Specialty toy store franchise offering a wide selection of educational and developmental toys, providing a fun and engaging shopping experience for children and parents.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
89
+
-1%
-1%
Franchise fee
?
$35,000
Investment
?
$21,000 - $374,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,040,000
+
90.6%
90.6%
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Learning Express Toys is a prominent specialty toy retailer that offers a diverse range of educational toys, games, and gifts for children. Founded in 1987 by Sharon DiMinico in Acton, Massachusetts, the company has grown significantly and is now headquartered in Devens, Massachusetts. In 1990, Learning Express Toys began franchising, enabling entrepreneurs to open stores across the United States.
The franchise specializes in providing high-quality, educational, and unique toys that promote learning and creativity among children. Their product selection includes items that cater to various developmental stages and interests, ensuring that children receive engaging and beneficial play experiences.
What sets Learning Express Toys apart from competitors is its commitment to personalized customer service, in-store events, and a carefully curated inventory that reflects the latest trends in educational play.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Learning Express Toys franchise is
$21,000 - $374,000.
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.
Learning Express Toys offers 2 types of franchises:
Franchise Type
Initial Investment Range
Standard Learning Express
$177,991 to $373,514
Conversion Store Franchise
$21,375 to $116,514
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a standard Learning Express franchise. For more information on costs required to start a Learning Express Toys franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount (for New Store Franchise)
Initial Franchise Fee
$35,000
Lease & Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $50,000
POS Equipment & Software
$5,116 – $7,639
POS User Access Fee
$1,000 – $1,500
Signage
$3,000 – $12,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
$25,000 – $40,000
Organizational and Training Costs
$1,500 – $6,000
Opening Inventory
$90,000 – $180,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$5,000
Initial Gift Card Program Setup Fees
$375
Insurance
$2,000 – $6,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital – 3 months)
$10,000 – $30,000
Total
$178,000 – $374,000
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Learning Express Toys offers 2 types of franchises:
Franchise Type
Initial Investment Range
Standard Learning Express
$177,991 to $373,514
Conversion Store Franchise
$21,375 to $116,514
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a standard Learning Express franchise. For more information on costs required to start a Learning Express Toys franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount (for New Store Franchise)
Initial Franchise Fee
$35,000
Lease & Leasehold Improvements
$0 – $50,000
POS Equipment & Software
$5,116 – $7,639
POS User Access Fee
$1,000 – $1,500
Signage
$3,000 – $12,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
$25,000 – $40,000
Organizational and Training Costs
$1,500 – $6,000
Opening Inventory
$90,000 – $180,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$5,000
Initial Gift Card Program Setup Fees
$375
Insurance
$2,000 – $6,000
Additional Funds (Working Capital – 3 months)
$10,000 – $30,000
Total
$178,000 – $374,000
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Learning Express Toys's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Learning Express Toys had 90 total units in 2023, of which 89 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.
Learning Express provides a comprehensive training program to ensure franchisee success. The franchisor offers several types of training, including:
Initial Training Program: This includes up to a four-week orientation and training period conducted at the franchisee's store as part of the Grand Opening process. The franchisor covers the cost of the training itself, but franchisees are responsible for travel, salary, and other expenses for themselves or their employees.
New Store Owner Training: This program lasts approximately 40 hours over five days and is mandatory before the store opens. It covers essential topics like hiring, training, marketing, merchandising, and operating the store's systems.
First-Year Training: Franchisees are required to attend additional training during the first year, including events like the Annual Convention and Toy Fair, to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Supplemental and On-Going Training: Ongoing guidance is provided through manuals, updates, webinars, on-site visits, and consultations. Additional advanced training may also be required, with associated costs borne by the franchisee.
Territory Protection
Learning Express offers a designated territory to its franchisees to protect their business interests. Each franchise is assigned a specific geographic area based on factors like zip codes, city boundaries, or a radius from the store location.
As long as the franchisee is not in default, Learning Express agrees not to establish another franchise or operate a company-owned store selling similar products within this territory.
Despite this protection, the franchisor retains certain rights. Learning Express may approve the establishment of other non-competing business models or sell products through channels like online platforms or catalogs within the same area. This balance aims to protect franchisees while allowing the franchisor to adapt to broader market strategies.
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