Once Upon A Child vs EncouraGym Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Once Upon A Child vs EncouraGym including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Once Upon A Child Franchise
EncouraGym Franchise
Investment $254,700 - $396,600$25,600 - $69,400
Franchise Fee $25,000$10,500
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee $1K/yr.-
Year Founded 19842001
Year Franchised 19922004
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee $5K10% of current franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
Once Upon A Child Franchise
EncouraGym Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Desire to work with children

  • Financing Options

     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    EncouraGym Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoYes/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    EncouraGym Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 55 hours-
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd slicks
    Operations Number of Employees Required to Run: 3 - 5 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    EncouraGym Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion YesNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Once Upon A Child

    Founded in 1984 in Columbus, Ohio, Once Upon A Child specializes in selling new and used children's clothes, toys, furniture and equipment. Franchises were first offered in 1992. The company is owned by Winmark (formerly Grow Biz), which also franchises Music Go Round, Plato's Closet, and Play It Again Sports.

    "Entrepreneur      ""

    #110 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #233 in Franchise 500 for 2021.








    About EncouraGym

    Interested in a program for your home, church, school, or daycare? Don't invest $20,000 to $50,000 BEFORE you see what the others have to offer. EncouraGYM makes it possible to START YOUR OWN PROGRAM using our acclaimed lesson plans.
    Stop DREAMING and START LIVING your dreams.