UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE
Uptown Cheapskate franchises retail stores that purchase used merchandise outright from local customers and sell high-quality used and new brand name teen and young adult clothing and accessories at substantial discounts. The business model emphasizes customer value in the resale, consignment, and retail clothing market through a proprietary system including store design, merchandising, and operations support. It targets high school and college-aged teens and young adults with seasonal sales peaks in back-to-school and spring periods.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 0.5% marketing fund + $350/mo computer support + $225/mo bookkeeping (first year required)
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 121 Uptown Cheapskate stores that operated in the United States during the period of November 1, 2023 through October 31, 2024.
* Average Gross Revenue, Median Gross Revenue, Revenue Top Quartile, Revenue Bottom Quartile, Average Net Income, and the range for best_guess_profit_low/high were extracted directly from the System Average and Quartile tables. Average EBITDA is set to the 'Net Income (10)' value as Note 10 defines it as 'Income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and owner's compensation', which aligns with the definition of EBITDA. EBITDA margin was calculated as Average EBITDA / Average Gross Revenue (188356 / 1278688).
Extracted Item 19 Section
How UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE Compares to Other Specialty Retail Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE Current | $328K - $597K | $25K | 5.0% | 129 |
| MERLE NORMAN COSMETICS | $48K - $260K | N/A | N/A | 797 |
| CORNWELL | $80K - $324K | N/A | N/A | 793 |
| BATTERIES PLUS | $263K - $497K | $45K | 5.0% | 604 |
| PET SUPPLIES PLUS | $537K - $2.0M | $50K | 3.0% | 502 |
| WILD BIRDS UNLIMITED | $227K - $379K | $40K | 4.0% | 340 |
Specialty Retail Average 46 franchises | $285K - $708K | $38K | 5.0% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 46 Specialty Retail franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+11 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchisees (2011 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
One arbitration by a franchisee seeking rescission of franchise agreement due to alleged unlawful earnings claims and poor support; arbitrator upheld termination but awarded partial damages for failure to advise on lease.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise?
The total initial investment to open a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise ranges from $328,002 to $596,502. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise is $1,278,688. The median revenue is $1,251,476.
How much profit can you make with a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise?
Based on the financial performance data in the FDD, estimated profit for a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise ranges from $-72,646 to $971,774 per year. Actual results vary based on location, management, and market conditions.
How many UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE has 129 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2008.
Can you get an SBA loan for a UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchises. Historical data shows 103 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE franchisees, with an average loan amount of $414,189. The historical default rate is 2.9%.
Is UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE a good franchise to buy?
UPTOWN CHEAPSKATE shows several positive indicators: established brand with 129+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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