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Become a Franchisee

Have you dreamt of running your own business?  Are you looking for a rewarding and exciting new career working with children & parents in an expanding market?  If so, talk to us about owning a Gymboree Play & Music UK franchise.

With a Gymboree Play & Music franchise, you enjoy the benefits and flexibility of owning your own business, but with the credibility and backing of a trusted and recognisable brand.

Our extensive experience, gathered over our 45 year tenure, means that you enjoy the assurance of a proven business model and the expert training and support of a big business network.

To enquire please complete the application form or email franchise@gymbo.co.uk

Polly, our Bristol franchisee

Why become a Gymboree Play & Music franchisee?

This is an excellent question, why not just set up your own business and go it alone? For more than 45 years, Gymboree Play & Music centres have been owned and operated by exceptional people who care about giving children the very best start in life.

With more than 700 locations globally, including the UK, and proven franchise success, we’re looking for entrepreneurs who are interested in joining our family of passionate franchisees. You will then get the following benefits:

Helping Young Minds to Develop With Expertly Prepared Programmes

Spark a love of learning through play and help young minds to develop with confidence.  We provide you with research based programmes, developed for you by experts in early childhood development.

Flexibility and Enjoyment of Owning Your Own Business

With a Gymboree Play & Music Franchise you enjoy the flexibility and excitement of building your own business and community, but with the support of an established business and brand. The best of both worlds!

Proven, Global Business Model

Have confidence in a proven business model, honed over a 45 year tenure in over 30 countries. We have many longstanding franchisees, which is testament to our successful business model and research based programmes.

A Membership Model that Provides Consistent Revenue

Having a ‘bricks and mortar’ location and premium equipment, coupled with our tiered membership model, ensures that you build a bustling community and consistent revenue month on month.

Internationally Renowned & Trusted Brand

From day one you have an established and internationally recognised brand, built over many years. Gymboree Play & Music is a trusted brand.  A brand, resource and community gathering place which people actively seek out.

World Class Training and Ongoing Support Network

A Gymboree Play & Music franchisee, reaps all the benefits of an expert head office team and franchisee support network. We offer a robust training plan and ongoing access and support from our team of experts, the perfect springboard for success!

WHO makes a good franchisee

Our franchisees come from all walks of life, some were members who brought their little ones to classes, some come from a performing background and others come with childcare experience.

No matter what their background all of Gymboree Play & Music franchisee’s share a common passion for running their own business and for helping young minds develop. Bringing out the best in each and every child.

We have exciting opportunities to expand our franchise network in many locations, all over the UK.  If you dream of running your own business, working with children & parents in an expanding and rewarding market, get in touch and book a call to discuss becoming a franchisee.

 

To enquire please complete the application form or email franchise@gymbo.co.uk

Our Process to Becoming a Franchise Owner

There are three steps to becoming a Gymboree Franchisee

  1. Enquire

    1. Complete our application form or email us to book an informal chat with our team, for an overview and to ask key questions.
    2. Complete an additional information form.

 

  1. Explore

    1. Confirm your financial resources and review our franchise investment details and agreement
    2. Speak with our UK Master Franchisor
    3. Visit an operating location
    4. Source a centre, we advise and support you

 

  1. Make it official

    1. Sign your franchise agreement and secure with your deposit
    2. Confirm a centre
    3. Order your equipment and resources….getting exciting!
    4. Complete your initial training and meet the team
    5. Start marketing your business, with the support of our expert team
    6. Get set up, open your doors and enjoy!

Commitment and Investment

Our Franchise agreements are based on a 5-year term, renewable for a further 5 years terms (a renewal fee is applicable).

Initial Franchise fee is £25,000.

Your total investment depends on the size of your centre and the number of rooms you need to prepare and purchase equipment for.  There are also ongoing monthly costs for royalty fees, marketing, training and other head office services support.

FAQs

Does Gymboree Play & Music help with finance?

We can’t provide finance but we can introduce you to a company which specialises in franchising finance.  Part of the franchise fee also covers an independent financial check so we can all be sure you’re in a great position to be successful!

What training will be provided?

We’ll ensure you are thoroughly trained prior to opening your centre with sessions covering Finance, Operations, and Marketing, over 3 days, you’ll also have all the necessary Programming training so you feel comfortable running classes and training your teachers.

Furthermore, ad hoc training is provided as and when necessary ongoing.  You will also have access other franchisees for mentoring and support, and the wider Gymboree Play & Music global network via a Facebook Group.

How much does a Gymboree Play & Music UK franchise cost?

The franchise fee is £25k, plus you need working capital to purchase the equipment and cover the set up of your centre and initial marketing.

How long has Gymboree Play & Music been in business?

Gymboree Play & Music began in California in 1976. Our founder, Joan Barnes, recognized the lack of classes or groups for infants and their parents and began a “test” Gymboree Play & Music class. It was an instant success.

Two years later, Gymboree Play & Music began to franchise its unique program and we have been growing ever since.  We opened our first UK centre in 2004.

International Franchising

If you are interested in a franchise overseas then please email arleta.darusalam@gymboglobal.com

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Reviews

Hampstead Reviews Icon

Both of my children (3.5 years and 11 months) go to Gymboree Play & Music and love it. My toddler goes to their drop-off Lego class which she raves about. It's very creative, working not only on Lego skills but also painting, drawing etc. My infant son loves his Gymboree Play & Music Crawlers class - particularly loves crawling all over their props, through the tunnels, etc. Great way to get the infant crawling over obstacles! Gymboree Play & Music is part of our weekly schedule for both kids and we look forward to participating every week. Invaluable!

Hampstead
Sevenoaks Reviews Icon

Gymboree Play & Music was a lovely and positive experience for my son Leo. We started when he was 9 months and he is now 3 years old, I wish we had started sooner.
He loves the songs (which is part of our daily singing at home), the freedom to explore and he was happy there. He looks forward to class every week and once class is over he will tell everyone about Gymbo and what he did.
For me, I liked that it taught him how to get down safely from a height, how to learn to use his body, and touching on different topics every 2 weeks. It gave me confidence in other environments to trust that he has the ability that he learned from Gymboree Play & Music and to trust him.

Sevenoaks
Tunbridge Wells Reviews Icon

I’ve been taking both my newborn and toddler to Gymboree Play & Music for a couple of months now and both boys are really loving the classes and open gym sessions. It’s a great way to meet other mums, entertain toddlers at witching hour(!) and get ideas for sensory play with babies. Sophie and Cat are fantastic and have so much energy and loads of different ideas for the classes, plus make sure the activities it’s help children meet their development milestones as well. Highly recommend this if you’re thinking about joining!! Thanks so much Sophie, Cat and the wider team :-)

Tunbridge Wells
Read more of our 1313 reviews
4.8 / 5