Staffing franchise comparison · 2026 FDD data
ApTask vs Express Employment Professionals
How the ApTask Franchise compares with a Express Employment Professionals franchise on upfront cost, ongoing fees, payroll funding and support. Express Employment Professionals figures are quoted from its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document as filed with state regulators.
The short answer
Express Employment Professionals's 2026 FDD estimates a total initial investment of $131,000 to $287,700, including its franchise fee. ApTask Franchise has zero startup costs: the first-year check is $1,001, with payroll funding, compliance, technology and the back office included, and no office required.
ApTask vs Express Employment Professionals, side by side
Amounts in USD.
| ApTask Franchise | Express Employment Professionals | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | Franchise fee of 1, plus a 1,000 software fee (first-year check: 1,001) | 40,000 per Authorized Occupations Addendum (Core, Professional or Healthcare). 25% discount on a second addendum (Item 5). The franchisor site lists a 50% veteran discount (20,000). |
| Total initial investment (USD) | Zero startup costs | 131,000 – 287,700 (FDD Item 7) |
| Ongoing fees / revenue split | Minimum gross margins of 18% for C2C / IC placements and 32% for W2 (subject to change per the FDD); margin above the floor shares favorably with the franchisee. Pass-through business: a flat 10% (C2C / IC) or 20% (W2), with margin above that split 50/50. | Gross-margin split. For Core Occupations, Express keeps 40% of Core Occupations Gross Margin and remits 60% to the franchisee monthly on the 25th. A minimum monthly gross margin per client account applies (currently 10% or 1.75/hour). Other fees: 0.054% of gross associate payroll to a Claim/Indemnity Plan, and a joint 1% of Gross Margin advertising fund to which Express also contributes its 40% share (Item 6). |
| Payroll funding | Payroll funding included; ApTask runs the back office (payroll, compliance, technology) | Franchisor provides payroll. Item 1 says 'We provide payroll services to our franchisees with respect to the Associates.' Approved franchisees may opt out through an Independent Payroll Program (Payroll Addendum), using an approved payroll company. |
| Financial performance (FDD Item 19) | Earnings claims are limited to the top two franchisees (1.5M and 1M a year); results vary and are not typical. | Table 2, franchise units open more than 24 months, FY2025: 526 units, average annual sales 5,342,686, median 4,043,021 (FY2024 average 5,380,571; FY2023 5,951,124). Table 1 shows month-by-month results for units opened FY2023-FY2025. The franchisor site reports first-year offices averaging 999,949. |
| Units | See the ApTask FDD | 758 franchised, 7 company-owned (as of 2025-12-31) |
| Founded / franchising since | Founded 2010 | Founded 1983; franchising since 1985 |
| Headquarters | Iselin, NJ | 9701 Boardwalk Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73162 |
| Industries | IT, professional, healthcare and more | light industrial / commercial (Core Occupations), office/administrative, professional (Specialized Recruiting Group), healthcare (Express Healthcare Staffing), temporary, contract and direct hire |
| Office | No office required: run the business from home or anywhere | See the brand’s FDD (Items 7 and 11) |
ApTask vs Express Employment Professionals: common questions
How much does a Express Employment Professionals franchise cost?
Express Employment Professionals's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document lists a franchise fee of $40,000 per Authorized Occupations Addendum (Core, Professional or Healthcare). 25% discount on a second addendum (Item 5). The franchisor site lists a 50% veteran discount ($20,000). and a total initial investment of $131,000 to $287,700 (Item 7).
How much does it cost to start an ApTask Franchise?
ApTask Franchise has zero startup costs. The first-year check is $1,001: a $1 franchise fee plus a $1,000 software fee covering email, phone, business card and CRM access. Payroll funding and the back office are included.
How does Express Employment Professionals charge its franchisees?
Gross-margin split. For Core Occupations, Express keeps 40% of Core Occupations Gross Margin and remits 60% to the franchisee monthly on the 25th. A minimum monthly gross margin per client account applies (currently 10% or $1.75/hour). Other fees: 0.054% of gross associate payroll to a Claim/Indemnity Plan, and a joint 1% of Gross Margin advertising fund to which Express also contributes its 40% share (Item 6).
Does Express Employment Professionals fund payroll?
Franchisor provides payroll. Item 1 says 'We provide payroll services to our franchisees with respect to the Associates.' Approved franchisees may opt out through an Independent Payroll Program (Payroll Addendum), using an approved payroll company.
How many Express Employment Professionals franchise locations are there?
Express Employment Professionals's FDD reports 758 franchised, 7 company-owned (as of 2025-12-31) (Item 20).
Does Express Employment Professionals publish financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. Table 2, franchise units open more than 24 months, FY2025: 526 units, average annual sales $5,342,686, median $4,043,021 (FY2024 average $5,380,571; FY2023 $5,951,124). Table 1 shows month-by-month results for units opened FY2023-FY2025. The franchisor site reports first-year offices averaging $999,949.
Where can I read the Express Employment Professionals FDD?
Filed copies are public in these state franchise databases: WI, MN. Links are in the Sources section of this page. Always review the current FDD with your own counsel before investing.
Sources
Express Employment Professionals facts are quoted from its Franchise Disclosure Document and state regulator filings, accessed 2026-09-26. Franchise terms change every year; read the current FDD before making any decision.
- Express Employment Professionals FDD 2026 (WI state filing) — File 640459, effective 3/27/2026. Clean FDD behind the Download button. NOT read in this pass: WI DFI rate-limited us (Cloudflare 1015).
- Express Employment Professionals FDD 2026 (MN state filing) — Marked (redline) FDD, filing 35636-202603, MN file 1259. No clean copy is posted for 2026.
- Express Employment Professionals FDD 2026 (MN state filing) — Revised FDD, marked up (deficiency response)
- Express Employment Professionals FDD 2025 (MN state filing) — Marked FDD
- Express Employment Professionals FDD 2024 (MN state filing) — Clean FDD
- Item 7 core range $131,000-$287,700 per 2026 FDD; $40,000 fee ($20,000 veterans); $250,000 minimum net worth; HQ — accessed 2026-09-26
- 2025 average sales $5,342,686 (24+ months); first-year average $999,949 — accessed 2026-09-26
- WI registration 640459 effective 2026-03-27 — accessed 2026-09-26
ApTask is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Express Services, Inc. (Colorado corporation). Affiliate Alamo Franchise Services, LLC owns the marks and licenses them to Express Services.. Express Employment Professionals is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to identify it. This page compares publicly filed disclosure data and is not an offer to sell a franchise; an offer is made only by Franchise Disclosure Document.
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