Tippi Toes Franchising Eyes Expansion Across Texas; Targets Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Waco to Start

Tippi Toes, one of the most popular franchises in children’s enrichment programming, is on the cusp of significant franchise expansion. The dance class franchise featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank” is attracting the attention of more and more savvy entrepreneurs thanks to low start-up costs, flexible lifestyle benefits and more. Now, with more than 30 units currently in operation, Tippi Toes is looking to cross the milestone 50-unit mark by 2023 and has its sights set on Texas as a prime target market.

“We have a fantastic brand awareness and valuable whitespace all across the country, so we are in a uniquely strong position to ramp up our growth this year,” said CEO Sarah Nuse. “Texas in particular has already proven to be a perfect area for our brand, and we know there are several markets full of exciting opportunities and available territories.”

According to Nuse, Tippi Toes is looking to Dallas, Austin and Waco as part of a strategy to fill out the state. The brand currently has 10 locations throughout the Lone Star State and has identified room to bring 17 more to the area, including 10 in Dallas-Fort Worth, six in Austin and one in Waco.

There are a few reasons that the team believes Texas is a high-potential market for Tippi Toes. For one, it has the ninth-largest economy in the world because of the state’s business-friendly climate, robust infrastructure and predictable regulations. Not only is it great for small business owners, but it is also seeing a massive influx in residents following the pandemic-fueled housing boom. 

The Dallas metropolitan area, for example, which is home to 7.5 million people, has grown by more than 120,000 people since the pandemic, making it the fastest-growing metro area last year in the United States. Austin's metro population increased to an estimated 2,295,303 people as of last July — a 3% increase from the previous year. Waco is currently growing at a rate of 0.95% annually, and its population has increased by 14.81% since the most recent census. Each city is full of families, with nearly 25% of each area’s population made up of children under the age of 18. 

And as parents spend increasingly large amounts of money on their children, enrichment programming like Tippi Toes present a near-recession-proof opportunity. Parents today want to put kids in new activities so they can learn creative skills in a fun way, and Tippi Toes franchisees can fill an important void for younger kids by giving them an unparalleled platform to come and have a great time.

“The Tippi Toes classes really stand out from other competitors — it's a fun dance experience, not stuffy and boring,” said Megan Reilly, COO of Tippi Toes. “We have proprietary music, characters and dances that kids love and no other companies can use, and our teachers know how to use it to elevate every class. Our music has been on Billboard and iTunes charts as the number-one album for kids. The tone and energy of the dance class really stands out as well — we have a curriculum so there’s a structure to our classes, and we also hold recitals for the kids and parents to create experiences that they will remember forever.”

With this winning model in place, Reilly says Tippi Toes franchisees can feel confident they are bringing a valuable service to their communities and can have a significant impact on the families in their area. Franchisees can also advertise their business at local schools and offer free demonstration classes to get the word out in their community.

Plus, at $52,100–$69,100, Tippi Toes boasts one of the lowest startup costs in its segment, and because classes are taught at pre-schools and other third-party locations, franchise owners don’t have to pay for or maintain brick-and-mortar facilities.

“There is very little overhead, which is a huge benefit in this industry,” Reilly said. “Most of our competitors are operating full-service facilities, and as a result, their startup costs are high, their overhead is high, and it takes far longer for a franchise owner to recoup their investment.”

Best of all, Nuse says Tippi Toes offers franchise owners increased lifestyle flexibility compared to other brands in its category. “This is an opportunity that allows you to have a life beyond your job,” she said. “We have become extremely popular with moms, for example, because the hours are flexible and they have the support they need to successfully grow the business without dedicating seven days a week to it. That has also created a strong community of franchise owners who are willing to help eachother grow.”

Now, as Tippi Toes prepares to accelerate its franchise development plans, Nuse says the team is looking for passionate, qualified and community-minded entrepreneurs to help expand the brand in Texas and beyond. 

“We are looking to make a genuine impact in our communities, and so we’re partnering only with franchisees who share that commitment,” said Nuse. “We’ve built an incredible community of franchise owners who share best practices and support and uplift each other, and we’re excited to grow that community with like-minded, talented and passionate entrepreneurs.”

The startup costs to open a Tippi Toes Dance Company franchise range from $52,100 to $69,100, including a $35,000 franchise fee. For more information, visit https://www.tippitoesdance.com/franchise/