About Story Time Chess Franchise
Story Time Chess is a children's education franchise that teaches chess through storytelling, making the game accessible and engaging for young learners.
Backed by Thinking Cup, Inc.
and newly franchising in 2025, the brand brings a creative approach to chess instruction that resonates with children and parents alike.
Story Time Chess Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$56K
Average Investment
$66K
Maximum Investment
$76K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | Greater of $200 or 7% of Gross Revenues of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Up to 2% of weekly Gross Revenue (current rate is 1%); may be increased to not exceed 3% | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $55,627 – $75,988 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $56K–$76K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (Greater of $200 or 7% of Gross Revenues) and marketing fee (Up to 2% of weekly Gross Revenue (current rate is 1%); may be increased to not exceed 3%) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Signage | $0 | $759 |
| Equipment | $669 | $2,267 |
| Computer System and Point of Sale System | $360 | $2,650 |
| Business Permits & Licenses | $50 | $500 |
| Professional Fees | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Insurance | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Training Expenses | $1,330 | $5,060 |
| Printing | $425 | $700 |
| Opening Advertising Campaign | $500 | $2,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 Months | $4,293 | $11,052 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | 20% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee |
| Renewal Fee | 25% of then-current initial franchise fee (Successor Agreement Fee) |
| Technology Fee | Internal Systems Fee: 2% on first $50,000 of Gross Revenue per calendar year; 1.75% on next $200,000; 1% on next $250,000; 0.5% on next $500,000; 0.25% on Gross Revenue over $1,000,000; not to exceed 3% |
| Audit Fee | Cost of examination plus related expenses (if understatement of 2% or more, franchisee pays all audit costs) |
| Minimum Local Advertising Spend | $500-$2,000 per month |
| Advertising Cooperative | As determined by cooperative members |
| Franchise Advisory Council Fee | As determined by Franchisor if council created |
| Other Required Software and Applications | Estimated $30-$80 per month |
| Remedial/Additional Training Fee | Current rate $500 per day per trainer plus travel expenses |
| Additional Training - Annual Conference or Business Meeting | Up to $500 per person registration fee plus travel |
| Interest | 18% per month or highest rate allowed by applicable law, whichever is less |
| Late Fee | $50 per occurrence |
| Insufficient Funds Fee | $50 per occurrence |
| Liquidated Damages | Up to 24 months of Royalty Fees and Brand Fund Contributions |
| Interim Management Support Fee | 20% of Gross Revenue plus costs and expenses |
| Operations Manual Replacement Fee | $500 |
| Operation Standards Violation Fee | $250 to $750 per occurrence |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 40 hours total (15 classroom hours + 25 on-the-job hours) |
| Classroom Training | 15 |
| On-the-Job Training | 25 |
| Training Location | Nashville, Tennessee (or another designated location); also conducted remotely |
| Additional Training | Annual business meeting or convention up to 7 days per year; remedial/additional on-site training available at $500 per trainer per day plus travel expenses; annual conference registration up to $500 per person |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive territory based on population of approximately 200,000 to 420,000 people |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | 200,000 to 420,000 population |
| Description | Territory defined by zip codes, school districts, jurisdiction boundaries, geographic demarcation lines, or county boundaries. Franchisee does not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other franchisees, franchisor-owned outlets, or other distribution channels. Franchisor reserves rights to sell through alternate distribution channels and service commercial accounts within the territory. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 5 years |
| Renewal Term | 1 additional term of 5 years |
| Renewal Fee | 25% of then-current initial franchise fee |
| Renewal Conditions | Must be in full compliance, have no more than 3 events of default during current term, provide written notice at least 6 months before end of term, execute a new franchise agreement, maintain premises and current trade dress, execute a general release, and comply with then-current qualifications and training requirements. |
| Transfer Fee | 20% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee |
| Transfer Conditions | No transfer without franchisor consent; transferee must meet then-current standards, sign then-current franchise agreement, complete Initial Training Program; all amounts owed must be paid; general release must be signed; franchisor has right of first refusal. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor may terminate only if franchisee defaults. Non-curable defaults include insolvency, bankruptcy, written admission of inability to pay debts, receivership, levy, unsatisfied final judgment over 30 days, or foreclosure not dismissed within 30 days. Curable defaults have 5-day cure period. |
| Non-Compete Period | 24 months after termination |
| Non-Compete Details | For 24 months after termination, franchisee may not divert customers or participate in any competing business within 25 miles of the boundary of the former Story Time Chess Territory or any other Story Time Chess territory. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The Franchise Agreement requires that the franchisee personally supervise, devote full time, and manage the day-to-day operation of the Franchised Business. A non-owner manager may be appointed only with prior written approval of franchisor; such manager must complete the Initial Training Program and devote full time to the job. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisees must purchase System Supplies, branded items and marketing materials, POS/Business Management System (Tutor Cruncher), computer equipment, credit card processing (Stripe), and online ordering systems from franchisor or designated suppliers. Purchases from franchisor or approved suppliers represent approximately 75% of total purchases in establishing the business and 60% in continuing operations. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees may only sell and offer for sale programs, products, and services expressly approved by the franchisor. All branded marketing materials must be purchased from franchisor or designated suppliers. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Franchisor has the right to collect allowances, rebates, credits, and incentives from manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. During fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, no Allowances were earned. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We do not offer direct or indirect financing. We do not guarantee your note, lease, or obligation. |
Story Time Chess Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$581K
Median Revenue
$644K
Revenue Range
$325K – $814K
Sample Size
5 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
Story Time Chess Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordStory Time Chess has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Story Time Chess System Growth
Total Units
5
Franchised
0
Company-Owned
5
Story Time Chess currently operates 0 franchised locations and 5 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transfers: 0 | Closures: 0
State Registrations
Registered in 7 states: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan
Story Time Chess Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Story Time Chess franchise ranges from $55,627 to $75,988, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $45,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Story Time Chess charges a royalty fee of Greater of $200 or 7% of Gross Revenues of gross sales, plus a Up to 2% of weekly Gross Revenue (current rate is 1%); may be increased to not exceed 3% contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Story Time Chess Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Story Time Chess to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, Story Time Chess franchise owners report average revenue of $581K and median revenue of $644K. This is based on a sample of 5 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Story Time Chess has been franchising since 2025. The FDD shows an investment range of $55,627-$75,988, a Greater of $200 or 7% of Gross Revenues royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $45,000 and the total investment ranges from $55,627 to $75,988 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Story Time Chess and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Story Time Chess or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com