Drama Kids Int'l. Inc.

Founded: 1979 Franchising since: 1989
In 1979, teacher Helen O'Grady began offering after-school drama classes to children in Perth, Australia. The positive response from both parents and students convinced O'Grady to open more studios. By 1987, she had opened 24 locations around Perth, operating under the Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Academy.

The company began franchising in Australia in 1989 and first offered international master licenses in 1993. In 2000, the company began operations in the United States as Drama Kids International.

Drama Kids franchisees offer children age 5 to 17 drama classes at schools, community centers and churches. The program runs on a 40-week school year basis, made up of a single hour-long session per week. Each year ends with a performance for family and friends.

525-K E. Market St., #250 Leesburg, Virginia 20176

Phone: (866)809-1055

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 8 employee(s); 3 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	42	0	133	0
2008	43	0	133	0
2007	38	0	133	2
2006	33	0	122	1
2005	26	0	118	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, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West virginia, Wyoming
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 400,000 population

Total investment: $18.4K-57.1K Franchise fee: $15.8K-44.9K

Ongoing royalty fee: 6-10% Term of agreement: 7 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	Yes
Payroll	No	Yes

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $50K
Cash liquidity requirement: $25K
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Teaching or child development experience

Operations

• Franchise can be run from home
• 4% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 4
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

Training

• Available at headquarters: 5 days
• At franchisee's location: 5 days
• 1 day of regional training plus annual conference

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations

Marketing Support

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

Franchise 500® rank:
#435 (2009); #399 (2008); #332 (2007); #388 (2005);

Low-Cost Franchises:
#96 (2009); #95 (2008); #89 (2007); #110 (2005);

Top Home Based Franchises:
#97 (2007);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#177 (2007);