Staffing franchise comparison · 2026 FDD data
ApTask vs Spherion
How the ApTask Franchise compares with a Spherion franchise on upfront cost, ongoing fees, payroll funding and support. Spherion figures are quoted from its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document as filed with state regulators.
The short answer
Spherion's 2026 FDD estimates a total initial investment of $132,980 to $301,040, 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 Spherion, side by side
Amounts in USD.
| ApTask Franchise | Spherion | |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise fee | Franchise fee of 1, plus a 1,000 software fee (first-year check: 1,001) | 30,000 (Tier 3), 40,000 (Tier 2) or 50,000 (Tier 1), set by the Area's temporary-help payroll. Discounts: 25% for veterans (VetFran), 25% for 5+ years of staffing-industry experience, and 25%-35% for multiple agreements (Item 5). |
| Total initial investment (USD) | Zero startup costs | 132,980 – 301,040 (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. | Agency/commission model. Spherion pays the franchisee a 70% commission on Temporary Gross Profits and on Full-Time Placement Sales, and keeps the other 30%. The franchisee also pays a Franchise Support Fee of 1.9% of total gross temporary payroll plus 1.9% of Full-Time Placement Sales, deducted from the commission (Item 6, Note 3). Spherion's audited notes show the average franchisee commission was 75% (2025), 76% (2024) and 75% (2023) of gross profit. |
| Payroll funding | Payroll funding included; ApTask runs the back office (payroll, compliance, technology) | Franchisor funded. Item 10 says Spherion 'in effect, finance[s] the temporary payroll, since we pay the Temporary Employees, and then bill the clients.' Customers and temporary employees belong to Spherion. An Accounts Receivable Funding Fee (prime + 1.5%) applies to receivables older than 60 days. |
| 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. | FY2025, all General Staffing franchisees open at least 1 full year (per franchise agreement): average Sales 6,947,291 (median 4,051,231); average Gross Profit 1,424,192 (median 828,347); average GP% 22.2%. Also reported by tenure: 1-5 years average Sales 3,393,756; 6-10 years 7,080,230; 10+ years 8,917,074. |
| Units | See the ApTask FDD | 180 franchised, 0 company-owned (as of 2025-12-31) |
| Founded / franchising since | Founded 2010 | Founded 1946; franchising since 1958 |
| Headquarters | Iselin, NJ | One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30339 |
| Industries | IT, professional, healthcare and more | office/clerical, administrative, non-clinical healthcare, call center, light industrial (assembly, warehouse, distribution, food service, machine operation), permanent placement, optional Professional Services addendum (finance/accounting, engineering, IT, legal, marketing) |
| Office | No office required: run the business from home or anywhere | See the brand’s FDD (Items 7 and 11) |
ApTask vs Spherion: common questions
How much does a Spherion franchise cost?
Spherion's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document lists a franchise fee of $30,000 (Tier 3), $40,000 (Tier 2) or $50,000 (Tier 1), set by the Area's temporary-help payroll. Discounts: 25% for veterans (VetFran), 25% for 5+ years of staffing-industry experience, and 25%-35% for multiple agreements (Item 5). and a total initial investment of $132,980 to $301,040 (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 Spherion charge its franchisees?
Agency/commission model. Spherion pays the franchisee a 70% commission on Temporary Gross Profits and on Full-Time Placement Sales, and keeps the other 30%. The franchisee also pays a Franchise Support Fee of 1.9% of total gross temporary payroll plus 1.9% of Full-Time Placement Sales, deducted from the commission (Item 6, Note 3). Spherion's audited notes show the average franchisee commission was 75% (2025), 76% (2024) and 75% (2023) of gross profit.
Does Spherion fund payroll?
Franchisor funded. Item 10 says Spherion 'in effect, finance[s] the temporary payroll, since we pay the Temporary Employees, and then bill the clients.' Customers and temporary employees belong to Spherion. An Accounts Receivable Funding Fee (prime + 1.5%) applies to receivables older than 60 days.
How many Spherion franchise locations are there?
Spherion's FDD reports 180 franchised, 0 company-owned (as of 2025-12-31) (Item 20).
Does Spherion publish financial performance (Item 19)?
Yes. FY2025, all General Staffing franchisees open at least 1 full year (per franchise agreement): average Sales $6,947,291 (median $4,051,231); average Gross Profit $1,424,192 (median $828,347); average GP% 22.2%. Also reported by tenure: 1-5 years average Sales $3,393,756; 6-10 years $7,080,230; 10+ years $8,917,074.
Where can I read the Spherion FDD?
Filed copies are public in these state franchise databases: MN, WI. Links are in the Sources section of this page. Always review the current FDD with your own counsel before investing.
Sources
Spherion 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.
- Spherion FDD 2026 (MN state filing) — Clean FDD, MN file 10780
- Spherion FDD 2025 (MN state filing)
- Spherion FDD 2024 (MN state filing)
- Spherion FDD 2026 (WI state filing) — File 641749, effective 5/15/2026. Download button on page.
- founded 1946 (as City Cars Unloaders, Chicago); franchising since 1958 — accessed 2026-09-26
- investment $132,980-$301,040, $300,000 minimum liquid cash, 2025 average $6.9M revenue and $1.4M gross profit (matches Item 19) — accessed 2026-09-26
ApTask is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Spherion Staffing, LLC (Delaware LLC; ultimate parent Randstad N.V.). Spherion 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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