The Knight School (founded 2007; franchising since 2015) is a children’s chess enrichment system that runs high-energy after-school classes, camps, clubs, and tournaments across local schools and community venues. The curriculum blends chess instruction with game-based challenges, achievement wristbands, prizes, and friendly competition to keep kids engaged. The model is home-/mobile-based with low fixed costs, no dedicated retail build-out, and a footprint that scales through partnerships with schools, PTOs, parks & recreation, and community centers.
What the franchise offers
- Programs: after-school classes, in-school electives/enrichment, school-break and summer camps, weekend clubs, and tournament events.
- Delivery: mobile/on-site; operators secure venue access (primarily K-8 schools and community facilities).
- Curriculum: structured lesson plans, tactics milestones with badge/wristband system, weekly mini-games and puzzles, positive reinforcement.
- Audience: elementary and middle-school students; options for beginners through advanced.
Initial Investment (Single Territory)
Use the current FDD for binding numbers; ranges below reflect recent franchise disclosures.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount | When Due | Pay To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 | At signing | Franchisor |
| Initial Term Opening Kit | $3,360–$3,930 | Pre-opening | Approved vendors |
| Electronics / Smart Phone | $0–$200 | Vendors | |
| Business Licenses / Permits | $110–$930 | Local authorities | |
| Insurance | $250–$1,070 | Insurer | |
| Training (travel/lodging) | $460–$2,340 | Airlines/hotels | |
| Computer & Office Supplies | $290–$2,140 | Vendors | |
| Software & Internet | $140–$1,860 | ||
| Professional Fees | $100–$2,730 | Attorney/CPA | |
| Initial Advertising | $60–$1,290 | Media/vendors | |
| Fixtures/Furniture (optional) | $0–$240 | Vendors | |
| Additional Funds (3 months) | $1,670–$47,260 | As incurred | Payroll/ops |
| Total Estimated Investment | $41,440–$98,990 | — | — |
Notes: The model is designed to launch without a dedicated storefront; owners typically operate from a home office and deliver programs at partner venues (schools/community centers). Real estate costs are minimal compared to fixed-site concepts.
Ongoing Fees & Financial Terms
Verify current rates in Items 5–6 of the latest FDD.
| Fee / Term | Amount / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Royalty | 8% of gross revenue | Standard ongoing fee. |
| Brand/Marketing Fund | 2% of gross revenue | National/brand marketing. |
| Local Marketing | As required by brand | Monthly minimums may apply. |
| Technology / Registration | As specified | Online registration/POS tools. |
| Renewal / Transfer | As per FDD | Fees and conditions apply. |
Territory, operations & staffing
- Territory: the brand publishes available markets by metro on its opportunity page; additional areas may be considered on request.
- Operating model: B2I outreach to principals, enrichment coordinators, and PTOs; submit proposals, provide certificates of insurance, align on schedules and room access.
- Staffing: owner-operator or manager plus part-time coaches/instructors (background-checked); staffing scales with the number of host schools and class sections.
- Logistics: mobile kits (chess sets/boards/clocks, incentives/prizes), sign-in/out and waiver processes, parent comms and retention scripts, tournament/event playbooks.
Revenue streams
- Core: after-school classes (session fees, memberships or course blocks).
- Camps & clubs: school-break/summer camps; weekend clubs.
- Events: in-house tournaments, school exhibitions, fundraisers.
- Merch/add-ons: shirts, wristbands, incentives bundles.
Training & support
- Pre-opening: onboarding, curriculum and classroom management, safety protocols, sales playbooks for schools/PTOs, pricing/packaging, and registration setup.
- Ongoing: marketing toolkits (flyers, school-night tabling materials), calendar planning, instructor training resources, event/tournament templates, and KPI tracking for enrollments and retention.
Ideal owner profile
Education-minded local operators comfortable with school partnerships, parent communication, and coach management. Useful strengths include community networking, presentation skills, and program scheduling. Teaching or chess background helps but isn’t mandatory if the owner can recruit and train instructors using the provided curriculum.
Steps to open
- Discovery & FDD review: validate territory list, school density, and launch timeline.
- Partnership pipeline: identify districts/schools, parks & rec, community centers; secure approvals and facility access.
- Team & training: recruit background-checked coaches; certify on classroom flow and curriculum.
- Pre-sale: open registration, attend back-to-school nights, distribute approved flyers/emails.
- Operate & scale: add schools/sections, layer camps and tournaments, build year-round retention with leveled curriculum.
The Knight School Franchise Info: https://www.theknightschool.com/
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Starting investments from:$41,440
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Company type:School
- Year company was founded:2007
- Corporate address:2612 Vestavia Forest Ter, Birmingham, Alabama, 35216, USA