WineStyles Tasting Station Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

WineStyles Tasting Station offers a curated selection of wines, craft beers, and gourmet foods, providing a unique and enjoyable tasting experience for customers.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

25%

Franchise fee

$15,000 - $25,000

Investment

$231,000 - $476,000

Revenue (AUV)

n.a.

WineStyles Tasting Station is a boutique wine franchise that transforms traditional wine retail into an immersive tasting journey. Founded in 2002 in West Des Moines, Iowa, the concept emerged from a backyard blind tasting that revealed taste—not price—should guide wine selection.

The company began franchising in 2012 and remains headquartered in West Des Moines. Each WineStyles location offers a curated selection of wines, craft beers, artisanal cheeses, fine chocolates, and gourmet foods.

Unlike conventional wine shops, WineStyles categorizes wines by flavor profile—such as crisp, silky, or bold—rather than by varietal or region. This approach simplifies the selection process, making it more accessible for customers.

The franchise differentiates itself with a warm, old-world ambiance reminiscent of a European wine cellar. Customers are encouraged to "Taste, Learn, and Enjoy" through in-store tastings, educational events, and club memberships.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a WineStyles Tasting Station franchise is $231,000 - $476,000. 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
Architectural Services Fee	$2,500
Real Estate Development (including Real Estate Services Fee); Rent (First and Last) and Security Deposit	$5,000 - $20,000
Tenant Improvements (Electrical, Plumbing, Walls, Ceilings, Floor, Painting, Installation, Permits)	$50,000 - $150,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Small Wares and Equipment	$32,000 - $68,000
Opening Inventory	$28,000 - $55,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs	$3,000 - $5,000
Licenses and Permits	$2,000 - $15,000
Insurance (including workers’ compensation)	$2,500 - $5,200
Grand Opening Advertising	$7,500 - $15,000
Travel and Living Expenses While In Training	$1,000 - $1,800
Point of Sale System (Software and Hardware)	$12,000 - $13,000
Additional Funds - 1st year	$60,000 - $100,000
TOTALS	$230,500 to $475,500

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$25,000
Architectural Services Fee	$2,500
Real Estate Development (including Real Estate Services Fee); Rent (First and Last) and Security Deposit	$5,000 - $20,000
Tenant Improvements (Electrical, Plumbing, Walls, Ceilings, Floor, Painting, Installation, Permits)	$50,000 - $150,000
Furniture, Fixtures, Small Wares and Equipment	$32,000 - $68,000
Opening Inventory	$28,000 - $55,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs	$3,000 - $5,000
Licenses and Permits	$2,000 - $15,000
Insurance (including workers’ compensation)	$2,500 - $5,200
Grand Opening Advertising	$7,500 - $15,000
Travel and Living Expenses While In Training	$1,000 - $1,800
Point of Sale System (Software and Hardware)	$12,000 - $13,000
Additional Funds - 1st year	$60,000 - $100,000
TOTALS	$230,500 to $475,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is WineStyles Tasting Station's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

WineStyles Tasting Station had 11 total units in 2023, of which 10 were franchised-owned and 1 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

WineStyles Tasting Station

key competitors in the

Arts / Sports

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

25%

6.00%

$231,000

$476,000

n.a.

KidzArt

Under $25K

New

-7%

8.00%

$23,000

$68,000

$108,000

n.a.

Painting with a Twist

$100K - $200K

219

New

-5%

6.00%

$119,000

$256,000

$488,000

n.a.

Drama Kids

$25K - $50K

New

-21%

8.00%

$48,000

$57,000

$162,000

n.a.

Creative Kids Movement Network

$25K - $50K

New

n.a.

$500-$750 per month

$30,000

$38,000

n.a.

Valhallan

$50K - $100K

New

n.a.

7.00%

$83,000

$330,000

$75,000

n.a.

Water Babies

$100K - $200K

New

n.a.

8%–10%

$108,000

$153,000

n.a.

Training

WineStyles Tasting Station provides structured training programs to ensure that new franchisees are equipped to operate their stores effectively. These programs are critical components of the franchise's support system and are structured to offer both classroom instruction and practical on-site experience.

Mandatory Initial Training Program: Franchisees must attend a 4–5-day training session at the Corporate Headquarters in West Des Moines, Iowa. This training includes comprehensive instruction on operations, sales, customer service, and inventory management. The program also extends to on-site training and support during the store’s first week of operation.
Ongoing Training and Conferences: Franchisees are expected to participate in annual conferences, which are mandatory. The fee for these sessions is currently $300 per person, in addition to travel and living expenses. If a franchisee fails to attend, a $300 fine applies.

Territory Protection

WineStyles Tasting Station does not grant exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. While each franchisee must get approval for their store location within a designated area, this does not prevent the franchisor from opening other units nearby.

The franchisor retains full discretion over site approvals and may authorize additional stores in close proximity.

This means franchisees have limited protection and must compete with other WineStyles locations if the franchisor chooses to expand in the same market. The system ensures strategic placement but does not guarantee geographic exclusivity.