Play It Again Sports^®

Retail • Year: 2026

All product and company names mentioned are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of these names does not imply any affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by them.

What Is Play It Again Sports?

Play It Again Sports is a franchise retail store that sells quality used and new sporting goods equipment and accessories. It operates from brick-and-mortar stores and serves individual consumers and families (B2C). The core service bundle is purchasing used sporting goods from customers and reselling quality used merchandise at substantial savings, with new merchandise offered to supplement the selection.

Play It Again Sports Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchise offers very strong territorial protection (territory protection score 95, in the top 5% for Retail), but it also shows a notable level of past franchisee exits - seven outlet terminations (top 10% for Retail) plus one non-renewal, indicating elevated exit risk.

Pros

At $15,000 (up to $25,000), the initial franchise fee sits in the bottom 10% of franchises overall, leaving you with more cash on hand for build-out and early operating runway.

The territory protection score is 95, placing it in the top 5% for Retail, so you get strong territorial rights and less risk of direct franchisor competition nearby.

The Franchise Stability Score is Good (79/100) and above typical for the industry, indicating above-average franchisee retention and a moderately stable system.

Cons

There are zero corporate-owned units (well below typical for Retail, bottom 5%), which limits the franchisor’s ability to field-test changes and maintain firsthand operational knowledge before imposing requirements on franchisees.

The system shows 7 outlet terminations (well above typical for Retail, top 10%) plus 1 non-renewal (above typical), which indicates a notable level of past franchisee exits from the network.

Mandatory ongoing training is not required (an unusual absence - 88.9% of franchises do require this), meaning you may receive less structured continuing support and must rely more on self-directed or local training.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

100

Excellent

Play It Again Sports reported no material legal proceedings,

Territory Protection

Excellent

Play It Again Sports grants site-specific territory (territory_type: null) under Item 12, and the Franchise Agreement states Winmark cannot alter them. There are no performance contingencies or franchisor online/alternative-channel sales rights, and without a right of first refusal the franchisor retains the right to develop units in the surrounding market.

Training & Support

42/100

NORMAL

Play It Again Sports provides a robust 77-hour training curriculum designed to prepare franchise personnel for launch, and the initial franchise fee does not include training for any individuals. The program includes on-site launch assistance provided as part of the offering, and franchisees are responsible for travel and living expenses.

Franchisee Stability

79/100

Good

Play It Again Sports earns an Excellent Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 1.69% is well below the typical Retail franchise (around 5%). Out of 13 total exits, terminations dominated with 12, alongside 1 non-renewal, no franchisor buybacks, and no ceased operations.

The dominance of terminations suggests franchisor-initiated exits, which can mean operators struggled with the model or that the franchisor enforces standards aggressively. The system had about 265 franchised outlets in the most recent year, so this pattern comes from a substantial base rather than a tiny pilot. Prospective buyers should ask why those terminations occurred and how the franchisor handled remediation and support for affected operators. For prospective franchisees, this is among the strongest retention profiles in franchising.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Play It Again Sports Franchise?

Opening a Play It Again Sports franchise requires a total initial investment of $346,300 to $459,700, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$346,300

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$459,700

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$25,000

Real Estate$62,000

Equipment & Assets$152,500

Reserves$40,000

Training$0

Other$66,800

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$25,000

Real Estate$97,000

Equipment & Assets$192,000

Reserves$50,000

Training$0

Other$95,700

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Play It Again Sports Franchise Owners Make?

Play It Again Sports franchise locations reported average gross sales of $1,172,630 and median gross sales of $1,014,764 in 2026, based on financial performance data disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Average Gross Sales:

$1,172,630

Median Gross Sales:

$1,014,764

High Gross Sales:

$7,143,846

Low Gross Sales:

$223,430

Sample Size:

287

Percent Attaining Average:

40.0%

Audit Status:

Unaudited

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: The Item 19 data covers 287 franchised Play It Again Sports stores (no company-owned stores included). For the 12-month period ended December 27, 2025 the report shows an average (mean) gross sales of $1,172,630 and a median gross sales of $1,014,764, indicating that the mean is higher than the median (right-skewed distribution). Average gross profit for the period is $625,208, which implies an average cost of goods sold of approximately $547,422 and an average gross profit margin of 53.32% as reported.

Performance Variability Analysis: Performance is highly variable across stores. The overall low-to-high sales range spans $223,430 to $7,143,846. Only 114 of 287 stores (40%) attained or exceeded the reported average gross sales, and the median is below the mean, consistent with a subset of high-performing stores pulling up the average. Quartile detail shows the 1st quartile average gross sales ~ $2,104,837 (top 25%) and 4th quartile average ~ $533,437 (bottom 25%), highlighting wide dispersion. These patterns indicate material variability in revenue outcomes and that a minority of stores account for outsized sales.

Data Scope and Limitations: The statement is based on 287 franchised stores that had been in operation by the same owner for the 12-month period; 22 franchised stores that opened or transferred during the period were excluded. The Item 19 provides gross sales and gross profit figures (gross profit excludes operating expenses) but does not provide net income or detailed operating expense breakdowns. Winmark states it has written substantiation available on request; the Item 19 does not indicate the figures are audited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Play It Again Sports a good franchise to own?

Whether Play It Again Sports is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Play It Again Sports operates 309 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 42/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a Play It Again Sports franchise worth the investment?

The value of a Play It Again Sports franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $346,300 to $459,700. Play It Again Sports disclosed average gross sales of $1,172,630 in 2026. The system reported 7 terminated units in 2026. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

What is the failure rate of Play It Again Sports franchises?

In the 2026 FDD, Play It Again Sports reported 7 terminated franchises and 1 non-renewals out of 309 total locations. Franchise closures can result from many factors including market conditions, operator decisions, lease expirations, and franchisor enforcement actions. The FDD's Item 20 provides the most detailed unit turnover data.

How long does it take to break even with a Play It Again Sports franchise?

Break-even timelines for Play It Again Sports franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is Play It Again Sports a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2026 FDD, Play It Again Sports operates 309 franchised locations and 0 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in Play It Again Sports?

Get more information and connect with the franchise directly.