About Pearle Vision Franchise
Pearle Vision is a retail optical franchise that operates EyeCare Centers selling prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and related optical products and services.
Franchisees, called Licensed Owners, run retail optical stores that may include on-site finishing laboratories for producing eyeglasses, optometric or ophthalmologic exam services through licensed professionals, and participation in managed vision care plans like EyeMed.
Target customers include families seeking comprehensive eye care, prescription eyewear, and vision correction products.
Pearle Vision Franchise Cost & Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 7% of Gross Revenues of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 8% of Gross Revenues (75% system-wide, 25% local co-op) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $509,356 – $848,384 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $509K–$848K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (7% of Gross Revenues) and marketing fee (8% of Gross Revenues (75% system-wide, 25% local co-op)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (New Licensed Operator) | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| Initial Franchise Fee (Existing Licensed Operator) | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Real Estate | $14,769 | $20,850 |
| Construction | $231,000 | $347,000 |
| A&E Fees | $16,300 | $16,300 |
| Equipment | $12,892 | $17,515 |
| Signage, Fixtures, Furniture and Décor | $93,200 | $117,200 |
| Inventory | $33,000 | $84,000 |
| Point of Sale and Computer System | $11,395 | $23,519 |
| Grand Opening Advertising | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Training Expenses | $0 | $2,000 |
| Security Deposits | $1,300 | $15,000 |
| Insurance | $8,000 | $10,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $52,500 | $150,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | Up to $7,500 |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 |
| Technology Fee | Up to $400/month (POS Support and Maintenance Fee, not currently charged) |
| Audit Fee | Cost and expenses of audit including travel and per diem costs and attorneys' fees |
| Grand Opening Advertising (New Start) | No less than $15,000 |
| Grand Opening Advertising (Independent Conversion) | No less than $7,500 |
| A&E Fees | $16,300 |
| Project Services Fees | $16,000 (full remodel or relocation) |
| Additional Training | $100–$500 per session |
| Late Fees | 18% per annum or maximum rate permitted by law |
| NSF Fee | $35 first incident, $100 additional incidents per calendar year |
| Financial Statement Late Fee | $250/month (Q1-Q3); $1,000/month (Q4) |
| Management Fee | 8% of Gross Revenues |
| External Credentialing Review | Up to $100 per Optometric Professional |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 180 days prior to opening (multiple phases) |
| Classroom Training | Approximately 53 hours total (24 hours Licensed Owner Onboarding + 4 hours Global Portal + 1.5 hours NECE e-learning + 11.5 hours Focus on Success + 12 hours AcuityLogic POS training) |
| On-the-Job Training | Up to 86 hours (Licensed Owner Sessions 1 & 2 in EyeCare Center) |
| Training Location | EyeCare Centers designated by Pearle Vision, RONA Offices in Mason OH area, and web-based |
| Additional Training | Optional Optical Foundations (26.5 hours), Eyewear Inspection Process (up to 5.5 hours classroom + 2.5 hours OTJ), Situational Leadership II (8 hours), Manager/Employee Onboarding (2 hours classroom + up to 160 hours OTJ). Additional courses range from $100–$500 per participant. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Non-exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | Specific location only; temporary Trade Area for 180 days if location not identified at signing |
| Description | No exclusive territory granted. Franchisees receive the right to operate at a specific location only. A right of first refusal applies if Pearle Vision proposes to open a new EyeCare Center within a 1-mile radius of the franchisee's location. A Restricted Conversion Area of 1 mile prevents Pearle Vision from converting existing non-Pearle optical stores within that radius. Franchisees may not solicit or accept orders outside their EyeCare Center and cannot use Internet, catalog, or telemarketing channels. Pearle Vision and affiliates retain all rights to operate competing brands (LensCrafters, Target Optical, Sunglass Hut, Oakley, etc.) in or near the franchisee's area. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | Up to 10 years |
| Renewal Term | Minimum 5 years |
| Renewal Fee | $5,000 |
| Renewal Conditions | Must show compliance with operational requirements; not be in default; satisfy all monetary obligations; location must comply with current requirements or relocate; remodel as required; attend training if required; sign a release; sign new agreement and pay renewal fee |
| Transfer Fee | Up to $7,500 (prorated based on interest transferred) |
| Transfer Conditions | Transferee must apply and be approved; transferor must be in compliance; transferee must demonstrate skills and resources; transferee must complete training; all third-party consents obtained; transferor must sign release; transferee must upgrade to current standards; transferee signs assumption agreement or new license agreement |
| Termination for Cause | Curable defaults: 30 days to cure (breach, improper operations, non-payment, failure of standards, other agreement defaults, EyeMed participation, criminal proceedings). Non-curable defaults: immediate termination for breach of key provisions, criminal conviction, dishonesty, failure to pay judgment for 30 days, unauthorized closure for 3+ days, loss of possession, impairment, public danger, under-reporting sales by 8%+, failure to attend training, 2+ defaults in 12 months |
| Non-Compete Period | 1 year after expiration, termination, transfer, or assignment |
| Non-Compete Details | Cannot engage directly or indirectly in any Competitive Business within a 3-mile radius of any Location for 1 year. During the term, cannot engage in any Competitive Business anywhere in the world. Competitive Business includes any business offering retail optical products and professional services. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | Licensed Owner must participate personally in the direct operation of the Licensed EyeCare Center, either by being on-premises or through appointing a Designated Operator. The Designated Operator must meet Pearle Vision's standards, complete required training, and execute a confidentiality agreement. If the Designated Operator is not an Equity Owner with at least 25% interest, they must be approved by Pearle Vision. If the Designated Operator can no longer serve, a replacement must be designated within 60 days. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisees must purchase Frames, Lenses, Lab Services, Inventory, POS system (AcuityLogic), computer hardware, insurance, financial services (ProfitKeeper), and customer service plans from Pearle Vision or Approved Suppliers. Pearle Vision and its affiliates (Oakley, Essilor of America, Walman) are Approved Suppliers of frames, lenses, lab services, and optical products. |
| Supply Restrictions | Initial required purchases estimated at 50%–90% of establishment cost. Ongoing required purchases estimated at 95%–100% of annual purchases. Pearle Vision reserves the right to be the sole Approved Supplier of any required item. All Frames, Lenses, and Lab Services must be purchased through Approved Suppliers via the POS System. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Approximately 3.13% ($74,488,557) of LOA's total 2021 revenues of $2,377,590,971 came from licensed owner purchases. Pearle Vision received payments of up to 10% of total purchases from Approved Suppliers of frames, lenses, lab work, and contact lenses in fiscal year 2021. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | Yes |
| Description | Pearle Vision offers limited financing for Initial Frame Assortment and inventory purchases. If credit qualifications are met, franchisees may pay in monthly installments without interest, generally ranging from 1 to 6 months. Pearle Vision establishes a Credit Limit based on estimated 5-month purchases. No preferred lending program is currently offered. Pearle Vision does not finance Initial License Fees, site acquisition, construction, or remodeling costs. |
Pearle Vision Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
Pearle Vision Litigation & Risk Flags
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Pearle Vision System Growth
Pearle Vision currently operates 443 franchised locations and 59 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 21 | 7 | 480 |
| 2020 | 24 | 17 | 487 |
| 2021 | 24 | 9 | 502 |
Transfers: 32 | Closures: 6
Public Figures (Item 18)
The following public figures are associated with this franchise: Stanley Pearle, O.D. (founder, deceased October 2011; name and image continue to be used in promoting the brand)
State Registrations
Registered in 19 states: CA, FL, HI, IL, IN, KY, MD, MI, MN, NY, NE, ND, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for year ending December 31.
Pearle Vision Franchise — FAQ
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