Gymboree Play & Music Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Gymboree Play & Music is a children's enrichment franchise providing play, music, and art classes designed to support the development of young children through interactive learning.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
40
+
-17%
-17%
Franchise fee
?
$45,000
Investment
?
$56,000 - $389,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$221,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Founded in 1976 by Joan Barnes in California, Gymboree Play & Musicbegan with a simple mission: to provide a safe, enriching play environment for young children. Headquartered in San Francisco, the brand quickly gained popularity among parents and educators alike. It began franchising in 1978 and has since expanded globally, operating over 700 centers in more than 30 countries.
Gymboree Play & Music offers classes for children from birth to five years old, designed to support physical, cognitive, and social development.
Their programs include parent-child play classes, music and art sessions, and preschool readiness activities, all created by early childhood development experts. The curriculum is centered on the "whole child" approach, aiming to nurture every area of development through age-appropriate, play-based learning.
What makes Gymboree Play & Music stand out is its dedication to research-backed curriculum and active parent involvement. Each class is structured to ensure engagement and developmental value, not just entertainment.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Gymboree Play & Music franchise is
$56,000 - $389,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Gymboree Play & Music offers 3 types of franchises:
Franchise Type
Initial Investment
Gymboree Play & Music® Mobile Play Center
$56,250 - $95,800
Gymboree Play & Music® Metro Play Center – Standard and Mini sizes
$124,300 - $244,600
Gymboree Play & Music® Center – Standard and Mini size
$153,000 - $389,100
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Gymboree Play & Music® Center – Standard and Mini sizes franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee (1st Center)
$45,000
Lease Rental and Deposits (3 months’ rent)
$3,000 - $30,000
Broker Commissions, Key Money for Real Estate
$0 - $2,000
Construction, Architectural Fees, Related Expenses
$0 - $150,000
Equipment
$50,000 - $53,700
Décor and Signage
$4,000 - $9,000
Opening Inventory
$11,000 - $13,000
Pre-opening Salaries and Training (travel and living expenses)
$250 - $4,000
Office Equipment and Supplies
$5,000 - $10,000
Insurance
$3,000 - $6,100
Utility Deposits
$250 - $500
Professional Fees
$1,000 - $5,000
Music Rights
$500 - $800
Additional Funds for First 3 Months
$30,000 - $60,000
Total
$153,000 - $389,100
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Gymboree Play & Music offers 3 types of franchises:
Franchise Type
Initial Investment
Gymboree Play & Music® Mobile Play Center
$56,250 - $95,800
Gymboree Play & Music® Metro Play Center – Standard and Mini sizes
$124,300 - $244,600
Gymboree Play & Music® Center – Standard and Mini size
$153,000 - $389,100
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Gymboree Play & Music® Center – Standard and Mini sizes franchise.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee (1st Center)
$45,000
Lease Rental and Deposits (3 months’ rent)
$3,000 - $30,000
Broker Commissions, Key Money for Real Estate
$0 - $2,000
Construction, Architectural Fees, Related Expenses
$0 - $150,000
Equipment
$50,000 - $53,700
Décor and Signage
$4,000 - $9,000
Opening Inventory
$11,000 - $13,000
Pre-opening Salaries and Training (travel and living expenses)
$250 - $4,000
Office Equipment and Supplies
$5,000 - $10,000
Insurance
$3,000 - $6,100
Utility Deposits
$250 - $500
Professional Fees
$1,000 - $5,000
Music Rights
$500 - $800
Additional Funds for First 3 Months
$30,000 - $60,000
Total
$153,000 - $389,100
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Gymboree Play & Music's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Gymboree Play & Music had 40 total units in 2024, of which 40 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Gymboree Play & Music provides a comprehensive training program to equip franchisees with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful operation. The training includes:
Initial Franchise Training (IFT) A 7 to 8-day program covering essential aspects of running a Gymboree Play & Music center, including curriculum delivery, business operations, and customer engagement.
Ongoing Online Training Quarterly online sessions focusing on program updates, operational best practices, and continuous improvement strategies.
Ad Hoc Training Additional training provided as needed, ensuring franchisees stay current with any changes or enhancements in the business model.
Territory Protection
Gymboree Play & Music provide its franchisees a form of territory protection, although it is not fully exclusive. The franchisor agrees not to open or license another Gymboree center under the same branding within the specific territory defined in the franchise agreement.
This territory is clearly detailed in an exhibit and can be based on a set radius or geographical boundaries such as city limits or zip codes. However, franchisees are explicitly told that they do not receive an exclusive territory in a broader sense.
Gymboree reserves the right to operate or license other centers outside of the defined territory, even if those centers are close in proximity. Additionally, franchisees may still face competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, or competing brands controlled by the franchisor.
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