HobbyTown USA
General hobbies & supplies, toysBackground
Founded: 1969 Franchising since: 1986
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.
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 55 employee(s); 55 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
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, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Australia/new zealand
Exclusive territories available.
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 and also has an e-commerce site.
HobbyTown USA stores sell games, toys, remote control cars and planes, train sets, rockets and models.
|
6301 S. 58th St. Lincoln, Nebraska 68516 |
Phone: (800)858-7370
Franchisee Association
Franchise Advisory Council |
Franchisor is a privately-held company with 55 employee(s); 55 employee(s) in franchise department.
Franchise Growth
| Year | U.S. Franchises | Canadian Franchises | Foreign Franchises | Company Owned |
| 2008 | 164 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 170 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2006 | 169 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2005 | 164 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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, United states, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Outside the U.S.: Australia/new zealand
Exclusive territories available.
Costs and Fees
|
Total investment: $177.6K-478K Franchise fee: $19.5K |
Ongoing royalty fee: 3% Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable |
Type of Financing Available
| In-House | Third Party | |
| Franchise Fee | No | Yes |
| Startup Costs | No | Yes |
| Equipment | No | Yes |
| Inventory | No | Yes |
| Accounts Receivable | No | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
Qualifications
Cash liquidity requirement: $60K-300K
Operations
- 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit
- Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4
- Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)
Training and Support
Training
Ongoing Support
Marketing Support
- Available at headquarters: 1 week
- At franchisee's location: 3 weeks
Ongoing Support
- Newsletter
- Meetings
- Toll-free phone line
- Grand opening
- Internet
- Security/safety procedures
- Field operations/evaluations
- Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Support
- Co-op advertising
- Ad slicks
- National media
Rankings
Franchise 500® rank:
#302 (2009); #271 (2008); #255 (2007); #210 (2006); #274 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2007; 2006; 2005;
America's Top Global Franchises:
#179 (2007); #158 (2006); #185 (2005);
#302 (2009); #271 (2008); #255 (2007); #210 (2006); #274 (2005);
Ranked #1 in category in:
2009; 2007; 2006; 2005;
America's Top Global Franchises:
#179 (2007); #158 (2006); #185 (2005);