About The Knight School Franchise
The Knight School is a children's enrichment franchise that teaches chess to kids through engaging, age appropriate instruction designed to build critical thinking, problem solving, and strategic planning skills.
Each program brings chess lessons to schools, community centers, and after school settings, making the game accessible to young learners.
The brand began franchising in 2024.
The Knight School Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$41K
Average Investment
$70K
Maximum Investment
$99K
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | Up to 15% of Gross Revenues of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | Currently none. Up to 2% of Gross Revenues (waived on first $2,500 of Gross Revenue each month until 37th month if instituted) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $41,440 – $98,990 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $41K–$99K reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (Up to 15% of Gross Revenues) and marketing fee (Currently none. Up to 2% of Gross Revenues (waived on first $2,500 of Gross Revenue each month until 37th month if instituted)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee (2) | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Opening Kit (3) | $3,360 | $3,930 |
| Electronics/Smart Phone (4) | $0 | $200 |
| Business Licenses/ Permits (5) | $110 | $930 |
| Insurance (6) | $250 | $1,070 |
| Training (transportation, lodging, etc.) (7) | $460 | $2,340 |
| Computer and Office Supplies (8) | $290 | $2,140 |
| Office or Business Software and Internet Access (9) | $140 | $1,860 |
| Professional Service Fees (10) | $100 | $2,730 |
| Initial Advertising (11) | $60 | $1,290 |
| Fixtures, furniture and other office furnishings (12) | $0 | $240 |
| Additional Funds (3 months) (13) | $1,670 | $47,260 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $2,500 |
| Renewal Fee | None (reserves right to charge for background/credit check and document prep costs) |
| Technology Fee | Currently none. Up to 1% of Gross Revenues (if implemented) |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit plus interest on underpayment at highest rate permitted by law (if understatement of 2% or more) |
| Handling Fee | 10% of Supply Bundle Price for each order (waived for first 6 months) |
| Payment Processing Reimbursement Fees | Our costs but no more than the greater of (i) $195 or (ii) 4% of Gross Revenues (deferred for first 6 months) |
| Local Advertising Requirement ("LAR") | Up to 1% of Gross Revenues |
| Supplier Approval Fee | Our costs |
| Additional Training | $1,500 per person |
| Continuing Training | Currently None (responsible for expenses) |
| Remedial Training | $1,500 per person |
| Meeting or Conference Fee | Currently, no fee (responsible for expenses; reserves right to charge up to $2,500 per attendee) |
| Quality Control Audit; Mystery Shopper or Secret Customer Program Fee | Our costs and expenses |
| Operations Non-Compliance Fee | $150 per occurrence per week |
| Insurance | Our costs |
| Taxes | Our costs |
| Costs and Attorney's Fees | Will vary under circumstances |
| Indemnification | Will vary under circumstances |
| Reimbursement | Will vary under circumstances (10% administrative fee if we pay Approved Supplier) |
| Liquidated Damages | $25,000 |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 21 hours |
| Classroom Training | 14 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | 7 hours |
| Training Location | Birmingham, Alabama, Houston, Texas, online, and/or other designated locations |
| Additional Training | Initial training for Operating Principal and City Coach is included in the Initial Franchise Fee (1-2 attendees). Additional personnel can attend for $1,500 per attendee. Continuing training (up to 1 week or 40 hours annually) is mandatory for Operating Principal and City Coach, with franchisees responsible for all expenses (travel, lodging, meals, wages). Remedial training ($1,500 per attendee plus expenses) may be required for breaches or quality issues. On-site training may be provided upon request or requirement, with fees and expenses. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Protected |
| Exclusive Territory | Yes |
| Territory Size | Minimum 100,000 kids under age 12 |
| Description | Franchisees are granted a right to operate one Franchise Business within a specific designated territory, usually based on contiguous zip codes with a minimum population of 100,000 children under 12. The franchisor will not operate company-owned locations or grant other franchises for instructional chess services within the Designated Territory, provided the franchisee is in compliance with the Franchise Agreement and meets Minimum Performance Standards. If these standards are not met for two consecutive school semesters, territorial protection ceases. The franchisor reserves rights to operate outside the territory, use marks for other products/services, develop other businesses, be acquired by or acquire similar businesses, and implement multi-area marketing programs. Franchisees are prohibited from marketing outside their Designated Territory. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 5 years (coinciding with school year end, minimum 5 years, maximum 6 years) |
| Renewal Term | 10 additional 5-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | None (reserves right to charge for updated background/credit check and document prep costs) |
| Renewal Conditions | Written notice to franchisor (90 days to 1 year prior to expiration), not in default, timely satisfied monetary obligations, execution of general release, retraining, and signing of then-current franchise agreement (terms may differ). |
| Transfer Fee | $2,500 |
| Transfer Conditions | All accrued monetary obligations satisfied; compensation subordinated to franchisor; execution of general release by franchisee, owners, and spouses; transferee enters written assignment; transferee meets educational, managerial, business, and financial standards; transferee executes current standard franchise agreement and ancillary agreements; transfer occurs exclusively through majority interest transfer of the Business. |
| Termination for Cause | Material breach of any obligation, covenant or representation under the Franchise Agreement, including but not limited to: unauthorized transfer, failure to commence operations, abandonment for 5+ days, violation of IP/restrictive covenants, bankruptcy, failure to complete training, judgments over $10,000, knowingly selling non-conforming products, knowingly failing to report Gross Revenue accurately, fraud, multiple defaults, misconduct affecting goodwill, conviction of certain crimes, failure to pay taxes. |
| Non-Compete Period | 24 months post-termination/expiration |
| Non-Compete Details | During the term of the franchise, franchisee, owners, and spouses cannot directly or indirectly engage in any competitive business. Post-termination/expiration, for 24 months, they cannot directly or indirectly participate in, engage in, market, sell, distribute, render, provide, perform, or sell products/services similar to The Knight School within the Designated Territory, within 25 miles of any franchisee or company-owned location, or via the Internet. They also cannot induce or solicit employees/contractors or interfere with business relationships of the franchisor or other franchisees. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | The Operating Principal or City Coach, approved by the franchisor and having successfully completed initial training, must devote full-time and best efforts to the operation of the Franchise Business on a year-round, day-to-day basis, and be "onsite". The Operating Principal must own at least 51% of the franchisee entity. Until the Franchise Business meets minimum threshold performance requirements, the City Coach must be an Owner of the business. All Owners must personally guarantee obligations. Owners, Operating Principal, their spouses, and City Coaches cannot have interests in competitors and must sign confidentiality and non-competition agreements. All staff with access to confidential information must sign confidentiality agreements. |
| Required Suppliers | Franchisees must purchase items bearing the Marks (chess sets, t-shirts, polos, chess clocks, backpacks, giveaway stickers, metals, magnets, car decals, wristbands) and the Opening Kit ("Proprietary Supplies") from the franchisor or its affiliate. The franchisor is the only Approved Supplier for Proprietary Supplies. Other products, merchandise, and services must be purchased from designated or approved suppliers to ensure uniformity and quality standards. |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must conform to high and uniform standards of quality, appearance, and service, and obtain certain services, supplies, materials, equipment, and other products, advertising materials, computer hardware, and software in strict compliance with franchisor specifications and only from the franchisor, its affiliate, or authorized manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, vendors, merchants, or providers. The franchisor reserves the right to require purchases of any items only from them or an affiliate in the future. Franchisor or its affiliates may be Approved Suppliers for certain products and services. Franchisor is the only Approved Supplier for Proprietary Supplies and one of the Approved Suppliers for laser pointers, drives, puppets, office supplies, and projectors. Unapproved suppliers can be requested for approval at franchisee's expense for evaluation and inspection. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | The franchisor and its affiliates reserve the right to earn revenue from Approved Suppliers, such as rebates or commissions, on account of their sales of any goods or services to franchisees, including required purchases. During the 2023 fiscal year, the franchisor did not derive revenue from the sale of required products and services to franchisees or receive payments from designated suppliers because it was not selling franchises. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | Yes |
| Description | The franchisor offers indirect financing by deferring the collection of the Initial Fee Installment and allowing 6 months to commence repayment of the Opening Kit and any Supply Bundles purchased before 6 months of operation. The Initial Fee Installment of $20,000 is financed over 5 years with semi-annual payments of $2,000, with no down payment or interest. The Opening Kit and Supply Bundles are financed over 16 months in 10 equal monthly installments after 6 months of operation, with no down payment or interest. The franchisor does not place financing with any lender and does not receive payment for the placement of financing. They do not guarantee franchisee notes, leases, or other obligations. |
The Knight School Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Average Revenue
$259K
Median Revenue
$232K
Sample Size
20 units
Past financial performance does not guarantee future results. Individual results will vary.
The Knight School Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordThe Knight School 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.
The Knight School System Growth
Total Units
24
Franchised
22
Company-Owned
2
The Knight School currently operates 22 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 22 |
Transfers: 1 | Closures: 1
State Registrations
Registered in 19 states: CA, CT, HI, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NE, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI
Franchisor Financials (Item 21)
Total Assets
$51K
Audited by JEBRAN & ABRAHAM, PC for year ending April 30, 2024.
The Knight School Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a The Knight School franchise ranges from $41,440 to $98,990, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $35,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
The Knight School charges a royalty fee of Up to 15% of Gross Revenues of gross sales, plus a Currently none. Up to 2% of Gross Revenues (waived on first $2,500 of Gross Revenue each month until 37th month if instituted) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the The Knight School 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 The Knight School to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
According to the Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, The Knight School franchise owners report average revenue of $259K and median revenue of $232K. This is based on a sample of 20 units. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
The Knight School has been franchising since 2024. The FDD shows an investment range of $41,440-$98,990, a Up to 15% of Gross Revenues 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 $35,000 and the total investment ranges from $41,440 to $98,990 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
Similar Education & Tutoring Franchises
Interested in The Knight School?
Get free info on this franchise. We will send you a detailed FDD report by email.
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 The Knight School and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with The Knight School or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com