Story Time Chess Franchise

Story Time Chess grew from the meeting of children’s education and creative performance. Jon Sieber moved to New York in 2010 to pursue children’s theater and became involved in teaching young children in preschools. He helped develop a curriculum that made chess approachable through stories and imaginative instruction. His creative partner, writer and actor Harlan J. Alford, also found a passion for chess tutoring and co-founded the tutoring company with Sieber. Their teaching approach remains central to the brand’s identity: using storytelling to introduce children to chess in a playful setting.

The brand’s affiliated business roots include Chess@3 LLC, established in New York in November 2011. Sieber and Alford are also identified as co-founders of Thinking Cup Learning, established in 2015. Another affiliate, Thinking Cup Games LLC, was established in 2017 and supplies board games to the franchise system. These milestones trace the development of the related teaching and learning-products businesses that support today’s Story Time Chess concept.

Franchising began in May 2025, adding a local ownership model to the brand’s existing education operations. The May 26, 2026 disclosure reports five company-owned U.S. outlets and two franchised outlets at the end of 2025; the franchised outlets were in Florida. This is a dated picture of the system’s development, with the existing company operations and the newer franchise program forming different parts of the brand’s story.

Today, franchisees deliver instruction in chess and other games, recreation and movement at schools, community venues and customers’ homes. Owners use the brand’s lesson plans, teaching methods and operating procedures to develop local programs and relationships. The current franchise offering extends that educational approach through local business owners who manage instructors, community partnerships and day-to-day delivery under a shared system.

The May 26, 2026 FDD estimates an initial investment of $65,579–$87,227. The initial franchise fee is $49,500 for a territory of up to 400,000 people; larger territories add $0.19 for each person above that threshold. The investment estimate includes a three-month additional-funds allowance that excludes payroll, royalties, brand-fund contributions and other continuing franchisor fees.

Before opening, Story Time Chess defines the franchise territory, provides access to its operations manual and training aids, and supplies specifications and approved or recommended vendors for required materials and equipment. An owner may operate from a home office with prior written approval. The franchisor reviews the opening marketing campaign and offers pricing guidance; sample advertising artwork and promotional materials are supplied at its discretion. Owners arrange their required purchases, insurance, permits and local preparations.

Initial training combines remote instruction with training in Nashville, Tennessee, or another designated location. The outlined program includes 15 classroom hours and 25 hours of practical instruction. It covers the brand’s culture and teaching approach, personnel scheduling and development, community outreach, host-venue bookings, lesson delivery, daily operations, client relationships, safety and security, and financial management. A final assessment and launch-planning review connect the instruction to opening the local business. The allocation of subjects and hours can vary with the trainees’ experience and needs.

The disclosed training team includes Jon Sieber, Jessica Finney and Harlan Alford. Sieber helped write the curriculum and train tutors; Finney developed the tutor mentorship and training systems; Alford brings experience in the brand’s storytelling and tutoring approach. An owner or principal must satisfactorily complete mandatory training. Instructor and material costs for up to two trainees are included in the franchise fee, while travel, meals, lodging and other personal expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility. Additional trainees require approval and currently carry a $500-per-person, per-day training fee.

After opening, franchisees can request individualized assistance by telephone, video conference, email or mail, within reasonable limits and subject to personnel availability. Continuing resources include updated equipment and supplier specifications, pricing guidance, advertising materials as they become available, and class and equipment inspections. The required Tutor Cruncher business-management system and other specified technology support the operating framework; franchisees pay the applicable access fees and maintain their own equipment and software.

The franchisor may offer or require further training, annual meetings or conventions. Additional or remedial on-site instruction currently costs $500 per trainer per day, plus the trainer’s expenses, and meetings can carry registration and travel costs. The local owner remains responsible for staffing, screened personnel, enrollment and business management. The business must have full-time supervision by the owner or an approved manager; appointing a non-owner manager requires prior written approval and completion of required training.

Story Time Chess brings a distinctive teaching concept to the children’s enrichment market: chess introduced through stories, characters and games, delivered where children already learn and gather. That gives prospective owners a clear program to present to schools, community partners and families, supported by proprietary lessons and a defined training process.

The ownership appeal combines education, creative instruction and local relationship building. An approved home office can support classes delivered at partner venues and customers’ homes, while the curriculum and operating tools give owners a starting framework for organizing their team and programs. For an entrepreneur who wants to lead a full-time education business and introduce an engaging activity to their community, Story Time Chess is an opportunity worth exploring.

For questions about local demand, staffing, program requirements and working capital, use our children’s franchise buyer guide alongside the documents for this opportunity.