About CMY Franchise
Card My Yard is a yard greeting franchise that sets up festive yard signs and customized messages for temporary display at homes and businesses.
The service celebrates events and occasions of all kinds, from birthdays and graduations to baby announcements and business promotions.
The franchise fee is $8,500, and the brand has been franchising since 2020.
CMY Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$10K
Average Investment
$14K
Maximum Investment
$19K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $8,500 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 25% of Gross Sales during the first seven months, then the greater of 25% of Gross Sales or applicable minimum monthly amounts (renewing franchisees subject to 5th year minimums) of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Local Marketing and Cooperatives: You must complete at least 24 promotional yard greeting services (worth a total of approximately $2,400) during each 12-month period... and you must also spend at least the following amounts on local advertising: (a) $300 in the first 12 months... (ii) $500 in months 13 through 24... and (iii) $800 in each 12-month period thereafter. Marketing Fund: Currently $0. If implemented, an amount equal to the greater of: (a) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the Card My Yard business’ monthly Gross Sales or (b) $25 per month in the first 12 months... $40 per month in months 13 through 24; and $65 per month in each 12-month period thereafter. Maximum of 2% of Gross Sales, subject to monthly minimum payments. | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $10,350 – $18,550 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $10K–$19K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (25% of Gross Sales during the first seven months, then the greater of 25% of Gross Sales or applicable minimum monthly amounts (renewing franchisees subject to 5th year minimums)) and marketing fee (Local Marketing and Cooperatives: You must complete at least 24 promotional yard greeting services (worth a total of approximately $2,400) during each 12-month period... and you must also spend at least the following amounts on local advertising: (a) $300 in the first 12 months... (ii) $500 in months 13 through 24... and (iii) $800 in each 12-month period thereafter. Marketing Fund: Currently $0. If implemented, an amount equal to the greater of: (a) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the Card My Yard business’ monthly Gross Sales or (b) $25 per month in the first 12 months... $40 per month in months 13 through 24; and $65 per month in each 12-month period thereafter. Maximum of 2% of Gross Sales, subject to monthly minimum payments.) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Lease Expenses (three months) | $0 | $500 |
| Furniture and Fixtures | $150 | $500 |
| POS/Computer Hardware and Software | $0 | $1,500 |
| Initial Training Costs (per person) | $0 | $1,000 |
| Utility/Security Deposits | $0 | $300 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $250 | $500 |
| Business Permits/Licenses (first year) | $0 | $500 |
| Office Equipment/Supplies | $0 | $500 |
| Insurance Deposits and Premiums (first six months) | $700 | $1,500 |
| Professional fees | $0 | $1,500 |
| Additional Funds (three months) | $500 | $1,500 |
| Cardference Fee | $250 | $250 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | Greater of $3,000 or 5% of the applicable sale/transfer price |
| Renewal Fee | $3,000 |
| Technology Fee | Variable, if implemented |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit (if understatement of 2% or more) |
| Interest and Late Fees | Interest of 18% per annum or maximum legal rate, or $100 for each failure to timely pay |
| Additional Training at our offices | $150 a day for each trainer (at our option) |
| On-site Remedial Training | $200 per trainer (per diem fee) plus costs and expenses |
| Zip Code Change Fee | $1,000 each time you change a zip code(s) |
| Indemnification | Varies according to loss |
| Liquidated Damages (Termination) | Greater of $6,600 or total royalties paid during previous 12 months multiplied by two (or $6,600 if open less than 12 months) |
| Liquidated Damages (Non-Reporting or Underreporting) | $5,000 per occurrence |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Amount equal to our actual expenses for required coverages |
| Enforcement Costs | Will vary |
| Supplier Review Reimbursement | Will vary |
| Cardference Fees | $250 per franchise owner |
| Additional Items and Equipment for New Products | Between $500 and $1,000 per year (plus at least $500 per year in the boutique for sign purchases) |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | approximately 22 hours |
| Classroom Training | 9.5 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | 11.5 – 12.5 hours |
| Training Location | Online or at our headquarters in Springville, Utah or a regional training location designated by us. |
| Additional Training | Mandatory additional training programs and seminars (up to 2 days annually, more if non-compliant with Business System standards). Mandatory annual franchisee conventions ("Cardferences") with a non-refundable $200 fee per franchise location. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected Area |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | One or more contiguous zip codes, with a population of no less than 30,000. |
| Description | The Protected Area boundaries are defined by zip codes, agreed upon by the franchisee and franchisor on a case-by-case basis. Factors include population, driving distance, proximity to the franchisee's location, and potential customer sources. The U.S. Postal Service's modification of zip codes automatically adjusts territory boundaries without compensation. Franchisees do not receive an exclusive territory and may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels/brands controlled by the franchisor. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 5 years |
| Renewal Term | Three additional 5-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | $3,000 |
| Renewal Conditions | Give written notice; refurbish/upgrade business to current standards; not be in default of any agreements; timely satisfy all monetary obligations; retain right to location or obtain consent for new site; execute then-current renewal franchise agreement; execute general release; comply with current qualification and training requirements. |
| Transfer Fee | Greater of $3,000 or 5% of the applicable sale/transfer price |
| Transfer Conditions | All monetary obligations satisfied; no defaults; transferor and owners execute general release; transferee meets qualifications and completes training; transferee renovates/upgrades business to current standards; transferee assumes all obligations; transferee executes then-current franchise agreement; transferor remains liable for pre-transfer obligations and obtains one-year insurance tail. |
| Termination for Cause | Franchisor may terminate for various defaults, some with a cure period (e.g., 30 days for general defaults, 5 days for monetary/reporting, 24 hours for Marks misuse, 7 days for insurance, 10 days for non-compete) and some without (e.g., insolvency, bankruptcy, operating at unapproved location, abandonment, conviction of certain crimes, unauthorized transfer, disclosure of confidential information, false records, repeated defaults, terrorism law violations). |
| Non-Compete Period | During the term of the franchise agreement and for 2 years after termination, expiration, or transfer of interest. |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term: Franchisee and owners may not directly or indirectly divert business or have a financial interest in a similar business within the United States, its territories, commonwealths, or any country/province/state/geographic area where the franchisor or affiliates have used or registered the Marks or operate/license businesses under similar marks. After termination/expiration: For 2 years, franchisee and owners may not divert business or have a financial interest in a similar business at the Franchise Location, within the Protected Area, or within a 25-mile radius of the Franchise Location or any existing/under-construction Card My Yard business. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | A "Principal Owner" must be designated upon signing the Franchise Agreement, holding an ownership interest in the franchisee entity. Unless a separate General Manager is approved, the Principal Owner must devote full-time efforts to supervising operations. If a General Manager is appointed, they must also devote full-time efforts and be approved by the franchisor, but are not required to hold an equity interest. The Principal Owner may not engage in other businesses without written consent. Each Card My Yard business must have a different General Manager. |
| Required Suppliers | CMY Franchising, LLC is the only approved supplier for all yard letters and signs and "Card My Yard" branded items. Yard stakes must be purchased from CMY Franchising, LLC or Parker Davis (Charlotte, NC). Franchisees must use CMY Franchising, LLC's payment processing services. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must maintain and comply with CMY Franchising, LLC's quality standards and specifications, operating their business in accordance with approved specifications for equipment, inventory, techniques, and procedures. Certain products and services must be purchased from approved or designated suppliers. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | $764,972 in fiscal year 2024, representing 21.7% of total revenues of $3,521,565. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | We do not offer direct or indirect financing, and we do not guarantee your notes, leases or other obligations. |
CMY Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$20K
Median Revenue
$15K
Revenue Range
$1K – $113K
Sample Size
505 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
CMY Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordCMY has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
CMY System Growth
Total Units
545
Franchised
543
Company-Owned
2
CMY currently operates 543 franchised locations and 2 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 48 | 9 | 508 |
| 2023 | 45 | 23 | 530 |
| 2024 | 33 | 20 | 543 |
Transfers: 55 | Closures: 20
State Registrations
Registered in 15 states: CA, MD, HI, MI, IL, MN, IN, NY, ND, VA, RI, WA, SD, WI, TX
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$3.5M
Net Income
$-2,257,383
Total Assets
$10.0M
Audited by HoganTaylor for year ending December 31.
CMY Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a CMY franchise ranges from $10,350 to $18,550, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $8,500. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
CMY charges a royalty fee of 25% of Gross Sales during the first seven months, then the greater of 25% of Gross Sales or applicable minimum monthly amounts (renewing franchisees subject to 5th year minimums) of gross sales, plus a Local Marketing and Cooperatives: You must complete at least 24 promotional yard greeting services (worth a total of approximately $2,400) during each 12-month period... and you must also spend at least the following amounts on local advertising: (a) $300 in the first 12 months... (ii) $500 in months 13 through 24... and (iii) $800 in each 12-month period thereafter. Marketing Fund: Currently $0. If implemented, an amount equal to the greater of: (a) one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the Card My Yard business’ monthly Gross Sales or (b) $25 per month in the first 12 months... $40 per month in months 13 through 24; and $65 per month in each 12-month period thereafter. Maximum of 2% of Gross Sales, subject to monthly minimum payments. contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the CMY Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from CMY to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, CMY franchise owners report average revenue of $20K and median revenue of $15K. This is based on a sample of 505 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
CMY has been franchising since 2020. The FDD shows an investment range of $10,350-$18,550, a 25% of Gross Sales during the first seven months, then the greater of 25% of Gross Sales or applicable minimum monthly amounts (renewing franchisees subject to 5th year minimums) royalty, and includes an Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $8,500 and the total investment ranges from $10,350 to $18,550 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from CMY and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with CMY or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com