Starting a business is exciting, but the ongoing royalty fees can feel like a constant weight on your shoulders. You’re putting in the work, building customer relationships, managing operations, and then a chunk of your hard-earned revenue goes out the door every month.
But to our fortune, not all franchises work that way.
Zero-royalty franchises are changing the game in India. These brands let you leverage their name, systems, and support without taking a cut of your monthly sales. Every rupeethat you earn, stays with you.
In this blog we’ll uncover the franchise options that charge no royalty and will fit right in your budget!
List of Zero-Royalty Franchises in India
We’ve listed below (not in order) some of the leading franchises that require zero royalty in India-
- Yewale Amruttulya
If you’ve spent any time in Pune, you already know Yewale Amruttulya’s chai. It has grown into a nationwide loved chain, boasting over 550 franchises across India.
Let’s get into what it actually costs to open one.
The good news is you don’t need tons of space, just 100 to 300 square feet will do. Your total investment lands somewhere between INR 10.5-13 lakh, varying with location and expected footfall.
The franchise fee is INR 3 lakh plus GST, with another INR 1.5 lakh for marketing. Interior and hardware work costs about INR 4 lakh (they’ve got that signature look customers recognize). Machinery runs INR 70,000, launch expenses are INR 1 lakh, IT setup is INR 90,000, and housekeeping materials come to INR 65,000.
And for the best part, Yewale Amruttulya charges zero royalty fees.
- Makoons
Passionate about early childhood education? Makoons offers a solid entry point without the burden of ongoing royalty fees.
Space-wise, you’ll need 1,500 to 2,000 square feet with room for indoor and outdoor play areas. You’ll also need well-ventilated classrooms and safe infrastructure because when it comes to kids, safety isn’t optional.
You’ll also need registration under the Preschool Education Act plus health and fire safety clearances.
Makoons keeps it relatively affordable with low-investment franchise options starting at INR 10 to 15 lakhs with the real advantage of zero royalty fees.
- Zorko
Brothers Anand and Amrit Nahar started Zorko with a mission to make quality food affordable. It’s clearly resonating as they’ve grown to over 325 outlets across 145+ cities in 22 states.
A low-investment Zorko franchise costs around INR 4.25 lakhs, which includes essential kitchen setup, including deep fryers, pizza ovens, mixers, etc. You also get operational support and marketing assistance right from day one.
The brand handles digital marketing campaigns to drive visibility and footfall.
Zorko runs a zero-royalty model and also offers flexibility. Depending on your space and budget, you can opt for a takeaway counter, a full dine-in cafe, or even a food truck. With the right location and setup, most franchisees see their investment back within 12 to 14 months.
- Aerokids
Aerokids makes entering the preschool space surprisingly straightforward and budget-friendly.
You’ll need 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, either the ground floor of a residential building or an existing nursery site. Investment-wise, it’s INR 2 to 5 lakhs, which is notably lower than most preschool franchises.
Other requirements include a dedicated team head to manage daily operations and build those important relationships with parents and kids.
Aerokids offers four different franchise models, so you can choose what fits your budget and space. And yes, zero royalty fees so that your earnings stay with you.
Afterword
Zero-royalty franchises give you the best of both worlds, an established brand backing without the monthly cuts. You keep what you earn and reinvest as you see fit. So, do your homework, talk to existing franchisees, and pick what fits your goals and budget!