Color Me Mine: Redefining Artistic Fun Through Pottery Painting

Color Me Mine is a creative studio franchise that invites people of all ages to explore their artistic side by painting their own pottery. Since its launch in 1991 in Pasadena, California, the brand has emerged as a leading name in the ceramics painting industry.

Now headquartered in Glendale, California, Color Me Mine started offering franchise opportunities in 1996, enabling the concept to spread to neighborhoods throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Each studio offers a broad selection of blank ceramic items—such as cups, bowls, dishes, and decorative pieces—that guests can decorate using their own artistic vision. The experience is hands-on, casual, and designed to encourage personal expression in a welcoming setting.

What sets the franchise apart is its focus on creativity made simple. With no art background required, Color Me Mine makes it easy for anyone to enjoy the process of making something beautiful and uniquely their own.

Training

Color Me Mine provides a structured training system for its franchisees, which includes multiple distinct programs designed to ensure consistent operational standards. The franchisor offers the following types of training:

1. Initial Franchise Training Program: This is mandatory and typically held monthly, either in-person or virtually. Franchisees must attend and successfully complete this program before opening a new location or taking over an existing one. Additional staff may attend at no extra charge.
2. On-Site Follow-Up Training (Optional): After completing the initial training, franchisees may have the opportunity to continue their training by working at an existing Color Me Mine business. This is intended to deepen their hands-on operational knowledge.
3. Continuing Education Programs: These may be offered on a mandatory or optional basis and are designed to cover topics related to the ongoing operation or promotion of the franchise. Some of these may be led by third parties and could incur nominal fees.
4. Confidential and Proprietary Training Materials: Franchisees receive access to Color Me Mine’s proprietary training materials, which must be returned upon the termination of the agreement. These materials are meant to guide franchisees in maintaining operational standards.

Territory Protection

Color Me Mine gives each franchisee a "Protected Territory," which is an area around their studio where no other Color Me Mine business can open during the initial franchise term. This area usually includes about 250,000 people, but it can be smaller if the location is in a unique area like a rural or tourist spot. The franchisee doesn’t have to meet any sales goals to keep this territory as long as the agreement is active.

However, this territory is not fully exclusive. Color Me Mine can still open special types of locations—like in airports or hospitals—inside that area. They can also sell products online or through other channels that reach customers in the protected territory, as long as those products aren’t already being sold by the local franchisee.