Once Upon A Child vs USA Baby Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Once Upon A Child Franchise
USA Baby Franchise
Investment $254,700 - $396,600$344,000 - $650,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$23,400 - $60,200
Royalty Fee 5%3%
Advertising Fee $1K/yr.-
Year Founded 19841975
Year Franchised 19921986
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements

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

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    USA Baby Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/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
    USA Baby 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, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations Number of Employees Required to Run: 3 - 5 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Once Upon A Child Franchise
    USA Baby 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 USA Baby

    USA Baby was founded in 1975 by Alan Levine. It began franchising in 1986 and the chain now includes international locations. USA Baby offers more than 2,000 items for infant and child care. The privately held company is based in Elmhurst, Illinois.