Once Upon A Child vs Gymboree Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Once Upon A Child Franchise
Gymboree Franchise
Investment $254,700 - $396,600$81,143 - $267,593
Franchise Fee $25,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee $1K/yr.-
Year Founded 19841976
Year Franchised 19921978
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Once Upon A Child Franchise
Gymboree Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
    		•

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

    Training & Support
     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    Gymboree 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, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations Number of Employees Required to Run: 3 - 5 International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 44% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 - 4

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    Gymboree Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    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 Gymboree

    San Francisco mother Joan Barnes created the Gymboree Play and Music Program in 1976 when she couldn't find a safe place for new parents and children to play and exercise together. There are now locations across the United States and throughout the world.

    Gymboree Play and Music centers offer different classes each week for children ranging from newborn through 4 years old. Classes are designed to stimulate the senses and encourage children's development.