"Selling your business is our business"
"Selling your business is our business"
How long has the business been established?
This branch was established in early 2025
How long has the owner had the business?
Since 2025
What is the Franchise opportunity about?
The Playhouse is a charming role play village designed to inspire children to engage in purposeful play. In a busy world of routines, demands and expectations, ours is a world of childhood imagination â and this is a world we value. The Playhouse concept helps children explore the pure and simple wonder of imagination. It has been carefully created for children to learn through play, which is crucial to all childrenâs development. Mascot puppets show playfulness and are beloved for their heartwarming personalities. Filled with charm in every last detail and includes beautiful dress-up clothes, accessories and props to ensure cherished memories are created and shared with family and friends.
How long has the Franchise group been establised for?
5 years
How many existing franchisees are there in the group and for how long have they been operating?
5 franchises operating between 5years to less than 1 year
In which provinces/ areas are the existing franchisees located in?
KZN, Gauteng and Western Cape
How does the business operate on a daily basis?
Playhouse operates by offering structured open play sessions during the week (WednesdayâFriday), timed peak play sessions on weekends (requiring online booking), and specialised events like school visits, birthday parties, and Toddler Time. Children engage in imaginative role-play within a themed village featuring various rooms like a market, kitchen, and fire station. Staff lead activities, including puppet shows, and the venue includes a cafe for parents.
How are the clients attracted to the business?
Social media is a huge draw card for the Cape Town branch, a large amount of customers are drawn via Instagram posts.
What Advertising/Marketing is carried out?
The Franchisor assists with broader marketing campaigns, but the branch has their own Instagram page where they run promos and additional marketing activity specific to the branch.
What competition exists?
None for this type of play. There are other child friendly places but none cater for the free play that is offered by this playhouse..
What are the seasonal trends?
Busy in winter, but in Cape Town there is huge opportunity to attract the tourist market, especially given the area the branch is located in.
How is income derived?
Parties form a large amount of the income, followed by online bookings for peak play times as well as sales from the on site cafe.
How does the franchise operate on a daily basis?
During school term: Opening hours are Wednesday â Sunday
During school holidays: Opening hours are Tuesdayâ Sunday
Sunday and Public Holidays 9:00 â 13:30 and the rest of the days 9:00 â 16:00
Does the Head Office assist in securing contracts (if applicable) or is it up to the individual franchisee's to do this?
Yes they assist wherever they can.
What advertising and marketing is undertaken on a group basis and what is the individual franchisee expected to do?
Head Office sets out a generic marketing plan for months in advance, but an individual franchise will do additional marketing relating directly to the branch.
Are there up-to-date Management Accounts available?
Yes
What percentage of the business is cash/credit?
Customers pay 100% card, no cash is accepted.
Suppliers paid by card
How could the profitability of the business be improved?
Revenue Expansion - Multi Visit Passes - Currently available to purchase but can be pushed harder, private events - big opportunity to increase number of birthday parties during the week.
Operational Efficiency - Continuous staff training to ensure customer service is 100% at all times.
Marketing and Visibility - Social Media, email campaigns, virtual events, targeted locals ads
Community and Brand - Parental engagement, strong USP, community partnership, partnerships with hotels in the area to tap into foreign/tourist market.
What is the total staff complement?
3 - Two permanent and One temp
Give a breakdown of staff/ functions/ length of service?
Barista/ Front of House - Assists with Puppet Shows and Kitchen preparation - March 2005 to present.
Playmaker - Facilitates purposeful play with kids. Does Puppet Shows, will also assist with Kitchen preparation - March 2025 to present.
Kitchen Assistant (Contract Worker) - Assists on weekends and school holidays. Food preparation and clears tables and cleans up.
Do any receive special perks or incentives?
All staff get tips paid once a month with their basic salary.
Do any have management potential?
Yes, the Barista.
How involved is the Owner in running the business?
Owner is at the playhouse daily building relationships with customers.
Do all staff have signed contracts in place?
Yes
When does the current lease end?
March 2027
Is there an option of renewal & what period?
2 year lease which started January 2025 to January 2027.
What is the annual escalation %?
No rental increase for 2 years.
What are the trading hours?
Wednesday to Saturday 09:00 - 16:00
Sunday and Public Holidays 09:00 - 13:30
School Holidays Open from Tuesdays
What is the square meters of the business?
166 sqm
Is a copy of the lease available?
Yes
Do you require a licence?
No
What lease deposit and/or other surety is required?
One month's rental deposit.
What are the main assets of the business?
A list of assets is available
Are any items not included in the sale?
No.
What is their overall condition?
Good to Excellent.
Do any require repairing?
No - any broken toys are fixed/replaced.
Are they presently insured?
Yes
Strengths?
Unique imaginative role-play environment where a creative "village" setup with mini-shops, play kitchens, salons, fire trucks and more is offered.
Children are introduced to puppets, and involved in playful storytelling, providing engaging guided play.
Parents can relax and enjoy coffee/snacks and even get some work done using free Wi-Fi, while supervising from the Cafe area.
Flexible booking options: open play mid-week, structured peak times on weekends, plus offerings for school groups and private parties.
Suitable for toddlers to early school age.
Reviews describe it as 'amazing playing experience' and 'delightful kids fantasy play area' with 'great coffee for parents'
Well trained and knowledgeable team.
Weaknesses?
Limited walk-in capacity during peak times.
Weekends require online booking to avoid disappointment; walk ins aren't guaranteed a spot.
Space and group size limitations for parties, party bookings are limited to 20-30 children, which may not suit larger birthday groups.
No drop and go facility - parents or caretaker must stay with children.
Opportunities?
Host weekday pop-up themed play sessions (in progress)
Pop up or special sessions, particularly for toddlers or themed events during the week, could attract more bookings (in progress)
Expand merchandise (play sets) offerings to sell.
Partner with local schools for educational weekday school visits, including puppet shows and curriculum-aligned themes.
Promote birthday party packages creatively. Enhancements like decor theme options, party add-ons, or exclusive use could in crease interest in events.
Offer loyalty or discount packages, discounted multi-session bundles or sibling/family deals could appeal to regular visitors (In progress)
Threats?
Competition from other indoor play venues.
Economic sensitivity and pricing pressure.
No secure parking - parking only available on Main Road or side streets
Seasonal fluctuations - during school holidays or peak seasons, competition for bookings is higher. Capacity constraints could lead to lost bookings if not managed.
What is the reason for the sale?
Owner is selling due to personal reasons.
Why is this a good business?
Prime Location in a High Traffic, Affluent Suburb - consistently attracts young professionals, families, retirees, tourists, and even digital nomads.
Built in Foot Traffic from a Busy Main Road - Located on a main road the Playhouse benefits from constant pedestrian activity. This high visibility and ease of access position the Playhouse to tap into spontaneous visits, especially by families out on a casual outing.
Highly Family Friendly Demographics - Population includes a healthy mix of families, the communityâs orientation toward family life, cultural diversity, and education creates strong demand for interactive, enriching leisure options for young children.
Year Round Appeal & Lifestyle Alignment - location attracts visitors and locals year-round. Playhouse offers a weather independent, engaging indoor alternativeâperfect for rainy days or cooling off during hotter periods.
A Niche Concept in Demand -The playhouse offers a unique blend of imaginative role play, educational development, and parent convenience. Catering to children aged roughly 2â8, offering structured yet flexible sessions, puppet story times, cafe service, and staff trained to engage in âplayful learning.â
This kind of concept is relatively rare in Cape Town, meeting the needs of modern parents seeking quality, screen free enrichment and safe socialization for their children.
How are Projected turnovers and profits calculated?
Past franchise performance.
There are 3 income streams, which makes this franchise attractive - fees for play, food & beverage and merchandise.
What is the Franchise joining Fee?
R100,000.00
What is the monthly royalty, management and marketing fees? Are these fees based on turnover or a flat rate?
Royalty fee 8% of sales
Marketing contribution 2% of sales
What assets are included in the purchase price?
All the assets are included - the Playhouse is fully set up
What type of premises do a new franchisee require to operate the franchise?
New owner can take over existing premises, which is set up and ready to go.
Can the franchise be operated from home?
The owner can work from home to do admin/emails/contact customers etc. The staff are capable and up and running to manage the business on quieter days. It is advised that the owner/manager has a presence on weekends and birthday parties when the shop is busiest.
How many franchises will be allocated to each Area/ Province?
Maximum 5 per province
What skills and background is the franchisor looking for in a prospective franchisee?
Attention to detail; present in the business and able to communicate and chat to customers daily; organised; able to manage staff; team player; positive and happy to be at the playhouse. Franchisor approval of prospective franchisee is required.
Is there any industry regulations or licenses needed to operate the franchise?
No.
Strengths?
Unique in the area and opportunity to capitalise on the families living in small apartments with no where to take their children.
Collaborations already set up with various stakeholders (Messy Play Workshops, Flower arranging).
Weaknesses?
No outside area.
Opportunities?
Push Instagram; Tik Tok. Most customers are through Instagram and there is opportunity to do more focused advertising.
Opportunity to approach the hotels in the surrounding area to get into the tourist industry.
Opportunity to push school visits.
Opportunity to push influencer events monthly.
Threats?
Similar competition in various areas â need to monitor what they do continuously to determine how we can create a more attractive offering for our customers.
What is the full purchase price of the franchise (incl VAT)?
R995 000 (ex VAT)
Does the franchisor offer finance?
No
How many months working capital will the franchisee require?
Two Months.
When will a franchisee be able to start drawing profits from the franchise?
A salary for a Manager and the Franchisee is built into the budget.
How much unencumbered cash is needed from prospective franchisee?
The purchaser price plus working capital
