Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$254,500 - $544,500
Franchise Fee
$22,500
Total US Locations
59
Business Summary
Bach to Rock operates music education centers that provide music instruction for children and adults. Its distinctive teaching method focuses on a socially interactive environment. Bach to Rock schools offer a variety of classes and programs, including group classes, private lessons, band sessions, early childhood classes, and special events. These centers feature recording studios, practice rooms, and equipment for lessons and collaborative activities.
Corporate History
America's Music School LLC, also known as Bach to Rock, was organized as a Maryland limited liability company on March 9, 2011. While the franchisor entity started in 2011, the concept of Bach to Rock Schools originated from a predecessor business called East Coast Music Production Camp, LLC, which began operations in 2002. In July 2007, Bach to Rock's parent company, Music Makers Holdings LLC, acquired the assets of East Coast Music and rebranded the Bethesda location as "Bach to Rock." Simultaneously, Music Makers Holdings LLC opened a second Bach to Rock School. America's Music School LLC began offering Bach to Rock franchises in June 2011, leveraging the established brand and system developed by its affiliates.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$254,500 - $544,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$22,500
Franchise Fee (High)
$45,000
Royalty %
7%
Marketing %
3%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$131,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$334,000
Working Capital
$30,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Bach to Rock's financial statements show a healthy financial position, with an unqualified audit opinion for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. The company's Member's Equity significantly increased to $897,580 in 2024 from $295,653 in 2023. Bach to Rock demonstrates strong liquidity, with current assets of $1,705,221 comfortably exceeding current liabilities of $310,877 in 2024. Operating activities generated substantial net cash of $697,989 in 2024. Additionally, related-party balances shifted from owing Music Makers Holdings LLC $503,871 in 2023 to being owed $499,002 from them in 2024, indicating an improved cash position for Bach to Rock. No going concern issues or significant financial difficulties are noted by the auditors or management.
Financing Details
Bach to Rock does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. Additionally, Bach to Rock does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations of its franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
59
Franchised Units
48
Corporate Units
11
Avg Square Footage
3,751
Franchising Since
2011
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Bach to Rock states in its Item 3 that no litigation is required to be disclosed. However, in Item 13, Bach to Rock discloses a trademark dispute. In August 2022, its parent company, MMH, prevailed in litigation before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board against The Piano Studio of Houston, Texas. The case, filed in July 2019, involved MMH opposing an application to register the mark "BACH N ROLL MUSIC ACADEMY" due to potential confusion with Bach to Rock's marks. This litigation was successfully resolved in Bach to Rock's favor.
Bankruptcy History
Bach to Rock has no bankruptcy history to report for the franchisor or its key personnel.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their Bach to Rock franchise, franchisees must notify Bach to Rock in writing 9 to 12 months before their current agreement expires. They must ensure all their financial and other obligations to Bach to Rock and its affiliates are met, and they must not be in default of their franchise agreement. Before renewal, franchisees must complete any required maintenance, refurbishing, renovating, and upgrading of their school to Bach to Rock's standards. A successor franchise fee, equal to 20% of the then-current initial franchise fee, must be paid. Franchisees and all owners must also sign a general release of claims. Finally, franchisees must submit a business plan for approval and meet Bach to Rock's current requirements for new franchisees.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Before a Bach to Rock franchise opens, America's Music School LLC helps with site selection by providing real estate guidelines and conducting one on-site evaluation without extra charge. They also offer telephone support for construction, provide prototype designs and specifications for building out the school, and conduct an initial training program that covers opening procedures, recruiting, sales, student services, and marketing. On-site opening assistance is also provided at the franchisee's location, and proposed grand opening advertising programs are reviewed. After opening, America's Music School LLC continues to provide curriculum and materials. They may offer additional training programs and conduct periodic inspections of the franchised business. Franchisees in good standing receive information on new developments, products, and operational improvements. Upon request, and if feasible, non-routine guidance for unusual operating problems can be provided for a fee. America's Music School LLC also manages a National Brand Fund for system-wide advertising, prepares promotional materials, and may occasionally use a franchisee's school as a training facility for other franchisees, for which compensation is offered.
Initial Training Hours
64
Training Location
Bethesda, Maryland and franchisee's school
Ongoing Support
After opening their Bach to Rock franchise, America's Music School LLC provides ongoing curriculum and materials to franchisees. They may offer additional training programs, seminars, or advanced management training sessions, which franchisees and managers may be required to attend for a fee. America's Music School LLC conducts periodic inspections of the franchised business and reviews records, and franchisees must correct any deficiencies found. The franchisor also shares information about new developments in operations, management, and marketing, and offers non-routine guidance for unusual operating problems if requested, for a fee. All franchisees contribute to a National Brand Fund for system-wide advertising and marketing. America's Music School LLC prepares approved advertising and promotional materials, which are made available to franchisees. Franchisees are also required to participate in mandatory special campaigns and promotional events, such as "Battle of the Bands" and "Classical Recital" programs, bearing their own costs. The franchisor may also use a franchisee's school as a training facility, providing compensation according to its current policy.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Bach to Rock seeks franchisees who will designate an Operating Principal to actively manage the business. This Operating Principal must own at least 25% of the franchise entity, complete Bach to Rock's training program, and have full authority over all business decisions for the franchised business. The expectation is for the Operating Principal to supervise the school's operations on a full-time daily basis. However, in certain approved situations, the Operating Principal may be a more passive investor with a significant ownership interest, provided they hire a qualified full-time Site Director to handle daily operations and management. All owners with a 10% or greater interest and their spouses must sign a personal guarantee.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
supervisory
Territory Type
protected
Territory Size Requirements
Bach to Rock grants a protected territory for each school, although it is not exclusive to all forms of competition from the franchisor. The size of this territory varies for each franchise and is determined by Bach to Rock's discretion. Typically, the territory will encompass at least 5,000 households with children. When defining the territory, Bach to Rock also considers factors like rush hour drive time, median family income, and natural or man-made barriers such as bodies of water or bridges. Before a site is approved, a larger "Site Selection Area" is established, which is designed to contain three or four potential market areas, each with enough potential customers to support a territory.
Staffing Notes
Bach to Rock Schools require specific management staffing. The franchisee must appoint an Operating Principal, who is an owner with at least a 25% ownership and voting interest (unless a smaller interest is approved by the franchisor). This Operating Principal must complete the franchisor's training program, hold authority over business decisions, and have the power to bind the franchisee in dealings with the franchisor. It is expected that the Operating Principal will supervise the school's daily operations full-time. If the Operating Principal takes a less active role, a full-time Site Director, with qualifications acceptable to the franchisor, must be employed to oversee general administration and all teaching, instructional, and programming matters. The Operating Principal and/or the Site Director are required to spend a minimum number of hours weekly or monthly at the premises, actively supervising the business, as specified in the Bach to Rock Manuals. The Operating Principal, Site Director, and any assistant director must successfully complete the required initial training and sign confidentiality and non-competition agreements. Bach to Rock franchisees are solely responsible for all employment decisions, including hiring, firing, compensation, and scheduling of their employees. Franchisees must ensure their employees maintain good customer relations and provide competent, courteous service, meeting any minimum standards established by the franchisor in the Manuals. All personnel decisions are made independently by the franchisee, without influence or advice from the franchisor.