Two Men and a Truck franchise

Moving might not sound glamorous, but it’s one of those industries that never goes out of style. Families will always need help getting into new homes, businesses will always need offices relocated, and someone has to handle the heavy lifting. Two Men and a Truck turned that simple truth into a powerhouse brand—growing from a single pickup truck in Michigan to more than 380 franchises across the U.S. and beyond.

What makes this opportunity so compelling isn’t just the name recognition (though that certainly helps). It’s the combination of steady demand, diverse revenue streams, and a franchise system built on nearly four decades of proven operations. Owners aren’t just running a moving company—they’re running a trusted local service that shows up for people during life’s biggest transitions.

If you’ve been looking for a business that blends reliable income with meaningful community impact, this franchise deserves a serious look. Let’s walk through what it takes to join the Two Men and a Truck family—from financial requirements and startup costs to training, support, and the real-world earning potential behind those familiar green-and-white trucks.

Two Men and a Truck business details

Two Men and a Truck began in 1985 when two brothers in Lansing, Michigan, started helping friends move furniture with nothing more than a pickup truck and a dream. What began as a small, scrappy operation has grown into an international moving powerhouse with over 380 U.S. franchises and locations in Canada, Ireland, and the U.K.

The company now offers far more than residential moving. Franchisees can generate income from business relocations, storage services, junk removal, long-distance moves, packing services, and even national account contracts. That diversification matters: customers can come to one trusted provider for almost any moving need, giving franchise owners multiple revenue streams to balance seasonal ups and downs.

Two Men and a Truck is a perennial winner on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list and holds the #1 ranking in the moving/junk removal service category for three years running. Its strong brand recognition, refined operating system, and high franchisee satisfaction ratings (91% say they’d invest again) signal a proven track record.

Can I start a Two Men and a Truck franchise?

Financial readiness is key. Here are the basic requirements:

  • Net worth: At least $160,000 for a Mod Market or $400,000+ for a Metro Market (larger territories).
  • Liquid capital (cash or easily accessible funds): Minimum $80,000 for a Mod Market or $150,000 for a Metro Market.
  • Operational commitment: Owners (or an approved representative) must personally supervise day-to-day operations.

Beyond the numbers, Two Men and a Truck looks for franchisees who are hands-on leaders with strong management skills. Backgrounds in sales, customer service, or operations help, but moving industry experience isn’t required—the company’s training programs fill in the gaps.

How much does a Two Men and a Truck franchise cost?

The total investment varies depending on the market size and business model. Two Men and a Truck offers two main options:

Franchise TypeInitial InvestmentFranchise FeeLiquid CapitalNet Worth
Metro Market (population 420k–600k)$165,700 – $538,700$50,000$150,000$400,000+
Mod Market (population 100k–225k)$107,100 – $270,000$30,000$80,000$160,000

Other key cost details from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):

  • Royalty fee: 6% of gross sales (minimums apply).
  • Advertising fund contribution: 1% of gross sales.
  • Technology and support fee: 1% of gross sales for Metro franchises (minimum $1,200/month); 2% for Mod franchises.
  • Equipment: At least $8,000 in moving gear and two new trucks for Metro markets (Mod markets can start with one truck).
  • Leasehold improvements and setup: $3,000–$4,000 for facility prep plus deposits, insurance, and training costs.

While the startup range is broad, most owners can expect total initial costs between $92,000 and $506,000, depending on territory size, truck purchases, and working capital needs.

Are Two Men and a Truck franchises profitable?

Profitability depends on local demand, how well you manage costs, and how aggressively you market services—but system-wide performance offers promising clues:

  • Average annual gross sales: $2.8 million across the franchise system.
  • Highest single-unit sales: $10.9 million at the top-performing location.
  • Franchisee satisfaction: 91% of owners say they would invest again, a strong signal of sustainable returns.

It’s worth noting that moving is a year-round business with seasonal spikes, especially during summer months. Franchises with storage services, junk removal, and Value Flex long-distance moving can smooth cash flow by adding steady off-season income.

What is the failure rate for a Two Men and a Truck franchise?

The company does not publish system-wide closure rates, and no audited “failure rate” is provided in the FDD. However, the brand’s long history, strong franchisee satisfaction, and consistent national rankings suggest a stable franchise system.

Why should you start a Two Men and a Truck franchise?

This isn’t just a moving company—it’s a people business. Franchise owners thrive when they enjoy:

  • Building teams: Your two biggest assets are people and trucks, and success comes from hiring, training, and motivating a strong crew.
  • Serving the community: Every move, from a first apartment to a family home, is a milestone for customers. Franchisees often become trusted local partners during life’s biggest transitions.
  • Multiple revenue streams:  From packing services to national account contracts, you’re not dependent on a single type of customer or season.

If you’re a hands-on leader with a knack for operations and a drive to grow, this franchise rewards both hustle and heart.

What are the franchise territory policies for Two Men and a Truck?

Franchisees receive a protected marketing area, not an exclusive territory. That means no other franchisee can market directly in your area, and the company won’t open a competing unit there, but you may still encounter indirect competition (such as overlapping digital ads).

  • Metro markets typically cover populations of 420,000 to 600,000.
  • Mod markets serve smaller territories of 100,000 to 225,000.

What franchise resources does Two Men and a Truck offer?

The brand’s support system is one of its biggest selling points:

  • First Gear program: A step-by-step launch plan covering equipment, staffing, and operational milestones.
  • Franchise Essentials and Gearing Up training: Hands-on workshops covering marketing, accounting, operations, sales, and HR.
  • Dedicated consulting teams: Experts in finance, recruiting, risk management, and marketing guide you from startup through daily operations.
  • National marketing and call center support: Corporate-driven advertising and customer service assistance help keep leads coming in.
  • Vendor relationships: Preferred suppliers for trucks, equipment, and technology streamline setup and keep costs competitive.

What is the process for starting a Two Men and a Truck franchise?

The path from inquiry to opening typically takes 4–6 months:

  1. Review and Pre-Qualification (7–10 days): Intro calls to discuss goals, territory availability, and financial requirements.
  2. Application (7–10 days): Submit your Request for Consideration and outline your business goals.
  3. FDD Review and Validation (14–30 days): Review the Franchise Disclosure Document and talk with current franchisees.
  4. Business Planning (30–60 days): Work with the corporate team to refine your business plan and operational strategy.
  5. Discovery Day (14–30 days): Visit headquarters to meet the team and finalize your plan.

Awarding and Launch (30–60 days): Sign your franchise agreement and begin site selection, permitting, and truck acquisition.

Secure franchise funding with Swoop

Starting a Two Men and a Truck franchise is an exciting move, but let’s be real—it’s also a significant financial lift. Even the lower-cost Mod Market requires six figures in startup capital and ongoing working funds for trucks, staff, and marketing.

This is where Swoop can help. Whether you’re exploring SBA loans, business loans, or other funding options, Swoop makes it easy to see what you qualify for before you start signing contracts. 

If you can picture yourself running crews, parking your branded trucks around town, and watching your business grow with each successful move, don’t wait. Apply with Swoop today to check available business loans and find the funding that fits your plan—so you can focus on moving people forward while building a business of your own.

Ready to start your franchise?

Testimonials

Written by

Ashlyn Brooks

Ashlyn is a personal finance writer with experience in business and consumer taxes, retirement, and financial services to name a few. She has been published in USA Today, Kiplinger and Investopedia.

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