Established
2015
Franchise Units
5
Minimum Investment
$120,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$250,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Painted Penguin is a creative, experience-driven franchise concept built around the growing demand for social entertainment, artistic expression, and community-focused businesses. Positioned within the thriving paint-and-sip and creative studio industry, the brand offers a welcoming environment where customers of all ages can relax, socialize, and create memorable art experiences—no prior artistic skill required.
What sets The Painted Penguin apart is its emphasis on accessibility, flexibility, and community engagement. Rather than operating as a traditional art school, the concept blends guided painting sessions with a casual, fun atmosphere that appeals to families, corporate groups, date nights, birthday parties, and private events. This makes each location both an entertainment destination and a recurring community hub.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
The Painted Penguin franchise stands out as a compelling investment for entrepreneurs looking to enter the experiential retail and creative services sector without the complexity of food service or heavy staffing requirements.
Key investment advantages include:
• Participation in the fast-growing experiential entertainment industry
• Low inventory requirements compared to traditional retail concepts
• Broad customer appeal across age groups and occasions
• Strong repeat business from classes, memberships, and private events
• Flexible operating hours with peak demand during evenings and weekends
• Community-driven model that builds strong local brand loyalty
• Ability to scale with multiple units once systems are mastered
Background
Established Year: 2015
Founders: Founded by entrepreneurs with backgrounds in art education, community engagement, and small business development
Franchise Active Units: 5
Brand Journey & History:
The Painted Penguin was created to remove the intimidation often associated with art and replace it with a fun, guided, and inclusive experience. From its early studio roots, the brand focused on making painting approachable for beginners while still delivering high-quality instruction and a memorable social environment.
As consumer preferences shifted toward experiences over products, the concept gained traction as a franchise-ready model. The brand refined its systems, standardized class formats, and built a support structure to help franchisees replicate the experience consistently across markets.
Ownership & Industry Category:
Privately owned franchise brand operating within the creative entertainment, experiential retail, and art studio franchise category.
Market Presence in the USA:
The Painted Penguin continues to expand across the United States, targeting suburban and urban markets with strong family populations, active social scenes, and demand for unique group activities.
Support Training
The Painted Penguin franchise offers structured, hands-on support designed to help franchisees launch confidently and operate efficiently from day one.
Pre-Launch Support:
• Site selection guidance and market evaluation
• Studio layout and design recommendations
• Equipment, supply, and vendor sourcing assistance
• Pre-opening marketing strategy and launch planning
Training & Operational Support:
• Comprehensive initial training covering studio operations
• Class management and instructor onboarding systems
• Customer experience standards and service workflows
• Scheduling, booking, and POS system training
Marketing & Brand Support:
• National brand guidelines and creative assets
• Local marketing playbooks for digital and community outreach
• Social media content strategies and promotional calendars
• Event-based marketing ideas for schools, corporates, and fundraisers
Ongoing Support:
• Continued operational coaching and best-practice sharing
• New class concepts and seasonal programming updates
• Performance benchmarking and optimization guidance
• Franchisee community access and peer collaboration
Ideal Candidate
The Painted Penguin is well-suited for owner-operators and semi-absentee investors who enjoy community involvement and creative environments.
Ideal candidates typically include:
• Entrepreneurs seeking a people-focused, lifestyle business
• Individuals with strong customer service or management backgrounds
• Educators, creatives, or community-oriented professionals
• Multi-unit franchise operators looking to diversify portfolios
• Investors comfortable with retail operations but seeking non-food models
Key traits:
• Passion for creativity, experiences, and community building
• Strong local networking and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage staff and schedules efficiently
• Commitment to brand standards and customer experience
Location Preference:
Suburban retail centers, family-oriented neighborhoods, lifestyle plazas, and high-visibility community areas across the U.S.
Financial Detail
| Investment Category | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $120,000 – $250,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $100,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | $50,000 – $90,000 |
| Equipment & Studio Setup | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Grand Opening | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Initial Supplies & Inventory | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Ongoing Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Revenue |
| National/Brand Marketing Fee | ~2% of Gross Revenue |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 12 – 24 months |
