The Little Gym vs The Great American Train Company Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Little Gym vs The Great American Train Company including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
The Little Gym Franchise
The Great American Train Company Franchise
Investment $174,900 - $456,500$22,995 - And Up
Franchise Fee $39,500 - $59,500N/A
Royalty Fee 8%-
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 1976-
Year Franchised 1992-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
The Little Gym Franchise
The Great American Train Company Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    The Great American Train Company Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    The Great American Train Company Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 55 hours Classroom Training: 100 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location -
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform-
    Marketing Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing -
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    The Great American Train Company Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About The Little Gym

    After teaching grade school in public schools for years, Robin Wes used his physical education, psychology and motor development degrees to open The Little Gym in 1976. Although it started out focusing on physical education, the program has evolved to focus on children's intellectual and social development as well.
    Today Little Gym offers programs for various age levels, including Parent & Child, Developmental Gymnastics, Karate and Sports Skills Development.
    Franchises also hold birthday parties, summer camps, Creative Crafts Adventures and Parent's Survival Nights.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a The Little Gym franchise with a Standard Territory is $223,400 to $456,500. This includes $139,500 to $175,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a The Little Gym franchise with a Medium Market Territory is $174,900 to $392,000. This includes $114,500 to $141,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    If you elect to begin operation of a Multi-Unit Area Development, the additional costs for the estimated initial investment is $133,875 to $148,750 which must be paid to the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
    #179 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About The Great American Train Company

    Run Your Own Miniature Railroad. Make Money Selling Rides! Interested in a fun business that can pay for itself in just months and then start returning big profits? The Great American Train Company now sells everything you need to start a complete, portable train ride business. Set up at local festivals, fairs and other events and start generating cash immediately. Trains run on any flat surface indoors or outside. Kits can include battery-powered Pioneer Mogul Locomotive and Tender, riding cars, caboose and a 60' x 80' section of track. Prices vary by kit and start at just $22,995. Our complete guide to running a miniature ride business is included. You'll learn about which fairs and festivals are best, how to set up the track for maximum sales potential and safety, how to promote train rides before and during the event and much more. View the steps for setting up your train at a fair or festival.