About School of Rock Franchise
School of Rock is a music education franchise that has been offering franchise opportunities since 2005.
The brand teaches students of all ages to play instruments and perform in a band setting through its signature performance based music education methodology.
Backed by Youth Enrichment Brands, LLC and ultimately by Roark Capital Management, School of Rock has grown into the largest music school franchise in the world.
School of Rock Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$425K
Average Investment
$565K
Maximum Investment
$705K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $59,900 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 8% of Gross Sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 3% of Gross Sales (Brand Fund Fee) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $425,250 – $704,800 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $425K–$705K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (8% of Gross Sales) and marketing fee (3% of Gross Sales (Brand Fund Fee)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $59,900 | $59,900 |
| Rent (3 months) | $19,500 | $28,500 |
| Renovation/Construction | $145,000 | $275,000 |
| Furniture/Decor | $17,500 | $37,500 |
| Equipment (music, office) | $25,000 | $45,000 |
| Security System | $11,000 | $25,000 |
| Signage | $5,000 | $30,000 |
| Supplies | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Training Expenses | $3,500 | $7,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Computer System and Software | $4,000 | $8,500 |
| Permits and Licenses | $3,500 | $10,000 |
| Architectural Fees | $6,850 | $15,900 |
| Insurance (25% of annual premium) | $5,000 | $9,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $500 | $2,000 |
| Professional/Legal/Other Fees | $5,000 | $28,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $100,000 | $100,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | Transfer fee required (amount set in franchise agreement) |
| Renewal Fee | Sign then-current franchise agreement (may have materially different terms) |
| Technology Fee | $150/month (POS/scheduling platform from designated vendor) + $6.21/curriculum-eligible student/month (Method App Fee to SOR Parent) + Technology Fee (bundled software package - CRM, email, analytics, website, compliance, security - currently paid by franchisor) |
| Audit Fee | Actual cost of audit plus interest at lesser of 18%/year or max allowed by law |
| Local Advertising | 3% of Gross Sales annually |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 minimum |
| Advertising Cooperative | Up to 3% of Gross Sales (voluntary, if formed) |
| Additional Owner Training | $600/person |
| Additional GM Training | $400/person |
| Music Director Training | $300/person |
| Interest on Late Payment | Lesser of 18%/year or max allowed by law |
| Insufficient Funds Fee | $100/occurrence |
| Insurance (if franchisor obtains) | Premiums plus reasonable fee |
| Indemnification | Amounts incurred |
| Liquidated Damages (early termination) | Average monthly royalties and Brand Fund fees x remaining months in term |
| Website Hosting Fee | Amount set in Manuals |
| Live Streaming Equipment | $1,000-$2,000 + $20/month software |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 5 weeks Management Training + 4 weeks Music Director Training |
| Classroom Training | 24.25 hours classroom (10.75 hours Weeks 1-4 remote + 13.5 hours Week 5 in-person) |
| On-the-Job Training | 0 hours formal on-the-job (homework and self-paced between sessions) |
| Training Location | Weeks 1-4: Remote Delivery (virtual). Week 5: Glen Ellyn, Illinois or designated School location (in-person). Music Director Training: entirely via Remote Delivery over 4 weeks (10.67 hours). |
| Additional Training | New GMs and Music Directors must complete Initial Training within 3 months of hire. Additional training: $600/owner, $400/GM, $300/Music Director. Training supervised by Tara Stanley (Head of Organizational Development, 20+ years experience) and Sean Walker (Training Specialist, 20+ years music education). |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected (limited, not exclusive) |
| Exclusive Territory | No |
| Territory Size | Varies from certain number of city blocks (urban) to a township (suburban); no guaranteed minimum size |
| Description | You will not receive an exclusive territory. You may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels. However, during the term, franchisor will not establish or license another School under the System and Marks at any location within your Territory. Franchisor retains extensive rights including: using Marks outside Territory, selling branded merchandise within Territory via any channel, acquiring businesses within Territory, using Marks for live performances/tours within Territory, licensing Little Wing Program to day care centers/pre-schools within Territory, and soliciting/advertising within Territory. Territory may be modified upon renewal. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 10 years |
| Renewal Term | 10 years (successor term available) |
| Renewal Fee | Sign then-current Franchise Agreement and Renewal Amendment (may have materially different terms) |
| Renewal Conditions | Compliance with Franchise Agreement, sign then-current agreement and Renewal Amendment, refurbish/remodel School to current standards, complete any required training, sign general release (subject to state law), all monetary obligations paid, possession of premises secured. Territory may be modified upon renewal. |
| Transfer Fee | Transfer fee required per franchise agreement |
| Transfer Conditions | Written notification, our prior written consent (not unreasonably withheld), all monetary obligations satisfied, not in default, transferor signs general release, transferee signs written assignment and then-current franchise agreement, transferee meets qualifications, transferee renovates School, transferee completes training, transfer fee paid, no impermissible concentration of Schools, no premium charged on unopened units. Franchisor has right of first refusal. |
| Termination for Cause | Curable: 30 days for most defaults including non-payment, non-compliance with standards, failure to obtain approval, failure to maintain quality, using confusingly similar marks, failure to comply with laws. Non-curable: insolvency/bankruptcy, dissolution, foreclosure, unsatisfied judgments, failure to locate site or open on time, failure to complete training, abandonment, loss of premises, conviction of a crime, violation of codes of conduct, false application statements, health/safety violations, unapproved transfers, failure to comply with covenants, unauthorized disclosure of confidential info, trademark misuse, refusal to permit inspections, failure to timely cure a default, repeated defaults even if cured, any default under any other agreement. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years |
| Non-Compete Details | 2 years post-termination/expiration. Cannot own, maintain, operate, engage in, be employed by, provide assistance/advice to, or have any interest in any business substantially similar to a School or that offers substantially similar services, located within: (1) your Territory, (2) within 10 miles of the Approved Location, or (3) within 10 miles of any business operating under the System and Proprietary Marks. Subject to applicable state law. Massachusetts law governs. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | No |
| Participation Details | Not required to personally participate in day-to-day operations. Must designate a full-time General Manager who completes the Management Training Curriculum. Must also designate a Music Director who completes the Music Director Training Curriculum. Neither is required to have an equity interest. All owners and spouses must sign personal guarantees. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisor and SOR Parent are approved suppliers of Little Wing materials and branded merchandise (GearSelect). Must use approved architectural firm. Must use designated POS/scheduling platform ($150/month). Must pay Method App Fee to SOR Parent ($6.21/student/month). Must purchase Computer System and Required Software as specified. Must use approved security system vendor. |
| Supply Restrictions | 5-10% of total cost of goods and services to establish and operate must be from franchisor, affiliates, or approved suppliers |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | In 2024: franchisor received $142,078 in GearSelect commissions (0.5% of $26,136,563 total revenues). SOR Parent received $2,997,734 from Method App fees (pass-through to third-party service providers). No other revenues from required franchisee purchases. |
School of Rock Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$672K
Median Revenue
$640K
Revenue Range
$173K – $2.1M
Sample Size
223 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
School of Rock Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordSchool of Rock 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.
School of Rock System Growth
Total Units
303
Franchised
254
Company-Owned
49
School of Rock currently operates 254 franchised locations and 49 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 17 | 1 | 258 |
| 2023 | 25 | 1 | 281 |
| 2024 | 24 | 1 | 303 |
Transfers: 10 | Closures: 1
State Registrations
Registered in 16 states: CA, CT, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Revenue
$26.1M
School of Rock Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a School of Rock franchise ranges from $425,250 to $704,800, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $59,900. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
School of Rock charges a royalty fee of 8% of Gross Sales of gross sales, plus a 3% of Gross Sales (Brand Fund Fee) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the School of Rock 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 School of Rock to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, School of Rock franchise owners report average revenue of $672K and median revenue of $640K. This is based on a sample of 223 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
School of Rock has been franchising since 2005. The FDD shows an investment range of $425,250-$704,800, a 8% of Gross Sales 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 $59,900 and the total investment ranges from $425,250 to $704,800 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 School of Rock and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with School of Rock or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com