Thinking about starting a yard card business? You are not alone. Yard cards have become one of the fastest growing ways for families, friends, and communities to celebrate birthdays, graduations, retirements, and every milestone in between. With that, it's become a great opportunity for people looking to start their own successful business.
But if you are new, you face a big decision right away: Should you buy a franchise, sign up as an affiliate, or start your own independent yard card business?
Each path has pros and cons, and the choice you make now determines how much freedom, profit, and control you will have later. Let’s break it down.
Yard Card Franchises
When most people search “yard card business,” the first companies that pop up are franchises like Card My Yard. A franchise gives you the right to use their brand, systems, and business model.
Pros of Franchises
• Brand recognition. You get to operate under a name people may already know.
• Turnkey setup. Training, website, marketing templates, and systems are included.
• Support. You are part of a larger network with resources and guidance.
Cons of Franchises
• High upfront cost. Most yard card franchises cost $7,000 to $12,000 or more to start. On top of that, you pay monthly royalties.
• Restrictions. You are locked into buying sets only from the franchisor. No freedom to shop around for better pricing or unique designs.
• Territory rules. Franchises carve up territories. You are limited in where you can advertise or set up.
• Limited creativity. If you want to offer something new or custom, your hands may be tied.
Bottom line: Franchises give you structure, but at a steep price and with a lot of rules.
Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs often confuse beginners. In most industries, being an “affiliate” means you promote someone else’s business and earn a small commission. In yard cards, it usually means something similar. You are not really running your own company.
Pros of Affiliate Programs
• Low cost to enter. Sometimes you can start with little to no upfront investment.
• Easy to test the waters. You don’t need to create your own branding, systems, or inventory.
Cons of Affiliate Programs
• No brand of your own. You are working under someone else’s name, not building equity in your own.
• Small profits. You only earn a cut of each sale, while the company keeps the rest.
• No control. You don’t decide pricing, services, or customer experience.
Bottom line: Affiliates might be fine if you want side income, but they don’t build a real business you control or scale.
Independent Yard Card Business
Starting your own original yard card business is the third option, and the one most professionals in this industry recommend. It is the most work up front, but it also offers the most rewards.
Pros of Independent Businesses
• Total freedom. You pick your branding, pricing, service area, and policies.
• No royalties. Keep 100 percent of your profit.
• Shop anywhere. Buy your yard card sets and flair from the vendor of your choice. That means you can take advantage of the best prices, widest variety, and freshest designs from suppliers like Yard Card Planet.
• Scalability. Grow your business how you want. Add employees, expand into multiple neighborhoods, or specialize in certain events.
• Creativity. Offer customers unique displays, personalized flair, and seasonal sets that stand out.
Cons of Independent Businesses
• Setup is on you. You will need to handle branding, website, and marketing yourself.
• Learning curve. You will need to learn the basics of yard carding, but most entrepreneurs find this manageable with free resources and community support.
Bottom line: Independence requires more effort in the beginning, but it pays off with freedom, flexibility, and higher profit margins.
Cost Comparison
Here is how the numbers stack up.
• Franchise: $7,000 to $12,000 startup plus royalties and restrictions.
• Affiliate: $0 to $200 startup but minimal income potential and no brand equity.
• Independent: Between $1,000 - $2,000 for a quality Starter Set plus a few hundred dollars for a website, marketing, and business setup. No ongoing royalties.
With an independent business, you can start for less than one tenth of the cost of a franchise, and you keep every dollar you earn.
The Freedom to Choose Your Supplies
One of the biggest advantages of going independent is the freedom to shop with any yard card vendor. A franchise forces you to buy only their sets, even if the designs are limited or overpriced.
As an independent business owner, you can buy from the best wholesale suppliers. At Yard Card Planet, you’ll find:
• Starter Sets to launch your business fast
• Alphabet, Numbers and Symbols Sets in multiple fonts and sizes to personalize every display
• Seasonal and holiday sets to keep your calendar full year round
• Yard card flair including balloons, stars, hearts, animals, sports, a variety of themed sets, and much more to make each display unique
This variety not only helps you attract more customers, it also lets you stand out from competitors who are stuck using cookie cutter franchise sets.
Which Model Is Best for You
Quick recap.
• Franchise: Expensive, restrictive, structured
• Affiliate: Cheap, easy, but not a real business
• Independent: Flexible, profitable, scalable
If you want long term income, freedom, and creativity, independence is the clear winner.
Final Thoughts
Starting a yard card business is an exciting opportunity. Whether you want to supplement your income, work part time, or build a full time company, the path you choose matters.
Franchises may offer structure, but they are costly and restrictive. Affiliate programs don’t give you ownership. The best way forward is to start your own brand, build it your way, and use trusted suppliers who keep you stocked with high quality designs.
At Yard Card Planet, we are here to make that possible. With Starter Sets and Alphabet, Numbers and Symbols Sets, you will have everything you need to launch strong, grow fast, and stand out.
Want to go deeper into what it takes to start a successful yard card business using the power of social media? Be sure to check out our other blog post on that exact topic.