The Franchise Opportunity Report - October 2026
Happy October!
Each month I highlight one or two franchise opportunities that catch my attention. They address real needs in the market and have unique traits that make them stand out.
Enjoy!
Alan
π
"A good teacher does not teach facts, he or she teaches enthusiasm, open-mindedness and values."
-Gian-Carlo Rota
π‘ Opportunity #1
A CHESS PROGRAM FOR KIDS WHO ARE TOO YOUNG FOR CHESS PROGRAMS
Most chess programs don't work until kids are six or seven, old enough to sit still and follow formal rules. This one is built for three to eight year olds instead, using storytelling and characters rather than rulebooks, and it runs inside preschools, daycares, elementary schools, and community centers instead of a storefront you'd have to build out.
π Performance snapshot:
β Average annual gross sales per location: $501,298, with average gross profit after disclosed expenses of $233,961, or 46.67% (2025 Item 19)
β Total investment as low as $65,579, one of the lowest I've featured in this newsletter
β Only 2 franchise units open and 4 awarded so far, a genuinely young system, franchising only since 2025, which also means there's a lot of open territory left for someone who wants to get in early and build out a market
β One instructor can teach a full room at once, so labor cost doesn't climb in step with revenue
β Why it stands out:
β The company's board game won Time Magazine's Toy Invention of the Year, real brand recognition before you even open your first location
β Solves a real gap, most enrichment programs skip kids under six or seven entirely
β No chess experience required to own it or to instruct, it's built around hiring people who are good with kids and good at storytelling
β Revenue comes from more than one place: in-school classes, after-school programs, camps, and community partnerships
β No storefront or major real estate investment required
π° Investment range: $65,579 - $87,227
Franchise fee: $49,500 (single unit)
5% VetFran discount available on the franchise fee.
π Get more details on this one
As shown in Items 5, 7, and 19 of the 2026 FDD
π‘ Opportunity #2
A GYM WHERE CLASSES START EVERY 10 MINUTES, NOT ON THE HOUR
Group fitness usually means picking one class time and building your day around it. This model runs 40-minute strength and interval workouts that start every 10 minutes, seven days a week, so members show up when their day allows instead of the other way around.
π Performance snapshot:
β Second-quartile studios averaged $127,058 in EBITDA in 2025 (top-quartile studios averaged $337,712)
β Single-unit investment range: $310,400 - $710,900
β 31 franchise units open and 158 awarded
β Founded by operators with over 40 years combined in the fitness industry
β Why it stands out:
β Built to be manager-run, with an expected 10 to 15 hours a week from the owner
β Every station is guided by a screen, keeping the workout consistent without a large training staff
β No fixed class schedule for members to work around, the flexibility is the product
β Franchise partners have kept buying additional studios after their first
β In-house marketing team handles advertising and placement for every location
π° Investment range: $310,400 - $710,900
Franchise fee: $60,000 (single unit)
5% VetFran discount ($5,000) available on the franchise fee. No in-house financing.
π Get more details on this one
As shown in Items 5, 7, and 19 of the 2026 FDD
Want to Learn More?
These opportunities (and many more) are available through my franchise matching service.
I'll help you figure out what fits your goals, skills, and investment level.
My coaching is free. I'm only paid by franchisors after you find the right fit and move forward.
To learn more about these and check availability in your market, reach out by replying to this email or scheduling a 15 minute call.
Not Ready for a Call Yet?
Take the Franchise Owner Fit Assessment. About six minutes on your phone, no pressure. It gives you an honest read on where you stand right now on both the money side and the owner traits that tend to make great franchise owners, and points you to your best next step.
Alan Regala High Performance Franchise Coach Former Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Owner Athlete to Owner
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