Shopping for the 5 Best Clothing Store Franchises

No shoes, no shirt, no service. Clothing is a basic necessity for all of us. The demand for trendy attire will never go out of style, which is why the clothing store category will always be around. Although e-commerce continues to rise in popularity, many customers still desire an in-store experience, especially when it comes to trying on clothing or digging through racks for second-hand treasures. Here are some of the top clothing store franchise opportunities that offer a proven business model, established brand recognition and a supportive network to help owners succeed.

Plato’s Closet

Units: 486

Initial investment: $275,000 to $350,000

Plato’s Closet is a top resale shop franchise that specializes in gently used brand-name clothing, shoes and accessories. The buy-and-sell chain stands out by maintaining strict buying guidelines aimed squarely at current fashions for teens and young adults. Owned by parent company Winmark Brands, the Plato’s Closet concept is known all across the country and is specifically well-suited for multi-unit development.

Clothes Mentor

Units: 132

Initial investment: $250,000 to $363,500

Clothes Mentor is another second-hand clothing store franchise, but this one specializes in designer clothing, catering to women of all ages, shapes and sizes (including maternity clothing). Founded by Lynn and Dennis Blum in 2001 and franchising since 2007, the number of locations peaked at 147 in 2017 and has since declined to the current total of 132 (down from the previously reported total of 135), of which none are company-owned.

Uptown Cheapskate

Units: 91

Initial investment: $262,000 to $384,500

Uptown Cheapskate is a chain of buy-and-sell retail stores offering brand-name clothing, accessories, and shoes all geared towards teenagers and young adults. The stores have an upscale, chic vibe and customers can sell their clothing without any appointment necessary. The company also has a charitable commitment to building schools in disadvantaged nations through the non-profit organization called buildOn.

Apricot Lane Boutique

Units: 77

Initial investment: $132,550 to $329,800

Apricot Lane Boutique is a boutique clothing store concept that caters to women who want to follow the latest trends in apparel, handbags, jewelry, accessories and gifts without having to spend top dollar. Wisely, the brand pairs every physical store with a corresponding online store to take advantage of e-commerce opportunities. And by hiring company stylists and buyers who hand-select inventory for each store, both the real-world and virtual stores are tailored to the vibe and look of the local community. 

Pro Image Sports

Units: 131

Initial investment: $155,500-$536,700

Pro Image Sports is one of the few retail clothing franchises that mostly targets men, thanks to its novelty items, along with authentic, fashionable, licensed professional and collegiate sports apparel. It features apparel from professional teams across football (NFL), basketball (NBA), baseball (MLB) and hockey (NHL), as well as NCAA sports teams. Depending on the location, each store holds a different selection of products to cater to local and regional team fans.

In conclusion, owning a clothing store can still be a lucrative business opportunity even in today’s Amazon-driven world, and partnering with a top clothing store franchise ensures entrepreneurs will have the backing of a proven model behind them. Whether you are looking for a casual, second-hand shop or high-quality retail boutique store, there is a franchise opportunity that is right for you. Consider the top five clothing store franchise opportunities discussed above, and take the first step toward owning a successful clothing store.