FDD-based analysis. Item-level data. No franchisor input.
Story Time Chess franchises children's enrichment businesses that teach chess and other games, recreation, and movement to children roughly three to eight years old. A franchisee delivers instruction under the Story Time Chess trademark at schools and community venues such as recreation centers, youth centers, and community centers, as well as in customers' homes, using the company's proprietary lesson plans and instructional methods within a non-exclusive territory.
Source: Franchise Disclosure Document, rewritten by Zorzee
Every value here comes straight from the FDD; anything not yet source-verified stays blank rather than estimated. The Pro figures and full interpretation unlock with a Pro membership.
Every data point Zorzee tracks for this brand, in FDD Item order. Missing source data stays blank; Pro-only interpretation remains locked.
| Item | Data Point | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item 3 | Litigation Actions (total) | 0 actions disclosed | FDD Item 3 |
| Item 5 | Initial Franchise Fee | The Initial Franchise Fee is $49,500. | FDD Item 5 |
| Item 5 | Development Fee | No separate development fee disclosed. Subsequent outlet discounts shown: territory 2 $44,500, territory 3 $40,000, territory 4 $35,000, territory 5 $30,000, territories 6 to 10 $30,000 each. | FDD Item 5 |
| Item 6 | Royalty Fee | 7% | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | National Media Fund | Pro | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | Corporate Ad & Development Fund | Pro | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | Total Ongoing Fee Burden | Pro | Calculated (Item 6) |
| Item 7 | Total Investment (low) | $65,579 | FDD Item 7 |
| Item 7 | Total Investment (high) | $87,227 | FDD Item 7 |
| Item 8 | Required Purchases (food/supplies) | Pro | FDD Item 8 |
| Item 11 | Franchisor Assistance | Pro | FDD Item 11 |
| Item 12 | Exclusive Territory | Pro | FDD Item 12 |
| Item 12 | Territory Size | Pro | FDD Item 12 |
| Item 15 | Operating Participation | Pro | FDD Item 15 |
| Item 17 | Initial Term Length | Pro | FDD Item 17(a) |
| Item 17 | Renewal Terms | Pro | FDD Item 17(b)-(c) |
| Item 17 | Required Remodel at Renewal | Pro | FDD Item 17(c) |
| Item 17 | Termination Triggers | Pro | FDD Item 17(f)-(h) |
| Item 17 | Transfer Fee | Pro | FDD Item 17(m), Item 6 |
| Item 17 | ROFR Provisions | Pro | FDD Item 17(n) |
| Item 17 | Post-Termination Non-Compete | Pro | FDD Item 17(r) |
| Item 19 | Revenue Metric Disclosed | Disclosed (single-location example): Story Time Chess Item 19 discloses one company-owned outlet's full P&L; no franchised-outlet or systemwide combined figure exists. | FDD Item 19 |
| Item 20 | Total Franchised Units (2025) | 2 franchised outlets at end of 2025 (both Florida, opened 2025). | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Company-Owned Units (2025) | 5 company-owned outlets at end of 2025 (New York 4, California 1). | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Total System Net Unit Growth (YoY) | +2 total outlets in 2025. | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Terminations | Pro | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Agreements Signed, Not Yet Open | Pro | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 21 | Audited Financials | Pro | FDD Item 21 |
Each signal turns one part of the filing into a read a buyer can act on. Strength means the disclosed data is favorable. In Line means it is typical for the category. Deal-Specific means the term is populated but you still have to model it against your own deal. Concern means the disclosed data is a real risk. The read is free. The reasoning behind it is the Pro read.
Story Time Chess has Unit Economics data in Item 19, but it does not provide one standard combined unit figure for Free to display. The disclosed cohorts, tiers, ranges, coverage, and read are included in Pro.
The disclosed cohorts, tiers, ranges, coverage, and read are included in Pro. No combined figure is invented or exposed on Free.
Story Time Chess trajectory is shown only where source-backed. Missing Item 20 fields stay blank inside the locked layout instead of removing the section.
Source: FDD Item 20 where present. Total system units, franchised plus company-owned. Not financial advice.
0 actions disclosed in source-reviewed FDD Item 3.
Zorzee editorial. Independent analysis. No franchisor review or approval. Not financial advice.
The filing tells you what Story Time Chess costs to open. Pro adds the read on whether the numbers work for you, in your market, and whether this brand is a business or a job you bought.
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A Story Time Chess franchise costs $65,579 to $87,227 to open, disclosed in FDD Item 7 of the 2026 filing, covering the franchise fee, buildout, equipment, and working capital to breakeven. No commissions, no franchisor revenue, independent analysis only.
Story Time Chess uses a Variable fee model fee structure, disclosed in FDD Item 6.
No Item 19 earnings figure is disclosed for Story Time Chess in its 2026 FDD, so there is no franchisor-stated revenue number to read.
Story Time Chess's FDD Item 3 discloses no legal actions in the 2026 filing.
Zorzee does not rate franchises good or bad; it reports what the filing discloses so you can judge fit. Story Time Chess shows Deal-Specific reads on Fee Structure, Unit Economics, Operator Validation, and Term & Exit Terms, In Line on Litigation History. Whether it fits depends on your capital, your market, and your operating style. Independent analysis, no franchisor revenue.