale down to 0% over $900,000) of gross sales, plus a 1% of Gross Sales up to $600,000 each year (Marketing Fund); 5% of Gross Sales (Local Marketing/Required Spending) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Smooth Transitions Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Smooth Transitions to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Smooth Transitions does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Smooth Transitions has been franchising since 2025. The FDD shows an investment range of $64,700-$108,950, a 6% of Gross Sales up to $399,999.99 (sliding scale down to 0% over $900,000) royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $48,900 and the total investment ranges from $64,700 to $108,950 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Smooth Transitions and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Smooth Transitions or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com