HobbyTown® is widely regarded as a leader in the retail hobby industry. A nationally registered franchise, we are ranked annually in the Entrepreneur 500, and Success Magazine has listed us as one of their top 100 franchises.

HobbyTown® franchisees receive the following benefits:

• Business Plan assistance after the agreement is executed
• Site location and lease negotiation assistance
• Comprehensive store layout and design services
• On-site training and opening assistance
• Complete pre-opening and operations manuals
• Ongoing business support from the home office
• Proprietary Point of Sale (POS) & Inventory Management System with after-hours emergency support
• Advertising and marketing support
• Discount product purchase program and national buying power
• Annual franchise convention with educational seminars and trade show
• Exclusive HobbyTown proprietary product developed by Firelands Group

Why should I open a HobbyTown® franchise instead of opening an independent hobby shop?

HobbyTown® is the most trusted, recognized name in the hobby industry. We have special agreements with distributors and manufacturers so you can get products on your shelves quickly and at a lower cost. We have trained staff to assist you with any and all questions. We have an exclusive point-of-sale (POS) system, and we provide you with monthly financials to assist you in running your business. In addition, we have an annual owners’ convention and trade show where you learn what is going on in the industry and see the latest and greatest products hitting the market.

Do I need hobby experience to open a HobbyTown® franchise?

No hobby experience is required to own a HobbyTown®.  It is important that you have an interest in hobbies since you will be working with customers that are passionate about their hobby. However, it is more important that you have at least two years experience managing people or owning your own business.

What types of training do you offer franchisees?

Our training consists of three phases. In phase I, you will work and train for at least one week at one of our locations. For phase II, you will come to the home office for a week of business training. Phase III consists of onsite training lasting almost three weeks at your store, which takes place during the opening.

What product lines does HobbyTown® carry?

We are a full-line hobby retailer, with every aisle offering something different. Our lines include Model Railroading, Games, Radio Control Land, Models, Paints and Tools, Radio Control Air, Specialty and Educational Toys and Science. We have found carrying a diversity of product lines is key in the success of our stores.

How long will it take to open my HobbyTown® franchise?

From the time the lending and the lease are in place, it takes approximately 8 weeks to have your store up and running. Note: This can fluctuate depending upon how long the location build-out requires.

Can I own multiple units?

Yes, you can own more than one store. We do not encourage owning more than one location in the beginning to provide you ample time to learn the business. We recommend the growth of one store initially, as we have found that following this model increases your chances of success without increasing your overhead.

How do I get started?

Please fill in the form to the right to start the process today!

What our franchisees are saying:

“We’re very pleased with the store support we receive from the corporate office. We wouldn’t want to do this alone! Our store has been open for eight years now, and we have every intention of signing up for another ten.”
-Bill and Annie Scott, HTU Indianapolis, IN

“We sell fun. Fun for kids and adults. Fun for families. We enjoy helping our customers by providing great customer service, excellent knowledge about what we sell and a wide selection of hobby products at competitive prices. We are hobbyists too. We are all passionate about our respective hobbies.”
-Gary Phillips, HTU Knoxville, TN

HobbyTown® began in 1985 with one hobby store in Lincoln, Nebraska. Today, we are the largest hobby store in the world with over 160 HobbyTown® stores open or under development across the United States.