How much does a HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $327,100–$458,000, including a $49,500 initial franchise fee.

Is a HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 6.75% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise

Retail - Hobby Store Franchise · FDD 2023 · from public state filings

CDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★★☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 3/5

Investment

$327,100–$458,000

Total fees

6.75% of sales

Outlets

Closure signals

7 ceased, 2 terminated

Lawsuits

Is HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® worth it? How it compares to 40 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	6.75% of sales	about average
Startup cost	from $327,100	pricier than 90% of peers
Disclosure honesty	Grade C	typical for the category
Closure rate	8.2% of outlets	worse than 69% of peers
Disclosed lawsuits	0	fewer than most

Benchmarked against every retail & business services franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

67 of 85 stores reported 2025 performance. Average gross revenue $1,627,084; adjusted operating income $85,825. Quartile data shows wide variation; lowest quartile negative. Cherry-picking: excluded 18 non-reporting stores and 9 closures.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

9 closures in 2025; 21 outlets lost 2023-2025. Negative income in 4th quartile ($83,687 average).

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The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: 67 of 85 stores reported 2025 performance. Average gross revenue $1,627,084; adjusted operating…

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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise — frequently asked

How much does a HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $327,100–$458,000, including a $49,500 initial franchise fee.
How much do HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise owners make?: 67 of 85 stores reported 2025 performance. Average gross revenue $1,627,084; adjusted operating income $85,825. Quartile data shows wide variation; lowest quartile negative. Cherry-picking: excluded 18 non-reporting stores and 9 closures. We grade this disclosure C for honesty.
What is the HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise failure rate?: 9 closures in 2025; 21 outlets lost 2023-2025. Negative income in 4th quartile ($83,687 average).
Is a HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® scores C on disclosure honesty, carries about 6.75% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® to similar franchises

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Source: WI DFI Franchise Registration (2023). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with HobbyTown®/HobbyTown USA® or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.