Drama Kids Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Number of franchises

-21%

Investment required

$48,000 - $57,000

Revenue (AUV)

$162,000

Drama Kids: Transforming Children’s Lives Through Creative Drama Programs

Drama Kids International is a leading franchise in the children's education and enrichment industry, specializing in drama-based programs that help children develop confidence, communication skills, and creativity.

The franchise was founded in 1979 by Helen O'Grady, an Australian actress who saw the potential of using drama activities to foster personal growth in young people. Originally started in Perth, Australia, the program quickly gained popularity, leading to its formal establishment as a school in 1985.

‍Drama Kids International, Inc. became the exclusive U.S. provider of the Helen O'Grady Children's Drama Program and began franchising in 2000.

Headquartered in Leesburg, Virginia, Drama Kids has grown into the largest after-school drama program globally, with over 50,000 students attending classes in more than 1,500 locations across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

The franchise offers a progressive curriculum designed for children aged 4 to 17, which includes a wide range of drama activities aimed at improving public speaking, leadership, teamwork, and social interaction skills.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$42,500 – $42,500
Initial Advertising	$2,000 – $5,000
Business and Office Setup	$500 – $2,000
Travel, Lodging, and Meals for Initial Training	$500 – $2,000
Insurance	$500 – $1,500
Additional Funds (3 Months)	$2,000 – $4,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$48,000 – $57,000

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Franchise Disclosure Document

Training

Drama Kids provides a comprehensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate their drama-based educational business.

Act Up! Classroom Training: This is the initial training phase that includes 40 hours of classroom instruction. It covers the unique Drama Kids curriculum, teaching methods, and classroom management techniques to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to deliver the drama programs effectively.
DKI Quick Start Training: This phase involves six hours of on-the-job training, providing franchisees with practical experience in running classes and managing the day-to-day operations of their Drama Kids franchise.
Ongoing Support and Annual Conferences: Franchisees are required to attend the first three annual national conferences, which include additional training sessions, networking opportunities, and updates on the latest developments in the franchise.

Territory Protection

Drama Kids franchise offers territory protection to its franchisees, ensuring that each franchisee has exclusive rights to operate within a designated geographic area. This exclusive territory typically includes 20,000 to 40,000 qualifying households, depending on population density and other demographic factors.

The franchise guarantees that no other Drama Kids franchise will be established within this protected area, allowing franchisees to maximize their market potential without internal competition.

The size of the territory can be adjusted based on the number of qualifying households, with options for expansion if the territory exceeds 40,000 households. This territory protection is a crucial aspect of the franchise agreement, providing franchisees with a secure environment to build and grow their business within their community.