The Knight School Franchise

The Knight School’s history combines children’s chess instruction with a later move into franchising. Its March 31, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document records founder David Brooks’s first use of The Knight School mark for teaching children chess in August 2008. The Knight School, LLC was formed in July 2010, and affiliate The Knight School America, LLC was formed in October 2014. The affiliate began licensing the concept in January 2015. The current franchisor, The Knight School Franchising, LLC, was established in Alabama in April 2024 and began offering franchises in July 2024.

The business centers on proprietary chess instruction primarily for children, supported by teaching methods, learning camps, operating manuals, software and branded materials. Franchisees typically handle administration from a home office and deliver services within an assigned territory. The territorial protection is conditional on compliance and performance standards and is subject to the franchisor’s reserved rights, including certain alternative distribution channels.

The 2026 FDD estimates an initial investment of $21,140–$54,280. That estimate includes the $15,000 franchise-fee payment due at signing, rather than the entire standard $35,000 franchise fee. The remaining $20,000 is paid in $2,000 installments beginning six months after signing; qualifying reductions have specific conditions. The required opening kit generally costs $3,320–$3,820 and includes chess materials and a Tech Pack with equipment such as a projector and chess clocks. This distinction between startup spending and the total franchise-fee commitment is important when comparing The Knight School franchise cost with other education businesses.

Before opening, The Knight School identifies the designated territory, provides initial training for the Operating Principal and City Coach, supplies an approved-vendor list, provides access to its operating manual and reviews proposed marketing materials. It also lists the business’s contact information on its website and sells the required opening kit. The FDD’s initial training table specifies 21 total hours, combining classroom and on-the-job instruction. Topics include chess instruction, child development, classroom management, safety, customer service, sales and marketing, recruiting, staff leadership and daily planning.

Training may take place in Birmingham, Alabama; Houston, Texas; online; or another designated location. Initial training for up to two people is included when they attend together before opening. The franchisee pays travel, lodging, wages and related attendance expenses. Opening requires satisfactory training, classroom observations and a final examination, along with insurance, required permissions, supplies and written approval. The FDD estimates 60–180 days from signing to opening, subject to the franchisee’s circumstances and completion of the required steps.

After opening, support includes consultation by mail, telephone or internet, operating-manual updates, periodic newsletters and the brand website. Advertising advice and additional resources are provided as the franchisor considers appropriate; this is not a promise of a managed local advertising campaign. The owner remains responsible for hiring and training staff and for administrative, accounting and inventory procedures, beyond the training specifically provided by the franchisor.

Item 11 also provides for designated continuing and refresher courses for the Operating Principal and City Coach, currently up to one week or 40 hours annually during the initial term and every other year during a renewal term. These may be delivered at a training facility, at the business or virtually. The disclosed training charges are currently $1,500 per attendee or $250 per attendee per day, with travel and other expenses additional. Confirm the required course schedule and current charges during onboarding.

The Knight School offers a focused ownership proposition: build a local children’s chess instruction business using an existing teaching system, branded supplies and a home-office administrative model. It can appeal to an educator or community-minded entrepreneur who wants direct involvement in delivering a service and leading a team. The combination of instruction, camps and established operating materials provides a specific business to develop without designing a curriculum or opening a dedicated retail learning center from scratch.

The strongest fit is an owner prepared to take responsibility for local relationships, service quality and daily operations. The Operating Principal must hold at least 51% of the voting and equity interests. A trained City Coach must provide year-round, full-time operational leadership; initially that person must be the Operating Principal or another equity owner. An employee may take over the City Coach role only after the business meets the required minimum performance standards. For a buyer seeking active ownership in children’s enrichment, those responsibilities are central to evaluating the opportunity.

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