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FRANCHISE RESALES

Pool Balls

Buy an American Poolplayers Association Franchise

The American Poolplayers Association (APA) is the world’s largest amateur pool league, founded in 1979 and built around a franchise model that places locally operated pool leagues into bars, pool halls, and recreation venues across North America. With more than 275,000 members playing at over 13,000 host locations in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Singapore, the APA operates through a network of over 350 League Operators who each hold an exclusive territory.

The model centers on the APA’s proprietary handicapping system, which allows players of all skill levels to compete fairly. This inclusivity supports strong member retention and consistent team growth within each territory. Members pay weekly fees to their League Operator and can advance to regional and national championships; the APA awards nearly $2 million in guaranteed prize money at its annual Poolplayer Championships.

The franchise is home-based and territory-protected, with no commercial lease or physical storefront required. League Operators are responsible for recruiting host venues, building membership, and managing the administrative side of weekly league operations.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no American Poolplayers Association resales available

Why buy an American Poolplayers Association Franchise?

Buying an American Poolplayers Association franchise means entering one of franchising’s most consistently recognized low-overhead recreational sports concepts. With no commercial lease and a lower initial investment than most franchise categories, League Operators focus capital on territory development rather than overhead. Revenue comes from weekly per-team fees, creating a recurring income structure that grows as league participation increases.

The APA’s proprietary handicapping system is a genuine differentiator at the brand level: no other national pool league offers the same skill-equalization approach at the same scale, and this drives strong player retention within territories. Host venue relationships, with bars and pool halls that benefit from steady weekly league traffic, represent another durable asset within each territory.

American Poolplayers Association Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1979

    • Franchising Since

      1979

    • New Startup Cost

      $22,210 – $30,749

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details
    Three people smiling, one holding a plaque reading "APA League Operator of the Year Nominee". Their dedication to the American Poolplayers Association shines through in their joyful expressions.

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $10,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $2,000

    • Royalty Fee

      20%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    American Poolplayers Association franchisee shaking hands with pool tables in the background.

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      339

    • New Units Opened *

      13

    • Units Transferred *

      34

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD
    Pool sticks, a cue ball, and several red chalk cubes featuring the "APA" branding are scattered on a green felt surface, capturing the essence of the American Poolplayers Association.

American Poolplayers Association – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    APA training runs in two sessions held at the National Office in St. Louis. Session one is a week-long course covering APA procedures, marketing, league software, and franchise management, followed by eight mandatory webinars. Session two is a three-day course held around six months later. Ongoing support includes a personal National Office Representative, proprietary league management software, marketing templates, the annual Convention, and regional meetings. Resale buyers should confirm what training and system access the APA provides to incoming owners at transfer.

  2. Ideal Owner

    APA League Operators build their business through community relationships. The role involves prospecting host venues, often through cold-calling, recruiting player teams, and managing the administrative side of running weekly leagues across a territory. Industry knowledge of pool is helpful but not required; social confidence, organizational ability, and comfort working independently are the critical traits. The model suits an owner-operator who enjoys direct community engagement rather than managing staff, and prior experience in hospitality, event coordination, or local sales translates well.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    APA has one of the longest-running records of franchise recognition in its category. The brand has appeared in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 nearly every year since 1993, ranking #229 in 2025 and #209 in 2026 while holding the #1 position in Miscellaneous Recreation Businesses in 2026. APA has also earned the #1 spot in Entrepreneur's Best of the Best Franchises for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Franchise Business Review has named APA a Hall of Fame Satisfaction Award winner (2013-2023) and Best in Category for Sports and Recreation Franchises across multiple annual rankings.

  4. Industry / Market

    Pool leagues operate within the US recreational sports and social entertainment sector, a category that has shown resilience across economic cycles due to its low per-session cost to participants. Bars and pool halls benefit from the regular weekly traffic that league nights generate, creating aligned incentives for host venues. Adult participation in casual sports leagues has remained steady across income levels, and pool's no-equipment-needed model for participants makes APA leagues viable across most US markets. For resale buyers, local venue density and existing team counts are the clearest indicators of territory health.

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