Open a New Store

Learn about one of the most profitable franchises to own
START YOUR ACE JOURNEY
THE INVESTMENT
$579,000 - $1,900,000+
(depending on store size)
MINIMUM FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
$250,000
Unencumbered Cash
$400,000
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

#5 overall
#1 In our category by
Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 List

Franchise Direct

Franchise Direct

#3 on Franchise Direct
Top 100 Global Franchises

Franchise Times

Franchise Times

#5 Franchise Times Top 400

J.D. Power

J.D. Power

Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Home Improvement Retail Stores, 16 out of 17 Years*

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
There's a lot of leeway with the Ace concept of make it your own.
- John Dunlap | Co-owner of Five Oaks Ace Hardware

Our Results

See why Ace is one of the most popular franchises.
12 Years in a row
of net new store growth
222
stores added worldwide
$9.1
billion in sales
16 out of 17 years
ranked "Highest in Customer
Satisfaction by J.D. Power*
Ace Medal

Success Stories

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Invest in your future

Ace Heartware Stories

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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*