- Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Not ranked last year
- Initial investment
-
$134K - $230K
- Units as of 2024
-
95 32% over 3 years
AR Workshop was founded by Adria Ruff and Maureen Anders in 2016. The franchise offers do-it-yourself (DIY) art classes and retail in a studio or workshop. When Anders and Ruff first started AR Workshop, it was a platform to showcase their graphic design work. The business they started in Pineville, North Carolina, has expanded to all kinds of DIY projects with over 130 locations throughout the United States.
If you are passionate about owning a string of DIY products and growing your community, you may be the perfect candidate for this franchise.
Why You May Want to Start an AR Workshop Franchise
With a project for every skill level and age, AR Workshop champions the idea of a cohesive and community-driven environment. The AR Workshop brand also has a line of paints, stains, specialty projects, DIY kits to go, food and drinks, and more, capitalizing on more than one way to create business.
Additionally, AR Workshop has been ranked on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.
What Might Make an AR Workshop franchise a Good Choice?
Opening an AR Workshop franchise may offer a more predictable outcome than investing in a completely new brand that may struggle to thrive in an already crowded and competitive DIY paint industry.
Additionally, AR Workshop collaborates with some of the biggest names in the DIY space, such as JOANN, KIND, Better Homes & Gardens, and more. Each collaboration may allow for brand growth and name recognition, further propelling the prominence of your location’s in the community.
As an AR Workshop franchisee, you will be responsible for the management and operations of your AR Workshop. The company may offer a fast startup process and various proven business models to jumpstart your progress.
How To Open an AR Workshop Franchise
When you begin the process of opening an AR Workshop franchise, you will get an initial or induction training bundle and continuous support throughout your business. You will receive multiple hours of both classroom and on-the-job training from the AR Workshop corporate team to ensure that you are best prepared to run your franchise.
To be part of the AR Workshop team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should be prepared for the existence of ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees.
Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. As part of your due diligence, you may want to speak to existing franchisees and ask the AR Workshop franchising team questions.
It also may be a good idea to speak with an attorney or financial advisor to ensure that you have the necessary financial resources to own and operate an AR Workshop franchise.
Soon, you may find yourself operating the newest AR Workshop franchise!
Company Overview
About AR Workshop
| Industry | Recreation |
|---|---|
| Related Categories | DIY/Paint-&-Sip Studios, Miscellaneous Recreation Businesses, Miscellaneous Services |
| Founded | 2016 |
| Parent Company | AR Workshop Franchising LLC |
| Leadership | Maureen Anders, CEO & Cofounder |
| Corporate Address |
315 Main St., #AA Pineville, NC 28134 |
| Social | Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok |
Business Overview
| Franchising Since | 2017 (7 years) |
|---|---|
| # of employees at HQ | 12 |
| Where seeking |
This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming |
| # of Units | 95 (as of 2024) |
|
|
|
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a AR Workshop franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
|
Initial Franchise Fee
|
$35,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$134,312 - $229,708 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
10% off first-unit franchise fee; 20% off second-unit franchise fee |
|
Royalty Fee
|
6% |
|
Ad Royalty Fee
|
1% |
|
Term of Agreement
|
10 years |
| Is franchise term renewable? | Yes |
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
| Third Party Financing | AR Workshop has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll |
|---|
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
| On-The-Job Training | 12 hours |
|---|---|
| Classroom Training | 28 hours |
| Ongoing Support |
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform
|
| Marketing Support |
Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App
|
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
| Is absentee ownership allowed? | No |
|---|---|
|
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
|
No |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
| # of employees required to run | 8-12 |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where AR Workshop landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
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