Non-destructive entry first, always - and we re-key Schlage, Kwikset, and Baldwin locks on the spot while you watch
You get a price before we start. It does not change when we arrive. No surprises.
Before
AfterFranchise FAQ
Ridley Locksmith & Security is part of the Garrison Partners family, operating to The Garrison Standard since 2007. If you’re weighing whether this franchise fits you, these are the questions we hear most often, answered straight.
Common Questions
Do I need locksmith experience to open a Ridley Locksmith & Security franchise?
No previous locksmith experience is required. What you need is the willingness to learn the trade properly and run a service business with discipline. Our training program covers lock hardware from standard residential brands like Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, and Baldwin through high-security lines including Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, and Sargent. Many of our most successful owners came from completely different industries. They brought management ability and a commitment to showing up on time. We supplied the technical foundation and the operating system behind it.
What is the total investment range to open a Ridley Locksmith & Security location?
The total initial investment typically ranges from roughly $85,000 to $165,000 depending on your market, vehicle configuration, and initial inventory of lock hardware and key blanks. That range covers the franchise fee, vehicle upfitting, tools, equipment, initial inventory, training expenses, and working capital for the first months of operation. Your exact number comes out of the discovery process once we know your territory and build-out plan. The full breakdown is provided in our Franchise Disclosure Document, which we encourage you to review carefully with your own advisors.
Do you offer financing to help with the startup costs?
We do not provide direct financing, and we do not make any promises about third-party financing availability. What we do is connect you with lenders who have worked with franchise candidates in the past and understand the service-business model. Some of our owners have used SBA-backed loans. Others brought cash or a private investor. The financing piece is your decision, and we recommend speaking with a franchise attorney and accountant before committing to any structure.
Will I get an exclusive territory?
Each Ridley Locksmith & Security owner receives a defined territory, and the boundaries are set out in writing before you sign. The size depends on population density, commercial activity, and how many households and businesses your operation can realistically serve with fast response times. We base territory mapping on drive times and service demand, not on arbitrary zip code lists. The goal is to give you enough room to build a strong book of business without stretching your technicians so thin that response times suffer.
How long is the training program?
Initial training runs two weeks at our training facility, followed by a week of in-market support once your location launches. The classroom portion covers lock mechanics, rekeying procedures, high-security hardware installation, key cutting, commercial master key systems, and the customer-service standards that carry The Garrison Code. Rekeying, to be plain about the term, means changing the internal pins inside a lock cylinder so old keys stop working, without replacing the hardware itself. You’ll be able to explain that to a customer in ten seconds by the time you leave training. Ongoing training continues after launch through refresher courses, new hardware line introductions, and annual standards reviews.
Are there ongoing fees or royalties? How do they work?
Yes, there is a royalty structure and a brand fund contribution, and the specific percentages are disclosed in the FDD. What those fees buy you is not a logo and a handshake. It’s the full Garrison Partners operating system, including the 24/7 live call answering that keeps every Ridley location reachable around the clock, the marketing infrastructure, the vendor relationships that keep lock hardware costs predictable, and the ongoing training and support structure. We describe the royalty as a partnership fee, not a tax. The details are yours to review in full before you decide.
How long does it take from signing to opening my doors?
Most owners open within three to five months of signing the franchise agreement. That window covers territory finalization, vehicle acquisition and upfitting, tool and inventory procurement, training, licensing, and the initial local marketing push. Some markets move faster if you already have a commercial location lined up and your paperwork is in order. We set expectations honestly at each stage so you are not guessing. We operate the same way with our franchise owners as we do with our customers: the plan goes in writing, and we stick to the window we gave you.
What ongoing support does Ridley Locksmith & Security provide?
The support comes in layers. First, the call center. A live person answers every call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and dispatches work to your location under the Ridley name. That means you are not missing emergency calls at 2 a.m. because your phone was on silent. Second, ongoing technical training on new hardware lines and updated security standards. Third, operational coaching that helps you price jobs correctly, manage technician performance, and keep your written guarantee program running cleanly. And fourth, the brand reputation that comes from The Garrison Standard: written prices before work starts, background-checked uniformed technicians, and the 365-Day Done Right Promise on every repair.
Who is the ideal Ridley Locksmith & Security franchisee?
Someone who runs a tight ship. You do not need to be the fastest technician in your market, but you do need to care about details: trucks that are clean, technicians in uniform, invoices that match the quoted price, guarantees honored without an argument. Our strongest owners are the people who would rather build a reputation than chase one-off jobs. They’re comfortable managing people, they answer the phone when it rings, and they understand that a lock is a small piece of hardware that carries a big responsibility. If that sounds like you, we should talk.
What’s the next step if I’m interested?
Call our franchise sales line at (956) 275-7388. You will speak with a real person who can walk you through the discovery process, answer your initial questions, and send you the materials that lay out the opportunity in full detail. There is no obligation at that first conversation, and we will not pressure you into anything. We would rather you take the time to make a good decision than rush into a bad one.
Still Have Questions?
The answers above cover the broad strokes, but your situation is specific. Call (956) 275-7388 to talk through the numbers, the territory, and the timeline with someone who can give you straight answers. Or submit the form below and we’ll reach out within one business day.
Written by Drew Kowalski, Owner at Ridley Locksmith & Security.