Tippi Toes Franchise

Sarah Nuse created Tippi Toes in Oklahoma in 1999. The franchisor, Tippi Toes, Inc., was incorporated in Oklahoma in October 2002, and the company began franchising in 2009. Nuse remains president and chief executive officer in the March 9, 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. The franchisor’s principal business address is now in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The business provides dance lessons and courses for children from 18 months to 12 years old. Classes take place at community locations such as churches, schools, daycares and community centers. The program aims to encourage confidence and an enjoyment of dance while giving children an opportunity to participate in organized physical activity.

Tippi Toes does not require franchisees to lease a dedicated dance studio. Most owners set up an office in their home and arrange locations where classes can be held. The model makes relationships with local organizations, class scheduling, enrollment and teacher management central to operating the business. The FDD describes a busier period from September through June and a quieter period in July and August.

All owners who will actively operate the franchise must complete initial training to the franchisor’s satisfaction before opening. Training is held in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is scheduled monthly. The disclosed program includes 16 classroom hours and two hours of on-the-job instruction. Subjects include brand culture, building the business, operations, class demonstrations, sales and marketing, and business management.

Initial training tuition for franchise owners is included in the franchise fee. Owners pay their transportation, lodging, meals and other personal expenses. Additional staff attending initial training incur a separate daily fee. Before opening, the franchisor designates the territory, supplies access to operating and training manuals, and provides a list of required equipment, supplies and branded items.

After opening, the franchisor provides guidance on marketing, advertising ideas, selling, operations and business and marketing plans. Owners receive updates about training, services, products, meetings and other system information. Monthly video conferences support owners and managers, and virtual learning opportunities are also available to sales coordinators and teachers. The Backstage online community provides another channel for questions.

Franchisees use the required technology and approved systems for functions such as enrollment, customer records, payments, accounting and communication. Owners are responsible for obtaining and maintaining the required equipment and software. Additional training for personnel after the initial program may be requested for an extra fee plus the franchisor’s travel expenses; it is separate from the included owner training.

Tippi Toes offers a children’s dance business centered on community relationships. An owner can build connections with schools, daycares and other organizations that host classes, while developing a team that delivers the brand’s teaching program. The home office model may suit someone who prefers coordinating classes across local locations to managing a dedicated retail studio.

The strongest fit is an owner who enjoys outreach to families and organizations, careful scheduling and staff leadership as well as children’s activities. You must directly supervise the business or employ a manager who meets the franchisor’s standards to serve as Operating Principal. That person oversees employees and their training, so the opportunity calls for active operational leadership even when a manager handles day-to-day supervision.

For more detail on the business model, read Tippi Toes Franchise: Children’s Dance Classes and Owner Duties.