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Dance Shack

Dance Shack

Children's Dance School Franchise

Dance Shack offers the opportunity to run your own local children’s dance school under an established brand, with the training, systems and ongoing support needed to get started.

Our franchise model is designed to remove many of the barriers involved in setting up a dance school from scratch.

Children's Dance School Franchise

Dance Shack offers the opportunity to run your own local children’s dance school under an established brand, with the training, systems and ongoing support needed to get started.

Our franchise model is designed to remove many of the barriers involved in setting up a dance school from scratch.

Franchisees benefit from the Dance Shack name, branding, class structure, operating systems, marketing support and nearly 20 years of experience running successful performing arts schools.

Classes are aimed at children and young people aged 3–18

They can include Commercial Street, Contemporary, Jazz, Ballet, Tap and Musical Theatre. The model is performance-led, with an emphasis on excellent teaching, confidence, creativity and creating a welcoming community for children and families.

It is a flexible business opportunity rather than a salaried role, giving franchisees the chance to build something of their own while benefiting from the structure and support of an established organisation.

Who it’s a good fit for

A Dance Shack franchise could suit someone who is passionate about dance and performing arts and would like to build their own business without having to create everything from the ground up.

We are particularly interested in people who are enthusiastic, organised, good with people and motivated to become part of their local community.

A franchisee does not necessarily need to teach every class themselves. Depending on their background and ambitions, they can combine teaching with running the business, or build a team of teachers around them.

It can work particularly well for someone looking for a business that can initially fit around family or other commitments and then grow over time.

Who it’s a good fit for

A Dance Shack franchise could suit someone who is passionate about dance and performing arts and would like to build their own business without having to create everything from the ground up.

We are particularly interested in people who are enthusiastic, organised, good with people and motivated to become part of their local community.

A franchisee does not necessarily need to teach every class themselves. Depending on their background and ambitions, they can combine teaching with running the business, or build a team of teachers around them.

It can work particularly well for someone looking for a business that can initially fit around family or other commitments and then grow over time.

How you can get started

Getting Started

The first step is an informal conversation with Dance Shack to find out more about the opportunity, the areas currently available and whether the franchise is likely to be a good fit.

We then help prospective franchisees understand the business model, expected costs, how a new territory can be launched and the practical steps involved in establishing their first classes.

Once a franchise is agreed, Dance Shack provides support with areas including branding, venue selection, class planning, marketing, administration and launch preparation, as well as continued support once the school is operating.

The aim is that a franchisee is not simply handed a brand name and left to work everything else out for themselves.

Packages / entry options

Dance Shack offers a number of routes into franchise ownership, allowing prospective franchisees to choose the option that best suits their circumstances.

Our standard model is a £4,000 + VAT initial franchise fee, followed by a 10% royalty on turnover. We also offer a low-upfront-cost option with no initial franchise fee; instead, the royalty is 15% for the first 24 months, reducing to 10% thereafter. An instalment option is also available for those who would prefer to spread the initial franchise fee.

Whichever route is chosen, franchisees benefit from the same brand, systems, training and ongoing support. As with any new business, there will also be normal start-up and running costs such as venue hire, insurance, marketing and staffing where required.

Flexibility

A Dance Shack franchise is designed to offer a high degree of flexibility.

Classes are typically delivered after school, at weekends and during school holidays, so the business can be built around family life or other commitments.

Franchisees can start with a relatively small timetable in one venue and expand gradually as student numbers grow. Depending on their background, they may choose to teach some or all of the classes themselves, or focus more on running and developing the business while building a team of teachers.

This means the business can evolve over time, rather than requiring a large-scale launch from day one.

Earning potential

Earning potential will vary depending on student numbers, venue and staffing costs, local pricing, the number of classes offered and whether the franchisee teaches classes themselves.

 

The Dance Shack model is designed to build recurring monthly income as enrolment grows. As an illustration, at our current typical fees, a school with 100 students, where around 20% attend two classes, would generate approximately £4,000 per month, or £48,000 per year, in tuition fee turnover.

This is an illustrative turnover figure rather than a guarantee of earnings, and operating costs would need to be deducted. Based on our experience of operating established Dance Shack schools, we believe this represents a realistic and achievable level of turnover for a well-run local school, with further scope to grow through increased student numbers, additional classes and other activities.

 

Meet Our Co-Founder & Director's

Lucy Holloway, AISTD, LAMDAdip, is Co-Founder and Director of Dance Shack and leads the creative and educational development of the brand. A professionally trained performer, teacher, Dance Captain and Resident Director, she co-founded Dance Shack with Garth Hall in 2006. Lucy shapes the teaching approach, choreography, performance opportunities and teacher support that define the Dance Shack experience. She works closely with franchisees to help them deliver inspiring, inclusive classes with consistently high professional standards.

Lucy Holloway
Co-Founder & Director

Garth Hall is Co-Founder and Director of Dance Shack, with a leading role in the business and franchise development of the brand. Having built Dance Shack with Lucy Holloway since 2006, he brings nearly 20 years of hands-on experience in developing schools, systems and practical support for sustainable growth. His extensive West End, touring and performing arts education career adds a deep understanding of professional standards, training and the realities of the industry. Garth works closely with franchisees as they plan, launch and grow their own local Dance Shack schools.

Garth Hall
Co-Founder & Director

Testimonials

From day one, the core team have been amazing. Genuinely helpful and invested in my success. Garth and Rianna are always on hand- Garth from a business perspective and Rianna for the day-to-day operational side of running classes, ensuring nothing is missed as part of my onboarding; while Lucy has welcomed me into the family with open arms, offering great insight into how to structure classes and how different styles work well together.

“From day one, the Dance Shack team have been amazing. Garth, Rianna and Lucy welcomed me in and gave me the insight, support and marketing backing to make my school a success. An established, experienced team behind you every step of the way.”

“A trusted brand, an established team, and true support every step of the way. Dance Shack made running my own school possible.”

Ready to Turn Your Passion for Dance Into Your Own Business?

Take the first step and discover whether Dance Shack could be the right fit for you.

If you love dance, enjoy working with people and are looking for a flexible business you can build around your life, a Dance Shack franchise could be your next move.