How Much Is a Once Upon A Child Franchise? (Detailed Franchise Costs)

May 02, 2022

Once Upon A Child Franchise Costs: Estimated Initial Investment (Item 7, 2022 FDD)

The typical size of a Once Upon A Child Store ranges from 3,500 to 4,500 square feet. For several items discussed below, your cost will increase as the number of square feet increases.

Except where otherwise noted, all fees you pay to Winmark (the franchisor) are non-refundable. Third-party lessors, contractors, and suppliers will decide if payments to them are refundable.

1. Initial Franchise Fee: $25,000

The Initial Franchise Fee for new Once Upon A Child franchisees is $25,000. The Initial Franchise Fee is $15,000 for a second and subsequent Store or for an existing franchisee of one of Winmark’s other franchised concepts.

2. Fixtures and Supplies: $40,000 to $55,000

Your investment in fixtures and supplies necessary to operate the Store is highly variable. The cost will increase as the number of square feet increases.

3. Signs: $8,000 to $12,000

All signs must meet Winmark’s standards and comply with your landlord’s requirements as well as any local government regulations. You must purchase all interior and exterior signs through Winmark’s approved, preferred third-party suppliers.

4. Security System and/or Cameras: $1,500 to $4,000

The franchisor recommends you purchase a security system that includes security cameras, motion detectors, entrance security, and glass breakage detectors. You should purchase a minimum of 4 cameras depending on the size of your Store.

5. Point-of-Sale (POS) System: $25,200 to $32,400

You must use in your Store the POS System which Winmark has selected for the Business System. You must obtain a license for the Proprietary Software from Winmark. The estimated amount includes the $6,000 software license fee that you pay to Winmark for the Proprietary Software. It also includes a $1,000 DRS Maintenance Fee.

6. Leasehold Improvements: $11,000 to $21,000

You will need to lease the premises for your Store. Rent is estimated to be approximately $40,000 to $100,000 per year depending on factors such as size, condition, and location of the premises. Typical locations for your Store are smaller freestanding locations and strip shopping malls.

At times, franchisees are able to negotiate 2-4 months free rent with the landlord upon commencement of the lease.

You will need to make certain leasehold improvements to the leased premises for your Store to comply with Winmark’s approved plans and standards. The estimated cost of leasehold improvements could include: flooring, slat wall, lighting, and decor.

7. Build-Out: $20,000 to $50,000

The build-out cost refers to the physical labor expense of building the Store location to Winmark’s approved brand standards. This may include installation of slat wall, wall standards, counter configuration, building store fixturization, installing flooring, painting, etc.

8. Deposits and Business Licenses: $3,000 to $15,000

This amount includes utility and security deposits and business licenses. Deposits are generally refundable, but license fees are not.

9. Opening Inventory: $65,000 to $80,000

This amount assumes your opening inventory will include both new and used children’s apparel, toys, equipment, furniture, and accessories.

Winmark strongly recommends that you have minimum inventory levels between $15.10 and $21.65 per square foot of retail selling space when you open your Store and encourages you to have a much larger inventory.

Winmark further recommends that 90% of the minimum recommended inventory be used inventory.

This amount does not reflect amounts needed to replenish inventory during the initial stage of operation.

Winmark may refuse to allow you to open your Store if you have less than $60,000 in used inventory.

10. Miscellaneous Pre-Opening Expenses: $35,000 to $70,000

This amount includes lodging, meals, and travel expenses for 2 persons attending the initial training program and the cost for participation in an online financial management course (currently $395) during the initial training program; telephone and high-speed Internet hook-up; legal expenses; initial financing costs; building permits; pre-opening and buy day labor expenses; pre-opening and buy day advertising expenses; and website development costs.

11. Rent – First 3 Months: $12,500 to $20,000

This amount estimates the rent expense you will incur during the first 3 months of Store operations.

Rent is estimated to be approximately $50,000 to $100,000 per year depending on factors such as size, condition, and location of the leased premises. At times, franchisees are able to negotiate 2-4 months free rent with the landlord upon commencement of the lease.

12. Additional Funds – 3 Months: $30,000 to $33,000

This amount estimates the expenses you will incur during the first 3 months of Store operations, including initial wages and fringe benefits; insurance premiums; advertising; taxes; office, paper, and cleaning supplies; and interest payments on any business loans.

It does not include inventory costs beyond the opening inventory costs identified in the table, and does not include your compensation during this 3-month period.

13. Total: $276,200 to $417,400

This total is an estimate of your pre-opening initial investment and the expenses you will incur during the first 3 months of Store operations. Winmark bases this total on its estimate of nationwide average costs and prevailing market conditions, and Winmark’s 33 years of experience in the franchise retail business and its 29 years of experience in this specific business.