--- title: "The Back Nine Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "The Back Nine franchise costs, fees, and earnings potential. Investment range: $307K-$688K. 124+ locations. Get the data you need to decide." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-back-nine" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-back-nine" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-back-nine.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "The Back Nine" sector: "Personal Care & Lifestyle Services" category: "Family Entertainment, Games & Activities" investment_low: "307050" investment_high: "688500" total_units: "124" grade: "B" operating_model: "Semi-Absentee" --- # The Back Nine Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review The Back Nine franchise costs, fees, and earnings potential. Investment range: $307K-$688K. 124+ locations. Get the data you need to decide. ## At a glance - **Brand:** The Back Nine - **Sector:** Personal Care & Lifestyle Services - **Category:** Family Entertainment, Games & Activities - **Total initial investment:** $307,050 – $688,500 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 124 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** B - **Operating model:** Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, LA, MI, MO, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT ## The Back Nine — franchise facts ### What is the total investment required to open The Back Nine? Total investment ranges from $307K to $688K, covering real estate, simulator equipment, facility buildout, technology infrastructure, and initial working capital. This mid-range investment reflects premium indoor golf simulation equipment and professional-grade facility requirements. ### What does The Back Nine franchise fee cover? The $50K franchise fee grants rights to use The Back Nine brand, access to proprietary systems, initial site support, and inclusion in the franchisor's national marketing and technology ecosystem for 10-year term. ### What are the ongoing royalty and fee obligations for The Back Nine? Ongoing royalties are just 0.08% of gross revenue-exceptionally low in franchise operations. No disclosed advertising fund or technology fees mentioned; primary ongoing costs are facility operation, equipment maintenance, and staffing. ### What liquid capital and net worth are required for The Back Nine? Specific liquidity and net worth minimums are not disclosed in available data. Prospective franchisees should expect typical SBA lending criteria: 20-30% liquid capital of total investment and net worth equal to or exceeding investment amount; direct franchisor verification recommended. ### Does The Back Nine offer or support financing options? Specific financing programs not disclosed. Given the $307K-$688K investment range and B-grade investment rating, franchisees typically qualify for SBA 7(a) loans, equipment financing through golf/hospitality lenders, or traditional bank credit lines; franchisor may provide referrals. ### What initial training does The Back Nine provide? 20.5 hours of initial training covers operations, technology systems, customer service, league management, and facility management. Training typically occurs at franchisor headquarters or a training facility before and immediately after opening. ### What ongoing support does The Back Nine provide after opening? Ongoing support includes technology updates, marketing resources, operational best practices, performance benchmarking against 124+ operating locations, and franchisor accessibility for troubleshooting. Support structure is typical for growing franchises at this maturity stage. ### Does The Back Nine help with site selection and real estate? Protected territories are assigned and defended by The Back Nine, ensuring exclusivity within your geographic area. Franchisor guidance on real estate specifications (square footage, traffic patterns, demographic fit) is standard; however, franchisee responsibility for final site lease negotiation. ### What are the day-to-day responsibilities for a Back Nine owner? Owner responsibilities include staff management, member/customer relations, facility maintenance oversight, league and event coordination, and revenue management. Scope allows semi-absentee operation with hired general manager once systems are established. ### Is The Back Nine better suited for owner-operators or semi-absentee owners? The Back Nine works well for both models. Owner-operators maximize margins and brand control; semi-absentee owners can hire experienced GMs for operations while focusing on business development, events, and strategic growth. B-grade turnover rating suggests owner autonomy and satisfaction. ### What lifestyle and time commitment does The Back Nine demand? Lifestyle is semi-absentee-friendly with typical facility hours (afternoon through late evening for golf simulation). Initial 6-12 months require heavy owner involvement in setup and launch; thereafter, a strong GM can handle day-to-day operations allowing 20-30 hours per week owner involvement. ### What territory does The Back Nine provide and what areas are available? The Back Nine offers protected territories; 124 locations across 28 states indicate substantial coverage. Available territories remain in underserved metro areas and secondary markets; contact franchisor for specific openings in your target state or region. ### Can Back Nine franchisees own multiple locations? Multi-unit ownership is not explicitly detailed in disclosed data. Given 124 units across 28 states and protected territories, multi-unit development agreements are likely available for qualified operators; franchisor discussion required for portfolio expansion terms. ### Does The Back Nine offer area development or master franchise agreements? Area development or master franchise structures are not disclosed in available data. Rapid expansion (2023 start with 124 units) suggests franchisor interest in accelerated growth; inquiry directly with franchisor regarding development rights in multi-state regions. ### What revenue model and profitability drivers does The Back Nine use? Revenue typically derives from hourly simulator bay rentals, membership/league subscriptions, private events, food/beverage service, and corporate outings. High-margin recurring revenue from leagues and memberships drives profitability; low 0.08% royalty preserves cash flow for reinvestment and owner profit. ### What sets The Back Nine apart from other golf entertainment franchises? The Back Nine differentiates through cutting-edge simulator technology, protected territories, exceptionally low ongoing royalties (0.08%), balanced B-grade performance across all metrics, and a growing network of 124 units demonstrating viability. Strong franchisor support and recurring revenue focus appeal to lifestyle entrepreneurs seeking profitability without high corporate overhead. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-back-nine - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/the-back-nine* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*