Gymboree Play & Music

Founded: 1976 Franchising since: 1978

San Francisco mother Joan Barnes created the Gymboree Play and Music Program in 1976 when she couldn't find a safe place for new parents and children to play and exercise together. There are now locations across the United States and throughout the world.

Gymboree Play and Music centers offer different classes each week for children ranging from newborn through 4 years old. Classes are designed to stimulate the senses and encourage children's development.

500 Howard San Francisco, California 94105

Phone: (415)278-7925 Franchisee Association International Gymboree Franchise Association

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 320 employee(s); 20 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	244	16	319	7
2008	262	16	319	3
2007	285	19	239	3
2006	284	17	222	3
2005	311	19	182	5

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North carolina, North dakota, New hampshire, New jersey, New mexico, Nevada, New york, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode island, South carolina, South dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 100,000 minimum population

Special Programs
Gymboree offers incentive programs for the most product sold and the highest revenue increase. It is also involved with the March of Dimes.

Total investment: $78.6K-267K Franchise fee: $25K/45K

Ongoing royalty fee: 6% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $250K
Cash liquidity requirement: $70K
Business Experience:

• General business experience

Operations

• 44% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 8 days
• At regional location : 2 days biannually

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#211 (2009); #262 (2008); #175 (2007); #251 (2006); #243 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#162 (2009); #92 (2008); #91 (2007); #93 (2006); #82 (2005);