HobbyTown
General hobbies and supplies, toys
- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$323K - $588K
- Units as of 2022
-
109 12% over 3 years
Thomas Walla, Merlin Hayes, and Mary Hayes opened a small hobby store in 1969. Then, in 1980, they bought out HobbyTown, a competing store. They began franchising in 1986 and, since then, HobbyTown has grown into the largest brick-and-mortar hobby retailer in the industry, with over 100 franchise locations across the U.S.
HobbyTown franchises operate on four core values to deliver the best possible customer experience. Among these four values, franchisees and their employees are expected to lead and serve, cultivate growth, bring it every day, and most importantly, keep calm and hobby on.
Why You May Want toStart a HobbyTown Franchise
Executive members and leaders within the HobbyTown brand are vested shareholders in the company. That being said, they want franchisees to do well and will give you the tools to run a business. With corporate backing, a turn-key operating system, and close connections with other HobbyTown stores, you'll have ample support.
HobbyTown's training takes place both onsite at a mentoring store and through Hobby University at company headquarters. Their field team will continue your training for three weeks prior to your store's opening day. HobbyTown's service team takes over when pre-launch training ends. They will provide ongoing support with IT, accounting, sales, marketing, inventory management and purchasing, and financial analysis.
What Might Make a HobbyTown Franchise a Good Choice?
To open a HobbyTown store, you will need to be prepared to invest financially, which will include a franchise fee. Your total investment will depend on your store's size, build-out requirements, and starting inventory. On inventory, HobbyTown makes sure that you stock the best products for your local area. Using point-of-sale and online data, corporate experience, and vendor relationships, inventory is well-mixed and constantly changing to keep your store fresh and exciting for a wide range of customers.
HobbyTown offers a few ways to get the most out of your store, including the choice to become an official retailer of RadioShack Express merchandise. When your store is listed as a retailer on radioshack.com, you may experience additional sales and new customers. Sales go beyond the physical location, as well. Customers can order products from your online store. There may also be an opportunity to expand to a multi-unit franchise.
You may be wondering why opening a HobbyTown is a good idea with such a strong presence from online retailers like Amazon. Fortunately, HobbyTown has national brand awareness as a locally-owned store. The company uses this label to its advantage, offering competitive prices and reliable customer service.
How Do You Start a HobbyTown Franchise?
When looking to start a HobbyTown franchise,, it would be a good idea to scout different locations. Learn as much as you can about the brand and check your local community to match the market need.
Franchisees will attend a discovery day at HobbyTown's corporate headquarters in Lincoln, Nebraska. Here, they will learn more about the opportunity and get ready to invest and sign documents. With continual company support, soon enough, you'll be helping customers do the things they love and maybe even finding new hobbies for yourself along the way.
Company Overview
About HobbyTown
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 1986 (37 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 45 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchisees throughout the US. This company is offering new franchisees in the following international regions: Australia/New Zealand, Canada |
| # of Units | 109 (as of 2022) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a HobbyTown franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$49,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$323,000 - $587,500 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$500,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$100,000 - $200,000 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
$10,000 off franchise fee |
|
Royalty Fee
|
5% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
2% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| In-House Financing | HobbyTown offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee |
|---|---|
| Third Party Financing | HobbyTown has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory |
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 131 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 32 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | Yes |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
| # of employees required to run | 4 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Interested in ownership opportunities like HobbyTown? Request a free consultation with a Franchise Advisor now.
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where HobbyTown landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where HobbyTown ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to HobbyTown.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
Franchise Legalese Defined — A Deep Dive Into Franchising Definitions
Before you can decide if you should franchise, find out exactly what you're getting yourself into.
Opening a New McDonald's Franchise Will Be More Expensive in 2024
Starting January 1, franchise royalty fees will rise from 4% to 5% for new locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Your Ultimate Research Guide to the Crucial Steps Before Buying a Franchise
If you're thinking about becoming a franchisee, find out what you're getting yourself into by reviewing this quick guide.
If You Want to Join a Franchise That Is Truly Diverse, These Are the Top 100 to Consider
These franchises are putting their money where their mouth is when it comes to inclusivity.
These Are the Top Companies That Support Franchises in 2023
From banking to marketing to event planning, find out who to hire to help your business thrive.
Would You Turn Your Small Business Into a Franchise? Here's Why Everyone From Hardware Stores to Hot Dog Shops Are Doing It.
When you've put your blood, sweat and tears into building an independent business, it's hard to know if converting to franchise is selling out, or buying into something better. We talked to business owners across industries about how they made the decision, and to franchisors on why they're pursuing the conversion strategy.
