How Does Once Upon A Child Compare to Other Kid’s Resale Franchises?

Consumers turn to resale businesses for the affordable prices, the ability to earn cash for their gently used items and positive environmental impact.

Under the Winmark network of resale franchise brands, we have five concepts that cater to a variety of consumer needs. Once Upon A Child® is our resale brand focused on providing gently used, high-quality and affordable products for any child – from infant to tween.

Once Upon A Child has been the leader in children’s resale since 1993 and our business model is stronger than ever. Thanks to parents, grandparents and other adults wanting to connect with brands that share their values, are environmentally friendly and deliver superior value that gets them more product for what they’re paying, we’ve continued to outshine the competition.

Our mission is to continue to deliver high-quality, gently used merchandise in a fun, convenient environment while doing our part to positively impact the planet.

A Strong History of Success in the Resale Franchise Space

Once Upon A Child is the No. 1 children’s resale franchise in North America with more than 388 open locations – which is over 250 more locations than any of our competitors.

Our locations offer up a bright, fresh look that ensures a positive shopping experience for customers with a consistent stream of new inventory to choose from each week. This model has helped franchisees in markets across the country to quickly establish a loyal and dedicated fan base.

Not only do our Once Upon A Child locations offer a consistently refreshed inventory, but about six percent of the in-store selection consists of brand-new items.

As a result, our kid-focused resale franchise brand has been able to rank in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 for more than two decades, including in the No. 1 spot for the children’s retail category.

A Green Franchise Concept

By becoming a part of the Winmark franchise network through Once Upon A Child, franchise candidates are joining the recognized leader in the resale industry while also positively impacting the environment.

Our brands were green before it was cool to be green and have recycled over 1 billion items in our respective communities over the last decade.

In 2019 alone, Once Upon A Child franchisees were able to prevent more than 93 million items from ending up on landfills and giving them new life for customers across North America.

An International Brand

Interest in our environmentally friendly, community-focused franchise concept spans international boundaries. Specifically, we’ve seen consistently strong growth in markets across Canada.

Since 2010, we’ve seen our footprint in the North American country grow by more than 50 percent, with recently opened locations in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Markham, Ontario.

The need for competitively priced children’s goods that reduces consumers’ ecological footprint has resonated with both shoppers and entrepreneurs, spurring steady growth.

Get Started in the Resale Franchise Segment

According to the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores (NARTS), the resale sector of retail is a $17 billion industry and occupies one of the fastest-growing segments in the retail industry.

Resale is a trend that is never going to disappear, and with the population of children continuing to grow, Once Upon A Child is a clear path to a successful, green and philanthropic business.