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ARTHUR MURRAY IS THE LEADER IN GLOBAL DANCE

There are few things more powerful than watching someone walk onto a dance floor for the first time and leave transformed – more confident, connected and joyful. If you’ve ever believed in the power of dance to change a life, you might consider combining that passion with your business ambitions and joining Arthur Murray Dance Studios.

Arthur Murray is one of the most recognized and storied brands in all of franchising. Founded in 1912 and franchising since 1938, it’s the world’s largest ballroom and social dance franchise, with 325+ studios operating across 19 countries. Arthur Murray is led by CEO Gary Edwards and is headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida.

Since Arthur Murray first opened its doors, the brand has become the global standard in dance education – teaching millions of students around the world to dance for everyday enjoyment, special occasions and the pure joy of movement. The significant benefits of franchising with Arthur Murray include the following:

• Brand recognition. Arthur Murray is a household name known across generations. When you open a studio, you’re not starting from zero – you’re stepping into a legacy your community already knows and trusts.

• Recurring revenue. Arthur Murray students purchase lesson packages and typically engage with the brand for months or years, creating reliable, compounding cash flow.

• A rare opportunity to own. Historically, Arthur Murray franchise ownership was limited to internal studio owners and their teams. The brand is now opening development opportunities to qualified franchisees outside the system for the first time in a long time – creating a rare and timely entry opportunity.

• A modernized and growing system. Under CEO Gary Edwards, Arthur Murray has rolled out a refreshed Franchise Value Proposition backed by more financial investment in franchisee support than at any other time in the brand’s history. It focuses on pricing and revenue optimization, marketing and lead generation, operational consistency, purchasing efficiencies and instructor recruitment and development.

• Strong unit economics. With an average unit volume of $728,000+ and multiple revenue streams – including private lessons, group classes, studio parties and special events like Dance-O-Rama and Superama – the financial model is built for long-term, sustainable performance.

• Purpose-driven ownership. Arthur Murray franchisees aren’t just running a business. They build community hubs where people gain confidence, find connection and experience genuine joy. That’s meaningful, and it keeps students coming back.

Arthur Murray’s focus on social dance – rather than competition-first programming – sets it apart from other dance concepts and allows franchisees to attract a broad base of students including couples, special occasion preparation clients, seniors, young professionals and more.

WHAT SUPPORT RESOURCES DOES ARTHUR MURRAY OFFER NEW FRANCHISEES?

Arthur Murray has invested more financial resources into supporting its franchise system than at any other time in the brand’s history. The refreshed Franchise Value Proposition is built to make it easier for franchisees to focus on what matters most – growing their student base, developing great dance instructors and building long-term studio success. From day one, you’ll never dance alone.

As soon as you sign your franchise agreement, you’ll have access to comprehensive pre-opening training and an experienced support team that guides you through every step – from site selection to Grand Opening and well beyond. Ongoing support resources include field operations assistance through Area Directors, proprietary studio management software, a franchisee intranet platform, Arthur Murray App, newsletters and more.

Marketing support is equally robust. Arthur Murray provides national and regional advertising, ad templates, social media support, email marketing and SEO resources for your studio’s digital presence. The Arthur Murray App drives student engagement and loyalty, helping keep your community connected.

One of Arthur Murray’s most powerful student retention tools is its event programming. The internationally recognized Dance-O-Ramas and Superama events give students an opportunity to show their growth in front of the Arthur Murray community, while generating significant studio revenue.

HOW DO ARTHUR MURRAY EVENTS DRIVE STUDIO REVENUE?

Throughout the year, Arthur Murray studios come together for a full calendar of Dance-O-Ramas building toward the brand’s flagship event, Superama. These aren’t just celebrations of dance – they’re a proven business driver built directly into the Arthur Murray model.

• Recurring revenue. Each event creates an opportunity that motivates students to renew and upgrade their lesson packages ahead of the showcase, giving franchisees a predictable, recurring sales cycle.

• Built-in upsell opportunity. Students preparing for an event often add private lessons and group classes to feel ready for the floor, expanding revenue per student.

• Retention by design. Students who perform at a Dance-O-Rama or Superama form deeper ties to their dance instructor and studio community, translating directly into longer student lifetime value.

• Community reinforcement. These events showcase real student transformation – the same confidence and connection that draws people to Arthur Murray initially – functioning as a tangible business driver and creating engagement and community year-round.

HOW MUCH DOES OPENING AN ARTHUR MURRAY FRANCHISE COST?

The franchise fee is $25,000 and the full initial investment ranges from $122,500-$407,625.

These figures include the costs associated with studio build-out, equipment, training and launch marketing. Investment ranges may vary depending on factors such as studio size, location and local market conditions. For detailed information, refer to the 2026 Arthur Murray FDD.

Royalty fees and advertising fund contributions are outlined in FDD Item 6. Each franchise term is renewable. Third-party financing relationships are available to help qualified candidates cover franchise fees, startup costs and equipment expenses.

Since studio investment can vary based on market, size and location, please contact Tony Padulo directly to discuss the likely costs for a studio in your area and determine whether this is the right opportunity for you.

WHAT FRANCHISE TRAINING DOES ARTHUR MURRAY PROVIDE?

Arthur Murray provides comprehensive training to ensure every new franchisee is fully equipped to run a successful studio. All new franchisees complete a dedicated pre-opening training program covering studio operations, the World Famous Arthur Murray® teaching method, student enrollment systems, marketing and business management.

In addition to classroom and on-the-job training, franchisees receive on-site support during their studio launch. Arthur Murray’s training infrastructure continues beyond the Grand Opening – with ongoing field operations support through Area Directors, access to continuing education resources and a global network of experienced franchisees and corporate team members who are invested in your success.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BECOME AN ARTHUR MURRAY FRANCHISEE

Arthur Murray is a 114-year-old dance institution that has shaped the way the world dances – and it’s entering one of the most exciting chapters in its history. In Q4 2025 alone, 32 existing franchisees signed new agreements to expand their Arthur Murray portfolios. When the franchisees who know this brand the best choose to reinvest, that speaks volumes about where Arthur Murray is headed. Arthur Murray also opened a record 26 new studios in the first half of 2026, so the brand is growing fast and strategically.

The ideal Arthur Murray franchisee is an owner-operator with a genuine love for people and community. Business or management experience is helpful but not required, and dance experience is not required. What truly matters is a commitment to building something meaningful – and the drive to lead a studio that becomes an important part of people’s lives, as well as a community hub.

Whether you’re a multi-unit franchisee of a brand looking for another concept you’re deeply passionate about, an executive ready to make a career pivot into ownership or an independent studio operator considering a conversion, Arthur Murray offers a rare combination of legacy, momentum and a passion to bring joy to communities around the world.

Own the floor. Own your future.