How long has the business been established?
June 2024
How long has the owner had the business?
June 2024
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?
KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape
How does the business operate on a daily basis?
Opening the play area, ensuring it's clean, safe and ready for children.
Welcoming clients, managing play session check ins, processing payments.
Supervising children in the play zones and maintaining safety standards.
Running birthday parties or special events if booked.
Managing the cafe or snack area.
Closing with cleaning, cash up and stock checks for the next day.
How are the clients attracted to the business?
No direct competition (unique offering)
Word of mouth
Social media marketing
Beautiful branding
Themed special events (Christmas shows, Easter shows, etc)
Great customer service
What Advertising/Marketing is carried out?
Social media controlled by the group
Digital screens in other business with similar target market
Community groups (Facebook and What's App groups)
Bulk SMS sending
What competition exists?
No direct competition in terms of indoor pretend play with puppet show.
However there is a family restaurant close by that has a playground (slides and swings)
What are the seasonal trends?
School holidays mean more Peak Play sessions and available clients so there is always
better turnover on those weeks compared to others
How is income derived?
Play sessions (peak and off peak)
Birthday party bookings
Cafe food, drinks and snacks sale
Add-on services (party platters, ballon arches, special event, party packs, etc)
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?
HQ markets the playhouses nationally. Additionally individual franchisees market their playhouses
What advertising and marketing is undertaken on a group basis and what is the individual franchisee expected to do?
Social media (Instagram and Facebook) monthly mailer to database.
Is the business VAT Registered?
Yes
What is the total staff complement?
3 full time, 2 temp (on weekends and school holidays)
Give a breakdown of staff/ functions/ length of service?
1 Full Time Playmaker - interaction with children and puppet shows - 8 months
1 Part Time Playmaker - interaction with children and puppet shows, only works weekends and school holidays - 5 months
1 Barista - Take orders at Cafe, makes coffee, makes food off peak, runs tabs - June 2024
1 Part Time Kitchen Assistant - makes food and platters and cleans on weekends and school holidays - June 2024
1 Store Manager - Resolves queries from calls, emails, Whatsapp, ensures playhouse runs smoothly, Restocks, Cash up, Leads the Team, Reporting - June 2024
Do any have management potential?
Yes
How involved is the Owner in running the business?
The owners are not involved in day-to-day operations; a dedicated manager oversees daily activities. The owners provide guidance on broader business decisions, such as marketing strategies, negotiations, and other high-level initiatives.
Do they have signed employment contacts?
Yes
When does the current lease end?
June 2027
Is there an option of renewal & what period?
Yes
What is the annual escalation %?
4%
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?
150sqm
Is a copy of the lease available?
Yes
What lease deposit and/or other surety is required?
2 months rent
What are the main assets of the business?
Playrooms, props, dress up, coffee machine, all kitchen appliances, cafe setup (chairs and table)
What is their overall condition?
Fairly new
Do any require repairing?
No
Will upgrades to the premises be required and if so how often will this occur?
None
Strengths?
Attractive, safe, and well-designed play environment
Strong brand appeal to parents with young children
Convenient location with good visibility
Warm, friendly staff and good customer experience
Weaknesses?
Limited brand awareness compared to larger kidsâ venues
Opportunities?
Growing demand for child-friendly, indoor play spaces
Potential to expand through partnerships with schools or brands
Social media marketing and influencer collaborations
Threats?
Competition from other play centres and kidsâ entertainment venues
What is the reason for the sale?
The store manager is relocating for personal reasons, He is family and partly the reason the owners got into the business. The current owners lack the time and skills required to successfully run the business. It deserves an owner that is passionate about the business and the brand.
Why is this a good business?
This playhouse outlet meets a high demand need: safe, structured and developmentally rich play for children between the ages of 2 and 7 years old. Modern families seek convenience, reliable spaces where children can explore, learn and socialise making the playhouse a trusted destination for both everyday play and milestone events.
This business benefits from multiple revenue streams, including daily play sessions, birthday parties, classes, holiday programs, and merchandise, creating predictable and repeatable cash flow. Parents value the safe, engaging environment, which drives repeat visits, loyalty, and word-of-mouth referrals.
Being part of a franchise that provides strong branding, operational support, and marketing guidance, while the playhouse branch can tailor offeringsâsuch as themed events, balloon arches, or local workshopsâto meet community demand.
With a growing local population and a family-focused neighbourhood, the playhouse branch has strong potential for sustainable growth and long-term profitability.
Additionally, it is a growing brand with plenty of opportunities to grow and diversify and the franchisors are always open to new ideas and proposals.
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% sales
What assets are included in the purchase price?
All the assets are included - the playhouse is fully set up
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
What is the full purchase price of the franchise (incl VAT)?
R977 500 - if buyer is VAT reg then it is a zero rated transaction - in which case the price payable is R850 000
How many months working capital will the franchisee require?
Two months
How much unencumbered cash is needed from prospective franchisee?
The purchase price plus working capital
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