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7 Best Toy Store Franchises [Cost, Fees]

Toy Shop Business

Do you want to start a toy store business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 7 best toy store franchise opportunities for sale and their cost.

Starting a toy store business is just like starting any other retailing business; it will require startup capital, planning (feasibility studies, market survey, budgeting), and of course time.

Toy store businesses have become an essential part of our world because playing with toys is part of childhood experience.

Players in the toy and hobby store industry sell a wide range of toys and hobby goods. These goods are retailed to the general public after they are purchased from local and international manufacturers and wholesalers.

The toy and hobby store industry has done brilliantly, growing in line with economic recovery. On the other hand, competition from discount department stores and e-commerce channels has absorbed much of the increased demand for industry products by offering low prices and one-stop-shop convenience.

In view of that, discount stores have become the leading hobby and toy retailers in the United States and in other countries of the world. IBISWorld projected that despite an extremely competitive environment both internally and externally, hobby and toy retailers are expected to experience growth over the five years to 2022.

You can actually be part of this booming industry by buying the franchise of a successful toy store and here are some of the best toy store franchises in the United States of America that you can buy.

7 Best Toy Store Franchise Opportunities

  1. Kazoo Toys

Kazoo Toys is a full-service toy store offering a truly enjoyable and whimsical toy shopping experience. Their store provides parents, teachers, and kids with one of the country’s largest selections of unique and high quality toys, games, puzzles and creative playthings.

Their focus is excellent, friendly customer service, and they believe in the trio of children’s fun: imagination, education, and activity. They are dedicated to providing the best possible tools for children’s healthy and safe play, all while being an active member of their local community.

Kazoo Toys was founded in 1980 and they have been franchising since 2011, about 8 years ago. They have their corporate head office at262 Fillmore St. Denver, CO 80206 and the current CEO of the company is Diana Nelson.

Kazoo Toys has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll.

The company is seeking new franchise units from interested investors from all across the United States of America and also from all across the world.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $135,200 – $389,500
  • Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $100,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $39,000 – $39,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 6%
  1. Learning Express Toys

Learning Express Toys, founded in 1987, is a franchised retail toy store concept focused on quality and educational toys and gifts for children of all ages. With more than 100 franchised stores in 27 states, Learning Express Toys is the largest and most established specialty toy franchise business in America.

While chairing the Board of Directors at her childrens’ nursery school, Groton Community School, Sharon DiMinico pitched the idea of raising revenue for the school by opening a specialty toy store. The school opened the first Learning Express store in Acton, Massachusetts, in 1987. DiMinico opened a second store in Needham six months later. And in 1990, she began franchising.

Learning Express Toys has her corporate head office at 29 Buena Vista St. Devens, MA 01434 and the current CEO of the company is Sharon DiMinico.

Learning Express Toys has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, and payroll. The company is currently offering franchises and toy store conversion opportunities in most US states.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $189,975 – $364,250
  • Net-worth Requirement – $300,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $125,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
  1. Brilliant Sky Toys & Books

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books is one of the leading specialty toy stores in the United States of America. Brilliant Sky Toys & Books was founded in 2002 and they have been franchising since 2007, about 12 years ago. They have their corporate head office at 1705 Mallory Ln., #100 Brentwood, TN 37027 and the current CEO of the company is Brent Taylor.

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, and inventory. The company is seeking new franchise units from interested investors from all across the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $196,000 – $424,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $150,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $35,000 – $35,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
  1. HobbyTown

Merlin P. Hayes and his wife launched a hobby shop in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the 1970s. Through this store, Hayes met Thomas Walla, and together they bought out a competing store, Hobby Town, in 1980.

From that one store, HobbyTown USA was born. The company began franchising in 1986, about 33 years ago. The store sells games, toys, remote control cars and planes, train sets, rockets and models.

The company has her corporate head office at 1133 Libra Dr. Lincoln, NB 68512 and the current CEO of the company is Bob Wilke. The Parent Company of HobbyTown is HobbyTown Unlimited Inc. and they are seeking new franchise units from interested investors across the United States of America.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $161,000 – $330,000
  • Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $48,510 – $104,775
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $20,000 – $20,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 3%
  • Ad Royalty Fee – 1-2%
  • Veteran Incentives – $10,000 off franchise fee
  1. Once Upon A Child

Founded in 1984 in Columbus, Ohio, Once Upon A Child specializes in selling new and used children’s clothes, toys, furniture and equipment. Franchises were first offered in 1992, about 27 years ago. The company is owned by Winmark (formerly Grow Biz), which also franchises Music Go Round, Plato’s Closet, Style Encore and Play It Again Sports.

Once Upon A Child has her corporate head office at 605 Hwy. 169 N., #400 Minneapolis, MN 55441 and the current CEO of the company is Brett Heffes.

The company has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, and inventory.

The Parent Company of Once Upon A Child is Winmark Corp. and they are seeking new franchise units from interested investors from all across the United States of America and Canada.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $268,500 – $396,900
  • Net-worth Requirement – $250,000
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $75,000
  • Initial Franchise Fee – $25,000 – $25,000
  • Ongoing Royalty Fee – 5%
  1. Bricks & Minifigs®

Bricks & Minifigs® is your one-stop aftermarket LEGO® shop! They are the largest toy store of their kind, specializing in only new and used LEGO® items. Bricks & Minifigs® buy and trade all LEGO® products, from tubs of bulk to storage unit sized collections. If it’s LEGO® brand, they will take it!

Bricks & Minifigs has established itself as the first LEGO® resale franchise with an extremely loyal and rapidly growing customer base. Bricks & Minifigs® have built their business model “brick by brick” on a solid business strategy to make the most out of your investment dollar.

Bricks & Minifigs® was founded in 2010 and they have been franchising since 2011, about 8 years ago. They have their corporate head office at 225 W. 520 N. Orem, UT 84057 and the current CEO of the company is Dan McNeff.

Financial Requirements and Info

  • Initial Investment – $108,500
  • Total Units 39
  1. Make A Bear Mobile LLC

Make A Bear Mobile LLC is about making children and adults smile by delivering a business model of the future. Make A Bear Mobile LLC, operates their business with the highest level of integrity, honesty and customer care and support. They are look for highly motivated and capable people who would enjoy the same mission.

Make A Bear Mobile LLC business model is designed to give back to children and adults who are less fortunate. Make A Bear Mobile LLC donates a percentage of profitable income each holiday season to local hospitals and homes delivering products and money to those in need of a smile.

The company offers a wide selection of Plush Animals designed with the highest quality fabrics and unique designs like bears, Unicorns, Dogs, Cats, Tigers, Dragons, Ponies and many more.

Financial Requirements

  • Initial Investment – $14,500
  • Liquid Cash Requirement – $14,500
  • Total Investment – $14,500