Sponsored content by Arthur Murray Dance Studios.

Arthur Murray Dance Studios has been the name in ballroom and social dance for 114 years. With more than 320 locations across 19 countries, it’s the world’s largest dance studio franchise and one of the most storied brands in the history of franchising. Now, for the first time, qualified candidates from outside the Arthur Murray system can join it, and the category has never been stronger.

Consumers are increasingly spending on experiences over goods, and experience-based, community-driven businesses are among the most resilient in franchising today. Social and ballroom dance sits squarely in that category – and Arthur Murray has led it for more than a century.

A Business Model Built on Student Retention

Arthur Murray’s revenue is driven by long-term student relationships. Students enroll in programs, develop skills, build community inside their local studio and return – many of them for months or even years. High retention drives recurring revenue, and recurring revenue creates the unit economics that support multi-unit expansion over time.

The model also carries low overhead. Arthur Murray is built around people and programming, not product or supply chain complexity. What drives performance is the quality of dance instruction, strength of the studio community and an operator’s ability to run a disciplined, people-first business. Social and ballroom dance is community-driven, and students come for enjoyment, connection, to learn and celebrate life’s milestones.

Existing Franchisees Are Reinvesting

One of the clearest signals of a healthy franchise system is when existing owners choose to expand. In Q4 2025, Arthur Murray franchisees signed 32 new franchise agreements, and the brand followed that momentum by opening 15 studios in Q1 2026 – the most in brand history. These are experienced studio operators who know the model, understand the business and believe in the brand’s direction, and they’re growing.

That level of franchisee confidence reflects more than strong studio performance. It indicates trust in leadership and belief in the long-term development and brand vision. For candidates evaluating from the outside, this is one of the clearest examples of brand growth and franchisee success.

New Opportunities for Candidates Outside the System

Historically, Arthur Murray franchise ownership was limited to operators inside the system. That has now changed. New development and conversion opportunities are available to qualified candidates from outside the system for the first time in brand history.

For independent dance studio owners, converting is particularly compelling.

It means bringing a legacy global brand with international awareness, a refreshed Franchise Value Proposition and a complete support infrastructure to a business that is already operating and locally established. For new development candidates, markets across the country and internationally are available to operators ready to bring a new studio to their community.

A Modernized System Behind an Iconic Brand

Arthur Murray’s franchise opportunity has been purpose-built to support the brand’s next phase of growth. More resources are now available for franchisees than at any prior point in the brand’s history, with a concentrated focus on pricing and revenue optimization, marketing and lead generation, operational consistency and instructor recruitment and development.

The result is a franchise system where the infrastructure works harder for every studio owner who fully engages with it, and where the brand name opens doors from day one.

For franchise candidates seeking a people-driven business with a recurring revenue model, low overhead and a brand that has been trusted by students for over a century, Arthur Murray represents a rare business opportunity.

Please visit arthurmurray.com/franchising to learn more about franchising with Arthur Murray and to connect with the development team.