How Much Does a Once Upon A Child Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$356K – $486K
Franchise Fee
$25K
Royalty
5.0%
Ad Fund
3.0%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Once Upon A Child is $25K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Once Upon A Child franchise requires a total investment of $356K – $486K. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $40K to $50K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Once Upon A Child franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty fee is 5.0% of gross sales (Percentage of Gross Sales). The advertising or brand fund contribution is 3.0% of gross sales. There is also a technology fee of $3K.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Once Upon A Child requires working capital of $40K – $50K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
According to Once Upon A Child's Item 19 financial performance representation:
Median gross sales: $1.2M
This figure comes from Item 19 of the FDD. Gross sales are not the same as take-home profit. After deducting royalties, ad fund fees, rent, labor, and COGS, net income is typically a fraction of gross revenue.
How Do Banks View Once Upon A Child?
SBA Loans Issued
228
Default Rate
3.6%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Once Upon A Child has 228 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 3.6%, which is below the franchise industry average, indicating relatively lower lending risk. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
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