Kid to Kid

Kid To Kid serves families facing the problem expressed in its founding principle, “kids grow faster than paychecks.” The brand buys and sells gently used children’s clothing, toys, and baby gear, giving families access to affordable goods through a resale model. Shauna Sloan, a mother of six, and Brent Sloan opened the first store in 1992. The company began franchising in 1994, although some records place the formal start of franchising in 2007. Kid To Kid operates from North Salt Lake, Utah, with listed addresses at 39 E. Eagle Ridge Dr. North Salt Lake, UT 84054 and 170 S 1000 E, Salt Lake City, 84102. It is a trademark brand under BaseCamp Franchising, which also operates Uptown Cheapskate for teens and young adults. Some records list Allen, TX as a headquarters location, while the Utah addresses support the company’s operating base. Brent Sloan and Chelsea Sloan Carroll remain involved with the Sloan family businesses, which collectively own and operate over 30 Uptown Cheapskate and Kid To Kid stores. Leadership includes Co Chief Executive Officers Tyler Gordon and Zach Gordon, appointed in 2022, CTO Mel Green in 2022, CFO Craig Smith since 2013, and Creative Director Ian in 2023. The system reported 116 total units in 2024, including 102 franchised owned and 14 company owned locations. Kid To Kid operates across 26 to 27 U.S. states and has locations in Portugal, Canada, and Spain. Reports cite over 8% unit growth and a 5% increase in franchisees in recent years. The global secondhand market was valued at $36 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $73 billion within the next five years. The brand has a 78 Loan Activity Score.

Children’s resale benefits from families seeking lower prices for clothing and gear that children quickly outgrow. The global secondhand market reached $36 billion in 2021 and is projected to double to $73 billion within the next five years. Buyers may value affordability and quality, while sellers can recover value from items that are no longer needed. Environmental concerns and interest in the circular economy also support resale by extending product life. Kid To Kid addresses the pressure behind “kids grow faster than paychecks” through a structured buy and sell model. Demand for children’s products can remain steady when household budgets tighten, since resale offers a lower cost option than buying new goods. Compared with smaller independent consignment shops, a branded concept can offer established recognition, consistent procedures, and a customer base built around trust and convenience. Inflation and higher household expenses may further increase interest in resale. Stores provide an organized setting for buying and selling gently used items and maintain a community focus that can support repeat business.

The standard franchise fee is $25,000. Military veterans receive a 20% discount, equal to a $5,000 reduction. One source lists an alternative franchise fee of $15,000, which may reflect an earlier figure or a specific market offering. Reported total initial investment ranges include $349,000 to $579,000, $326,502 to $587,302, $280,942 to $471,442, and $168,400 to $517,220. Costs vary by store format, market, and build out needs. Reported expenses include real estate deposits and improvements of $5,625 to $160,000, trade fixtures of $67,500 to $85,500, initial inventory of $70,000 to $90,000, and working capital of $42,500 to $67,500. Training travel and lodging cost $1,500 to $5,500. The Kid door system costs $3,600 to $4,800, exterior signs and graphics cost $13,500 to $17,500, interior signs cost $2,000 to $4,000, and computers and related equipment cost $15,334. The BaseCamp Software Suite fee is $10,000. A security camera system costs $2,000 to $5,000, and the grand opening promotion budget is $20,000. Incorporation documents cost $500 to $1,000, loan fees cost $7,500 to $12,500, and licenses, permits, and utility deposits cost $1,000 to $2,000. Supplies, hangers, and miscellaneous expenses total $26,000 to $31,000. Applicants need minimum net worth of $200,000 and liquid capital of $100,000 to $125,000. Some database records cite minimum liquid capital of $75,000. Advertising figures vary, with sources citing a 5.50% national brand fund, a 0.5% marketing fee, or a 0.5% advertising royalty. Other charges include a $15,000 software installation fee and a $350 monthly technology fee.

Franchisees buy gently used children’s clothing, toys, and baby gear from local families, manage inventory and merchandising, oversee store operations, lead employees, and use local and national marketing programs. Specific staffing levels are not stated, but the model requires people to handle intake, processing, merchandising, and customer service. An owner operator or hands on manager may therefore fit the business. The primary format is a traditional retail store. Training includes online modules, classroom instruction at the corporate office, and hands on work at a top performing Kid To Kid store. Franchisees receive 100 hours of on the job training and 86 hours of classroom instruction, with additional training opportunities at existing locations. Support covers inventory buying, operations, team leadership, marketing, market evaluation, site selection, store design, layout planning, fixture schemes, advertising, merchandising, purchasing, sales, and customer and community relations. Franchisees also receive access to operations, technology, and marketing specialists. The in house marketing team supports planning, creative work, and execution. The BaseCamp Software Suite and inventory system connect point of sale, customer management, and cloud based reporting tools. Kid To Kid offers territory protection, with no other unit opening within at least five miles driving distance as measured by standard mapping services. The company also indicates opportunities for new and multi unit franchisees to expand.

The system had 116 total units in 2024, including 102 franchised owned and 14 company owned locations, with reports of over 8% unit growth and a 5% increase in franchisees in recent years.

Kid To Kid has grown for 29 years from its founding in 1992 and its start in franchising in 1994. The system reported 116 total units in 2024, including 102 franchised owned and 14 company owned locations, compared with earlier reports of over 100 or 79 units. Growth reports cite more than 8% unit growth and a 5% increase in franchisees in recent years. The brand operates across 26 to 27 U.S. states and internationally in Portugal, Canada, and Spain. Under BaseCamp Franchising, Tyler Gordon and Zach Gordon became Co Chief Executive Officers in 2022, Mel Green became CTO in 2022, Ian became Creative Director in 2023, and Craig Smith has served as CFO since 2013. The Sloan family continues to own and operate over 30 Uptown Cheapskate and Kid To Kid stores. Its competitive position rests on brand recognition dating to 1992, a mission centered on the “kids grow faster than paychecks” premise, and a structured resale model.