Last Updated on July 24, 2012 by DeanR
Children’s Orchard Franchise Information
Children’s Orchard is a franchise that buys and sells used children’s accessories such as toys and clothing. It was founded in 1980 by Karen Lynch who was then a flight attendant.
They started franchising in 1985. The concept is to make it easier for people to dispose-off things that they no longer need but still in great condition. It’s easier than putting up a garage sale. They pay higher and in cash. If the item is not something that they would buy, they can also get it from you to be given as a donation to a charitable institution. They will give you a receipt of tax as proof. They buy items from any season all year round. As long as the clothes are freshly laundered, no rips or stains, excessive fading nor missing parts, they will accept it.
What kind of items do they sell at the Children’s Orchard?
They have four key categories at Children’s Orchard: Green Living, Equipment, Health & Safety, Toys, Games, and Music. For Green Living, they have things such as reusable shopping bags, organic baby bootysuits, and organic baby cover-ups. For equipments, they have baby safety gates, strollers, and play mats. For health and safety, they have bed rails, natural and organic skin care for babies, and clean guards which are baskets where you can put cleansing agents and lock it so the kids won’t have access to it. For toys, they have Puzzibits, cuddle mats, character pillows, toy trucks, children’s desks, plush toys, tent sets, tricycles, pedal cars, and wooden educational toys.
Costs and Requirements Associated with Running a Children’s Orchard Franchise?
You need to have a net worth of $225,000 and a total liquid asset of at least $40,000. Expect to be investing about $115,000 to $197,000. The Children’s Orchard Franchise fee is $25,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 5%. This is for a renewable 10 year term agreement. You will need about 3 to 6 employees to run one location. They don’t allow absentee ownership and multi-unit ownership.
What’s included in the franchise package?
There will be 12 days of training at the Children’s Orchard headquarters and 3 days at your location. You will be provided assistance in finding the perfect site for your store and help you in the leasing process to get the best agreement possible. They have a build-out program and store design that you can utilize. There’s also going to be a resale purchasing assistance which would evaluate the items you were able to purchase to jumpstart your opening inventory. You will be guided accordingly through the opening process. You will have access to a professional marketing firm who will help you in marketing your grand opening and the on-going special promotions. You will also have access to a professional public relations firm who answers to the needs of the owners of Children’s Orchard stores and the whole franchise system. You will be provided sources for products and supplies which will increase your inventory and don’t have to go scouring for things to sell. There would also be annual conventions which includes on-going training, vendor exhibits and networking opportunities.
Contact Details for Children’s Orchard
You May Reach Them At:
Address: 900 Victors Way, #200 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Phone: (800)999-5437