Young Chefs Academy Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
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.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
24
+
9%
9%
Franchise fee
?
$50,000
Investment
?
$267,000 - $400,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$287,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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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
The initial investment required for a Young Chefs Academy franchise is
$267,000 - $400,000.
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
$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
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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
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Young Chefs Academy's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Young Chefs Academy had 26 total units in 2024, of which 24 were franchised-owned and 2 company-owned.
Young Chefs Academy provides structured training programs to prepare franchisees for successful operation. Here’s a summary of the franchisor’s training programs:
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.
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.
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.
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