Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware Corporation
Company Information
2915 Jorie Boulevard
Ace Hardware Corporation is a Delaware coloration that was incorporated on June 16, 1964. In 1972, through a corporate merger they succeeded to the business of an Illinois corporation organized in 1928 that was also known as Ace Hardware Corporation. They became a retailer-owned cooperative in 1976. Their principal business address is 2200 Kensington Court, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-2103. They conduct business under their corporate name, Ace Hardware Corporation, and under the assumed names “Ace Trading Co.”, “AHC Trucking Co.” and “AHC Logistics”.
Our other business activities include contract carriage trucking services under the assumed name "AHC Trucking Co." and freight handling services under the assumed name "AHC Logistics." We buy imported merchandise under the assumed name "Ace Trading Co." Ace Retail Holdings LLC is a holding company for our subsidiary,WHl Holding Corp. , which owns Westlake Hardware, Inc. ("Westlake"). Westlakehas been engaged in the business of owning and operating Ace stores in the United States since December 2012. (See Item 20 for information regarding the Westlake stores.) in addition. Ace Retail Holdings LLC is a minority shareholder of ACO, lnc., an Ace cooperative member operating 48 stores in Michigan.
11 Ongoing Lawsuits
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Franchise Rating
Franchimp Summary Rating
2/10
Investment Accessibility
2/10
Franchise System Development
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Distribution of Ace Hardware Franchisee
Employee Contact Database
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Summary of Investment Costs
Upfront Franchise Fees
Minimum: $1,156,898 Maximum: $1,156,898
Upfront franchise fees are the one-time payments required to secure rights to operate under an established brand, typically ranging from $20,000 to $100,000+ depending on brand value.
These fees grant access to proprietary business systems, training programs, intellectual property rights, and often territorial exclusivity—essentially purchasing the blueprint for a proven business model.
While separate from ongoing royalties, investors should evaluate these fees against expected returns, comparing fee-to-earnings ratios across opportunities and assessing how effectively franchisors reinvest these funds into system improvements.
Total Investment Costs
Minimum: $292,000 Maximum: $2,121,230
Ongoing Fees
Ongoing franchise fees, typically structured as royalties ranging from 4-8% of gross sales, represent the continuous payments franchisees make to maintain brand affiliation and support services.
These recurring fees fund the franchisor's operational assistance, marketing initiatives, technology updates, and continued brand development—creating a partnership where the franchisor's revenue grows alongside the franchisee's success. In addition to royalties, franchisees often contribute to national advertising funds (usually 1-3% of sales) and may incur technology fees, supply chain markups, or renewal fees depending on the franchise agreement.
Investors should carefully analyze these ongoing costs within their financial projections, as they directly impact profit margins and cash flow throughout the entire franchise relationship.
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