Fastest Labs

America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —

Fastest Labs competes on speed and convenience in a large, fragmented testing market still dominated by slow medical facilities and independents. Its owner-operator service model sidesteps the medical-licensing barrier that keeps most people out of health-adjacent businesses, turning drug, alcohol, and DNA testing into an accessible, sales-driven local franchise rather than a clinical one. For a buyer, the appeal is a simple, high-margin service with clear demand and a defensible speed advantage.

At a Glance

• Liquid Capital Required:
  $100,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
• Ownership Model: Owner-operator
• Location Type: Commercial facility (small office lab)
• Time Commitment: Full-time
• Experience Required: No medical background required

ABF Buyer’s Guide
Wondering how buyers typically fund a franchise like this? Read How to Pay for a Franchise →

About Fastest Labs Franchise

Founders Dave and LeDona Claflin opened the first Fastest Labs location in 2008 and began franchising in 2010, drawing on more than two decades as franchisees themselves with Merry Maids and Worldwide Express. That owner-operator background shaped the model from the start.

Fastest Labs has since grown to more than 235 locations nationwide, providing drug, alcohol, DNA paternity, and background screening. The system is built around speed and customer experience, positioning franchisees against slower medical facilities with faster service and competitive pricing.

Why Own a Fastest Labs Franchise?

• No medical background, license, or testing experience required, since these screening services are not classified as medical procedures.
• Speed is the core edge, seeing clients in minutes and delivering results immediately rather than the typical days-long wait.
• Owner-operator model runs on banker’s hours, offering a weekday schedule uncommon in many hands-on service franchises.
• Low startup cost and high margins on a simple service, with just one to three employees needed to operate.
• Positioned in a growing testing industry driven by steady employer, legal, and personal demand across nearly every market.

Why This Opportunity, Why Now

ABF Market Analysis —

Demand for drug, alcohol, and DNA testing is steady and broad, coming from employers, courts, and families rather than any single cyclical source. The industry is projected to grow from roughly $7 billion toward $13 billion by 2028, and much of it still runs through slower medical facilities. That gap is where a speed-focused, service-first provider competes, turning faster results and simpler access into a clear, durable advantage over both hospitals and scattered local independents.

ABF Timing Insight —

Fastest Labs is expanding while a large share of high-demand markets remain open, giving an early owner room to claim territory before the category consolidates. Because no medical license is required, the barrier to entry stays low relative to the health-adjacent demand it serves. For an owner-operator who enjoys sales and customer service, entering a growing, fragmented market now means building local share while the concept is still scaling rather than fighting for saturated ground later.

Training & Support

• Roughly three weeks of pre-training before San Antonio, combining online university coursework, live webcam sessions, and progress-tracked certification modules completed from home.
• One full week of hands-on training at the San Antonio home office, covering operations, sales and marketing, and day-to-day management of the business.
• All required certifications are included in the franchise fee, so owners complete every credential needed to operate without added certification costs.
• Travel is handled during training week, with the hotel suite, lunches, graduation dinner, and daily transportation provided so owners focus on learning.
• Ongoing coaching and technical support from the home office continue after launch to help owners open faster and build the business.

Our Ideal Franchisee Candidate

• Outgoing personalities who enjoy sales and marketing
• Strong customer service instincts and follow-through
• Hands-on owner-operators, not passive investors
• Comfortable building local business relationships
• No medical background needed, just drive

Who Is Not a Good Fit

• Buyers who cannot comfortably cover the required liquid capital plus operating reserves through the ramp-up period.
• Anyone seeking passive or semi-absentee income; Fastest Labs is owner-operator only and expects daily involvement.
• Those expecting a medical-clinic scale or instant volume rather than a service business built through local effort.
• People uncomfortable with sales, marketing, and face-to-face customer service, which drive the business day to day.
• Owners unwilling to follow the established system, training, and certification standards the brand requires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a medical background or license to own a Fastest Labs franchise?
A: No. Drug, alcohol, DNA, and background screening are not classified as medical services, so no medical license or clinical experience is required. The franchisor trains and certifies owners during onboarding.

Q: Is Fastest Labs an owner-operator or semi-absentee model?
A: Owner-operator only. The franchisee is expected to be involved in daily operations, so it is not structured for passive or semi-absentee ownership.

Q: What services does a Fastest Labs franchise provide?
A: Drug testing, alcohol screening, DNA paternity testing, and background checks — serving employers, legal and court referrals, and individuals who need fast, documented results.

Q: What are the working hours like?
A: The model runs on standard weekday business hours, a schedule many hands-on service franchises cannot offer, which is part of its lifestyle appeal for owner-operators.

Q: What does training include?
A: About three weeks of remote pre-training, then one full week of hands-on instruction in San Antonio. All certifications are included in the franchise fee, and travel and lodging during training week are provided.

Q: Why is the testing industry considered a growth opportunity?
A: Demand comes from steady, non-cyclical sources — employer screening, court and legal requirements, and personal testing — in an industry projected to expand meaningfully through 2028.

Next Steps

If you are drawn to a fast-service business with no medical-license requirement, weekday hours, high margins, and demand across nearly every market, Fastest Labs is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Fastest Labs.

This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.