Independent franchise review
Sam the Concrete Man Franchise Review (2026): Costs, Fees, Revenue Potential
Sam the Concrete Man is a service franchise operating under the STCM system. The disclosure indicates a sales center/call center-supported model, technology use, and a business that requires day-to-day operational oversight rather than passive ownership.
The disclosure classifies the audience as B2B, and the business appears to be equipment- and operations-driven rather than retail storefront-based.
Quick verdict: 👉 Mixed — relatively low startup cost and meaningful Item 19 revenue disclosure, but the model appears operationally demanding and the territory is non-exclusive.
Snapshot
At a glance- Category: Health & Wellness
- Initial Investment: $92,750 to $150,865
- Franchise Fee: $45,000
- Royalty: 6% of gross revenue, with a minimum monthly royalty structure referenced in the disclosure
- Marketing / Ad Fee: 2% brand management fund contribution
- Key additional recurring fees: Call Center/Supported Services Fee of $1,367 per month from March through November ($12,303 annually); bookkeeping fee of $200 monthly; local advertising reimbursement up to $1,000 per week during the seasonal period until certain estimate volume is reached
- Number of locations: 88 total outlets at year-end 2024, including 86 franchised and 2 company-owned
- Best Fit: Owner-operator or managing owner with active oversight
What does it cost to start?
The estimated initial investment for a single territory is $92,750 to $150,865, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee. The disclosure also lists additional funds of $10,000 to $42,000, which suggests working capital is a meaningful part of the opening budget.
Other cost drivers appear to include prepaid call center/supported services fees, equipment-related needs, and operating setup costs tied to a field-service business. Based on the disclosed range, this is a lower-cost startup relative to many brick-and-mortar concepts, but it is not a minimal-cost business because ongoing service delivery, staffing, and field execution still appear central to the model.
Fee structure
- Royalty fee: 6% of gross revenue, with a minimum monthly royalty referenced
- Brand management fund: 2% of gross revenue
- Local advertising fee: Varies; up to $1,000 per week during the seasonal period until the business obtains 15 estimates for each week
- Call Center/Supported Services Fee: $1,367 monthly from March through November; $12,303 annually
- Bookkeeping fee: $200 monthly
- Additional training or assistance: Approximately $450 per trainer per day, plus expenses
- Convention fee: Estimated $1,500 per attendee if required under the stated circumstances
- Payment service fee: Up to 4% of total charge when paying certain fees by credit card
- Late fee / interest: $25 per day plus interest, subject to stated limits
Overall, the recurring fee load appears moderate in structure: the royalty and brand fund total 8% of gross revenue before local advertising, and there are also fixed service fees that can matter more at lower revenue levels.
Can you make money with Sam the Concrete Man?
Yes, the FDD includes Item 19 financial performance data for a 2024 reporting group of 27 franchised businesses that were open and reported sales for all 12 months of the year.
Reported 2024 figures for the reporting group
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Average gross revenue: $1,016,779.47
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Median gross revenue: $1,035,774
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Top 25% gross revenue: $1,443,053
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Middle 50% gross revenue: $1,061,297
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Bottom 25% gross revenue: $577,014
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Average gross profit: $309,171.52
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Median gross profit: $373,056
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Top 25% gross profit: $450,488
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Middle 50% gross profit: $317,446
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Bottom 25% gross profit: $173,107
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Average total listed expenses: $120,475
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Median total listed expenses: $144,034
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Average discretionary earnings: $188,696.61
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Median discretionary earnings: $229,022
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Top 25% discretionary earnings: $292,492
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Middle 50% discretionary earnings: $192,702
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Bottom 25% discretionary earnings: $91,867
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Average discretionary earnings margin: 19%
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Median discretionary earnings margin: 22%
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Top 25% margin: 20%
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Middle 50% margin: 18%
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Bottom 25% margin: 16%
What the spread suggests
The spread between the top and bottom quartiles is material. Gross revenue ranges from $577,014 in the bottom quartile to $1,443,053 in the top quartile, and discretionary earnings range from $91,867 to $292,492. That indicates meaningful unit-level variability.
The median gross revenue being slightly above the average suggests the sample was not heavily skewed downward, but the lower quartile still shows a substantially smaller revenue base. For a buyer, that means execution and local market conditions likely matter.
Revenue is not the same as profit. The disclosure provides gross revenue, gross profit, listed expenses, and discretionary earnings, but discretionary earnings should not be treated as net income for an owner without reviewing the underlying definitions and exclusions.
The disclosure states this reporting group includes only 27 franchised businesses with a full 12 months of 2024 reporting. It excludes 2 company-owned businesses and 30 franchised businesses that were closed or terminated during the reporting period and did not report for the full year. That exclusion is important when interpreting the results. The disclosure does not clearly establish whether the Item 19 figures are audited.
Business model
- B2B / B2C: The disclosure indicates B2B
- Revenue pattern: Primarily project-based rather than subscription-based, although the exact mix of repeat versus one-time work is not clearly established in the disclosure
- Operating model: Field-service business with equipment needs, call center/supported services, and technology involvement
- Ownership structure: Not passive; either the individual franchisee or a managing owner must have authority and responsibility for day-to-day operations
- Staffing/management: A managing owner must hold at least 25% equity and be principally responsible for operations
Pros and considerations
Advantages
- Startup investment is disclosed at $92,750 to $150,865, which is relatively accessible for a non-retail service concept.
- Item 19 includes average, median, and quartile-level operating figures, giving a more concrete view of reported unit economics than a simple revenue average alone.
- The system had 88 outlets at the end of 2024, up from 83 at the start of the year.
- The model includes centralized support elements such as call center/supported services and bookkeeping services.
Considerations
- The territory is non-exclusive, which can limit geographic protection.
- The business appears to require active operational involvement, making it less suitable for passive ownership.
- Item 19 excludes 30 closed or terminated franchised businesses from the 2024 reporting group, which narrows the sample used for the financial representation.
- Recurring fees include both percentage-based charges and fixed service fees, which can pressure unit economics if revenue is below system averages.
- The disclosure references a minimum monthly royalty during the seasonal period, but the exact practical impact is not clearly established in the summary provided.
Who this franchise may fit
This franchise may fit someone who wants an actively managed service business, is comfortable overseeing day-to-day operations, and values having reported revenue and discretionary earnings data from Item 19.
It likely does not fit a passive investor, someone seeking an exclusive territory, or a buyer who wants a simple fixed-fee model with limited operational complexity.
FDD-based risk notes
- The franchise agreement indicates the franchisor may terminate without cause.
- Disputes must be mediated, arbitrated, and if applicable litigated in the principal city closest to the franchisor’s principal place of business, currently Denver, Colorado, subject to applicable state law.
- The franchise term is 10 years, so the commitment is long enough that market and operating assumptions may change over time.
- The disclosure notes seasonal-period fee mechanics, including local advertising reimbursement and royalty structure details that may affect cash flow timing.
- The two company-owned outlets are owned by the Chief Executive Officer, which means company-owned outlet experience is present but limited in count.
Final assessment
Sam the Concrete Man presents a tradeoff between a comparatively modest startup cost and a more hands-on operating model with non-exclusive territory rights. The Item 19 numbers show that some units generated substantial revenue and discretionary earnings, but the spread between quartiles and the exclusions from the reporting group mean a buyer should focus on execution risk, local demand, and the practical effect of recurring fees.
FAQ
How much does it cost to start a Sam the Concrete Man franchise?
The disclosed initial investment is **$92,750 to $150,865** for a single territory.
What is the franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is **$45,000**.
What revenue does Sam the Concrete Man report in Item 19?
For the 2024 reporting group of 27 franchised businesses, **average gross revenue was $1,016,779.47** and **median gross revenue was $1,035,774**.
Is Sam the Concrete Man profitable?
The FDD reports **discretionary earnings**, not confirmed net profit. Reported revenue does not equal profit.
Is this a passive ownership franchise?
No. The disclosure requires the franchisee or a managing owner to have responsibility for day-to-day operations.
How many locations does Sam the Concrete Man have?
At the end of 2024, the system had **88 outlets**: **86 franchised** and **2 company-owned**. ---
Related links
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