Monkee's is a women's boutique retail franchise offering curated apparel, shoes, and accessories, serving fashion-forward shoppers in upscale neighborhoods, and known for its small-store feel, personalized service, and locally owned boutiques supported by a broader Southern-inspired brand.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
57
+
58%
58%
Franchise fee
?
$60,000
Investment
?
$297,000 - $535,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$848,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Monkee’s is an upscale women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories boutique franchise that began as a single store in 1995. The original shop opened in Wilmington, North Carolina, created by founder DeeDee Shaw. The brand grew from a small local boutique into a recognizable name in specialty retail.
Today the franchise is operated by Monkee’s Franchising LLC and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The company began franchising the concept around 2011. Its growth has been driven by a strong focus on boutique-style service and high-quality merchandise.
Monkee’s boutiques offer a curated selection of women’s designer apparel, shoes, handbags, accessories, and fashion items. Each location is intentionally designed to feel intimate and welcoming, with a warm layout that resembles a cozy living room to create a relaxed shopping experience.
The franchise differentiates itself through small store footprints, personalized service, and access to premium designer brands. This boutique-style approach sets Monkee’s apart from larger retail chains and department stores, giving franchise owners a distinctive model built around customer experience and curated fashion.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Monkee's franchise is
$297,000 - $535,000.
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.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$30,000 to $60,000
Real Estate
$10,000 to $25,000
Leasehold Improvements
$108,000 to $225,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment
$29,500 to $39,500
Signage
$6,000 to $14,000
Insurance
$2,500 to $4,500
Grand Opening Advertising
$5,000
Computer System (Back Office Equipment and Technology)
$3,000 to $4,000
Point of Sale System
$500 one-time training fee, plus $82 to $119 per month
Opening Inventory
$75,000 to $100,000
Opening Supplies
$4,824 to $5,517
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,000 to $3,000
Prepaid Expenses and Deposits
$500 to $1,000
Training Expenses
$750 to $2,500
Additional Funds (3 Months)
$20,000 to $45,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment (If Store Location is Leased)
$296,820 to $534,874
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$30,000 to $60,000
Real Estate
$10,000 to $25,000
Leasehold Improvements
$108,000 to $225,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment
$29,500 to $39,500
Signage
$6,000 to $14,000
Insurance
$2,500 to $4,500
Grand Opening Advertising
$5,000
Computer System (Back Office Equipment and Technology)
$3,000 to $4,000
Point of Sale System
$500 one-time training fee, plus $82 to $119 per month
Opening Inventory
$75,000 to $100,000
Opening Supplies
$4,824 to $5,517
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$1,000 to $3,000
Prepaid Expenses and Deposits
$500 to $1,000
Training Expenses
$750 to $2,500
Additional Funds (3 Months)
$20,000 to $45,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment (If Store Location is Leased)
$296,820 to $534,874
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Monkee's's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Monkee's had 57 total units in 2025, of which 57 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Monkee’s provides a multi-phase training program to prepare franchisees and their management teams for successful store operation. The franchisor requires franchisees and their managers to complete this training 2-3 months prior to opening, ensuring foundational readiness.
Initial Training Program The initial training includes classroom sessions at Monkee’s corporate offices and a Monkee’s store location designated by the franchisor. Additionally, there are 2 to 3 days of mandatory on-site training at the franchisee’s store immediately before the store opens. This training must be successfully completed to the franchisor’s satisfaction.
Supplementary Training Requirements Any new manager hired after the store opens must also complete the initial training. The franchisor may require franchisees, their managers, or employees to attend additional or refresher training as needed. All travel, lodging, and related expenses for training are the responsibility of the franchisee.
Training Resources and Materials Upon completion of the initial program, the franchisee receives a copy of the confidential Operations Manual, which includes detailed operational guidance and is updated regularly. The Manual may include multimedia resources and is accessed either physically or digitally.
Territory Protection
Monkee’s grants franchisees a Protected Area that typically ranges from two to ten miles in radius around the approved store location. Within this Protected Area, the franchisor agrees not to own, operate, or franchise another Monkee’s store.
However, the specific boundaries are determined at the franchisor’s discretion, based on demographic data, business concentration, and other strategic considerations.
While Monkee’s provides exclusivity in terms of store locations, the franchisor retains broad rights to sell products and services through other channels. This includes internet sales and other forms of electronic or alternative distribution, even within a franchisee’s Protected Area.
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