Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Metal Supermarkets Franchise

Metal Supermarkets is the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, operating brick-and-mortar stores under the tagline “The Convenience Stores for Metal.” Founded in 1985 in Mississauga, Ontario and franchising since 1987, the brand built its niche by selling cut-to-size metal with no minimum order quantity.

Each store stocks thousands of metal types, grades and shapes, including aluminum, steel, stainless, brass, bronze and copper, and offers value-added processing such as production cutting, shearing and punching, often with same-day turnaround. The customer base is largely B2B: manufacturers, machinists, fabricators, maintenance and repair operations, tool-and-die shops and contractors, alongside schools, hospitals and individual hobbyists. The network spans more than 140 stores across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

The business is a territory-based retail and distribution model run by an owner managing a small in-store team rather than a field sales force. In December 2024 a majority interest was acquired by private-equity firm Riverarch Equity Partners, which is backing continued North American expansion.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Metal Supermarkets resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Metal Supermarkets Franchise?

Buying a Metal Supermarkets franchise means stepping into an established niche with limited direct competition: few distributors serve small-quantity metal orders with the speed and convenience this brand has refined over 40 years. With more than 250,000 customers and a model that generates repeat orders from trade buyers, units can develop recurring B2B relationships rather than relying on one-off sales.

The category is largely resilient because the underlying demand from repair, maintenance, fabrication and small manufacturing continues across economic cycles. Owners run a fixed retail location supported by a proprietary ERP system, corporate marketing and an experienced franchise-support team, and the brand draws franchisees from varied backgrounds, most without prior metal experience. Private-equity backing from Riverarch since 2024 signals investment in growth.

Metal Supermarkets Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1985

    • Franchising Since

      1987

    • New Startup Cost

      $397,500 – $670,500

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $49,500

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $8,000

    • Royalty Fee

      3–6%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      99

    • New Units Opened *

      6

    • Units Transferred *

      6

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $2,192,668

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Metal Supermarkets – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Initial training blends online, classroom and in-store instruction, with 40 hours of classroom and 105 hours of on-the-job training covering product knowledge, inventory management, sales and customer service, so prior metal experience isn't required. Ongoing support runs through a dedicated corporate team with regular check-ins and on-site visits, local marketing assistance, and a proprietary ERP system that centralizes inventory, sales and vendor data. Franchisees also connect through an annual conference. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and ERP access carry over when an existing store changes ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Metal Supermarkets suits a hands-on owner-operator who can manage and develop a small in-store team while staying close to customers. It is an operations-led, relationship-driven business: owners build long-term accounts with trade buyers, so a service mindset and a steady inclination for sales matter more than industry pedigree; most franchisees join without prior metal experience. The brand favors people who value consistent execution and firm business fundamentals over short-term wins, and it has drawn veterans, skilled tradespeople and former corporate managers. Comfort with inventory, local B2B outreach and daily store management is key.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Metal Supermarkets is ranked #176 on Entrepreneur's 2026 Franchise 500, its most visible third-party recognition. Its strongest credibility signal is scale and longevity: it is the world's largest small-quantity metal supplier, with more than 140 stores across three countries and a 40-year operating history serving over 250,000 customers. The December 2024 majority investment by Riverarch Equity Partners adds institutional backing to that track record. For resale buyers, brand-level standing should be weighed alongside the individual store's local reputation, customer reviews and referral relationships within its territory.

  4. Industry / Market

    Metal Supermarkets operates in the US metal service center and distribution industry, which generates about $299 billion in annual revenue across 6,300 companies (Vertical IQ). Demand is driven by manufacturing, fabrication, construction and ongoing maintenance and repair work, giving the category steady, broad-based activity rather than a single end market. The small-quantity, cut-to-size niche is underserved by large distributors that favor bulk orders, supporting repeat business from trade customers needing fast, local metal access. For resale buyers, that recurring B2B demand underpins the stability of an established store's revenue.

Learn more about
how to own a Metal Supermarkets franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.