Top 5 Drone Franchises and Their Costs

If you’re on the hunt for a profitable drone franchise for sale, then you’re probably already in-the-know about this up-and-coming industry. The global drone market is $14 billion and growing. Many businesses have already made their stake on the ground floor, meaning there’s competition out there. 

But just because other companies are locked in before you doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved, too. Drone franchises are the perfect way to do just that. Instead of starting entirely on your own, you join an established business that’s making waves in the industry already.

Every drone franchise for sale has its own price tag. This article explores the top five franchises and how much it would cost to get involved.

How to Choose a Drone Franchise

First, it’s essential to understand how to decide in the first place. Of course, the franchise’s cost will be a huge factor, but it’s not the only thing to consider. You also need to look at your interests and personal finances. ​

Types of Drone Franchises

One of the reasons why the drone industry is so big is because there are several ways to work with the technology. You can do the flying and provide imagery and video for clients. Or, your business can support those doing the work by offering flying lessons, equipment sales, or repair and maintenance services. 

Think a bit about what interests you when it comes to drones. Do you have a creative side and enjoy producing photo and video imagery? Do you like the mechanics of the technology? Are you good with people? And once you narrow in on your interests, you can dive even deeper into the subject matter, such as real estate, tourism, or construction.

Drone Niches

If you want to go the flying route, ask yourself this question: What types of images or videos do you want to take? The drone industry is a big part of several niches. The top three include real estate, tourism, and construction.

Real Estate: This industry uses drones to produce more engaging and well-rounded content for potential homebuyers. Drone imagery expands what this market once did and appeals to its clientele. This niche allows you to fly drones in rural or urban areas, working with various people. You’ll create polished, professional imagery that agents can use on multiple platforms.

Tourism: Much like real estate, imagery in the tourism field is essential to its success. Drones allow tourism agencies and tourism-related companies (airlines, hotels, outfitters, etc.) to appeal to a larger audience and improve their engagement. It’s an excellent niche for those who love to travel and produce beautiful, captivating imagery.

Construction: The construction industry uses drones for many purposes. First, drones help contractors assess and monitor worksites and get a better view of project demands. They also offer a better way to conduct aerial surveying, mapping, and land surveying, plus work inspection and reviewing. Drones help the construction industry save time and money.

Others: The three niches above are the most popular in the drone industry, but others still exist. You can work with a flying school, delivery service, drone sales, or repairs. Some organizations and countries use drones to monitor wildlife or assist scientists in hard-to-reach areas. There’s a lot to choose from, so you just need to decide on your interests.

Finances

The next step is taking a good look at your finances. If you find the right drone franchise for sale, it needs to fit into your budget. Drone franchises require more upfront investment but less funding down the road. You’re buying into an already established business, so you’re paying for things like brand recognition, a set customer base, marketing, and staff training resources, and overall support from the headquarters. 

Some drone franchises are more expensive than others. So you need to think about how much money you can put down on your investment and how much you’ll need to finance with a business loan or investor. Don’t forget about forgotten costs, like forming an LLC and annual royalties that you’ll need to pay to the franchise.

Looking for a Drone Franchise for Sale? Here are the Top 5

We want to help you solidify your investment and pursue your dreams as a drone franchiser. Our quick guide to drone franchises covers more options, but we’ve gathered what we believe to be the top five. We based our decision on niche, affordability, and recognition. 

#1 — Drone Nerds ​

Drone Nerds is a versatile company that sells and repairs drones and offers flying lessons. It’s an excellent fit if you’re searching for a niche that isn’t about creating imagery. With this company, you can sell drones, offer repair services, and/or provide flying lessons for hobbyists or others getting into the industry.  

Drone Nerds is a drone franchise for sale, but its initial investment is more substantial than some others. The initial fee runs at $24,900. However, annual royalties sit at a modest 3%, one of the lowest in the industry. The company also provides training and continued education.

#2 — Hommati ​

Hommati is an excellent choice if you want to branch into the ever-growing real estate drone niche. This company works specifically within real estate to produce professional and high-quality images and videos. You’ll help agents and agencies develop a wide range of imagery, including virtual staging, floor plans, 3D interactive tours, aerial photography and video, VR tours, signage, and more.

Hommati has an up-front cost with a fee of $26,900 and annual royalties of 7%. This expense is higher than Drone Nerds, but remember that this is a lucrative and in-demand niche. You don’t need any experience, and the company funds all training, drone licensing, and equipment.

#3 — Recon Aerial Media

Recon Aerial Media is a great option if you can’t quite settle on a niche. With this company, you’ll do the flying and produce the content, but you’ll work with various businesses. You might provide services for photography, mapping, inspections, etc. You could work in film and cinematography, tourism, real estate, schools, public security, land development, insurance assessments, search and rescue, journalism, and more. The sky is truly the limit here!

The initial start-up ranges from $7,000 - $15,000 depending on how you want to work with the company. The annual royalties hover at 5% of sales, and you’ll also pay a monthly advertising fee of $199. The company supplies your equipment, but you can also use your own and save money.

#4 — Dronebase ​

Dronebase works more like a freelancing or contractor network. There are no startup fees or annual royalties! However, that’s because it’s not a traditional drone franchise for sale. Instead, you have the name recognition, but you do most of the marketing and operational work yourself. You also need to provide your own equipment. 

Dronebase is also a good choice for the undecided. You can work with real estate, property management, insurance, construction, solar and wind energy, and others.

#5 — FlyGuys

FlyGuys is similar to Dronebase as it works as a marketplace of pilots. The company also works with various industries, including energy, construction, agriculture, real estate, tourism, hospitality, and more. You’d produce video and imagery for projects like surveying and mapping, marketing and media, progress monitoring, etc. 

If interested in joining FlyGuys as a pilot, you simply register within their freelance system. If you don’t already have a drone license, the company can help you obtain one at a discount. There are no membership fees. 

Choose What’s Right For You

In the end, what’s most important is choosing the path that works best for you, your interests, and your finances. If you need any help navigating the world of drone franchises, or want to find a different drone franchise for sale, contact us or explore our blogs and FAQs — we’re always happy to help!