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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a HobbyTown Franchise

HobbyTown (operating under HobbyTown Unlimited, Inc.) is a specialty hobby, toy, and collectibles retail franchise headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded in 1969 and franchising since 1986, HobbyTown positions itself as the largest brick-and-mortar hobby retailer in the United States, with more than 90 locations across 35 states.

Franchise stores carry a wide product range: radio control vehicles, plastic model kits, model railroading, tabletop games, LEGO sets, educational toys, paints and tools, and seasonal items such as rockets and pinewood derby cars. Stores operate on a brick-and-mortar model with an omnichannel component; customers can shop in-store or order online through each franchise’s web presence, supported by a cloud-based POS and inventory management platform.

In 2023, HobbyTown Unlimited was acquired by AMain Hobbies, a major US online hobby retailer, expanding the network’s distribution reach and product sourcing. Franchisees operate within protected territories, with multi-unit ownership available under the franchise agreement. The franchise community, called HobbyTown Nation, connects operators through an annual Lincoln reunion and a shared intranet platform.

Latest Resales

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Why buy a HobbyTown Franchise?

HobbyTown occupies a well-defined niche in US retail: full-line specialty hobby and collectibles with an in-store experience that online-only competitors cannot easily replicate. Knowledgeable staff, hands-on product engagement, and community events give stores a differentiation strategy beyond price alone. To buy a HobbyTown franchise means entering a brand with over four decades of franchising history and national consumer recognition.

The 2023 acquisition by AMain Hobbies brings added distribution scale and product sourcing leverage for franchise operators. Franchisees benefit from purchasing co-ops, a cloud-based POS and inventory system, a national marketing team with a 24/7 digital asset library, and ongoing field support. The brand’s IFA Five Star designation and Entrepreneur Franchise 500 appearances reflect a structured and recognised franchise system. Multi-unit expansion is available for operators seeking to grow within the network.

HobbyTown Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1980

    • Franchising Since

      1985

    • New Startup Cost

      $327,100 – $458,000

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $49,500

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

      $5,000 existing franchisee

    • Royalty Fee

      4.75%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      86

    • New Units Opened *

      1

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,627,084

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

HobbyTown – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    HobbyTown's initial training combines 131 hours on-the-job at a mentoring store and 32 hours of classroom instruction at Hobby University in Lincoln. Ongoing support covers IT, inventory management, financial analysis, marketing, and purchasing. Franchisees have access to a branded intranet platform, national marketing team, 24/7 digital asset library, purchasing co-ops, and field operations support. Resale buyers should confirm with the franchisor what Hobby University onboarding and system access is available to incoming owners when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    HobbyTown works best as an owner/operator model; the franchisor notes that active management produces stronger store results than absentee arrangements. The business rewards strong people management, organizational discipline, and an ability to connect with local hobby enthusiasts. Prior retail experience is beneficial but not required; product knowledge of the hobby and toy category gives operators an edge in inventory selection and customer engagement. The typical time commitment is 40-60 hours per week, with cloud-based POS tools allowing some remote oversight. Multi-unit ownership is an option for established operators.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    HobbyTown has appeared in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, with rankings including #369 overall and #8 among miscellaneous retail franchises in the US. The brand has earned the IFA Five Star designation from the International Franchise Association, placing it in the top tier of US franchise systems. HobbyTown offers a veterans discount on the initial franchise fee and participates in franchise community programmes reflecting broader system engagement. Resale buyers should weigh brand recognition alongside the specific unit's local reputation, customer reviews, and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US hobby and toy stores sector is recovering after years of e-commerce disruption and mass-market competition. IBISWorld projects 1.0% revenue growth in 2026 for US hobby and toy stores, following a five-year period of contraction. Specialty retailers have adapted through omnichannel models and a focus on high-engagement categories where in-store expertise matters: nostalgia collectibles, licensed model kits, and radio control vehicles. Resale buyers should assess local demographics, nearby independent hobby shop competition, and the unit's online ordering capability.

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