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FRANCHISE RESALES

Craft materials and tools including paintbrushes, hammers, screws, washers, rope, and a wooden board with "AR" stenciled on it are arranged on a surface.

Buy an AR Workshop Franchise

AR Workshop is a DIY craft studio franchise founded in 2016 in Pineville, North Carolina, by designers Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff, who grew it out of their earlier Anders Ruff design business. The boutique studio hosts hands-on workshops where guests make custom home décor, including wood signs, canvas art and framed pieces, in a social, instructor-led setting.

The model runs on several revenue streams rather than one product: booked group workshops, youth programs, private events, DIY-to-go kits, “Make It For Me” finished pieces, gift cards, retail accessories, and food and drink. Studios operate as community gathering spots that blend experiential entertainment with creative retail.

The company remains founder-led, with Maureen Anders as CEO and Adria Ruff as Creative Director, and has grown to roughly 125 locations across more than 30 states. It franchises through a dedicated franchising division and is a member of the IFA and VetFran. Territory is location-based, with studios in retail or boutique storefronts.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no AR Workshop resales available

Why buy an AR Workshop Franchise?

AR Workshop sits on the experiential side of the craft category, where guests pay for an outing and a finished piece rather than just supplies, a model that has held appeal as consumers spend on experiences and small-group activities. The brand carries name recognition built through national media and retail partnerships, including HGTV, JOANN, Better Homes & Gardens, Crayola and Lion Brand Yarns, lending credibility a standalone studio would struggle to match.

The multiple revenue lines give an owner several ways to fill the calendar and smooth seasonal swings, and an established studio comes with a local following, repeat guests and an event-booking history that a new opening has to build from scratch.

AR Workshop Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $35,000

    • Initial Investment

      $134,312 - $229,708

    Group of six smiling women holding signs for different AR Workshop locations, standing indoors with a map in the background.

  • Royalty

    • 6%

      of gross revenue

    Group of franchisees undergoing training at AR Workshop wearing aprons, gathered around a table with art and craft materials.

  • Training & Support

    • Marketing support

    • Ongoing support

    • 28-30 hours classroom training

    • 12-16 hours on the job training

AR Workshop – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming owners complete a five-week program combining online modules with a four-to-five-day in-person session at the flagship studio and headquarters in Pineville, NC; FDD filings cite 28-30 hours of classroom and 12-16 hours of on-the-job training. Ongoing support includes first-year Launch Coaching with one-on-one and monthly peer calls, national calls, mastermind sessions, owner-led roundtables, on-demand webinars, plus marketing and operations help and an annual owners' retreat. Resale buyers should confirm what onboarding and systems access transfer when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    AR Workshop suits a hands-on, community-minded operator who enjoys hosting groups and creating a fun, social atmosphere. No design or craft background is required, but comfort with customer experience, social media and local marketing matters, since filling the calendar depends on promotion and private-event sales. Owners manage a part-time instructor team, coordinate bookings, and run retail and operations, so organization and people skills count more than artistic talent. It fits an engaged, present operator rather than a hands-off investor.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    AR Workshop earned strong recognition from Entrepreneur in 2021, ranked #1 among DIY/Paint & Sip studio franchises and listed on its Top New Franchises (#18), Fastest-Growing Franchises (#68), Top Franchises Under $100K (#47) and Franchise 500 (#307). It has also appeared on Franchise Times' list of the 200+ largest US franchise systems (#487) and is an IFA and VetFran member. Media and retail partnerships, including HGTV, JOANN and Better Homes & Gardens, add visibility. Resale buyers should weigh brand recognition alongside the studio's local reviews and reputation.

  4. Industry / Market

    AR Workshop operates within the US craft and creative-products industry, valued at roughly $44 billion (Association for Creative Industries), and the broader experiential-leisure trend as consumers spend on activities and small-group outings over goods alone. Demand is supported by DIY and home-décor interest, the appeal of social hobbies, and bookings for birthdays, private parties and team events. The category is discretionary and can be seasonal, with holiday and gifting peaks, so resale buyers should review a studio's local demand and year-round booking mix.

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