Watermill Express

Watermill Express is the industry leader in drive-up, self-serve pure drinking water with over 1,300 locations nationwide and 30 years of operating experience.

Our concept is simple - provide safe, affordable drinking water to customers.

Our proprietary water purification system and patent pending dispensing equipment ensure great tasting water in every drop. We also offer the industry's premier brand of vended ice made exclusively from our pure drinking water. The world becomes a better place with Waterocks? Ice in your glass!

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Watermill Express

Watermill Express Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2024

Background

We're a little different from other franchise concepts

Watermill Express is the industry leader in drive-up, self-serve pure drinking water with over 1,300 locations nationwide and 30 years of operating experience.

Our concept is simple - provide safe, affordable drinking water to customers.

Our proprietary water purification system and patent pending dispensing equipment ensure great tasting water in every drop. We also offer the industry's premier brand of vended ice made exclusively from our pure drinking water. The world becomes a better place with Waterocks? Ice in your glass!

Our concept includes:

  • Bagged or Bulk Ice
  • Tamper proof bulk ice dispenser
  • Patented Self-Cleaning water dispenser utilizing ultraviolet disinfection
  • 12-Step Water Perfection™ Program, including reverse osmosis
  • Dimensions: 12' W x 9' D x 14' H
  • Industry leader in 24-hour computer monitoring
  • Extensive sales and operational reporting
  • Real time diagnostics to help you run your business
  • Right-sized bin to prevent ice from becoming stale during storage
  • 24-Hour sales capability: 1,000 gallons of water, 3,000 pounds of ice
  • Higher capacity options are available
  • Pre-cast steel reinforced concrete construction
  • Security Shield Technology
  • Fail-Safe™ Shut Down System
  • Custom finishes to match your design criteria
  • LED lighting

Company Details

Established: 1984
First Unit Franchised: 1989
Franchised Units: 307 (12/31/16)
Company Owned Units: 994 (12/31/16)
States Registered In: FL, IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, WA, WI
Canada Franchises: No
International Franchises: No

Support and Training Offered By Watermill Express

Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Recruiting Assistance: No
Co-Operative Advertising: No

Training: Initial specialized training of 48 classroom and OJT. Ongoing training at no additional cost.

Other Info: We require a minimum of 3 locations to be franchised, while 10 units is the ideal size to begin.

2024 Franchise Requirements Needed to Own a Watermill Express Franchise.

What does a Watermill Express Franchise Cost?

Watermill Express franchise fees for 2024:

Initial Cash Investment: $203,333-$245,600
Total Investment: $460,000-$586,800
Minimum Net Worth: $500,000
Franchise Fee: $ 75,000 (3 units)
Royalty: 0% initial
Ad: 0% - up to 2%
Average Number of Employees: 1 FT, 1 PT (3 units)
Item 19: Yes
SBA Approved: Yes
Passive Ownership: Yes
Home Based: No
B2B: Yes
Master Franchise Opportunities: No
Veteran Discount: Yes

Special Discount Programs: VetFran - $10,000 discount on franchise fee for multiple locations

Is Watermill Express a Semi Absentee Franchise with a Passive Ownership Opportunity?

Yes. Watermill Express is a semi absentee franchise and allows passive ownership. A semi-absentee franchise is a business you could start and run while still maintaining a job or other obligation.

Is Watermill Express a Home Based franchise?

No. Watermill Express is not a home based franchise opportunity.

What Do Watermill Express Franchise Owners Make?

Click here to find out how much Watermill Express franchisees make. Watermill Express offers an Item 19 in their Franchise Disclosure Document which provides financial information about select franchisees in their franchise system.

Is Watermill Express a Master Franchise Opportunity?

No. Watermill Express is not a master franchise opportunity.

Does Watermill Express Offer a Veteran Discount?

Yes. Watermill Express franchise does offer a veteran discount.

Does Watermill Express Work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa Candidates?

No. Watermill Express franchise does not work with E2 Visa and EB-5 Visa candidates.

Is Watermill Express Looking for Franchisees in Canada?

No. Watermill Express franchise is not looking for Canada franchisees.

Is Watermill Express Looking for International franchisees?

No. Watermill Express franchise is not looking for International franchisees.

Where can I see Watermill Express's FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document)?

Buying a Franchise Guide: What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

When evaluating a franchise opportunity, reading and understanding the current version of their FDD is a necessity. Considering the benefits of franchising, such as established brand recognition and support from the franchisor, it's important to also take into account franchise fees and franchising royalty fees. Since most franchisors are privately owned companies, the current versions of their FDDs are typically not available unless requested directly from them.

Click here to connect with a Franchise Consultant who can help you obtain a copy quickly and for free. They can also guide you through the essential franchise questions to ask, ensuring you make a well-informed decision about your investment.

Additional Information

Additional Categories

Green & Eco Friendly, Vending, Non Food Franchises

Number of Units Open

100+ UNITS

Cash Required

More than $250,000

Master Franchise

No

Passive Franchise

Yes

Home Based Franchise

No

Item 19 Franchise

Yes

Veteran Discount

No

B2B

Yes

Franchise Opportunities in Canada

No

International Franchise Opportunities

No

E2 Visa Franchise

No

Watermill Express Franchises for Sale

Click Here to inquire about existing Watermill Express franchises for sale. We may have Watermill Express franchise resales. A franchise resale is an already established franchise owned by a franchisee and the franchisee is looking to sell their franchise.

The International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG) is an internationally recognized membership-based franchise organization. IFPG Franchise Consultants guide aspiring business owners through the process of identifying and investing in franchise businesses. The IFPG represents more than 550 franchises. We do not represent all franchises listed here. By clicking on "Request a Consultation," you are agreeing to be contacted by one of our Certified Franchise Consultants to discuss franchise ownership.

About our rankings: The IFPG uses its internal data collected from our membership portal to identify which franchises had the most activity in the past week. This ranking system is not based on franchise sales, franchisee success rates or number of units open. Our ranking system should not be used to make a decision on which franchise to buy it was solely created for internal purposes and for our IFPG Members.