Travel Leaders Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Travel Leaders offers expert travel planning services, ensuring unforgettable experiences tailored to individual preferences and needs.

Travel Leaders is a premier travel agency franchise offering comprehensive services for both leisure and corporate travelers. Its origins trace back to 1888 with the establishment of Ask Mr. Foster in St. Augustine, Florida—North America's first travel agency chain.

Over the years, the company evolved through various mergers and acquisitions, culminating in the formation of the Travel Leaders franchise in 2008. Today, the franchise is headquartered at 3033 Campus Drive, Suite W320, Plymouth, Minnesota.

Travel Leaders began franchising in 1984, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to operate under a well-established brand. The franchise specializes in selling a wide array of travel services, including tours, cruises, and both escorted and independent travel options for individuals and groups.

What sets Travel Leaders apart is its commitment to providing personalized, high-touch service with a local feel. Unlike larger competitors, Travel Leaders offers clients direct access to local agents, ensuring tailored travel experiences.

Initial investment

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.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Fee $0 to $2,500 per full-service location
Business Supplies $200 to $2,000
Exterior Sign Purchase and Installation $200 to $6,000
ARC name change $100 per ARC number
Insurance $1,000 to $2,100
Travel & living expenses to attend training/meetings $400 to $700
Voice Mail $0 to $190
Internet and E-Mail Access $0 to $2,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $0.00
ClientBase CRM $50 to $1,000 annually
ASTA Membership $320 to $1,320
TOTAL $2,270 to $17,910 for first/main office
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Fee $0 to $2,500 per full-service location
Business Supplies $200 to $2,000
Exterior Sign Purchase and Installation $200 to $6,000
ARC name change $100 per ARC number
Insurance $1,000 to $2,100
Travel & living expenses to attend training/meetings $400 to $700
Voice Mail $0 to $190
Internet and E-Mail Access $0 to $2,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $0.00
ClientBase CRM $50 to $1,000 annually
ASTA Membership $320 to $1,320
TOTAL $2,270 to $17,910 for first/main office

Franchise Disclosure Document

Competitors

Below are some of

Travel Leaders

key competitors in the

Other Recreation

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
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188

New
+
2%
2%

$2,500

$2,000

$18,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

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Training

Travel Leaders requires franchisees to participate in a variety of training programs designed to ensure they are equipped for success in the travel services industry. Here is a breakdown of the training offerings provided by the franchisor:

  1. Initial Training and On-Site Orientation: New licensees must complete this within 90 days of signing the License Agreement. It includes an introductory session and an on-site orientation to familiarize licensees with operational expectations and service standards.
  2. Training Seminars: Travel Leaders offers ongoing seminars on various essential topics including selling techniques, product knowledge, preferred supplier programs, management skills, yield management, and customer service.
  3. Annual Franchise Convention: Although attendance is not mandatory, licensees are encouraged to attend the annual convention which rotates locations each year. Attendance may qualify participants for a rebate as outlined in the Operations Manual.
  4. Mandatory Additional Training: The franchisor reserves the right to establish further compulsory training programs or meetings as needed.

Territory Protection

Travel Leaders does not offer its franchisees exclusive territory protection. According to the License Agreement, franchisees will not receive an exclusive area or territory for their operations. This means that franchisees may face competition from other Travel Leaders franchisees, company-owned locations, or even other distribution channels and brands controlled by the franchisor.

The franchisor and its affiliates retain broad rights to open and operate outlets under the Travel Leaders name or any other marks they own, regardless of existing franchisee locations.

They also have the freedom to distribute travel-related services and products via the internet or other alternative channels. These provisions indicate that franchisees must be prepared to compete within their geographic market even if they are part of the same network.

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Travel Leaders

Travel Leaders offers expert travel planning services, ensuring unforgettable experiences tailored to individual preferences and needs.

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Slick City

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