HobbyTown USA vs Bricks & Minifigs Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of HobbyTown USA vs Bricks & Minifigs including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
HobbyTown USA Franchise
Bricks & Minifigs Franchise
Investment $199,500 - $374,000$108,500 - $276,400
Franchise Fee $20,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 3%6%
Advertising Fee 1%-3%$50/mo
Year Founded 19692010
Year Franchised 19862011
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee $2K-


Business Experience Requirements

 
HobbyTown USA Franchise
Bricks & Minifigs Franchise
Experience - Are you a LEGO® enthusiast? Do you have an outstanding work ethic with a passion to succeed? Do you want to “love what you do?” Do you love seeing smiles on customers’ faces? Would you enjoy working with a customer base that ranges from small children to adult collectors? If you answered yes to ANY of these questions, then this franchise opportunity may be for you.

Financing Options

 
HobbyTown USA Franchise
Bricks & Minifigs Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
Equipment No/No-/Yes
Inventory No/No-/Yes
Receivables No/No-/Yes
Payroll No/No-/Yes

Training & Support

 
HobbyTown USA Franchise
Bricks & Minifigs Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media Email marketing Loyalty program/app Franchisee Intranet Platform Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
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)

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Expansion Plans

 
HobbyTown USA Franchise
Bricks & Minifigs Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About HobbyTown USA

Join a successful franchise The HobbyTown USA team has developed a business plan that has proven successful over the last twenty years. When you sign up as a HobbyTown USA franchise owner, we give you operational training from our expert staff, provide you with services that would not be cost-effective as an independent business owner and offer national brand recognition with the HobbyTown USA name. "The hobby industry has seen many exciting changes over the last two decades and it continues to grow, but one thing remains constant, HobbyTown USA continues to offer our customers a wide variety of hobby products that provide hours of family entertainment for very little investment."
* Join the HobbyTown USA team and enjoy these benefits: The most recognized and trusted name in the hobby industry
* Financing assistance after the agreement is executed
* Site location and lease negotiation assistance
* Comprehensive store layout and design services
* On-site training and opening assistance
* Complete pre-opening and operations manuals
* Ongoing business support from the home office
* Point of purchase and inventory computer program and 24/7 technical support
* Customizable store website
* Marketing support
* Discount product purchase program and national buying power
* Annual franchise convention with educational seminars and trade show

HobbyTown USA was founded on a dream to help men and women become successful owners of a hobby store. After thirty years in business, over 170 individuals have succeeded in living the HobbyTown USA dream.

The one-time initial fee on your first unit is $20,000 ($15,000 franchise fee + $5,000 turnkey fee), the franchise fee is $5,000 on subsequent units.
Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

"Entrepreneur
#440 in Franchise 500 for 2020.








About Bricks & Minifigs

Bricks & Minifigs started as a dream in 2003 when David Ortiz thought there should be a better way to buy, sell, and trade LEGO® items while being a stay-at-home father of twin boys. He knew that if there was a safe place for families to buy, sell and trade LEGO® product that it would be a success. In 2009 he met John Masek, who had spent most of his life working in and running stores for some of the largest names in retail. John had recently started selling LEGO® online, and as it happened the two men stumbled into a bidding war with each other over a large LEGO® collection for sale. Instead of fighting, they decided to begin working together to split the collection. Shortly afterwards they started drafting plans for the future, combining David’s knowledge and John’s retail experience to create what is now Bricks & Minifigs. They opened their first store in 2010. The company began franchising in 2011, and by 2018 had over 41 stores in operation in the US and Canada.


Veteran Incentives   20% off franchise fee

#317 in Franchise 500 for 2021.   Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.