FAQ's about the Extra Innings Franchise Opportunity
What is Extra Innings?
Extra Innings is a franchise opportunity that equips its franchisees with a proven business model, state-of-the-art infrastructure and continuous support to operate successful indoor baseball & softball training center.
What services does an Extra Innings franchise location typically provide?
All Extra Innings locations offer ballplayers a first class facility for year-round indoor practice, professional baseball and softball instruction and a nationally recognized Pro Shop that carries the top brands in baseball and softball equipment and apparel at the best prices available. Extra Innings locations are staffed by baseball and softball experts who not only know how and love to teach the games, but can also advise customers on their equipment needs.
What type of customer does Extra Innings serve?
Extra Innings training centers are for baseball and softball enthusiasts of all ages and ability levels. Our clientele cut across all age and demographic groups throughout the U.S. Children and youth players are a major focus of our franchises, but we also serve adult men and women who love to play baseball and softball.
What competition exists in this industry?
• This is a relatively new industry that is experiencing rapid growth throughout the U.S. Many communities now have indoor baseball or softball facilities. Extra Innings is the national leader in this exciting new market. The Extra Innings brand includes our Triple Threat (practice facilities, professional instruction and Pro Shop) all under one roof. Extra Innings is growing rapidly throughout the U.S. and offers its new franchisees a proven game plan to become successful in this industry.
What is the initial franchise fee for this opportunity?
Upon receiving an offer to join the Extra Innings team, you will return the signed franchise agreement along with a $25,000 initial franchise fee. At that point, you have officially joined the team. You will have unlimited access to the company intranet site, “The Clubhouse,” where you will begin to learn the business months before you open your doors. Other team members including EIFC management, founders, and other franchise owners will help guide you on a daily basis. Once a location has been selected and a lease signed, another $2 per square foot in excess of 12,000 square feet is due. At this point EIFC will begin the process of including your franchise location as part of our buying group. Your access to over thirty approved Pro Shop vendors, national pricing, exclusive programs and the Extra Innings Buyer’s Guide await you.
What is the typical overall investment to start an Extra Innings franchise location?
$239-650,000. Consider this a range of what you may invest in opening a facility. Please note that this is a broad range because of the many different sizes and types of facility that you may want to develop. For instance, a 20,000 square foot facility with coin-operated batting cages may be closer to $650,000 to open, while a 10,000 square foot facility may be closer to $239,000 to open. We do not include real estate costs in these estimates because of the volatility and cost differential across different regions in the U.S.
This estimate does include your initial Pro Shop inventory cost of $70-80,000. When you open your doors for the first time, your Pro Shop will be stocked with the latest and most advanced equipment from our vendor partners like Wilson, Easton, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, Mizuno and many, many more.
Also included is your very own website with online registration capability, netting, turf, balls, machines and all of the other equipment and fixtures you will need to open your business – all at bulk discount pricing from our approved distributors.
What do franchisees pay for monthly royalties?
All Extra Innings franchisees pay the franchise company a monthly royalty. This is a flat fee of $1000 per month beginning the day that you open your business. Unlike most franchise companies, we do not take a percentage of your gross sales. Your monthly royalties are a fixed cost that pay for your continued access to the resources, infrastructure and support network we have developed to help you run a vibrant business. All franchisees receive a 50% discount on these royalties for the first six months of operation. For larger facilities, the royalty fee increases an additional $0.25 per square foot over 12,000 square feet.
Are there any additional monthly fees?
The Extra Innings team enjoys the latest in support technology and web services. Included in your monthly web services and technology fee of $175 per month is website updating and maintenance, email services, secure online commerce, marketing email address gathering and storage, and of course, unlimited access to our company intranet, “The Clubhouse."
Franchisees also pay a $400 flat fee into an advertising fund that is used strictly for advertising and marketing purposes. The collection of these contributions from each franchise location allows the team to purchase bigger ads and campaigns on a national and regional basis. Team members are directly involved in the choosing and placement of these ad campaigns. For facilities over 12,000 square feet, your contribution will increase $0.05 for each additional square foot.
What type of operating support does Extra Innings provide to its franchisees?
All Extra Innings franchisees receive unprecedented guidance and support from our franchise team starting the day you join the team and continuing throughout the lifetime of your franchise agreement. Upon joining the team, you will receive unlimited access to our company intranet, “The Clubhouse.” Through The Clubhouse, franchisees gain access to the founders, EIFC management, staff, other franchise owners, and other members of the franchise team. You will begin to learn programs and marketing strategies from franchisees across the country. There is even a start-up and real estate forum to help guide you through your location selection and ramp-up processes. Other support includes, on site training, in facility training, annual owners meeting, annual vendor and distributor trade show, quarterly financial analysis and program reviews.
What are the franchise's Internet capabilities?
Extra Innings provides its franchisees with a full slate of e-commerce and web-based marketing capabilities. All franchise locations have their own website where their customers can register online for the clinics, leagues and programs, purchase gift cards and memberships securely using a credit card. Extra Innings franchisees have the ability to order exclusive Extra Innings branded Pro Shop equipment, apparel, stationary, facility signage and supplies online. Franchisees are also provided with a dynamic email marketing system that enables them to market their facilities and programs directly to their customers in the most cost-effective manner available.
What kind of baseball or softball experience is needed to run an Extra Innings franchise location?
An Extra Innings franchisee is ideally a former baseball or softball player or coach. Experience playing or coaching at the collegiate, minor or major league level is highly desirable. If a franchisee lacks this type of background, he or she must be able to hire individuals with this level of baseball and softball experience.
What kind of business experience is needed to operate this franchise?
Business experience is helpful; particularly hands-on experience in sales, retail, marketing, customer service, operations, management, accounting and finance.
