- Liquid capital required
- $75,000
- Net worth required
- $150,000
- Total investment
- $65,579 – $87,227
- Financing
- Via 3rd party
- Training
- Available
- Total units
- 0-10
- Year founded
- 2011
About the Brand
Story Time Chess is an innovative youth enrichment franchise designed to teach children ages 3 to 8 how to play chess through a unique, engaging, story-based curriculum. Rather than focusing on complex, traditional instruction, the brand uses fun, animated characters and captivating stories that visually connect to chess pieces, making the game accessible and highly enjoyable for young minds. With over 15 years of corporate experience, more than 50,000 students taught, and partnerships with over 600 schools nationwide, Story Time Chess has established itself as a premier educational program that seamlessly blends storytelling with cognitive development.
Values & History
The foundation of Story Time Chess began as a tutoring business called "Chess at Three" in a prestigious Lower Manhattan school. The founder and his team realized that by removing the traditional barriers to learning and introducing a scaffolding approach through storytelling, they could teach children as young as three to play chess - an age group previously thought too young to grasp the game. This concept evolved into a wildly successful board game that became one of the highest-funded chess games in Kickstarter history and won the Toy Association’s People’s Choice Award. At its core, the brand values early childhood development, community impact, and making the cognitive and emotional benefits of chess, such as critical thinking and learning how to lose gracefully, accessible to everyone.
Industry Performance
The broader youth enrichment and supplementary education industry is experiencing tremendous growth as parents increasingly prioritize cognitive development and screen-free activities for their children. Families are consistently investing in high-quality, extracurricular programs that build problem-solving skills, emotional resilience, and academic readiness from an early age. As a result, educational franchises in the children's sector continue to demonstrate incredible resilience and scalability. The demand for engaging, specialized programming in preschools, community centers, and after-school settings makes the childhood education market an impactful space for business owners.
Purchasing a Franchise
The full range to open a Story Time Chess franchise can be anywhere between $65k-88k. They typically look for around $150k net worth and $75k liquid capital to get started.
Ideal Candidate & Qualifications
The ideal Story Time Chess franchisee is a community-driven entrepreneur who is passionate about education and positively impacting children's lives. While candidates do not need to be chess grandmasters or even experienced players, they should possess strong business acumen, excellent communication skills, and a knack for building relationships. Successful owners will enjoy networking with local schools, parents, and community organizations to grow their student base, while also possessing the leadership skills necessary to recruit, train, and manage a team of enthusiastic storytellers and tutors who will deliver the curriculum.
Training & Support
Story Time Chess provides franchisees with a comprehensive support system designed to help them build a thriving business from day one. New owners receive extensive initial training on the story-based curriculum and business operations, alongside ongoing, dedicated support. The franchise model includes exclusive, protected territories, professional marketing materials, and proven social media strategies to help drive enrollment. Additionally, franchisees are equipped with robust operational systems, including streamlined software for scheduling, billing, and management, ensuring they have everything they need to run their youth enrichment business efficiently and effectively.
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