Ace Franchise: The Right Investment for You?

As the median age of American homes hits 40 years, the outlook for home repair and improvement is bright. If you want to build a solid foundation with an in-demand franchise opportunity, Ace Hardware is a strategic investment choice for an entrepreneur with deep pockets. To see if an Ace franchise is right for you, see how it stacks up to Concrete Craft, a more affordable home franchise option.

The average American household completes more than three DIY projects each year, keeping home improvement stores like Ace Hardware with a steady stream of clientele. Yet, at least 47% of homeowners underestimate the time required for a DIY project, and many go over budget. To save time and trim costs, many homeowners are outsourcing home projects. They’re enlisting experts on everything from simple handyman tasks to large-scale renovations. Nine out of ten homeowners hire professionals to spearhead renovation efforts, according to Houzz.

To weigh the pros and cons of an Ace franchise and Concrete Craft, start with a side-by-side comparison of the two opportunities:

*Source: Entrepreneur

Ace Hardware Franchise: A Household Name

Founded in 1924 by a group of Chicago hardware store owners, the Ace franchise is a hardware cooperative providing products, services, and operating methods to more than 6,000 Ace retail stores in approximately 60 countries. The brand was recently voted No. 1 in home improvement on Forbes 2025 Best Customer Service List.

Ace stands apart from the typical franchise model. As part of a cooperative, Ace owners don’t pay royalty or advertising fees. Instead, you become a shareholder in the company and are required to stock your store with products sourced directly from Ace’s warehouses. With Ace, year-end profits are distributed back to the local owners as a patronage dividend.

Despite the strength of the Ace brand, launching a location may be challenging for many business-minded entrepreneurs. Ace requires a minimum of $350,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of at least $700,000. You’ll need a high-traffic retail location and a large staff to succeed.

If you want to open a home services business with a smaller footprint, Concrete Craft is an attractive alternative. With an initial investment starting near $116,000 with in-house financing, Concrete Craft features low overhead costs and the potential for a strong return on investment.

Craft a New Future with Concrete Craft

Concrete Craft is one of the largest decorative concrete franchises. It specializes in hand-crafted concrete resurfacing, including stamping and staining, and concrete repair. Concrete Craft was founded by two friends in 2006 under the name All-American Decorative Concrete. In 2014, it rebranded to Concrete Craft after it was purchased by Home Franchise Concepts, a leading franchisor in the home services industry. Today, Concrete Craft has more than 75 locations. Home Franchise Concepts has ten home services brands, also including Aussie Pet Mobile, Bath Tune-Up, Budget Blinds, Kitchen Tune-Up, Lightspeed Restoration, and Two Maids.

The market for decorative concrete is growing as homeowners turn to concrete for its durability and low costs. The material’s ability to mimic materials like wood, stone, and brick is helping fuel demand. The global decorative concrete market was valued at $18.5 million in 2024 and is forecast to reach nearly $30 billion by 2033.

Concrete Craft provides interior and exterior concrete services to residential and business customers, making it a lucrative opportunity with multiple revenue streams. In 2024, one-third of homeowners planned to renovate their outdoor areas to extend their living space, and nearly two-thirds planned to hire a professional to tackle the job, according to Houzz.

As a Concrete Craft franchisee, you’ll gain access to our distinctive processes, techniques, and branded products. We offer a robust training program and ongoing support to put you on a path to success.

Let’s Talk Next Steps

Chart a new course to achieve your financial and lifestyle goals with Concrete Craft, a low-investment, home-based franchise opportunity. Inquire now to learn more about our franchise opportunities.