Franopolis

    Escapology LLC

    Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data

    Researching Escapology LLC franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.

    Reviewed sources

    Escapology franchise operates immersive escape room experiences where teams solve puzzles and riddles to "escape" themed rooms within a set time limit.

    Headline figures

    Quick facts

    How much does it cost to open an Escapology LLC franchise?
    The Escapology LLC Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $720,500–$2,850,500 for total $ — $720500 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 18); $630,500–$2,535,500 for total: — $630500 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 18). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
    What is the Escapology LLC initial franchise fee?
    The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $45,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 9). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
    What ongoing fees does Escapology LLC charge?
    The disclosed ongoing royalty is $1,000 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 10). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $849 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 10). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
    Does Escapology LLC disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
    Yes. The Escapology LLC FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 47). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
    How many Escapology LLC locations are there?
    The FDD reports 88 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 51). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    What the disclosures show

    1. 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $720,500 – $2,850,500 (Total $ — $720500); $630,500 – $2,535,500 (TOTAL: — $630500); several initial fee options apply.
    2. 2Item 19 covers 10 separate groups: other measures for 7 FEC franchise locations; other measures for 12 Company-owned locations; other measures for 48 Stand-alone franchise locations; other measures for 12 Company-owned locations; other measures for 48 Franchised locations; other measures for 7 Franchised locations; profit for 16 Franchised locations; profit for 16 Franchised locations; profit for 16 Franchised locations; profit for 48 Franchised locations. They are not combined.
    3. 3Outlets grew by 13 in 2025, to 88 (United States, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).

    From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.

    Costs · Items 5–7

    What does it cost to open?

    Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.

    Startup Investment — Item 7

    Range across 2 single-unit formats

    2026 FDD · Item 7

    Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)

    Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.

    • — $630500PDF p. 18$630,500 – $2,535,500
    • Total $ — $720500PDF p. 18$720,500 – $2,850,500

    Standard single-unit franchise fee

    2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 9
    Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.

    Ongoing Fees — Item 6

    Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.

    Continuing Royalty Fee — $1000Main ongoing fee

    35 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.

    Financial Performance — Item 19

    What results are disclosed—and for which locations?

    10 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 7 locations

    Who is counted
    FEC franchise full-year salesband
    Period
    Stores
    Method
    Cashbasis; band boundaries exact; fullyear excluded8company/13franchise.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 12 locations

    Who is counted
    Company-owned full-year salesband
    Period
    Percent of stores
    Method
    Cashbasis; band boundaries exact; fullyear excluded8company/13franchise.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 48 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone franchise full-year salesband
    Period
    Stores
    Method
    Cashbasis; band boundaries exact; fullyear excluded8company/13franchise.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 12 locations

    Who is counted
    Company-owned
    Period
    Average Occupancy
    Excluded
    8excluded:7new and1refranchised
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 48 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone franchised
    Period
    Median Other
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Other measures · 7 locations

    Who is counted
    FEC franchised
    Period
    Average Staffing
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Profit · 16 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone profit-ranked Top Third
    Period
    Average
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Profit · 16 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone profit-ranked Middle Third
    Period
    Percent at/above
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Profit · 16 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone profit-ranked Bottom Third
    Period
    Average
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record

    Profit · 48 locations

    Who is counted
    Stand-alone profit-ranked Total
    Period
    Average
    Excluded
    13newfranchise outlets excluded; full-year only
    Method
    Cashbasis; franchise costs selfreported unaudited reviewedreasonableness. Staffingincludesbenefits; occupancyincludingCAM/utilities; imputedrentforbuildingowners. Franchisefeescurrent6%royalty2%innovation499monthlytechnology;actualfeesvaried. Profitaftercore before licensedgameplayerfees,merchandisecost,insurance,accounting/legal and othercosts; not EBITDA.

    These groups are never combined.

    Outlet Changes — Item 20

    How has the outlet count changed?

    United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of 2025 of each year.

    2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 51

    Net +27 outlets, 2023–2025

    0612023752024882025+14+13

    Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.

    Questions to investigate

    Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.

    For the franchisor

    • Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($630,500 – $2,850,500) vary most by market, and why?

    • Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?

    • Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?

    • Reported units went from 75 to 88 in 2025. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?

    • Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?

    For current and former owners

    • How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?

    • How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?

    • How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?

    • What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?

    For your advisors

    • Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.

    • Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.

    Sources & vintage history

    Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.

    Citations (2026 FDD)

    1. [1]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 9
    2. [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — FEC franchise full-year salesband · PDF p. 47; PDF p. 46
    3. [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-owned full-year salesband · PDF p. 45; PDF p. 46
    4. [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone franchise full-year salesband · PDF p. 46
    5. [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-owned · PDF p. 47; PDF p. 46
    6. [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone franchised · PDF p. 48; PDF p. 46
    7. [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — FEC franchised · PDF p. 49; PDF p. 47
    8. [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone profit-ranked Top Third · PDF p. 50
    9. [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone profit-ranked Middle Third · PDF p. 50
    10. [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone profit-ranked Bottom Third · PDF p. 50
    11. [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Stand-alone profit-ranked Total · PDF p. 50
    12. [12]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 51

    "PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: GetFDD listing

    Territory & operations

    These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.

    Legal & agreement

    Franchisor financial statements

    Fiscal yearMeasureReported value
    2025total other assets$1,918,388
    2025total assets$4,089,768
    2025total current liabilities$1,043,352
    2025long-term liabilities licenses payable, less current portion$100,000
    2025total liabilities and member's equity$4,089,768
    2025franchise income$9,170,461
    2025marketing$282,190
    2025income from operations$5,397,336
    2025total other expense$21,108
    2025due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$5,012,957
    2025deferred franchise fees$825,412
    2025net cash provided by operating activities$434,643
    2025net cash used by investing activities-$488,260
    2025cash flows from financing activities payments and purchases of licenses payable-$61,000
    2025short-term lease liability - operating$53,328
    2025total long-term liabilities$1,684,622
    2025depreciation & amortization$363,100
    2025design costs, net of amortization$1,473,794
    2025rou asset - operating, net of amortization$50,855
    2025deferred commissions, net of current portion$54,719
    2025liabilities and member's equity current liabilities accounts payable$114,977
    2025accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$100,320
    2025licenses payable, current portion$570,000
    2025deferred franchise fees, current portion$204,727
    2025deferred franchise fees, less current portion$1,584,622
    2025total liabilities$2,727,974
    2025member's equity retained earnings$13,895,842
    2025due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$12,534,048
    2025cost of goods sold operating staff$970,810
    2025franchise cos$1,417,901
    2025total cost of goods sold$2,610,346
    2025licensing amortization$221,635
    2025gross profit$6,560,115
    2025operating expenses occupancy$84,632
    2025repairs and maintenance$7,148
    2025legal, insurance, accounting$162,799
    2025web and it$167,114
    2025travel and entertainment$52,447
    2025office and other expenses$43,349
    2025total operating expenses$1,162,779
    2025other expense other income and expenses$21,108
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$5,376,228
    2025net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$5,376,228
    2025depreciation$363,100
    2025amortization$221,636
    2025change in operating lease-$4,753
    2025accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$908,192
    2025deferred commisions-$60,783
    2025prepaid expenses and other assets-$50,623
    2025accounts payable-$339,428
    2025accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$25,003
    2025cash flows from investing activities additions to design fees-$488,260
    2025net cash used by financing activities-$61,000
    2025net increase-$114,617
    2025cash - beginning of year$455,125
    2025cash - end of year$340,508
    2025cash and cash equivalents$340,508
    2025prepaid expenses$106,555
    2025other assets licensing$339,020
    2025accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$1,718,253
    2025current portion of deferred commissions$6,064
    2025total current assets$2,171,380
    2024total assets$3,321,334
    2024liabilities and member's equity current liabilities accounts payable$454,405
    2024long-term liabilities licenses payable, less current portion$325,000
    2024member's equity retained earnings$8,519,614
    2024total cost of goods sold$1,776,856
    2024repairs and maintenance$3,107
    2024other expense other income and expenses$25,922
    2024net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$3,913,911
    2024accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$16,173
    2024cash flows from investing activities additions to design fees-$992,587
    2024cash - beginning of year$435,049
    2024cash - end of year$455,125
    2024total liabilities$2,322,811
    2024legal, insurance, accounting$197,868
    2024change in operating lease$7,098
    2024accounts payable$204,660
    2024design costs, net of amortization$1,348,634
    2024rou asset - operating, net of amortization$90,926
    2024total other assets$2,000,216
    2024accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$75,317
    2024deferred franchise fees, less current portion$856,238
    2024licenses payable, current portion$406,000
    2024deferred franchise fees, current portion$107,699
    2024short-term lease liability - operating$45,010
    2024total current liabilities$1,088,431
    2024total long-term liabilities$1,234,380
    2024lease liability, net of current portion - operating$53,142
    2024due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$7,521,091
    2024total liabilities and member's equity$3,321,334
    2024franchise income$6,622,286
    2024cost of goods sold operating staff$490,449
    2024franchise cos$1,038,491
    2024licensing amortization$247,916
    2024marketing$268,787
    2024gross profit$4,845,430
    2024operating expenses occupancy$39,416
    2024web and it$143,042
    2024travel and entertainment$37,186
    2024office and other expenses$14,274
    2024depreciation & amortization$201,917
    2024total operating expenses$905,597
    2024income from operations$3,939,833
    2024total other expense$25,922
    2024net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$3,913,911
    2024depreciation$201,917
    2024amortization$247,916
    2024accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$182,123
    2024prepaid expenses and other assets-$34,251
    2024due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$2,988,186
    2024net cash provided by operating activities$1,357,638
    2024net cash used by investing activities-$992,587
    2024cash flows from financing activities payments and purchases of licenses payable-$344,975
    2024net increase$20,076
    2024total current assets$1,321,118
    2024deferred franchise fees-$29,477
    2024net cash used by financing activities-$344,975
    2024accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$810,061
    2024cash and cash equivalents$455,125
    2024prepaid expenses$55,932
    2024other assets licensing$560,656
    2023liabilities and member's equity current liabilities accounts payable$249,745
    2023deferred franchise fees, current portion$126,103
    2023franchise cos$879,126
    2023depreciation & amortization$109,605
    2023depreciation$109,605
    2023amortization$247,916
    2023prepaid expenses and other assets$43,505
    2023due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$2,292,978
    2023net cash used by financing activities-$167,025
    2023total current liabilities$847,070
    2023deferred franchise fees, less current portion$867,311
    2023total long-term liabilities$1,362,311
    2023total liabilities and member's equity$2,282,179
    2023franchise income$4,844,992
    2023gross profit$3,109,093
    2023net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$2,381,533
    2023deferred franchise fees$148,537
    2023rou asset - operating, net of amortization$5,975
    2023other assets licensing$633,571
    2023design costs, net of amortization$557,965
    2023total other assets$1,197,511
    2023total assets$2,282,179
    2023accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$59,144
    2023licenses payable, current portion$405,975
    2023short-term lease liability - operating$6,103
    2023long-term liabilities licenses payable, less current portion$495,000
    2023total liabilities$2,209,381
    2023member's equity retained earnings$4,605,703
    2023due from parent companyMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$4,532,905
    2023cost of goods sold operating staff$518,262
    2023licensing amortization$338,511
    2023total cost of goods sold$1,735,899
    2023operating expenses occupancy$34,044
    2023repairs and maintenance$547
    2023marketing$269,854
    2023legal, insurance, accounting$170,511
    2023web and it$125,127
    2023travel and entertainment$24,347
    2023office and other expenses-$7,543
    2023total operating expenses$726,492
    2023income from operations$2,382,601
    2023other expense other income and expenses$1,068
    2023total other expense$1,068
    2023net incomeMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$2,381,533
    2023change in operating lease-$202
    2023accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$55,566
    2023accrued expensesMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing-$88,532
    2023net cash provided by operating activities$576,619
    2023cash flows from investing activities additions to design fees-$361,145
    2023net cash used by investing activities-$361,145
    2023cash flows from financing activities payments and purchases of licenses payable-$167,025
    2023net increase$48,449
    2023cash - beginning of year$386,600
    2023cash - end of year$435,049
    2023cash and cash equivalents$435,049
    2023accounts receivableMore than one value recorded for this year — open the FDD source before comparing$627,938
    2023accounts payable$82,801
    2023prepaid expenses$21,681
    2023total current assets$1,084,668

    These figures describe the franchisor company, not individual franchise locations.

    SBA-backed loans to franchisees

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    Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.

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    Compare reviewed facts

    At a glance

    Business history

    Not reviewed

    Owner participation

    Not reviewed

    Territory language

    Litigation disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Bankruptcy disclosure

    Not reviewed

    Agreement term

    Not reviewed

    Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.