Unit Option

Single

Background

FDD Franchised Units: 75

Corporate Owned Units: 0

Projected New Units: 20

Year Established: 2006

First Year Franchised: 2008

Type of Business: Franchise

Hours of Operation: Regular Business Hours

Number of Employees: Small (1-5)

History:

BIG FROG Custom T-shirts and More grew as a result of three former scientists becoming entrepreneurs to build a lifestyle business. In 2005, Leeward Bean, Dr. Tina Bacon-DeFrece, and Ron DeFrece started an internet business specializing in Geek novelties.

In January 2006, the “Uniquely Geek” website was launched to sell science-based gifts and novelties. In early 2006 the idea of selling science humor t-shirts came up but was quickly dropped due to the large quantities required for screen printing each design. The idea of selling novelty t-shirts was fundamentally sound but not economically feasible until the rollout of a new technology called “Direct to Garment Printing”, or DTG, which is a digital inkjet printer that uses fabric dyes instead of inks, and prints on garments instead of paper. A one-minute digital printing process produces a high-resolution, full-color permanent image on a variety of different types of garments and accessories.

This technology eliminated the need to carry large quantities of pre-printed inventory. Unlimited designs could be created and then printed only when orders were received. Uniquely Geek purchased one of the first Brother DTG machines and was off and running as Bay Area Custom T-shirts. Shortly afterward, two shirts were printed with the “Charlie’s World” logo and sent to Charlie Belcher, an on-air celebrity of the local FOX news station, along with bios on the three ex-scientists. Mr. Belcher was very impressed with his new custom t-shirts and called to schedule an interview and story.

The day after the story aired, the direction of Uniquely Geek changed forever. The phone started ringing that morning, but no one was interested in Geek novelties; they all wanted t-shirts. So the idea of a retail, custom T-shirt store was born – BIG FROG!

This custom t-shirts business began in the summer of 2006 with the concept of No Minimum Quantities, No Artwork Charges, No Set-up Fees, and 24-hour turnaround. A direct mail advertising campaign was created and directed to trades, schools, churches, and charities. The business started growing and customers started showing up at their humble backroom location.

In September 2007, a newly-renovated retail store was opened on Gulf to Bay Blvd. in Clearwater, Florida, and the business really took off. The concept of No Minimums, No Artwork Charges, and No Set-up Fees created an entirely new business model and a gigantic niche market with pent-up demand. Never before could a customer get a high-quality, custom-printed garment produced at an affordable price within 24 hours. Everyone wears a shirt, so everyone is a prospective customer and the markets are endless!

The original idea was to create a small chain of five or six retail stores in the Tampa Bay area. However, within three months of opening the first store, a customer asked if he could open a store in Tampa just like Clearwater, and the idea of franchising the BIG FROG concept was born.

In October 2008, The BIG FROG Franchise Group issued its Franchise Disclosure Document and started offering franchises. Within the first full year of franchising, there were 10 BIG FROG franchises open.

Big Frog isn’t just a business; it’s a LIFESTYLE! Our goal is to enrich individuals with the ability to become self-employed and build wealth and equity! We’re a high-tech 1,200 sq foot boutique with daylight hours Mon-Sat; 2 or 3 employees & minimal inventory. WITHOUT THE USUAL RETAIL HASSLES!

We use an ecologically safe inkjet printing process for a breathable image that won’t peel, crack or fade. Our stores focus on providing the highest level of service and providing an AMAZING customer experience, generating 70%+ repeat and referral business. We’re one of the fastest-growing, most award-winning franchises, and customers, employees, and owners all have FUN!

Fast forward to 2022: We have 78 stores open throughout the US and Canada, and more in process, several multi-unit operators, and an amazing growth record of double-digit same-store sales increases since we started! Help us keep growing!

Availability

Territories: United States, Canada: Registered

Financials

Liquidity: $250,000

*Investment Range: $161,109 - $319,684

**Average Investment: $200,000 - $215,000
Provided by the Franchisor

Minimum Net Worth: $250,001, to $500,000

6 Month Cash: $50,001

Franchise Fee: $60,000

Royalty: 6%

Royalty Description: For the first six (6) months the Big Frog Business is open, royalty payments shall equal six percent (6%) of gross sales. Thereafter, royalty payments shall be the greatest of six percent (6%) of gross sales or $1,200 per month.

Advertising: Local: 5% of your gross sales, or $500, whichever is greater, per month

National Advertising: 1.5% of previous month’s gross sales

Ramp-Up: 4 to 6 months

Passive Ownership: Passive Ownership NOT Allowed
Passive Ownership means the owner is working 15 hours or less per week in the business.

Passive Ownership Explain: Has achieved consistent and increasing sales and profitability. Actively participates in the goals and initiatives of the Franchise System. Has a solid understanding of the business and has a supporting great team.

Available Discounts

• Veterans
• Minorities
• Women

Discount Description: Honorably discharged military members and their spouses = 20% Qualified Minorities (including women) = 10%

Training, Support and Assistance

Co-Operative Advertising: N/A

Site Selection Assistance: Available

Lease Negotiation Assistance: Available

Length of Training: 4.5 Weeks: 180+ Hours

Training Description:

Initial training is 180+ hours. Onboarding a new store takes an average of 12 weeks:

• Online Course Work = 25+ hours
• Big Frog University = 35+ hours
• Center of Excellence Training = 35+ hours
• Equipment Installation = 10 hours
• Field Training = 35 hours
• Initital Department Head Training = 16 hours

Operational and Marketing Tools:

The Big Frog Franchise Group offers a comprehensive, multi-faceted marketing strategy to launch and grow every store.

Whether your client’s franchise starts from scratch, or they buy an existing store, our team of industry experts will provide an annual marketing calendar, designed to drive sales leads and traffic to your store.

Our team will create a new website for each new franchisee. The website will be attached to the Big Frog Franchise Group’s main website, which is designed to drive traffic to the entire system.

Our marketing team will meet with your client/franchisee at least once per month to provide guidance and suggest improvements to the franchisee’s strategic marketing plan.

Financing Assistance: Available