Pearle Vision
Retail & Consumer Goods · Specialty Retail
- Active units
- 441
- Royalty
- 7.0%
Franchised, year-end 2024
of weekly Net Sales
About Pearle Vision
Pearle Vision is a renowned eyewear retailer and eyecare provider in the United States. The company was founded by Dr. Stanley Pearle in 1961 in Savannah, Georgia. It offered prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses, along with comprehensive eye exams, in a convenient and customer-focused environment. Today, Pearle Vision has its headquarters in Mason, Ohio. Pearle Vision is primarily known for its wide range of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Their product offerings include eyeglass frames for men, women, and children, as well as a diverse selection of lens materials, coatings, and treatments to cater to individual needs. In addition to retail services, Pearle Vision provides eye exams conducted by their team of experienced optometrists to ensure optimal eye health. While Pearle Vision primarily operates in the United States, it has a global presence through a network of licensed stores. These licensed stores are independently owned and operated, following Pearle Vision's established standards and protocols, which maintain consistency in the products and services provided. Pearle Vision is focused on fostering strong relationships with its Licensees and supporting them through training, marketing, and operational assistance. Pearle Vision does not have any noteworthy subsidiaries, joint ventures, or partnerships on a global scale. In terms of its market position and competition, Pearle Vision faces competition from other eyewear retailers such as LensCrafters and Eye Care Centers of America. Despite this, Pearle Vision has established itself as a trusted brand known for its quality products and personalized eyecare services. In recent years, Pearle Vision has continued to evolve and grow. They have introduced innovative technological advancements to their eye exams, such as digital retinal imaging and optical coherence tomography. These advancements allow for a more comprehensive assessment of eye health. As of the latest available information, Pearle Vision continues to expand its footprint within the United States and internationally. It remains committed to providing exceptional eyecare services and a wide selection of eyewear products to its customers.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$30k
- Incentive Programs
May decrease Initial Franchise Fee, marketing fund contributions, certain start-up costs, or royalties; programs may change or be discontinued
- Brand fund
8.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
2.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
1,750 – 2,400 sq ft
- Limited Exclusive Development Agreement
$10k
- Non-Exclusive Development Agreement
$10k
- Limited Exclusive Development Agreement (maximum commitment)
$200k
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2025, 2026.
Growth
- Total locations424
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings—
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate-3.9%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR-2.4%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio—
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)$922
Item 19 cohort year 2025
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin24.2%
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment—
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
- Time to open11 months
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
↓ Lower is better - Royalty rate—
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
- Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.