School of Rock Franchise Costs, Fees & FDD

Year Business Began: 1998

Franchising Since: 2005

Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts

Estimated Number of Units: 385

Franchise Description: School of Rock Franchising LLC is the franchisor. The franchisor is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Youth Enrichment Brands, LLC. The franchisor offers a distinctive system for the operation of School of Rock businesses, which offer a rock music program that provides, among other things, individual music lessons; group rehearsals; performance experience; exclusive, limited access to the school and school equipment during business hours; and branded merchandise. The school will be operated according to the franchisor’s system.
Training Overview: The program of initial training related to the use of the system consists of two components: the management training curriculum and the music director training curriculum. Each of these components utilizes a blended learning approach, incorporating instructor-led training, self-paced training and homework, and asynchronous, online group learning and collaboration. Franchisees (or, if they are a legal entity, one or more of the owners) along with a certain number of the designated managers must attend and complete the initial training program to the franchisor’s satisfaction. The management training curriculum will require 2 to 3 hours per day of training time, 3 to 4 days per week, over the course of 5 weeks. Franchisees and their general manager will attend the first 4 weeks of this training, which will be provided virtually, via teleconference or the Internet. Week 5 will take place in-person and will likely be held at a designated Company-Owned School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The music director training curriculum will require 1-2 hours per day of training time over the course of 4 weeks. Franchisees and their music director (or an appropriate manager the franchisee designates) will attend all 4 weeks of the music director training curriculum, which will be provided entirely via remote delivery. Franchisees (or the owner(s)), the general manager, the music director, and such other personnel as the franchisor may reasonably require, must attend such additional courses, seminars and other training programs as it may specify periodically.

Territory Granted: The franchisor will designate in the Franchise Agreement a territory in which the franchisee will have limited protected rights. The size of the territory could vary depending on the population density of the area surrounding the school. For example, the territory could vary in size from a certain number of city blocks in an urban location to a township in a more suburban area. The franchisor does not guarantee a minimum size for the territory. Any live performance that is performed, organized, sponsored, hosted, or supported by franchisees under the system or proprietary marks must take place within the territory. If the franchisor consents to a live performance outside the territory, they must comply with any restrictions imposed.

Obligations and Restrictions: During the term of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees (or, if they are a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, at least one of their owners), or a general manager designated by them, must devote full time and best efforts to the management and operation of the school. The school must at all times be under the direct, on-premises supervision of an individual who has successfully completed the initial training program required under the Franchise Agreement or as otherwise specified by the franchisor in writing. Franchisees must sell or offer for sale only those products, merchandise, and services as the franchisor has expressly approved for sale in writing; sell or offer for sale all types of products, merchandise, and services specified by the franchisor; refrain from any deviation from the franchisor’s standards and specifications without prior written consent; and discontinue selling and offering for sale any products, merchandise, and services which the franchisor may, in its discretion, disapprove in writing at any time.

Term of Agreement and Renewal: The length of the initial franchise term is 10 years. If franchisees satisfy all of the requirements of the Franchise Agreement, they can acquire a total of three successor franchises for consecutive terms of five years each.

Financial Assistance: The franchisor does not offer direct or indirect financing. The franchisor does not guarantee a franchisee’s note, lease or obligation. If franchisees are a veteran (or an entity majority-owned by a veteran) of the U.S. military, they are eligible for a $5,000 discount on the initial franchise fee.

Estimated Initial Investment

Name of Fee	Low	High
Initial Franchise Fee	$59,900	$59,900
Initial Rent Outlays	$10,000	$16,000
Site Selection and Leasehold Improvements	$227,500	$372,500
Furnishings and Finishings	$14,000	$26,000
Equipment	$26,000	$36,000
Security and Cameras	$11,000	$25,000
Signage	$8,000	$15,000
Supplies	$2,000	$3,000
Pre-Opening Training	$2,300	$3,700
Advertising	$10,000	$12,000
Opening Inventory	$3,000	$4,000
Computer/Software	$4,000	$8,500
Permits & Licenses	$3,200	$7,200
Architectural Fees	$11,400	$15,500
Prepaid Insurance Premiums	$750	$2,000
Utility Costs & Deposits	$700	$1,500
Miscellaneous Opening Expenses	$6,500	$12,000
Additional Funds for 3 Months	$25,000	$85,000
ESTIMATED TOTAL	$425,250	$704,800

 
Other Fees

Type of Fee	Amount
Royalty	8% of gross sales.
Brand Fund	3% of gross sales.
Advertising Cooperative	Up to 3% of gross sales (as determined by the cooperative).
Initial Training Program for Subsequent Trainees	$600 per owner, $400 per general manager, and $300 per music director.
Interest	On overdue payments, the lesser of 18% per annum or the maximum rate permitted by law.
Insurance	Cost of insurance and, if not obtained by the franchisee, the franchisor’s procurement expense.
Inspection/Audit	Cost of audit, plus any underpaid amounts and interest thereon.
Non-Compliance Fee	Currently, $800 per violation, plus the actual costs and expenses the franchisor and its affiliates incur to remedy a violation.
Transfer Fee	A certain percentage, or one-third of the then current initial franchise fee.
Successor Franchise Fee	One-third of the then current initial franchise fee.
Technology Fee	Currently, $260 per month, depending on the services selected.
PRO Licensing Fee	Currently, $78 per month.
Method App Fee	Currently $6.21 per curriculum-eligible student.
Indemnification	Cost of liability.
Collection Costs and Attorney’s Fees	Cost of collection and attorney’s fees.
Performance of Obligations After Default	The franchisor’s actual costs and expenses.
Step-In Rights Fee	3% of gross sales during the period of management, plus any direct out of pocket costs and expenses.
Liquidated Damages	If the Franchise Agreement is terminated due to closure or default, the franchisee must pay the franchisor liquidated damages in a lump sum, in addition to all other amounts owed.

The above information has been compiled from the FDD of School of Rock. Year of FDD: 2025.
Franchise Direct's Disclaimer