Lifestyle Publications Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$37,600 - $46,350
Franchise Fee
$20,000
Total US Locations
210
Business Summary
Lifestyle Publications operates a franchise business that sells print advertising within designated communities. Franchisees, known as Publishers, create and edit content for community-focused monthly magazines that operate under the Lifestyle Publications brand. These magazines are distributed to homeowners and community stakeholders, with the Publishers being responsible for securing local advertising.
Corporate History
Lifestyle Publications, LLC, the franchisor, is a Missouri limited liability company that began offering franchises in July 2020. The company currently operates one business. Its parent company is Lifestyle Media Holdings, LLC, a holding company. A predecessor and affiliate, Lifestyle Media Solutions, LLC (LMS), previously operated under different names (including Kingdom Holdings, LLC) and ran businesses substantially similar to the current franchised model from September 2009 until July 2020. LMS also offered licenses for these businesses from 2011 to 2019, with all licensees eventually converting to franchisees. Another affiliate, City Lifestyle, LLC, operating since 2019, runs a website featuring similar content to the magazines. Lifestyle Publications began integrating the "City Lifestyle" brand into its system in 2022.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$37,600 - $46,350
Franchise Fee (Low)
$20,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$30,000
Royalty %
7%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$550
Equipment Costs (High)
$3,200
Working Capital
$3,230
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Lifestyle Publications has disclosed that its financial condition, as shown in its financial statements in Item 21, raises questions about its ability to provide services and support to franchisees. This is a specific risk that prospective franchisees should consider.
Financing Details
Lifestyle Publications does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees and does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
210
Franchised Units
208
Corporate Units
2
Franchising Since
2020
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
5
Litigation Summary
Lifestyle Publications has a history of five disclosed legal actions, primarily consent orders with state financial institutions and one civil action lawsuit, all involving its predecessor, Lifestyle Media Solutions, LLC (LMS). Between 2020 and 2021, LMS entered into consent orders with the Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, and California state financial regulators. These orders addressed allegations that LMS had sold unregistered franchises in those states, which constituted violations of their respective franchise laws. As a result, LMS agreed to cease and desist from such violations, pay fines (ranging from $2,000 to $7,500), and in Maryland's case, offer rescission to existing publishers and refund initial fees to closed publishers. Additionally, in October 2019, LMS faced a civil action lawsuit in California where former independent publishers claimed they were misclassified as independent contractors rather than employees, alleging violations of various California labor and business laws. This lawsuit was settled in August 2020 for a monetary payment of $659,000, without an explicit admission of wrongdoing from LMS. No other litigation is required to be disclosed.
Bankruptcy History
Lifestyle Publications has no bankruptcy history to disclose.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
5 years
Renewal Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
Lifestyle Publications franchisees can automatically renew their agreement for consecutive five-year terms, provided neither party gives a 90-day non-renewal notice. However, Lifestyle Publications may set conditions for renewal. These include the franchisee not being in default of their agreement, signing the franchisor's then-current Publisher Agreement (which might have different terms), executing a general release of all claims against Lifestyle Publications and its affiliates, and meeting the franchisor's current Independent Publisher qualification requirements.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Lifestyle Publications provides pre-opening assistance by designating the magazine's name and distribution area, approving advertising and promotional materials, and offering an Initial Training Program for the franchisee's Principal Operator, along with loaning operational manuals. After the business opens, Lifestyle Publications updates the manuals, may host conference calls and in-person conferences (which might incur fees), offers advertising assistance and sales advice (especially if performance benchmarks are not met, potentially including basic accounting and business procedures), and provides a list of approved suppliers if required.
Initial Training Hours
39
Training Location
Online/Virtual and Kansas City, MO
Ongoing Support
Lifestyle Publications provides ongoing support to franchisees through updates to the operational manuals. They may also organize telephone conference calls and in-person conferences, such as an annual conference, for which attendance fees may apply. Additionally, Lifestyle Publications offers advertising assistance, sales advice, and related materials, particularly if a franchisee is not meeting growth targets. This could include further training or support with basic accounting and business procedures. Franchisees also have the opportunity to participate in the Digital Advertising Program, selling digital advertising for citylifestyle.com and earning a commission.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate for a Lifestyle Publications franchise is typically a business entity (like a corporation or LLC), although an individual can initially sign the agreement and then assign it to an entity within 30 days. The franchisee must designate a "Principal Operator" who is the majority owner and who must dedicate full-time effort to the business. This Principal Operator must reside within 30 miles of their designated community, successfully complete the initial training program, and ensure all operations adhere to the franchisor's system standards. Individuals owning 10% or more of the franchisee entity must also sign a personal guarantee. The franchisor seeks individuals who are hands-on and committed to actively managing the business.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Hybrid
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Limited
Staff Count
2
Territory Size Requirements
Lifestyle Publications territories, called Communities, are defined by primary zip codes where the franchised business is located. Each Community is generally expected to have a population of approximately 6,500 residences.
Staffing Notes
Lifestyle Publications franchisees are responsible for all employment decisions, including hiring, firing, and managing their staff, and must comply with all applicable labor laws. Franchisees are explicitly required to hire a local editor for their magazine by the launch issue, who must be approved by Lifestyle Publications and reside within 30 miles of the community. Additionally, a Publication Director must be hired before the sixth issue of the magazine is published. This director's duties include assisting with customer onboarding, ad list management, collections, appointments, and events. If either an editor or Publication Director leaves, a replacement must be hired within 30 days. Lifestyle Publications does not provide assistance with hiring or training these employees.