Painting with a Twist Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Art studio franchise offering guided painting classes for all skill levels, allowing participants to create their own artwork while enjoying a fun and social environment.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

219

-5%

Franchise fee

$25,000

Investment

$119,000 - $256,000

Revenue (AUV)

$488,000

n.a.

Founded in 2007 in Mandeville, Louisiana, by Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, Painting with a Twist emerged as a creative haven for communities recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

The company offers a unique blend of art and social interaction, where guests can enjoy guided painting sessions accompanied by their favorite beverages. This innovative concept quickly gained popularity, leading to the opening of additional studios and the commencement of franchising in 2009.

Headquartered in Mandeville, Louisiana, Painting with a Twist has expanded to over 230 studios across 39 states. The franchise provides a relaxed, fun-filled environment where participants, regardless of artistic skill, can create their own masterpieces under the guidance of local artists.

The experience is enhanced by the option to bring one's own beverage, adding a social "twist" to the creative process.

What sets Painting with a Twist apart is its commitment to community engagement and philanthropy. Through its "Painting with a Purpose" program, the company hosts monthly events where a portion of the proceeds is donated to local charities.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Painting with a Twist franchise is $119,000 - $256,000. 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	$25,000
Real Estate Lease for Premises – 2 months	$4,500 – $17,000
“Grand Opening” Advertising	$5,000
Training Expenses (salary expenses)	$0 – $1,500
Travel and Living Expenses while Training	$0 – $1,500
Insurance	$1,500 – $3,500
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment	$14,000 – $25,000
Other Prepaid Expenses	$1,000 – $3,500
Opening Inventory	$4,000 – $7,500
Signage	$4,000 – $8,000
Leasehold Improvements	$30,000 – $90,000
Computer Hardware & Software	$1,000 – $3,000
Legal, Accounting & Organizational Costs	$1,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 – $40,000
Architectural	$2,000 – $5,000
Alcohol Licensing	$1,000 – $15,000
Total	$119,000 – $255,500

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$25,000
Real Estate Lease for Premises – 2 months	$4,500 – $17,000
“Grand Opening” Advertising	$5,000
Training Expenses (salary expenses)	$0 – $1,500
Travel and Living Expenses while Training	$0 – $1,500
Insurance	$1,500 – $3,500
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment	$14,000 – $25,000
Other Prepaid Expenses	$1,000 – $3,500
Opening Inventory	$4,000 – $7,500
Signage	$4,000 – $8,000
Leasehold Improvements	$30,000 – $90,000
Computer Hardware & Software	$1,000 – $3,000
Legal, Accounting & Organizational Costs	$1,000 – $5,000
Additional Funds – 3 months	$25,000 – $40,000
Architectural	$2,000 – $5,000
Alcohol Licensing	$1,000 – $15,000
Total	$119,000 – $255,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Painting with a Twist's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Painting with a Twist had 220 total units in 2024, of which 219 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Painting with a Twist

key competitors in the

Arts / Sports

sector.

Franchise

219

New

-5%

6.00%

$119,000

$256,000

$488,000

n.a.

Tutu School

$50K - $100K

New

55%

9.00%

$97,000

$178,000

$254,000

n.a.

Gymboree Play & Music

$50K - $100K

New

-17%

6.00%

$56,000

$389,000

$221,000

n.a.

Kids United

$200K - $500K

New

700%

6.50%

$275,000

$430,000

n.a.

Goldfish Swim School

Over $500K

172

New

26%

6.00%

$1,663,000

$3,747,000

$1,980,000

31.2%

Color Me Mine

$100K - $200K

112

New

11%

5.00%

$180,000

$438,000

n.a.

D-BAT

Over $500K

128

New

28%

8.00%

$536,000

$1,031,000

$751,000

n.a.

Training

Painting with a Twist provides comprehensive training programs to its franchisees and their employees to ensure successful operation and management of the franchised businesses. The training includes the following key components:

Management Training:Franchisees and their management teams are required to complete an initial management training program in Mandeville, Louisiana, online, or at another designated location. This training covers operational and management aspects essential to the franchise's success. The costs for the initial training, including materials and overhead, are covered by Painting with a Twist, but attendees must pay for their travel, accommodation, and other personal expenses.
On-Site Training:During the opening of a new franchised business, Painting with a Twist provides on-site training and assistance at no cost. A representative is sent to the location to support the franchisee during this critical period.
Mandatory and Optional Programs:Additional mandatory training sessions, including advanced and refresher courses, may be required over time. Optional programs like webinars are also offered, providing updates and guidance on business operations and system upgrades.
Successor and Replacement Training:If management personnel change or fail to complete the training, successor or replacement personnel must attend the program. Failure to complete training satisfactorily could result in agreement violations.

Territory Protection

Painting with a Twist provides franchisees with a "Protected Territory" based on identifiable boundaries and a minimum residential population of 100,000. Within this area, no other franchise under the brand will be established, provided the franchisee complies with the agreement.

However, franchisees may face competition from other distribution channels or brands controlled by the franchisor. If the business is relocated, the franchisor may adjust the Protected Territory boundaries based on updated site guidelines.