Open a New Store

Learn about one of the most profitable franchises to own
START YOUR ACE JOURNEY
THE INVESTMENT
$650,000 - $1,500,000+
(estimated based on store size)
MINIMUM FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
$350,000
Liquid Capital
$700,000
Net Worth

Invest In A Trusted Brand

Ace Owner
No Ongoing Franchise Fees
No Royalty Fees
Ace Owner
You Own the Brand, Your Store and the Company
Entrepreneur's Franchise 500

Entrepreneur's Franchise 500

Ranked #1 in our category and #5 overall by Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 List

Forbes

Forbes

Ranked #1 Best Customer Service Forbes magazine's 2024 rankings in the home improvement category

Franchise Times Top 400

Franchise Times

5th Largest Franchise Globally

Open A Store

New Store Process

These are the steps to open a hardware store and become a franchise owner.
1
Preview &
Qualification
Ace Values Ace Culture Exploration Ace Convention
2
Market
Research
Market Identification Site Selection Sales Forecast Proforma
3
New Store
Application
Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) (where applicable)
4
Store
Development
Store Planning Opening Stock Order Store Set Up
5
Store
Opening
Store Opening Grand Opening Event
Ace Team of 3 Support & New Owners Training
Become an ace store owner
I've always believed from the start that the culture of our business is the thing that really drives it. It is the difference between our company and our competition.
- Walter Toole | Ace Hardware Owner

Our Results

See why Ace is one of the most popular franchises.
13 Years in a row
of net new store growth
930+
new stores in the
last five years
$9.5
billion total revenue
Ace Medal

Success Stories

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Invest in your future

Ace Heartware Stories

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View All Stories

How We Compete

It takes something special to succeed in the hardware business.
Service
SERVICE
We can compete with big boxes with knowledgeable associates and the entrepreneurial spirit of its owners.
Convenience
CONVENIENCE
Ace stores can be found right in the neighborhood and combine a quick, in-and-out shopping experience with fast checkout.
Quality
QUALITY
With top brands like Craftsman, Weber and STIHL, Ace Hardware stores offer the best brands in home improvement.
Own an ace

Ace is the place for...

Veterans
Veterans

As a benefit for prospective Ace retailers who are also U.S. Veterans, Ace Hardware will waive its $5,000 application fee for those who qualify*

*Owner must have a DD214 and own at least 25% of the business

Coolest Stores
The Coolest Stores

Only a select few Ace Stores receive this coveted recognition annually, based on how well the store differentiates its offerings, services, and culture to meet the needs of the community.

Women in retail
Women in Retail

Ace supports women-owned franchises. Ace Women in Retail allows retailers to participate in a group that shares ideas, hosts guest speakers, and network with fellow retailers.

Become an ace owner
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Ace History

The beginning of one of the most successful franchises.
1924
•
Four hardware shop owners unite to start Ace Stores, Inc.
1931
•
Ace Stores, Inc. officially changes its name to Ace Hardware Corporation.
1940
•
By the end of the 1940s, Ace Hardware Corporation is supplying 133 Ace stores in seven states.
1959
•
Ace celebrates its 35-year anniversary with sales of $24.5 million and 325 stores.
1963
•
Ace begins to expand into the southeastern and western states.
1975
•
With stores in nearly all 50 states, Ace expands internationally, opening a store in Guam.
1985
•
A retailer ordering masking tape at a store in Michigan pushes Ace past $1 billion wholesale.
1994
•
The "New Retail Age of Ace" is launched to battle the "big box" chain hardware stores and help ensure the company's growth for years to come.
2006
•
Wholesale sales reach 10-year highs and the bottom line exceeds $100 million for the fourth straight year.
2013
•
Ace's Clark+Kensington® semi-gloss and satin paints are ranked No. 1 by a leading consumer magazine.
2019
•
12 out of 13 years ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction" by J.D. Power*