Tutu School Franchise Costs $97K – $178K (2024 Fees & Profits)
Tutu School is a distinctive franchise that stands out in the children’s ballet school niche, with a primary focus on young dancers, specifically toddlers and children. Founded in 2008 by Genevieve Weeks, a former professional dancer, the first Tutu School opened in San Francisco, California. The franchise model was adopted in 2012 to expand its unique offering to more communities.
The Tutu School franchise distinguishes itself by providing a specialized curriculum and environment tailored specifically to the needs and interests of young children, filling a gap in traditional dance programs that often overlooked this younger age group.
With its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, Tutu School has successfully grown across the United States. Each franchise offers a blend of ballet classes, parties, and camps designed to inspire and nurture the joy of dance in children.
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Initial investment
Here’s what you can expect to spend to start a Tutu School franchise.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $38,250 to $45,000 |
| Premises Investments & Improvements | $15,000 to $45,000 |
| 1st month’s rent & security deposits | $2,800 to $12,000 |
| Signs | $1,800 to $4,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $5,500 |
| Décor package | $8,000 |
| Business Licenses, Permits, Utility Deposits & other prepaid expenses | $300 to $800 |
| Insurance | $2,000 |
| Opening supply inventory | $2,500 to $4,000 |
| Costs to attend training | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| Opening local advertising | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Wages | $3,000 to $11,000 |
| Professional Expenses | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Additional funds (first 3 months) | $8,000 to $20,000 |
| Total | $97,000 – $178,000 |
Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Franchise fees & Royalties
Here are the main ongoing fees the franchisor will ask you to pay going forward to run the franchise.
Initial Franchise Fee
You must pay an initial franchise fee in the lump sum of $45,000 when you sign a franchise agreement. The initial franchise fee is nonrefundable. We currently offer a discounted Initial Franchise Fee of $40,000 for eligible long-time employees of Tutu School locations.
Royalty Fee
Programming royalty is 5% of gross programming sales per month. Retail royalty is 4% of gross retail sales per month.
Marketing/Advertising Fee
National Advertising & Technology Fund fee is 1% of gross programming sales per month, which may increase up to 3%. You must also spend 5% of gross programming sales on local marketing activities per month.
Lease or Rent Fee
You will incur costs for the premises investment and improvements, which range from $15,000 to $45,000, and 1st month’s rent & security deposits from $2,800 to $12,000.
Transfer Fees
The transfer fee is 50% of the then-current initial franchise fee if the transferee is new to the Tutu School system, 25% if the buyer is an existing Tutu School owner, and $2,500 for a transfer that does not individually or in the aggregate create a change in control.
Renewal Fees
The renewal fee is 25% of the then-current initial franchise fee.
Management Fees
You must pay for additional training fees at $200 per person per day if additional training is required.
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How to apply
Opening a Tutu School franchise involves several steps, designed to ensure you are a good fit for the franchise. Here are the main steps to follow to open a Tutu School franchise.
1. Understand the Investment Requirements
- The initial investment to open a Tutu School franchise ranges from $73,700 to $135,200, which includes an initial franchise fee of $36,000. This investment covers various startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital.
- Ongoing costs include a royalty fee of 5% of your location’s gross revenue and an advertising fee of 1%.
2. Review the Training and Support Offered
- Tutu School provides comprehensive training, including 74 hours of on-the-job training and 17 hours of classroom training, to ensure you are equipped to deliver their unique programs.
- Franchisees also receive ongoing support through newsletters, conventions, grand opening support, online support, security/safety procedures, field operations, site selection assistance, and proprietary software.
3. Explore the Programs and Benefits
- As a franchise owner, you’ll gain access to Tutu School’s special brand of early dance education, including the Ballet Storytime © curriculum, ballet birthday parties, and Tutu Camp, among other offerings.
- Franchisees benefit from customized software and websites, advertising and marketing tools, and a system of ongoing support to ensure the success of your franchise.
4. Assess Qualifications and Commitment
- Tutu School looks for franchisees who are energetic, committed, responsible, motivated, and who appreciate the value of dance in children’s lives. While extensive dance experience is not required, a deep appreciation for dance is essential.
- Potential franchise owners without a dance background will need to hire instructors with dance experience who can be trained in Tutu School’s curriculum.
5. Take the Next Steps
- If you’re interested in moving forward with owning your own Tutu School franchise, the next step involves reaching out to Tutu School Franchises to express your interest and start the discovery process.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
