Entrepreneurs Startups – Spring 2026

Summary

Buy a business at any budget — Entrepreneur's Startups Spring 2026 lists franchises under $50,000, $100,000, and $150,000, with The UPS Store, RE/MAX, and Batteries Plus leading the affordable franchise rankings.

The issue opens with "Start Here!" (p.7), guiding prospective buyers through franchise selection. Robert Herjavec (p.8) shares Shark Tank advice for getting investors and building great startups. "Build the Perfect Pitch Deck" (p.18), "Ace Your First Investor Meeting" (p.20), and "To Raise, or Not to Raise?" (p.22) form a fundraising toolkit. The Franchise section features "What Consumers Want Now!" (p.28) on shifting consumer preferences. "Diary of a Franchisee" (p.36) follows a Batteries Plus franchisee and his family through the first year of ownership. "Survive the Hell Zone" (p.44) covers the critical 6-to-18-month period where most new franchisees struggle. "What Top Performers Have in Common" (p.46) identifies traits of the most successful franchise owners. "The Top Franchises for Under $50,000" (p.54) lists affordable brands with full cost breakdowns, plus categories for under $100,000 and $150,000. "How to Think More Clearly" (p.72) on decision-making for entrepreneurs.

The dual-focus issue covers startup fundraising in the first half and franchise buying in the second.

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Content Guide

▸ Starters / Fundraising

p.8 · Robert Herjavec
The Shark Tank star advises founders on investor psychology. He argues that investors bet on founders before ideas — citing that 70 percent of his portfolio companies pivoted from their original concept. First-time fundraisers can use the founder-first framing for their pitch.

p.18 · Build the Perfect Pitch Deck
A slide-by-slide guide covering problem, solution, market size, traction, team, and ask. Each slide includes a specific data point to include rather than a generic description.

p.22 · To Raise, or Not to Raise?
A decision framework for founders unsure whether to pursue venture capital. The article lists three situations where bootstrapping beats fundraising: predictable revenue, slow growth, and founder control preference.

▸ Franchise

p.28 · What Consumers Want Now!
Consumer preference shifts toward local, service-oriented businesses. The article cites that 65 percent of consumers prefer local franchise brands over national chains for services.

p.36 · Diary of a Franchisee
A Batteries Plus franchisee documents the first 12 months: month 1-3 setup, month 4-6 break-even, month 7-12 profitability. The diary includes actual revenue numbers for each quarter.

p.44 · Survive the Hell Zone
The "hell zone" is months 6 to 18, where 30 percent of new franchisees consider quitting. The article shares coping strategies from franchise coaches.

▸ Listings

p.54 · The Top Franchises for Under $50,000
Brands including The UPS Store, Jazzercise, and Cruise Planners with complete cost breakdowns. Each listing includes initial fee, total investment range, and royalty rate. Budget-constrained buyers should start here.

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Editor's Take

The dual format — fundraising in the front, franchise buying in the back — serves two distinct audiences without sacrificing depth on either side. The Robert Herjavec piece is genuinely useful because it focuses on founder psychology rather than generic advice. The Diary of a Franchisee is the most honest franchise-ownership content in any Entrepreneur publication this season — actual revenue numbers by quarter. The weakest section is "Survive the Hell Zone," which identifies the problem but offers generic coping advice rather than specific tactics. The under-$50,000 franchise list is essential for first-time buyers with limited capital. Overall, this is the most practical issue in the Startups series this year.

Strengths
• Diary of a Franchisee with quarterly revenue data
• Under-$50,000 franchise list with full cost breakdowns
• Herjavec founder-first pitching framework

Weaknesses
• Hell Zone coverage lacks specific survival tactics
• Dual format means each section is shorter than standalone issues

Verdict: Recommended — The franchisee diary and budget-friendly listing make this the most practical Startups issue of the year.