Learning Express Franchise

Learning Express is a franchise for a specialty toy store. It was founded in 1987 by Sharon DiMinico.

She was the one of the Board of Directors of Groton Community School. It is a nursery school that is private and her children attended. She wanted to increase the revenue of the school but she did not want to raise the tuition fee. She suggested to the board that they open a toy store and they named in the Learning Express. From her previous experience as a retailer and as a mother, she understood the need for a store providing high quality toys, games, and books for children in preschool up to when they become teenagers. She believed that the toys need to be able to encourage the child’s learning and creativity for them to grow. They also made the toys accessible for the children to be able to try them and test their skills. The first location was opened in Acton, Massachusetts. The first corporate store was opened in Needham, Massachusetts only six months after the first location. They started franchising in 1990 and the first franchise location opened that same year in Andover, Massachusetts. They now have 150 locations all over the United States.

What toys do they have at the Learning Express?

The products may vary depending on location. For active play, they have the PlasmaCars, Rockboard Scooter, and Rocket Balloons. For arts and crafts, they have the Musical Jewelry Box Kit and Monster Truck Customshop Kit. For baby toys, they have Twilight Turtle by Cloud B and Fill 'n' Fun Water Play Mat. For books, they have Tickle Monster Laughter Kit With Mitts. For construction toys, they have Rokenbok Inventors Tool Box, Playmobil, and LEGO’s. For eco-friendly toys, they have 60-Piece Blocks by Melissa & Doug and Magnetic MightyMind Puzzle. For educational and skill building, they have Little Hands String My ABCs Set by Alex and Snap Circuits 100 Experiments by Elenco. For classic woods, they have Alex Rainbow Rollers Raceway and Magnetic Jack Dress-up Set by Melissa & Doug. For games, they have Gobblet Gobblers Game and I Spy Eagle Eye Game. These are only a few of the many toys that they offer at the Learing Express.

Costs and requirements on running a Learning Express franchise

You need to have a net worth of $300,000 and a total liquid asset of at least $100,000. Expect to be investing about $209,000 to $298,000. Franchise fee is $35,000 with an on-going royalty fee of 5%. This is for a renewable 10 year term agreement. You will need about 10 employees to run one location. They allow absentee ownership.

What is included in the franchise package?

There will be training at the Learning Express headquarters, at your location, and at certified training centers. You will be receiving newsletters, a toll free phone number, assistance at the grand opening, and access to the internet. You will be given assistance in site selection, store design, and lease negotiations. For marketing there will be advertising with custom signage and full color catalogs, promotions through events and your own homepage, and marketing through email, birthday and community programs, and a frequent buyer program.

Learning Express Contact Details

Address: 29 Buena Vista St. Devens, Massachusetts 01434

Phone: (978)889-1068

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