Express Employment Professionals

Express Employment Professionals began in 1951, when David L. Reiff acquired an employment agency and renamed it Acme Personnel Services. Robert A. Funk joined Acme in 1965, and Bill Stoller joined in 1973. In 1983, Robert A. Funk, Bill Stoller, and James Gray founded Express Employment Professionals and established headquarters in Oklahoma City, OK. The company began franchising in 1985. As of February 2026, it operated with over 850 locations, and it had nearly 900 locations worldwide by January 2026, including 833 franchise units in 2026. The network included 788 US Franchises and 783 franchised Express Employment Professionals locations in the USA according to 2025 FDD data, across 47 states. The Southern region had 314 locations. International operations included Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. In 2024, Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list ranked Express the #1 staffing franchise for the 13th consecutive year. In 2025, the same list named it the Top Staffing/Recruiting Firm. Express ranked #67 on the overall Franchise 500 list in 2025, #28 and #32 on the Franchise Times Top 400 in 2025, and #10 on Franchise Direct's Top 100 Global Franchises in 2025. For a buyer, this is an established staffing brand with a long operating history, broad reach, and a large franchise network in an essential service category.

Employment placement agencies serve businesses that need temporary, contract, and direct hire workers. The market responds to changes in labor demand, economic cycles, project based work, and the need for specialized skills. Express Employment Professionals recorded $4.1 billion in sales in 2023, representing a substantial part of this market, although a total addressable market figure for the full industry was not provided. Remote work, expanding ecommerce, and technological advances continue to create workforce needs and talent gaps. Express Healthcare Staffing launched in 2024 to address sector specific demand tied to an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. Staffing remains necessary during both economic growth and contraction, although demand can vary with the cycle. Businesses continue to need help acquiring and managing talent. Competition includes large established firms and many smaller regional agencies, making the sector fragmented and competitive. Labor shortages in selected skilled trades, increasingly complex employment regulations, and the shift toward contingent workforces create opportunities for offices that provide efficient, compliant, and tailored staffing services to businesses of different sizes.

The franchise fee is $40,000, paid as a lump sum when the franchise agreement is signed. Qualified veterans or select candidates may receive a 50% reduction of that fee. The full $40,000 can be recovered if both criteria are met. The 2025 FDD Item 7 lists a Core Express Office investment of $131,000 to $241,700. Other reported ranges are $150,000 to $250,000, $91,700 to $213,000, and $132,000 to $213,000. A broader minimum to maximum range is $140,000 to $400,000. A Core Model typically requires $130,000 to $150,000, while a Professional Model requires $180,000 to $206,000. Candidates should plan for at least $132,000 in startup costs and personal living expenses for approximately one year. Reported liquid capital figures include $150,000, $90,000, $60,000 to $100,000 for working capital, a minimum cash requirement of $200,000, and $50,000. A conservative planning level is access to at least $150,000 in liquid capital. Minimum net worth is $250,000. Ongoing royalty figures include 8.6% of sales, an 8% royalty fee, and an effective royalty of 7.5% in 2016. An advertising fund percentage was not stated. Express Employment International is the corporate parent and operates without corporate owned locations. Express Employment Professionals is SBA Approved and offers the Bridge to Ownership program, launched in 2003. BTO finances up to $250,000 for initial investment, excluding franchise fees, and operating capital for a new territory, and up to $450,000 for a resale territory.

The franchise provides staffing services through business to business sales, candidate recruiting, and client management. Daily work includes identifying client needs, sourcing and screening candidates, managing payroll and benefits for temporary employees, and maintaining relationships with clients and associates. A new office generally needs recruiters, sales professionals, and administrative support, although specific staffing requirements were not stated. The system offers a Core Express Office and a Professional Model, with differences in service scope or target markets affecting the office setup and resources required. New franchisees receive training, but the duration, location, and hands on hours were not stated. Corporate support includes field consultant guidance, proprietary technology for candidate management and client relations, marketing programs for brand awareness and lead generation, and possible preferred vendor benefits for business services. Territories provide exclusive operating areas through new market entries and development agreements, helping owners focus on their local markets without direct competition from other Express units. Five existing owners acquired additional locations in 2025. The relationship based nature of staffing generally calls for an owner operator who takes an active role in client relationships and daily operations.

Other reports put first year office sales at an average of $1,098,880, with some offices exceeding $1,346,028.

Express Employment Professionals reported 860 franchise locations as of February 2023, 870 locations by March 2025, over 850 locations by February 2026, and nearly 900 locations worldwide by January 2026. The brand signed 48 franchise development agreements in 2024 and 45 in 2022. During the first six months of 2025, it awarded 22 franchise agreements, including 20 resales and two new market entries. By the end of 2025, it had awarded 54 new and resale franchise agreements, with 38 new franchisees entering the system and five existing owners purchasing additional locations. Seven new territories opened in 2025: Raleigh, NC, East; Greenville, SC, North; Fredericksburg, VA; Queens, NY, East; Naples, FL; Midlothian, VA; and Virginia Beach, VA. Express Healthcare Staffing launched in 2024. BTO, which began in 2003, continues to support franchise recruitment and financing. In 2025, founders Robert A. Funk and William H. Stoller passed away. Bob Funk Jr. became Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Board for Express Employment International and its affiliated franchise brands. Melissa Davis serves as Vice President of Franchising. The healthcare staffing launch also shows adaptation to changing employment needs.

A suitable franchisee generally has business acumen, leadership ability, and experience in management, sales, or recruiting, although specific industry experience is not required. The work favors a proactive owner who is comfortable networking, developing clients, and building long term relationships. Financial qualifications include $150,000 in liquid capital and a minimum net worth of $250,000. The system supports multi unit ownership, as shown by five existing owners acquiring additional locations in 2025. Express accepts inquiries from many U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The seven 2025 territories were Raleigh, NC, East; Greenville, SC, North; Fredericksburg, VA; Queens, NY, East; Naples, FL; Midlothian, VA; and Virginia Beach, VA. The South has 314 locations and has been a strong region for the brand. The timeline from signing to opening was not stated, and the franchise agreement term and renewal terms were also not detailed. The resale market included 20 resales among 22 agreements during the first half of 2025 and 54 new and resale agreements during 2025. That activity gives owners a potential transfer or exit route and indicates demand for established locations.

Express Employment Professionals has roots dating to 1951 and a formal founding in 1983. It has built a recognized staffing network, including a #1 staffing franchise ranking on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list for 13 consecutive years. Buyers are considering a business that serves continuing demand for flexible labor and specialized talent. The investment includes a $40,000 franchise fee, reported initial investment ranges from $91,700 to $400,000, liquid capital figures from $50,000 to $200,000, a $250,000 minimum net worth, and royalty figures from 7.5% to 8.6%, depending on the source and structure. The system has expanded through new territories, resales, multi unit ownership, Express Healthcare Staffing, and the Bridge to Ownership program.