Concept Description
Owning an Uptown store is also big business. With robust support systems and cutting-edge technology that have been refined over 30+ years, Uptown Cheapskate has developed a business model that is both highly efficient and highly profitable. A true win-win!
Testimonials
“I’ve never owned a business before, and I never thought I would own a business. When I first discovered the resale fashion industry, and learned how sustainable it was, as well as how popular it’s getting, I was very intrigued. The retail apocalypse is not affecting the resale clothing industry. People like the fact that we’re not putting new items into the environment, and of course, they like the fact that they’re getting a good deal. We have about 700-800 people every week that shop with us, and about 400 people that sell to us on a weekly basis. We were able to scale up quickly to multi-unit ownership quickly after the success of our first store. It’s been extremely rewarding, both personally and financially, and it’s a very fun business to own.”
– Justin Crump, Owner of 2 Uptown Cheapskate franchises in Utah
“While we were looking into retail businesses, we came across Uptown Cheapskate and instantly loved the idea of creating relationships with those in our community. There is no better feeling than when you can provide a great service and great products to appreciating customers. The fact that Uptown Cheapskate has almost no carbon footprint and helps recycle great items is just another positive to this equation.”
– Darrin Song, Owner of 2 Uptown Cheapskates in Utah
Publicity
2025 Franchise Business Review Top 200 Franchise
2024 Franchise Business Review Most Profitable Franchise
Unit Option
Single, Multiple, Area Representative/Master Developer
Background
FDD Franchised Units: 129
Corporate Owned Units: 14
Projected New Units: 30
Year Established: 2008
First Year Franchised: 2009
Type of Business: Franchise
Hours of Operation: Weekends Required
Number of Employees: Medium (6-20)
History:
Since 2008, Uptown Cheapskate has delighted customers with a unique combination of value, assortment, and sustainability, all wrapped in a beautifully designed shopping environment. Founded in Utah, we’ve grown from a single location in Salt Lake City to over 140 stores operating across 26 states. With another 40+ stores under development, Uptown continues to be one of the fastest growing names in franchising. And we’re only getting started! With a passion for resale, a focus on community engagement, and a commitment to innovation, Uptown is poised to accelerate its growth for years to come.
Availability
Territories: United States, Canada: Willing to Register, Canada: Registered
Financials
Liquidity: $100,000
*Investment Range: $328,002 - $596,502
**Average Investment: $400,000 - $550,000
Provided by the Franchisor
Minimum Net Worth: $250,001, to $500,000
6 Month Cash: $75,001
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty: 5%
Royalty Description: 5% of gross sales
Advertising: 0.5% of gross sales
National Advertising: 0.5%
Ramp-Up: 10 to 12 months
Passive Ownership: Semi- passive after 1 year
Passive Ownership means the owner is working 15 hours or less per week in the business.
Passive Ownership Explain: This is a full-time venture for at least the first 12 months, and can become a semi-absentee business over time, as the franchisee becomes familiar with their store(s).
Available Discounts
- Veterans
Discount Description: $5,000 discount on the franchisee fee
Training, Support and Assistance
Co-Operative Advertising: N/A
Site Selection Assistance: Available
Lease Negotiation Assistance: N/A
Length of Training: 2 weeks
Training Description:
Online Training
You’ll have access to an extensive library of online training modules that is continuously updated to cover all of the fundamentals of our business. These modules are invaluable resources that you and your team can refer back to over time.
In-Person Training
You’ll spend several days at our corporate office to help you master our proven business model. You’ll learn how to buy, sell, and manage inventory, how to implement effective marketing strategies, how to effectively lead a team, how to use our software systems, and so much more.
In-Store Internship
We’ll put your newfound knowledge to work in one of our stores. For five days, you’ll work closely with one of our highest-performing franchisees, getting crucial hands-on experience and mastering our business model firsthand. By the time you leave, you’ll be ready to launch your new business with confidence.
Comprehensive Ongoing Support
Our commitment to you doesn’t end once your store is open. Throughout the life of your franchise, we’ll give you the resources you need to thrive.
Operational and Marketing Tools:
Every franchisee is assigned a dedicated Field Operations Consultant to help them maximize the profitability, manageability, and growth of their stores. With support from the rest of our corporate team, your Field Operations Consultant will host monthly phone calls to review your performance, visit your store at least once per year, and help you navigate a robust suite of reports that provide real-time insights into the fundamentals of your business.
We know most of our franchisees aren’t marketing experts, and they don’t have to be. At Uptown Cheapskate, our goal is to make the complex and ever-changing marketing landscape not only digestible, but also fun! Our full-service team is here to help you with all of your marketing needs, including paid digital advertising, organic social media, local grassroots marketing, promotional campaigns, loyalty programs, and beyond.
Uptown Cheapskate’s technology infrastructure is truly second-to-none and unlike anything else you’ll see in resale. From our point of sales system, to our inventory management and appraisal program, and beyond, the technological backbone of our stores is all proprietary and built on decades of experience and millions of customer data points. These systems represent a critical competitive advantage of our stores – one that we expect to expand for years to come.
Your financial performance is extremely important to us, and we want to ensure that you’re positioned for success. At Uptown, you will benefit from our in-house finance and accounting team, who will keep you organized and help you create an actionable business plan. We’ll also help you find ways to optimize your business by comparing your results vs. other stores and system benchmarks.
Financing Assistance: N/A
