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Report Generated: March 31, 2026 Data Source: Official FDD Filing (2025)
See full cost breakdown →

Once Upon A Child Franchise: Cost, Earnings & Real FDD Data

Retail

73.0
Average
N/A
Total Units
$989K
Median Revenue
N/A
Total Investment
5.0%
Royalty Rate
$89K
Est. Profit
N/A
Closure Rate

The Once Upon A Child franchise charges a 5.0% royalty fee in the Retail category. This report analyzes the full Franchise Disclosure Document including unit economics, fee structure, growth trends, and risk indicators to help you evaluate the cost of investing in Once Upon A Child.

Key Takeaways

Growth Signal
Net +29 units over 3 years (+7.2% growth)
Fee Burden
Royalty + ad fund = 7.0% of gross sales, vs 8.1% category average
Financial Disclosure
This brand discloses financial performance data (Item 19)
No major red flags detected -- Always conduct your own due diligence before investing.

Franchise Breakdown Score 73.0/100 · Average

Composite quality score based on growth, stability, efficiency, fees, transparency, and system size.

Unit Growth
12/20
Stability
12/20
Investment Efficiency
10/20
Fee Reasonableness
15/15
Transparency
10/10
System Size
4/15

3 Once Upon A Child Franchise Revenue & Earnings (Item 19) Item 19 Available FDD Item 19

Financial performance data as disclosed in FDD Item 19.

Revenue by Quartile

View all disclosed financial metrics (140 rows)
2024 Range of Average Gross Sales (42 rows)
Metric Value Unit Cohort Period
# of Stores falling within noted range 1.0 COUNT 0 - $250,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $193,765 USD 0 - $250,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER 0 - $250,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $193,765 USD 0 - $250,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $193,765 USD 0 - $250,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $193,765 USD 0 - $250,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 0.25% PCT 0 - $250,000 FY2024
# of Stores falling within noted range 10.0 COUNT $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $410,595 USD $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $284,442 USD $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $489,798 USD $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $401,733 USD $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 2.53% PCT $250,001 - $500,000 FY2024
# of Stores falling within noted range 137.0 COUNT $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $795,064 USD $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $516,488 USD $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $999,854 USD $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $798,819 USD $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 34.68% PCT $500,001 - $1,000,000 FY2024
# of Stores falling within noted range 212.0 COUNT $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $1,372,452 USD $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $1,000,395 USD $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $1,975,393 USD $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $1,351,966 USD $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 53.67% PCT $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 FY2024
# of Stores falling within noted range 29.0 COUNT $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $2,291,702 USD $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $2,031,922 USD $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $2,841,757 USD $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $2,277,909 USD $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 7.34% PCT $2,000,001 - $3,000,000 FY2024
# of Stores falling within noted range 6.0 COUNT >$3,000,000 FY2024
Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range $3,332,951 USD >$3,000,000 FY2024
# and % of Stores attaining or exceeding Average Gross Sales Stores within noted range 0.0 OTHER >$3,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for lowest Store within noted range $3,044,188 USD >$3,000,000 FY2024
Gross Sales for highest Store within noted range $3,519,978 USD >$3,000,000 FY2024
Median Gross Sales for Stores within noted range $3,385,359 USD >$3,000,000 FY2024
% of total number of Stores (395) within noted range 1.52% PCT >$3,000,000 FY2024
ONCE UPON A CHILD® STATEMENT OF AVERAGE ANNUAL SALES AND GROSS PROFIT (62 rows)
Metric Value Unit Cohort Period
# Stores Reported 28.0 COUNT 2023 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2023 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2023 FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,050,365 USD 2023 FY2024
Median Gross Sales $984,788 USD 2023 FY2024
Average Gross Profit $699,490 USD 2023 FY2024
Median Gross Profit $633,877 USD 2023 FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.59% PCT 2023 FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2023 FY2024
# Stores Reported 26.0 COUNT 2022 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2022 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2022 FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,077,543 USD 2022 FY2024
Median Gross Sales $989,291 USD 2022 FY2024
Average Gross Profit $723,034 USD 2022 FY2024
Median Gross Profit $683,937 USD 2022 FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 67.1% PCT 2022 FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2022 FY2024
# Stores Reported 14.0 COUNT 2021 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2021 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2021 FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,227,446 USD 2021 FY2024
Median Gross Sales $1,074,992 USD 2021 FY2024
Average Gross Profit $820,713 USD 2021 FY2024
Median Gross Profit $699,411 USD 2021 FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.86% PCT 2021 FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2021 FY2024
# Stores Reported 26.0 COUNT 2020 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2020 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2020 FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,082,610 USD 2020 FY2024
Median Gross Sales $1,026,665 USD 2020 FY2024
Average Gross Profit $725,932 USD 2020 FY2024
Median Gross Profit $675,777 USD 2020 FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 67.05% PCT 2020 FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2020 FY2024
# Stores Reported 20.0 COUNT 2019 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2019 FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2019 FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,122,991 USD 2019 FY2024
Median Gross Sales $999,613 USD 2019 FY2024
Average Gross Profit $753,574 USD 2019 FY2024
Median Gross Profit $665,333 USD 2019 FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 67.1% PCT 2019 FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2019 FY2024
# Stores Reported 281.0 COUNT 2018 & Prior FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2018 & Prior FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2018 & Prior FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,300,434 USD 2018 & Prior FY2024
Median Gross Sales $1,193,449 USD 2018 & Prior FY2024
Average Gross Profit $867,595 USD 2018 & Prior FY2024
Median Gross Profit $787,779 USD 2018 & Prior FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.72% PCT 2018 & Prior FY2024
Sales Range $0 USD 2018 & Prior FY2024
# Stores Reported 395.0 COUNT TOTAL FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER TOTAL FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER TOTAL FY2024
Average Gross Sales $1,242,127 USD TOTAL FY2024
Median Gross Sales $1,127,506 USD TOTAL FY2024
Average Gross Profit $829,404 USD TOTAL FY2024
Median Gross Profit $752,855 USD TOTAL FY2024
Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.77% PCT TOTAL FY2024
The Statement of Sales Ranges by quartile for 395 of the 395 franchised Once Upon A Child® Stores (36 rows)
Metric Value Unit Cohort Period
# of Stores 98.0 COUNT 1st Quartile FY2024
Gross Sales Range by Quartile $0 USD 1st Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Sales $1,975,239 USD 1st Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Sales $1,811,367 USD 1st Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 1st Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit $1,310,983 USD 1st Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Profit $1,208,121 USD 1st Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 1st Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.37% PCT 1st Quartile FY2024
# of Stores 99.0 COUNT 2nd Quartile FY2024
Gross Sales Range by Quartile $0 USD 2nd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Sales $1,317,307 USD 2nd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Sales $1,317,891 USD 2nd Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 2nd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit $881,363 USD 2nd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Profit $892,813 USD 2nd Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 2nd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.91% PCT 2nd Quartile FY2024
# of Stores 99.0 COUNT 3rd Quartile FY2024
Gross Sales Range by Quartile $0 USD 3rd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Sales $998,745 USD 3rd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Sales $1,000,395 USD 3rd Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 3rd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit $668,855 USD 3rd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Profit $674,663 USD 3rd Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 3rd Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit Percentage 66.97% PCT 3rd Quartile FY2024
# of Stores 99.0 COUNT 4th Quartile FY2024
Gross Sales Range by Quartile $0 USD 4th Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Sales $684,623 USD 4th Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Sales $729,860 USD 4th Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Sales 0.0 OTHER 4th Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit $461,280 USD 4th Quartile FY2024
Quartile Median Gross Profit $486,864 USD 4th Quartile FY2024
# and % of Stores Attaining or Exceeding Quartile Average Gross Profit 0.0 OTHER 4th Quartile FY2024
Quartile Average Gross Profit Percentage 67.38% PCT 4th Quartile FY2024

$ Estimated Unit Profitability Industry Benchmark Estimate

Estimated using industry benchmarks for the Retail category. Actual costs vary significantly by location, operator, and market.

$989K
Gross Revenue
$900K
Total Costs
$89K
Owner's Profit (9.0%)
View detailed P&L breakdown
Line Item Amount % of Revenue
Gross Revenue $989,336 100%
COGS $-395,734 40%
Labor $-197,867 20%
Occupancy $-118,720 12%
Marketing $-39,573 4%
Other Costs $-79,147 8%
Royalty Fee (franchisor) $-49,467 5.0%
Ad Fund Fee (franchisor) $-19,787 2.0%
Owner's Profit $89,040 9.0%

4 Risk Assessment

Automated risk indicators based on FDD data analysis.

Growing System
Net +29 units over 3 years (+7.2%). Healthy franchise expansion.
%
Reasonable Fee Burden
Combined royalty + ad fund of 7.0% is within normal range.
Financial Data Disclosed
This franchisor provides Item 19 financial performance representations, enabling better due diligence.

5 Once Upon A Child Failure Rate & Unit Growth (Item 20) FDD Item 20

Franchise unit trajectory based on FDD Item 20 data.

Year Start Opened Closed Transferred End Closure Rate Net Growth
2022 401 -- -- -- 406 -- --
2023 406 -- -- -- 416 -- --
2024 416 -- -- -- 430 -- --

6 Category Comparison Retail Brands

How Once Upon A Child compares to peer brands in the Retail category.

Investment Midpoint

Median Revenue (Item 19)

Investment-to-Revenue Ratio

Ratio = Investment midpoint ÷ median annual revenue. Lower is better. A 0.5x ratio means the initial investment equals half of one year's gross revenue. Does not account for operating costs, margins, or time value of money.

Brand Total Units Investment Range Median Revenue Royalty Inv/Rev Ratio
Batteries Plus 737 $243K – $536K $896K 5.0% 0.4x
Wild Birds Unlimited -- $227K – $379K $855K 4.0% 0.4x
Wireless Zone -- $202K – $533K $3.42M 22.0% 0.1x
Cellairis -- -- No Item 19 -- --
The Vitamin Shoppe -- $493K – $945K $1.07M 5.0% 0.7x
Plato's Closet -- $255K – $401K $1.06M 5.0% 0.3x
Clothes Mentor -- $305K – $428K $780K 4.0% 0.5x
The Spice & Tea Exchange -- $195K – $395K $2.63M 7.0% 0.1x
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts -- $196K – $291K No Item 19 6.0% --
Circle K -- $1.46M – $2.73M No Item 19 4.5% --

SBA Loan Data 1993–2026

SBA 7(a) loan approvals for Once Upon A Child franchisees from the SBA FOIA public dataset. Lenders report franchise codes at origination — this is real lending activity, not estimates.

$53M
Total SBA Approved
261
SBA Loans
$204K
Avg Loan Size
3.6%
Default Rate
Active Lending States 43
Distinct Lenders 118
Jobs Supported 3,013
Top Lending States
TX 26 FL 18 PA 17 OH 15 MN 15
Annual SBA Loan Volume

Source: SBA FOIA 7(a) public data. Franchise codes matched by brand name. Not all SBA loans are captured; some franchisees finance without SBA programs.

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