If you are looking for information on the Once Upon a Child franchise business opportunity, Once Upon a Child franchises or Once Upon a Child franchising, then you have come to the right place.
Once Upon A Child is the nation's largest chain of children's resale stores in North America with more than 200 stores across the United States and Canada! Our stores carry high quality, brand name children's apparel, toys, furniture, equipment and more. We provide parents with a unique, creative and economical solution to their growing child's needs - a solution that makes great sense for their kids and even more cents for their budget!
Once Upon A Child stores are kid-friendly and community focused. They make ties with neighborhood organizations and family groups who can benefit from our unique buying and selling process. They are the community's local children's store bringing together outstanding values, personalized service and a wide variety of brand name products.
Children are constantly outgrowing their clothes, toys, books, furniture and equipment. The dilemma is what to do with all that stuff! At Once Upon A Child, we've come up with the solution! Parents love the fact that our stores will buy these items from them on the spot with no appointment necessary. They are also thrilled to find quality used brand name kids' stuff at great prices!
Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Once Upon A Child franchise family.
Making the decision to be your own boss and be in control of your future is an exciting adventure, and we appreciate being considered in your business search. Once Upon A Child offers franchisees a unique opportunity, based on a sound business model and the support of the parent company, Winmark Corporation. With a solid history of retail franchising, we offer strong support services, a proprietary computer system, creative advertising and marketing materials, and a seasoned operations team to assist you in maximizing your individual store performance.
As part of the Once Upon A Child® franchise system you receive:
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The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
