Franchise Deep Dive: Socks & Bottoms’ Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Socks & Bottoms is a retail franchise concept that specializes in novelty socks and underwear. The brand sells clothing goods that are decorated with designs for everyone, and that feature everything from sports teams, Marvel movies to cartoons. Socks & Bottoms was founded in 2018 and began offering franchise opportunities in the U.S. in 2022.

The franchise team behind Socks & Bottoms has over 60 combined years of experience in the specialty retail franchise industry, previously grew the retail franchise company Flip Flop Shops to over 200 locations worldwide, and has been a part of the growth and development of brands like Cold Stone Creamery and Moe’s Southwest Grill.

As of July 2023, there are seven Socks & Bottoms’ locations in the United States. The brand has multiple locations in Las Vegas, Nevada; Irvine, California; and Bloomington, Minnesota. The brand is currently offering franchise opportunities in major markets across the country, with a focus on Florida, Texas, Arizona and the mid-Atlantic states.

Socks & Bottoms’ entire business model is focused on offering unique and specialty socks and underwear that are both “fun and stylish.” The brand boasts that when entrepreneurs become Socks & Bottoms franchisees, they are in business for themselves but not by themselves. As such, owners and operators will have assistance with real estate, site selection, architectural plans, inventory, grand opening preparation, on-site training and marketing.

Additionally, Socks & Bottoms has Preferred Franchise Pricing, meaning franchise owners will receive discounts of 5% to 20% on inventory items and other products needed to run the business, reducing out-of-pocket costs for owners.

The brand says its stores generate high levels of revenue. As such, for the 2022 fiscal year, Socks & Bottoms saw an average unit volume of $681,300 in annual sales, with an average annual gross margin of 67%.

The total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Socks & Bottoms franchise ranges from $192,800 to $270,500. That investment factors in the following costs:

• Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
• Initial Training Expenses
• Point of Sale and Computer Hardware and Software
• Initial Inventory and Supplies
• Additional Funds for Initial 3-Month Period

Socks & Bottoms franchisees must also pay a recurring royalty fee, which is 6.5% of gross weekly sales, and a Brand Building Fund, which is 0.5% of gross weekly sales.

The initial franchise fee required to open a Socks & Bottoms location is $46,000. The franchise team behind Socks & Bottoms has over 60 combined years of experience in the specialty retail franchise industry, previously grew the retail franchise company Flip Flop Shops to over 200 locations worldwide, and has been a part of the growth and development of brands like Cold Stone Creamery and Moe’s Southwest Grill.