Drama Kids International is a leading franchise in the children's education and enrichment industry, specializing in drama-based programs that help children develop confidence, communication skills, and creativity.
The franchise was founded in 1979 by Helen O'Grady, an Australian actress who saw the potential of using drama activities to foster personal growth in young people. Originally started in Perth, Australia, the program quickly gained popularity, leading to its formal establishment as a school in 1985.
Drama Kids International, Inc. became the exclusive U.S. provider of the Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Program and began franchising in 2000.
Headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia, Drama Kids has grown into the largest after-school drama program globally, with over 50,000 students attending classes in more than 1,500 locations across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
The franchise offers a progressive curriculum designed for children aged 4 to 17, which includes a wide range of drama activities aimed at improving public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and social interaction skills.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Drama Kids provides a comprehensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate their drama-based educational business.
Drama Kids franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee has exclusive rights to operate within a designated geographic area. This exclusive territory typically includes 20,000 to 40,000 qualifying households, depending on population density and other demographic factors.
The franchise guarantees that no other Drama Kids franchise will be established within this protected area, allowing franchisees to maximize their market potential without internal competition.
The size of the territory can be adjusted based on the number of qualifying households, with options for expansion if the territory exceeds 40,000 households. This territory protection is a crucial aspect of the franchise agreement, providing franchisees with a secure environment to build and grow their business within their community.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
All you need to know about this franchise
?
?
?
?
Below are some of
Drama Kids
key competitors in the
Arts / Sports
sector.
41
$42,500
$48,000
$57,000
n.a.
$162,000
$xxx,xxx
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Funtastik Labs is a children’s enrichment franchise offering STEM, art, and slime labs through camps, parties, and classes, serving families seeking educational play experiences, and known for hands-on experiments, birthday events, and repeatable programs that turn curiosity into recurring revenue.
?
?
Musicologie is a music-education franchise offering group and private lessons across instruments and voice, serving children, teens, and adult learners, and known for neighborhood studios, playful curricula, and community-focused recitals that make music education approachable, fun, and accessible for families.
?
?
Rockstars of Tomorrow is a music-education franchise offering instrument lessons, band programs, and performance coaching, serving kids, teens, and adults, and known for immersive studio environments, stage-focused training, live shows, and a modern curriculum emphasizing collaboration and real-world performance.
?
?
Singers Company is a children’s enrichment franchise offering singing and performance groups for young girls, serving families seeking positive extracurricular activities, and known for age-appropriate songs, modest costumes, uplifting choreography, and confidence-building recitals in a supportive, fun, and non-competitive environment.
?
?
Global Art is a children’s education franchise offering structured art classes and creative programs, serving kids seeking enrichment beyond school, and known for a proprietary curriculum, international presence, and focus on building creativity, confidence, and problem-solving through drawing and design.
?
?
Gracie Barra is a martial-arts franchise offering Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and self-defense training for kids and adults, serving all-age students, and known for uniform curriculum, global network, and values-based training environment.
?
?
Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.
Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.
Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.
A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.
.png)
