Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$226,000 - $570,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Min Cash Required
$45,000
Total US Locations
160
Business Summary
Bricks & Minifigs operates retail stores that specialize in buying and selling new and used LEGO® building bricks, minifigures, and accessories to the general public. The business offers programs for customers to sell or trade their used LEGO® products and sells a wide selection of new and used LEGO® items, including bulk bricks, minifigures, and full play sets. Bricks & Minifigs also offers approved apparel and other merchandise. Additionally, the franchise may provide online LEGO® sales, LEGO® memorabilia, posters, approved non-LEGO® toys, themed entertainment services such as birthday parties and school events, and off-site events.
Corporate History
BAM Franchising, Inc. was initially formed as an Oregon corporation on April 29, 2011. The company later formed as a Delaware corporation on October 11, 2023, and completed a merger on April 18, 2024, with the Delaware entity as the surviving company. Bricks & Minifigs has been offering franchises for its retail store concept since 2011. Prior to this, an affiliate, Cerebral Plastics Inc., operated a Bricks and Minifigs business from 2010 to 2017.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$226,000 - $570,000
Franchise Fee (Low)
$25,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$40,000
Minimum Cash Required
$45,000
Royalty %
6%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$79,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$192,000
Working Capital
$90,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Bricks & Minifigs' financial condition raises questions about its ability to provide services and support to franchisees. The company has reported negative stockholders' equity of approximately ($492,495) in 2024 and ($276,860) in 2023, indicating that its liabilities exceed its assets. Bricks & Minifigs also incurred net losses of ($215,635) in 2024 and ($94,925) in 2023.
Financing Details
Bricks & Minifigs does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. The company also does not assist in providing financing or guarantee any notes or financial obligations for franchisees.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
160
Franchised Units
154
Corporate Units
6
Avg Square Footage
2,000
Franchising Since
2011
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
1
Litigation Summary
Bricks & Minifigs has disclosed one past legal action. On October 28, 2019, Bricks & Minifigs entered into an Assurance of Discontinuance (AOD) with the Washington State Attorney General's Office. This AOD addressed language in Bricks & Minifigs's franchise agreements that restricted franchisees from soliciting or hiring employees from other Bricks & Minifigs franchisees (known as "no-poach" provisions). Washington asserted this violated the Consumer Protection Act. Bricks & Minifigs denied the violation but agreed to no longer include such provisions in future agreements and not to enforce them in existing agreements. The company also agreed to notify Washington franchisees of the AOD and inform the Attorney General's Office if it learns of any enforcement efforts by a franchisee. Bricks & Minifigs entered into the AOD to avoid lengthy and costly litigation, without admitting to any wrongdoing. No other litigation is required to be disclosed.
Bankruptcy History
Bricks & Minifigs has no bankruptcy history to report in Item 4 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew, Bricks & Minifigs franchisees must provide written notice of their desire to renew between 6 and 12 months before the agreement expires. They must be in full compliance with all terms of the current and any other agreements with Bricks & Minifigs, sign a general release (subject to state law), and sign Bricks & Minifigs's then-current form of franchise agreement, which may have materially different terms and fees. Franchisees may also be required to refurbish, remodel, redecorate, and renovate their store to meet current system standards and pay a renewal fee of $5,000. Additionally, franchisees must meet Bricks & Minifigs's then-current qualification and training requirements and must not have committed three or more material breaches in the preceding twenty-four months.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Bricks & Minifigs provides a range of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, the company helps with site selection and lease approval, provides guidance on obtaining permits, and advises on store design, layout, and specifications for required equipment, software, and signage. The franchisor also provides lists of approved vendors and purchasing strategies. Initial training for up to three individuals is provided at corporate headquarters, covering product knowledge, operations, inventory management, POS system use, customer service, safety, sales techniques, and marketing. Bricks & Minifigs also loans pre-opening and operations manuals to franchisees and provides up to three days of on-site pre-opening/grand opening assistance for the first franchise. During operation, Bricks & Minifigs offers ongoing consultation on procedures, policies, sales, marketing, and purchasing strategies, and assists with resolving operational problems. The company supplies updated lists of approved products, vendors, and suppliers, and suggests product and service prices. They continuously research new products and services for the system and review/approve any new products or vendors proposed by franchisees (which may incur an assessment fee). Franchisees can send questions and suggestions via Internet email during regular business hours. Bricks & Minifigs provides a webpage for each franchise within its national website and reviews local advertising materials. Additional and refresher training programs may be required for franchisees and their owners, potentially with associated fees and travel expenses. The franchisor may also conduct annual conferences and continuing education sessions, typically at their headquarters, which may include registration fees and require franchisee attendance at their own expense.
Initial Training Hours
48
Training Location
Corporate headquarters in Provo, Utah
Ongoing Support
After opening, Bricks & Minifigs provides ongoing consultation on procedures, policies, sales, marketing, purchasing strategies, and products, and assists with operational problems outside the Operations Manual. The company supplies updated product, supply, vendor, and supplier guidelines, and suggested product/service prices. They continuously research new products and services for the system and review/approve any new products or vendors proposed by franchisees (subject to an assessment fee). Franchisees can also send questions and suggestions via Internet email during regular business hours (Pacific Time zone). Bricks & Minifigs may also require supplemental and refresher training programs for franchisees and their owners, which may involve fees, travel, food, and lodging expenses. The franchisor may also conduct annual conferences and continuing education sessions, typically at their headquarters, which may include registration fees and require franchisee attendance at their own expense.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Bricks & Minifigs seeks franchisees who are owner-operators or who can incorporate the franchise into an existing complementary business. The ideal candidate must have strong business abilities, management skills, and exert full-time best efforts in operating the store. If the franchisee is an entity, they must designate an Operating Partner who owns at least a 10% equity interest, has authority over operational decisions, and completes the franchisor's training. Franchisees must also have sufficient financial resources, including working capital, to cover initial startup costs and living expenses for at least six months.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
retail
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Protected
Territory Size Requirements
Bricks & Minifigs pre-determines its territories based on population and mileage. The specific territory for a Bricks & Minifigs store is defined in the individual Franchise Agreement based on factors like population density, business potential, traffic patterns, proximity to major roads, demographics of the surrounding area, available parking, and market penetration. While there is no stated minimum size for the overall territory, the franchisor will not establish another Bricks & Minifigs physical store within one mile of the franchisee's approved location.
Staffing Notes
Bricks & Minifigs requires that each franchise location be staffed with employees trained according to its guidelines and system standards. A Store Manager or assistant manager must directly supervise the store on-location during all operating hours. The franchisee, or their designated Operating Partner, is expected to remain active in overseeing the store's operations. If an Operating Partner's employment terminates, a qualified replacement must be hired within 90 days. Franchisees are also prohibited from hiring employees from other Bricks & Minifigs locations or corporate operations without prior written consent from the current employer.