6 opportunities to invest in a meaningful business

Those who want to invest in a meaningful business can turn to SOS Franchising, Able Autism Therapy, and Essential Speech and ABA Therapy. There's also Hi-5 ABA, ACT, and Beyond the Label.

According to the Investment Company Institute (ICI), around 130 million individual American investors hold a direct stake in the success of American businesses. It's important to believe in and support local companies, but it's not smart to just pour your money into a random brand.

You should invest in a meaningful business, and these are the top ones to consider for business ownership. They were selected based on meaningful social impact, transparent franchise and financial information, and different investment models and strengths.

Best Overall: SOS Franchising

SOS Franchising is the best overall for wealth building for those who want to invest in a meaningful business because this is a mission-driven healthcare franchise with an established operating model. The company opened its doors in 2015 and started franchising in 2018, which makes it one of the earlier autism-treatment franchise concepts in the US. In fact, it's the first ABA franchise in the nation.

SOS has over 130 territories sold across 20 states with open SOS locations. There are currently 96 open locations, too. There's currently an initial $45,000 franchise fee, a 5% royalty on gross sales capped at $5,000 per month, which is the lowest effective royalty fee in the market.

Franchisees receive a high level of operational support. They get:

• Site-selection assistance
• Staff-acquisition guidance
• Training
• Marketing materials
• Operational support
• Territory protection

Owners don't need prior autism or healthcare experience, either, so there's a low barrier to entry. The company does seek hands-on owner-operators, though.

Best for Multiple Therapy Services: Able Autism Therapy

Able Autism Therapy is best for multiple therapy services because there are several complementary service lines instead of an ABA-only model. The company offers ABA, occupational and speech therapy, so franchises can serve families through multiple types of care.

Able Autism Therapy says that its corporate operation expanded from one to three locations within two years of launching in 2021. The growth shouldn't be interpreted as a projection for individual franchisees, though.

Potential owners can expect a $40,000 franchise fee, an estimated initial investment of $174,200 to $738,500, and a 5% royalty on gross sales. Franchisees also receive an exclusive territory based on either a 100,000-person population based or a five-mile radius.

What's unique is the company's referral-oriented approach. It trains franchisees to develop relationships with healthcare professionals, which can reduce reliance on traditional advertising. It also accepts revenue from private-pay, Medicaid, and insurance-backed customers.

Best for Established Financial Performance Data: Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

Essential Speech and ABA Therapy is best for established financial performance data since it has published unit-level financial information. It focuses on multidisciplinary care, as it brings ABA, speech, and occupational therapy together.

The company reports a $49,500 initial franchise fee, a 5% royalty on gross revenue, and an estimated initial investment of $299,000 to $803,000. It also states that franchisees generally need at least $75,000 in liquid capital, $350,000 in net worth, and a minimum credit score of 680.

People will find 2025 Item 19 financial-performance information on the company's website. For franchises open for more than two years, the reported average unit volume was $1,393,272, with a median of $1,383,555 and reported locations ranging from $1,273,972 to $1,532,010.

Best for a Lower Franchise-Fee Entry Point: Hi-5 ABA

Hi-5 ABA is best for a lower franchise-fee entry point because its costs are lower than other franchises. It states that the initial franchise fee is $12,000 to $15,000 in some circumstances. Do note that the company's FAQ displays different franchise-fee figures, so investors should verify the exact amount applicable to their territory and circumstances before relying on the headline figure.

The model is structured for smart investing, as owners can concentrate on leadership, operations, and business growth, while licensed BCBAs oversee clinical services. Hi-5 ABA says that its administrative team provides support and consultations, which can be useful for investors who want to enter the sector without being therapists themselves.

The company makes past financial-performance information available through Item 19 of its FDD. It doesn't guarantee future performance, though.

Hi-5 is best viewed as an option for comparing lower franchise-entry costs and an administrative-support model.

Best for a Larger, Multidisciplinary Service Footprint: ACT

Autism Care Therapy (ACT) is best for a larger, multidisciplinary service footprint because the company provides ABA, speech, and occupational therapy, serving children from ages 1 through 20. It has served 700 families and 500 employees across clinics, and it has a 98% figure for children making significant progress and a 99% franchisee-satisfaction figure.

ACT's published franchise information emphasizes individualized care, collaboration between families and therapists, and support for franchise owners. The company's 2025 franchise comparison information lists a $65,000 initial franchise fee and a 7% royalty, making it good for growth opportunities.

The company has been franchising since 2021, so it has a bit of experience in this area. ACT may be particularly interesting for investors who have a priority for a broader age range and a three-service clinical model rather than the lowest possible entry cost.

Best for a Home-Based, Lower-Overhead Model: Beyond the Label

Beyond the Label is best for a home-based, lower-overhead model since it offers a distinctly different investment structure from the other franchises mentioned. Its franchise model has behavioral services generally delivered in patients' homes or other community settings. According to this company, this structure can reduce overhead compared with a traditional physical-location franchise.

The financial requirements published include a $37,500 initial franchise fee and an estimated initial investment of $63,824 to $94,199. The company also lists an 8% royalty on gross revenues and a brand marketing contribution of 1%, which can increase to 2%.

Beyond the Label says its model is designed around manageable caseloads, with behavior analysts serving no more than eight patients at a time. Services include:

• ABA
• Verbal behavior
• Natural-environment training
• Social-skills programs
• Caregiver training
• Transition support

This can be a worthwhile company for someone to invest in if they want to enter autism services without taking on the costs associated with a conventional clinic.

Invest in a Meaningful Business

If you have extra money and would like to support the economy, then put it in a meaningful business. You now have a solid list of options, and by investing in any of them, you'll be doing your part in helping good brands make it in the world.

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This article was prepared by an independent contributor which helps us continue delivering quality content to our audiences.