STUDIO NOIR

Private · Master Plan · v1.0
STUDIO NOIRFRANCHISE STRATEGY

STUDIO NOIR · Franchise Strategy

Phase 1: not applicable. IP LLC established so franchising is possible later, but no franchise activity Phase 1.

Phase 2: not launched. Franchise readiness starts during Phase 2 stabilization (Phase 2 Year 2-3).

Phase 3 (2032+): active franchise system. National first, international later.

Rebuilt in 2031 alongside Phase 3 planning.

Why Phase 3, not sooner

Franchising STUDIO NOIR requires: 1. A proven flagship (Phase 2 stable, 400+ members, 3+ years operating history, verified financials, positive EBITDA) 2. A brand people want to license (Phase 2 has generated regional press + THE NOIR INVITATIONAL national IP) 3. A repeatable operating system (Phase 2 has developed SOPs, training, brand standards enforceable through contract) 4. A franchisor entity ready to sign (STUDIO NOIR IP LLC exists Day 1, but Phase 3 hires VP Franchise Development + Director of Brand Standards + Franchise Operations Director) 5. FDD filed with FTC + state registrations (Phase 3 activation, roughly $75K-$150K legal + accounting preparation)

Franchising before all five exist means the first franchisee dilutes the brand and future franchisees lose confidence. It’s a one-shot game.

Phase 3 franchise structure

STUDIO NOIR IP LLC is the franchisor (holds trademarks + brand standards + operating manual).

Franchisees form their own local LLC that signs the franchise agreement + license.

Royalty stream: 6-8% of franchisee revenue flows to STUDIO NOIR IP LLC monthly.

Franchise fee at signing: $40K-$75K per franchisee.

Marketing fee: 2-3% of franchisee revenue flows to a national marketing fund (managed by STUDIO NOIR IP LLC).

Phase 3 franchise activation trajectory

  • 2032: FDD filed. VP Franchise Development hired. Franchise Discovery Days launched.
  • 2033: First franchisee signs area development agreement (3-unit ADA target in Atlanta or Miami).
  • 2033-2034: First franchised unit opens.
  • 2034-2035: Franchised units 2 and 3 open. Second regional franchisee identified.
  • 2036: 5-8 franchised units live. International master franchise conversations begin (London, Dubai priority).
  • 2037-2038: First international unit opens.
  • 2039-2040: 15+ total units live globally.

Phase 3 franchisee screening

Franchisees must meet: - HNW requirement (personal net worth $2M+) - Hospitality track record (prior experience operating a hotel, restaurant, boutique retail, or private club) - Cultural alignment (interview with Taj personally) - Geographic exclusivity (no franchisee within 25 miles of another)

First termination public (within the franchise system) to set precedent. Brand quality over franchise growth.

  • FDD prep: 16_FRANCHISE_SYSTEM/01
  • Franchisor economics + Y3-Y7 P&L: 16_FRANCHISE_SYSTEM/02
  • International master franchise: 16_FRANCHISE_SYSTEM/03