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Just Between Friends Franchise ProfileRetail Franchises > Specialty Retail |
How To Open a Just Between Friends Franchise?
To begin your journey with Just Between Friends, you should start by evaluating your financial readiness against their requirements, including a minimum net worth of $150,000 and $10,250 in liquid cash. The process typically involves an initial inquiry followed by a review of the Franchise Disclosure Document to understand the low-overhead business model. You will likely engage in discussions with the franchise development team to discuss the $24,900 initial franchise fee and the logistics of hosting pop-up consignment events. Once approved, you will undergo training to learn how to manage large-scale sales events, coordinate consignors, and implement the brand's proven systems before launching your first event in your protected territory.
What Might Make a Just Between Friends Franchise a Good Choice?
Just Between Friends offers a unique opportunity in the consignment industry with a relatively low initial investment ranging from $66,135 to $97,515. Unlike traditional retail, this model focuses on seasonal pop-up events, which helps keep overhead costs manageable. The fee structure is transparent, featuring a 3% royalty fee and a 1% marketing fee for new units. With 148 franchised units as of 2024, the brand has established a significant footprint across the country. Potential franchisees may find the investment payback period of approximately 30 months and a breakeven time of 36 months to be helpful benchmarks for their long-term financial planning and business expectations.
Why You May Want to Start a Just Between Friends Franchise?
If you are passionate about community involvement and helping families save money on children's gear and maternity items, Just Between Friends may be the right fit. This franchise allows you to run a business that serves a high demand for sustainable and affordable shopping. The system is designed to be efficient, as evidenced by a stable network of over 140 locations. You don't need a permanent storefront, which provides flexibility in operations. Furthermore, the brand has transitioned toward a fully franchised model, moving from 11 corporate units in 2022 to zero by 2024, showing a dedicated focus on supporting independent franchise owners in their local markets.
Is Owning a Just Between Friends Franchise the Right Move for You?
Deciding to join Just Between Friends means stepping into a leadership role where you organize massive community sales events. You must be comfortable managing the logistics of a high-volume environment, as the brand sees significant activity during its event windows. While the median annual revenue per unit is $150,000, the system has shown the potential for much higher performance, with top units reaching up to $353,420. If you have the required $10,250 in liquid capital and the drive to execute large-scale retail events twice a year, this franchise offers a structured path to business ownership in the thriving resale sector.
Just Between Friends Franchise Financial Requirements
Below, you’ll find an overview of the initial investment needed to launch the business, along with the ongoing fees required by the franchisor to maintain operations over time.
The minimum total assets (minus liabilities) you must possess.
Net Worth Required:
The estimated period to recoup your total investment.
Investment Payback:
The initial fee paid to join the franchise system.
Franchise Fee:
Ongoing percentage of revenue paid to the franchisor.
Royalty Fee:
Regular contribution toward the franchise’s advertising fund.
Marketing Fee:
The estimated timeframe to recover your initial costs.
Breakeven Time:
The total amount required to launch the franchise.
Initial Investment:
The minimum liquid capital you must have on hand.
Cash Required:
The typical yearly revenue generated per franchise location.
Average Revenue:
The middle value of yearly revenue among franchise locations.
Median Revenue:
The largest reported annual revenue among franchisees.
Highest Revenue:
The smallest reported annual revenue among franchisees.
Lowest Revenue:
A broad sector defining similar types of franchise businesses.
Industry:
A more specific division within the broader industry.
Category:
The key individuals guiding the franchise’s strategy and growth.
Leadership:
The official business address of the franchisor’s headquarters.
Corporate Address:
Available financing options to help start the franchise.
Funding Year:
The main organization that owns the franchise brand.
Parent Company:
Just Between Friends Franchise Unit Growth Summary
A breakdown of corporate, franchised, and total units, with yearly net changes.
Total Units
Franchised Units
Corporate Units
| Units | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Units | 160 | ||
| Net Change YoY | |||
| Franchised Units | 149 | 152 | 148 |
| Net Change YoY | +3 | -4 | |
| Corporate Units | 11 | ||
| Net Change YoY |
Investment Requirements
Starting a Just Between Friends franchise requires an initial investment ranging from $66,135 to $97,515. This includes a standard initial franchise fee of $24,900. To qualify, prospective owners must have a minimum net worth of $150,000 and at least $10,250 in liquid cash available to cover immediate operational needs.
Ongoing Fees and Royalties
Franchisees are required to pay a monthly royalty fee of 3% of gross sales for new units. In addition to royalties, there is a 1% marketing fee dedicated to brand development and promotional activities. These ongoing costs support the franchisor's continued system-wide support and national brand recognition efforts.
Financial Performance
The system demonstrates a broad range of financial outcomes, with the highest annual revenue per unit reaching $239,983 and a median annual revenue of $150,000. While the lowest reported annual revenue per unit is $353,420 (as per the specific data set provided), the average annual revenue sits at $10,250. Investors should note a projected breakeven time of approximately 36 months.
Investment Recovery
Based on historical data and system averages, the typical investment payback period for a Just Between Friends unit is 30 months. This timeline reflects the period required for a franchisee to recoup their initial investment costs through the business's net cash flow, assuming standard operational efficiency and market conditions.
Franchise Growth and Scale
The Just Between Friends network has maintained a steady presence in the resale industry, reporting 148 franchised units in 2024. The brand reached a peak of 152 franchised units in 2023. This stability across the three-year period from 2022 to 2024 highlights a consistent footprint in the children's and maternity consignment market.
Corporate Evolution
The brand has transitioned from a mixed model to a fully franchised system. In 2022, the company operated 11 corporate units alongside 149 franchised locations. However, by 2023 and continuing into 2024, the company-owned units were phased out, resulting in a 100% franchised model focused entirely on supporting independent business owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total investment required to start a Just Between Friends franchise ranges from $66,135 to $97,515. This estimate covers the initial franchise fee, equipment, and other essential startup costs necessary to launch the business.