United Country Real Estate Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$10,500 - $44,895
Franchise Fee
$8,000
Total US Locations
395
Business Summary
United Country Real Estate operates real estate brokerage and auction businesses, known as Broker Offices, using its licensed marks. These offices primarily assist buyers and sellers in real estate and auction transactions, including residential, commercial, and lease properties. United Country Real Estate franchisees typically serve small cities, towns, and surrounding rural areas. The company provides support through its licensed marks, advertising, website setup and maintenance, access to a computer software platform (Bullseye Productivity Platform), customer service, and training.
Corporate History
United Country Real Estate, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on April 8, 2015. However, United Country Real Estate traces its roots back to 1925 through its predecessors. The United Country Broker office franchise system was transferred to the current entity on June 1, 2015, from its predecessor, United Country Real Estate, Inc., which had been franchising since 1997. The brand has undergone various changes, including a merger in 1995 and a name change in 2003 to United Country Real Estate, Inc. In February 2006, an investment company acquired all shares of United Country Real Estate, Inc.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$10,500 - $44,895
Franchise Fee (Low)
$8,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$20,000
Royalty %
12%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$2,700
Equipment Costs (High)
$5,375
Working Capital
$7,250
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
The financial statements for United Country Real Estate include a going concern disclosure. The company experienced negative cash flows from operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, has negative working capital, and faces $2.9 million in debts due by May 3, 2025. Management anticipates continued negative cash flows from operations for the 12-month period following the financial statements' issuance. However, management is actively monitoring the situation, notes a stabilization in the real estate market, plans to control operating costs, and expects to receive additional funding from its parent company, Five D, if needed. Management believes these actions will likely mitigate the substantial doubt regarding United Country Real Estate's ability to continue as a going concern.
Financing Details
United Country Real Estate does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The company also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations for its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
395
Franchised Units
393
Corporate Units
2
Avg Square Footage
1,500
Franchising Since
1997
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
6
Litigation Summary
United Country Real Estate has disclosed six litigation cases. Five of these are pending class-action lawsuits filed between October 2023 and April 2024, primarily alleging that United Country Real Estate and other real estate brokerages conspired to require home sellers to pay inflated buyer-broker commissions. These lawsuits claim violations of federal antitrust laws, state antitrust statutes, and consumer protection laws. United Country Real Estate intends to vigorously defend against all claims. One completed lawsuit from 2014 involved United Country Real Estate as a co-defendant with a former franchisee in a case alleging fraud and other claims related to an auction; this case was settled in 2015 by the defendants' insurance company, with United Country Real Estate not paying any monies directly.
Bankruptcy History
United Country Real Estate has no bankruptcy history to disclose.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew the franchise agreement, United Country Real Estate franchisees must be current on all financial obligations and not be in default of any terms. They must not have pending notifications regarding client complaints, inadequate branding, or other issues negatively affecting United Country Real Estate or its system. Franchisees may be required to modernize or refurbish their Broker Office premises to meet current standards. Additionally, they must sign the then-current form of the franchise agreement, which may contain different terms, and pay a renewal fee equal to 10% of the standard initial franchise fee (5% for a mobile franchise).
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
United Country Real Estate provides pre-opening assistance, including a customized marketing piece for launch (not for mobile franchises or subsequent purchases), website formatting and initial setup, and access to its Bullseye Productivity Platform. Initial training consists of a 22-hour workshop in Kansas City, Missouri, covering business foundations, marketing, technology, auction services, and business planning. Ongoing support includes access to the Bullseye Productivity Platform for managing listings, leads, and marketing, distribution of national catalogs, a national toll-free telephone service, potential buyer leads, public relations assistance, optional training seminars, an Enhanced Marketing Solutions (EMS) program for additional marketing services (for a fee), strategic partnerships with vendors, and advisory services from the management team on business development.
Initial Training Hours
22
Training Location
Kansas City, Missouri
Ongoing Support
United Country Real Estate provides ongoing support including selling or suggesting sources for signs, supplies, and marketing materials, with optional group errors and omissions insurance. The company prints and distributes national catalogs featuring franchisee listings. It maintains a central, national toll-free telephone service and provides access to its Bullseye Productivity Platform for managing listings, leads, and customer relationships, along with email services and website maintenance. Franchisees receive potential buyer leads through this platform and public relations assistance. Optional training seminars are offered, as are voluntary Enhanced Marketing Solutions (EMS) for property-specific advertising (for an additional fee), and access to strategic partnerships and vendor relationships. The management team also offers advisory services upon request.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
United Country Real Estate looks for individuals who will operate a real estate brokerage and/or auction business. Franchisees must ensure their Broker Office is managed by an individual holding a valid real estate broker's license for their state, or an auctioneer's license if only conducting auctions. This manager must dedicate full-time efforts to the position and successfully complete initial training. For mobile franchises, United Country Real Estate specifically seeks select brokers or agents who work remotely alone or with one other agent, expecting the franchisee to be the primary broker and agent.
Industry Experience Required
Yes
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
Yes
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Absentee Allowed
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
United Country Real Estate franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels. The rights granted are limited to operating one Broker Office at a specific address or within a defined geographical area, typically described as a specific small city, town, or village. The scope of this operating area is determined by United Country Real Estate based on the franchisee's preferred area, prior broker experience, the proximity of other Broker Offices, and demographics. There are no restrictions on United Country Real Estate franchisees or other Broker Offices from soliciting or accepting business outside their designated market, provided they do not open an additional Broker Office without approval. Mobile franchisees are not required to have a physical office (unless mandated by state law) and their territorial rights are identical, meaning no exclusive territory is granted.
Staffing Notes
United Country Real Estate requires that each Broker Office be managed by an individual who holds a valid real estate broker's license for that state (or an auctioneer's license if only conducting auctions). This manager must devote their full-time efforts to the position and successfully complete the initial training. Franchisees are responsible for all other aspects of hiring, supervising, and disciplining their employees and licensed associates. All licensed agents and auctioneers associated with the Broker Office must enroll in United Country Real Estate's AssociatePower! membership program. United Country Real Estate emphasizes that it does not dictate or control labor or employment matters for franchisees and their employees.