Create a free account to access this table
Sign up for free
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
2,500+ franchises
Access our entire database: 2,500+ US franchises, updated every day
Essential financial data
Royalty fees, franchise fees, investment costs and more
View 1 FDD
Our free plan allows you to access 1 FDD. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to download

Young Chefs Academy

Home
Education
Arts / Sports

Young Chefs Academy

Young Chefs Academy Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Young Chefs Academy offers cooking classes for kids, focusing on teaching culinary skills and fostering creativity. Franchisees benefit from training, marketing support, and tools to manage and grow their business.

Young Chefs Academy (YCA) is a well-known children’s cooking school franchise that delivers hands-on culinary experiences designed just for kids. Established in 2003 by Julie Burleson, YCA has grown from a single location into a nationwide brand, consistently working to bring fun, educational cooking activities to communities across the country.

With its headquarters in Waco, Texas, YCA launched its franchising efforts in 2005, quickly gaining recognition as a top name in children’s culinary learning. The academy provides a wide range of programs, such as weekly classes, themed workshops, seasonal camps, and special events, all crafted to introduce kids to the excitement and importance of cooking.

Through a thoughtfully developed curriculum, young participants are guided into a world of culinary exploration, where each session helps them build new skills and confidence, progressing toward mastering more advanced techniques and food presentation.

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 Franchise Fee $50,000 – $50,000
Opening Support Fee $3,000 – $3,000
Grand Opening Inventory $2,500 – $4,000
Travel and living expenses for initial training (per person) $2,000 – $3,000
Lease $10,000 – $30,000
Real Estate Improvements $109,000 – $148,000
Millwork, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage $48,000 – $65,000
Architecture and Engineering $5,000 – $10,000
Project Management $0 – $15,000
Office Equipment $2,900 – $2,900
Supplies $2,000 – $4,000
Grand Opening Marketing and Advertising $3,000 – $8,000
Deposits, business licenses, permits, etc. $3,000 – $5,000
Insurance (For 1 year) $1,000 – $5,000
Professional Fees $1,000 – $3,000
Additional Funds (for first 3 months) $25,000 – $44,000
Total $267,400 – $399,900
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000 – $50,000
Opening Support Fee $3,000 – $3,000
Grand Opening Inventory $2,500 – $4,000
Travel and living expenses for initial training (per person) $2,000 – $3,000
Lease $10,000 – $30,000
Real Estate Improvements $109,000 – $148,000
Millwork, furniture, fixtures, equipment, and signage $48,000 – $65,000
Architecture and Engineering $5,000 – $10,000
Project Management $0 – $15,000
Office Equipment $2,900 – $2,900
Supplies $2,000 – $4,000
Grand Opening Marketing and Advertising $3,000 – $8,000
Deposits, business licenses, permits, etc. $3,000 – $5,000
Insurance (For 1 year) $1,000 – $5,000
Professional Fees $1,000 – $3,000
Additional Funds (for first 3 months) $25,000 – $44,000
Total $267,400 – $399,900

Young Chefs Academy

2024

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Young Chefs Academy provides structured training programs to prepare franchisees for successful operation. Here’s a summary of the franchisor’s training programs:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Young Chefs Academy offers initial training and training materials at no extra charge to new franchisees. This program must be completed successfully before opening the franchise location. It is designed to cover operational, marketing, and management practices essential for running the business.
  2. Training for Transfer Franchisees
    For those purchasing an existing franchise instead of a new one, Young Chefs Academy charges a non-refundable $2,000 training fee. This ensures that new owners of existing locations receive the same foundational knowledge as new franchisees.
  3. Multi-Unit Training Support
    Franchisees signing a Multi-Unit Addendum for two or three locations benefit from a reduced initial franchise fee but must still complete initial training for each unit. This ensures consistent standards and operational readiness across multiple sites.

Territory Protection

Young Chefs Academy grants a defined territory within which no other Young Chefs Academy franchise will be placed, provided the franchisee meets the performance and operational standards required. This ensures that franchisees can operate without direct internal competition and build their customer base effectively.

However, the franchisor retains certain rights even within protected territories. Young Chefs Academy may reserve the right to distribute products or offer services through alternative channels such as online platforms, which may reach customers inside the franchisee’s territory.

Franchisees should review their agreement carefully to understand the extent and limitations of this territorial protection.

Competitors

Below are some of

Young Chefs Academy

key competitors in the

Arts / Sports

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

24

New
+
9%
9%

$50,000

$267,000

$400,000

n.a.

$287,000

$xxx,xxx

84.0%

xx%

n.a.

24.0%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Funtastik Labs

Funtastik Labs is a children’s enrichment franchise offering STEM, art, and slime labs through camps, parties, and classes, serving families seeking educational play experiences, and known for hands-on experiments, birthday events, and repeatable programs that turn curiosity into recurring revenue.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$257,000 - $352,000

Musicologie

Musicologie is a music-education franchise offering group and private lessons across instruments and voice, serving children, teens, and adult learners, and known for neighborhood studios, playful curricula, and community-focused recitals that make music education approachable, fun, and accessible for families.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$193,000 - $364,000

Rockstars of Tomorrow

Rockstars of Tomorrow is a music-education franchise offering instrument lessons, band programs, and performance coaching, serving kids, teens, and adults, and known for immersive studio environments, stage-focused training, live shows, and a modern curriculum emphasizing collaboration and real-world performance.

Franchisees

?

7
+
75%
75%
Investment

?

$196,000 - $472,000

Singers Company

Singers Company is a children’s enrichment franchise offering singing and performance groups for young girls, serving families seeking positive extracurricular activities, and known for age-appropriate songs, modest costumes, uplifting choreography, and confidence-building recitals in a supportive, fun, and non-competitive environment.

Franchisees

?

58
+
-2%
-2%
Investment

?

$5,000 - $32,000

Global Art

Global Art is a children’s education franchise offering structured art classes and creative programs, serving kids seeking enrichment beyond school, and known for a proprietary curriculum, international presence, and focus on building creativity, confidence, and problem-solving through drawing and design.

Franchisees

?

5
+
25%
25%
Investment

?

$102,000 - $154,000

Gracie Barra

Gracie Barra is a martial-arts franchise offering Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes and self-defense training for kids and adults, serving all-age students, and known for uniform curriculum, global network, and values-based training environment.

Franchisees

?

353
+
23%
23%
Investment

?

$76,000 - $234,000

Our latest newsletters

Franchising 101

Is This Franchise the Right Fit for You?

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Choosing a franchise goes beyond reviewing fees and financials — it requires an honest assessment of your goals, skills, and risk tolerance. This article outlines the key questions prospective owners should ask before committing. It helps clarify whether the opportunity aligns with your lifestyle, long-term plans, and operational preferences.

Franchisee Validation: Interviews, Reference Checking, Site Visits

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Speaking with current and former franchisees is one of the most reliable ways to understand how a franchise really operates. This guide explains how to conduct validation calls, what questions to ask, and how to identify patterns in feedback. It provides a practical framework for uncovering real performance expectations and support quality.

How to Evaluate a Franchise Opportunity (Industry, Brand Strength, Market Fit)

December 15, 2025
Due Diligence & Decision-Making

Not all franchise opportunities offer the same potential. This article breaks down how to evaluate a brand’s industry, financial health, support systems, and competitive positioning. It helps prospective buyers compare options and identify franchises with strong long-term viability.

Building a Franchise Business Plan & Pro Forma Financials

December 15, 2025
Costs, Fees and Financing

A clear, well-structured business plan is essential for securing financing and preparing for the realities of franchise ownership. This article explains how to build a plan that covers market analysis, operations, staffing, and local marketing. It also outlines how to create realistic pro forma financials, including revenue projections, startup costs, and break-even analysis. Readers gain a practical framework they can use when applying for loans or planning their first years of operations.