2026 FDD Issued May 1, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Nov 2, 2026
Launch Entertainment Franchise Cost (2026)
A Launch Entertainment franchise costs an estimated $3,141,548 – $6,232,089 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $75,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Launch Park (Family Entertainment Center). Item 6 lists royalty fee: 6% of Gross Receipts, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $3.14M – $6.23MItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $75KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 6% of Gross ReceiptsItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- 2% of Gross ReceiptsItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Units (2025)
- 29Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 4.4% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about Launch Entertainment
This is a construction project as much as a franchise. Leasehold improvements and attractions make up most of the $3,141,548 – $6,232,089 estimate, and Item 7 also budgets for interest reserves and loan closing costs, which signals that most parks are financed. The franchise fee is a small part of the total, so lender terms and build-out bids will shape the real cost.
Item 19 is selective. It covers only parks that kept the same owner all year and leaves out the older trampoline-park format entirely, which removes a sizable share of the system. Within that group the median was $2,080,000, and the top and bottom groups were far apart. A separate cost table shows labor as the largest expense, with royalties and the brand fund counted inside cost of goods sold.
Fees combine percentages with fixed charges. Beside a royalty of 6% of Gross Receipts and a brand fund, owners must spend a set share of sales on local advertising, which the franchisor can raise, and pay monthly point-of-sale and software fees plus annual music licensing. Selling a park through the franchisor's resale program carries its own fee on top of the transfer fee.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Launch Entertainment?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $75,000 for Launch Entertainment. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Item 5 (PDF pages 13-14): the Initial Franchise Fee is $75,000 per Launch Park, paid at signing and non-refundable; in 2025 new franchisees paid $75,000. Under a Development Agreement, a Reservation Fee of $75,000 per park is paid at signing and credited to each park's fee. Terms for converting independent parks are set case by case. If the park is not open within 12 months of signing, a Delayed Opening Fee of $2,500 per month applies, up to $15,000. A $1,500 Late Notification Fee applies if the opening date changes inside the 21-day notice period. The technology fee is estimated at $100 to $400 per month.
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 13.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for Launch Entertainment, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open a Launch Entertainment franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 20.
Item 7 of Launch Entertainment’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one launch park (family entertainment center) at $3,141,548 – $6,232,089. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Technology Fee | $100 | $400 |
| Security Deposits | $50,000 | $110,000 |
| Site Survey & Due Diligence | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $1,500,000 | $2,443,274 |
| Rent – 3 Months/Interest Reserves | $55,000 | $295,052 |
| Start Up Equipment, Furnishings and Fixtures | $400,541 | $821,370 |
| Attraction Costs | $700,000 | $1,495,385 |
| POS System & Computer Equipment | $39,500 | $65,000 |
| Insurance Start Up – 3 Months | $22,277 | $48,373 |
| Permits and Licenses (not including liquor license) | $8,752 | $63,970 |
| Signage | $28,378 | $64,265 |
| Ramp Up Advertising | $50,000 | $60,000 |
| Construction Drawings & Documents | $71,000 | $80,000 |
| Travel & Lodging Expenses During Training | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Professional Fees | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Project Management Fees | $0 | $110,000 |
| Loan Closing Costs | $0 | $175,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $46,000 | $65,000 |
| Additional Funds | $75,000 | $225,000 |
| Total | $3,141,548 | $6,232,089 |
Other formats
| Format | Total investment |
|---|---|
| Development Agreement (Three Launch Parks) | $9,426,644 – $18,698,767 |
Item 7 (PDF pages 20-21) prints $3,141,548 to $6,232,089 for one Launch Park; its 20 lines add to that total. Leasehold improvements and attractions are the largest lines, and the estimate includes interest reserves and loan closing costs for financed projects. A three-park Development Agreement chart prints $9,426,644 to $18,698,767.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Launch Entertainment charge? (Item 6)
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 15.
Item 6 of Launch Entertainment’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty Fee | 6% of Gross Receipts | Every period | 6% of the prior week's Gross Receipts, withdrawn weekly by EFT. If a state bars royalties on alcohol sales, the rate on other sales rises to collect the same amount (note 1). (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Brand Development Fund | 2% of Gross Receipts | Every period | 2% of Gross Receipts, paid weekly. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Local Advertising | 2% of Gross Receipts | Every period | Currently 2% of monthly Gross Receipts, up to 5% on 30 days' notice; any shortfall must be deposited with the franchisor to spend for you. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Cooperative Advertising | Varies | When it applies | Only if a co-op exists in your area; counts toward local advertising, up to 5% of Gross Receipts. The one existing co-op (Dawsonville and Cumming, Georgia) charges $2,000 per month per franchisee (note 3). (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Launch Conference Fee | Varies | When it applies | $1,000 per attendee; $5,000 if you or your General Manager fail to attend. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Initial Training (New or Replacement Employees) | Varies | When it applies | $1,500 per person plus costs beyond the first three trainees trained together. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Additional On-Site Training | Varies | When it applies | $450 per day per trainer plus travel, lodging and meals. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Interest on Overdue or Late Amounts | Varies | When it applies | The lesser of 1.5% per month or the legal maximum. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Insufficient Funds Fee | $100 | When it applies | $100 per occurrence, including chargebacks of fees. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Audit Fee | Varies | When it applies | Actual audit cost, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, if an understatement of 2% or more is found, plus the amount owed and interest. (Item 6, PDF p. 15) |
| Product or Supplier Evaluation | $1,000 | When it applies | $1,000 to evaluate an unapproved product or supplier, or if a tested product fails specifications. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Prohibited Product or Service Fee | Varies | When it applies | $500 per violation per day for using unapproved items or suppliers. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Re-inspection Fee | Varies | When it applies | The franchisor's expenses for re-inspections after violations. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Transfer Fee | Varies | When it applies | 75% of the then-current initial franchise fee; none for a one-time transfer to an entity controlled by the same owners. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Renewal | Varies | When it applies | 75% of the then-current initial franchise fee. (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | If terminated for cause: the average monthly royalty for the prior 12 months multiplied by the lesser of 36 or the months remaining (note 4). (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| Technology Fee or Misc. Software & Platform Fees | $100 per month | Every period | $100 per user per month, passed through for required software and platforms (estimated $100 to $400 per month in Item 5). (Item 6, PDF p. 16) |
| POS System Fee | $599 per month | Every period | Currently $599 per month for the required POS System; may rise no more than 10% a year (note 5). (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Music Licenses | $2,500 per year | Every period | $2,500 a year, paid to designated vendors. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Costs and Attorneys' Fees | Varies | When it applies | Expenses of enforcing or terminating your agreement after a default. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Indemnification | Varies | When it applies | Costs of claims arising from your park or unauthorized trademark use. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Repair, Maintenance, Remodeling, and Redecorating | Varies | When it applies | Required updates to attractions, décor and equipment, possibly bought from the franchisor or affiliates; not required in the first 2 years. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Insurance Reimbursement | Varies | When it applies | Insurance costs plus a 10% administrative fee if the franchisor buys required coverage for you. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Management Fee | Varies | When it applies | 5% of Gross Receipts plus expenses if the franchisor manages the park after death, disability or abandonment. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Mystery Shopper Service | Varies | When it applies | Not currently collected; you may have to reimburse costs if you fail a mystery shop (note 6). (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Broker Fee | $5,000 | When it applies | $5,000 if you use an unapproved broker and the franchisor's broker helps secure the site. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Real Estate Agreement Review Fee | $5,000 | When it applies | $5,000 if you use an unapproved real estate attorney and the franchisor's attorney reviews your lease or purchase agreement. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Resale Assistance Fee | $20,000 | When it applies | $20,000 on a transfer if you elect the resale assistance program. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
Start with the recorded Launch Entertainment inputs, then enter your own operating costs and sales assumptions. The result is a scenario, not an FDD profit forecast.
Launch Entertainment startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
Over a 10-year period, startup investment plus modeled recurring fees for Launch Entertainment total approximately $5,330,428 – $8,420,969. Based on the median annual gross revenue, reporting locations disclosed in Item 19 ($2,080,000, 2025 fiscal year), recurring fees come to about $218,888 a year:
| Expense Component | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Startup investment (Item 7) | $3,141,548 | $6,232,089 |
| Recurring fees × 10 years (Item 6) | $2,188,880 | $2,188,880 |
| Startup + modeled fees | $5,330,428 | $8,420,969 |
Calculated model, not a disclosed FDD total. Assumes flat sales at the disclosed figure. Excludes rent, payroll, food or product costs and taxes, which the FDD does not set. Change the assumptions in the calculator · Estimate your payback for Launch Entertainment.
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 7 (startup inputs), PDF p. 20.
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 6 (fee inputs), PDF p. 15.
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 19 (sales input), PDF p. 58.
Item 20: Launch Entertainment franchised outlet history
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 63.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 28 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 1 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 4.4% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 5% |
| 2024 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0% |
| 2025 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 8.3% |
Franchised units went from 20 to 28 over 3 years (+8).
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables. Compare Launch Entertainment’s exit rate with other brands.
2 units changed owners in 2025.
Item 20 Table 3 totals (PDF page 63) match Table 1. Company-owned parks fell from 6 at the end of 2023 to 1 at the end of 2025 as three were sold to franchisees and two closed (Table 4).
How much do Launch Entertainment franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 58.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports median Annual Gross Revenue, Reporting Locations of $2,080,000 (2025 fiscal year, 14 franchised parks (10 Adventure Parks and 4 Family Entertainment Centers) open all of 2025 under one continuous owner; 7 (50%) were at or above the median). Launch Entertainment’s Item 19 reports sales and other operating figures but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees such as the royalty (6% of Gross Receipts) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every Launch Entertainment Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Estimate your payback for Launch Entertainment using Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret Launch Entertainment’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Launch Entertainment franchise agreement term?
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 53.
The standard Launch Entertainment franchise agreement runs 10 years, with renewal terms of 10 years.
Item 17 (PDF page 53): 10 years from the date the park opens, with one 10-year renewal term if you give notice 180 to 270 days before expiration, comply with the agreement, sign the then-current form and pay the renewal fee.
How long does it take to open a Launch Entertainment franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Launch Entertainment 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 14.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states no typical time to open. The agreement requires you to open within 12 months after signing the Franchise Agreement.
Item 5 charges a Delayed Opening Fee of $2,500 per month for up to 6 months if the park is not open by then.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Launch Entertainment’s $3,141,548 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Children’s Services. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
Compare other children’s services franchises
Sources
Launch Franchising, LLC Franchise Disclosure Document, issued May 1, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 13
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 15
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 20
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 56
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 63
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 53
Page references for Launch Entertainment use the PDF viewer's digital page count, not printed page headers. Some viewers download the document instead of opening the referenced page.
If the state document viewer does not open, use Minnesota Commerce's public filing instructions to look up the filing by franchisor name and document date.
Document & verification changelog
- November 2, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- November 2, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued May 1, 2026).
- November 2, 2026: Independently checked against the May 1, 2026 Minnesota Clean FDD: cover, Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 17, 19 and 20. Item 6 now lists all 28 rows (the draft had 7). Added the opening deadline and fee, renewal terms, the Development Agreement total, Item 19 cost percentages and sample exclusions, and Item 20 notes. Rewrote the analysis.