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olivLaw · US equity research

Winmark Corporation WINA

Retail-Miscellaneous Retail · SIC 5900 · Vertical: Retail-Miscellaneous Retail (SIC 5900)

277.51USD+3.33% · 1 dayClose 04 Nov 2026

Winmark Corporation is a Minnesota franchisor running five resale brands for second-hand clothing, toys, sporting goods and musical instruments. Its model, built on recurring royalties from over 1,378 franchises, has remained steady, and in 2026 the company is investing in advertising funds and a point-of-sale system upgrade.

At the close of 04 Nov 2026, Winmark Corporation (WINA) stock was 277.51 USD (+3.33% on the day), with market capitalisation 987.7 m USD, P/E 24.8 on diluted EPS of 11.21 USD over the last 12 months, dividend yield 1.15%, beta 0.56, 52-week range 268.56–480.67 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q3 2026): revenue of 27.9 m USD (+23.2% YoY), net income of 11.8 m USD (+6.1% YoY), diluted EPS 3.21 USD.

Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.

Market cap
987.7 m USD
shares as of 12 Oct 2026
P/E (TTM)
24.8
Diluted EPS TTM 11.21 · TTM to 26 Sept 2026
E/P (TTM)
4.04%
TTM to 26 Sept 2026
Dividend yield
1.15%
DPS 12m 3.20
Beta (2y)
0.56
Volatility (1y) 38%
52-week range
268.56480.67

Price history

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Technical reading

RSI (14)
41.4
weak (30–45)
Bollinger (20, 2)
265.77 – 313.25
in the lower half of the band · %B 0.25 · band width 16.4%
SMA 50 / 200
299.78 / 376.04
downtrend (price < SMA50 < SMA200)
MACD (12, 26, 9)
-6.94 / -6.12
MACD below signal

Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).

Performance

CompanyS&P 500vs S&P 500Vertical median
1 month−5.6%−1.1%−4.5 pp—
3 months−23.5%−0.5%−23.0 pp—
6 months−25.3%+4.4%−29.7 pp—
Year to date−31.5%+12.3%−43.8 pp—
1 year−32.9%+13.5%−46.5 pp−24.1%
3 years−34.7%+76.4%−111.1 pp+0.4%
5 years+8.0%+63.7%−55.6 pp—
Max drawdown (1y)
−44.1%
03 Mar 2026 → 03 Nov 2026
Max drawdown (5y)
−48.1%
02 Oct 2025 → 03 Nov 2026
Compound annual growth (5y)
+1.6%
S&P 500 +10.4%

Price returns, dividends excluded.

Quarterly results

Latest quarter: Q3 2026 · 26 Sept 2026

Revenue
27.9 m USD
+23.2% YoY
Net income
11.8 m USD
+6.1% YoY
Diluted EPS
3.21
+6.3% YoY
net / operating
42.4% / 56.6%

Quarterly margins

Quarterly statements · USD

Fiscal yearQ4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25Q4 '25Q1 '26Q2 '26Q3 '26
Revenue19.5 m21.9 m20.4 m22.6 m21.1 m20.8 m22.0 m27.9 m
SG&A6.0 m7.4 m6.6 m7.0 m7.3 m7.9 m7.5 m7.3 m
Operating income12.8 m13.6 m13.1 m14.9 m13.0 m12.4 m13.6 m15.8 m
Interest expense693.6 k613.9 k609.8 k610.3 k612.9 k613.9 k609.8 k610.3 k
Pre-tax income12.4 m13.1 m12.7 m14.6 m12.7 m11.9 m13.2 m15.4 m
Income tax2.8 m3.2 m2.1 m3.5 m2.7 m2.6 m2.8 m3.6 m
Net income9.6 m10.0 m10.6 m11.1 m10.0 m9.3 m10.4 m11.8 m
Diluted EPS2.60 ≈2.712.893.022.69 ≈2.502.813.21
Operating cash flow8.5 m15.1 m9.0 m ≈12.3 m ≈8.5 m11.9 m10.7 m ≈12.9 m ≈
Capex051.2 k54.7 k ≈66.8 k ≈19.6 k14.6 k40.3 k ≈221.8 k ≈
Dividends paid29.7 m3.2 m3.4 m ≈3.4 m ≈39.1 m3.4 m3.7 m ≈3.7 m ≈
Share repurchases—2.2 m168.8 k ≈0 ≈0——8.1 m

≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)

E/P over time

E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.

Today's P/E sits at the 55 percentile of its own 40-quarter history (min 16.4, median 24.1, max 44.8; quarters with earnings only).

Fiscal years

Fiscal year20182019202020212022202320242025
Revenue72.5 m73.3 m66.1 m78.2 m81.4 m83.2 m81.3 m86.1 m
Revenue YoY+3.9%+1.1%−9.9%+18.4%+4.1%+2.3%−2.3%+5.9%
Net income30.1 m32.1 m29.8 m39.9 m39.4 m40.2 m40.0 m41.7 m
Net income YoY+22.6%+6.7%−7.2%+33.9%−1.2%+1.9%−0.6%+4.3%
Diluted EPS7.267.847.7210.4810.9711.0410.8911.30
Diluted EPS YoY+28.3%+8.0%−1.5%+35.8%+4.7%+0.6%−1.4%+3.8%
net %41.5%43.9%45.1%51.0%48.4%48.3%49.2%48.4%
Free cash flow34.2 m50.5 m43.2 m48.3 m43.7 m43.6 m42.0 m44.7 m

Reported results vs expectations

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Balance sheet & financial health

Fiscal year 2025 · 27 Dec 2025

Cash
10.3 m USD
Financial debt
unavailable USD
Net debt
unavailable USD
Equity
-53.7 m USD
Total assets
24.9 m USD
Debt / equity
unavailable
Current ratio
2.49x
ROE
unavailable
ROA
161.0%
FCF margin
51.9%

Financial statements (source on every figure)

Revenue and net income (USD)

Margins

Income statement · USD

Revenue
2023
83.2 m
2024
81.3 m
2025
86.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Cost of revenue
2023
4.5 m
2024
3.4 m
2025
3.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Gross profit
2023
78.8 m ≈
2024
77.9 m ≈
2025
83.0 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026derived

SG&A
2023
25.1 m
2024
24.9 m
2025
28.4 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Operating income
2023
53.3 m
2024
52.9 m
2025
54.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Depreciation & amortisation
2023
772.7 k
2024
799.3 k
2025
746.7 k

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

EBITDA
2023
54.1 m ≈
2024
53.7 m ≈
2025
55.3 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026derived

Interest expense
2023
3.1 m
2024
2.9 m
2025
2.4 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Pre-tax income
2023
51.4 m
2024
51.2 m
2025
53.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Income tax
2023
11.2 m
2024
11.3 m
2025
11.5 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Net income
2023
40.2 m
2024
40.0 m
2025
41.7 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Diluted EPS
2023
11.04
2024
10.89
2025
11.30

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Weighted average diluted shares
2023
3.6 m
2024
3.7 m
2025
3.7 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Dividend per share
2023
3.10
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 28 Feb 2024verified

Balance sheet · USD

Cash
2023
13.4 m
2024
12.2 m
2025
10.3 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Receivables
2023
1.5 m
2024
1.3 m
2025
1.5 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Inventories
2023
386.1 k
2024
397.6 k
2025
362.5 k

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Current assets
2023
16.7 m
2024
15.4 m
2025
14.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Property, plant & equipment, net
2023
1.7 m
2024
1.4 m
2025
1.2 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Goodwill
2023
607.5 k
2024
607.5 k
2025
607.5 k

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Intangibles (excl. goodwill)
2023
3.0 m
2024
2.6 m
2025
2.3 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Total assets
2023
29.0 m
2024
26.8 m
2025
24.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Accounts payable
2023
1.7 m
2024
1.6 m
2025
1.7 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Long-term debt
2023
—
2024
—
2025
—

SEC (XBRL)· 08 Mar 2022verified

Current liabilities
2023
10.5 m
2024
5.1 m
2025
5.7 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Equity
2023
-59.2 m †
2024
-51.0 m †
2025
-53.7 m †

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Cash flow · USD

Operating cash flow
2023
44.0 m
2024
42.2 m
2025
44.9 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Capex
2023
383.9 k
2024
194.9 k
2025
192.3 k

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Free cash flow
2023
43.6 m ≈
2024
42.0 m ≈
2025
44.7 m ≈

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026derived

Investing cash flow
2023
-383.9 k
2024
-194.9 k
2025
-192.3 k

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Financing cash flow
2023
-43.9 m
2024
-43.0 m
2025
-46.6 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Dividends paid
2023
43.7 m
2024
38.9 m
2025
49.1 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Share repurchases
2023
—
2024
—
2025
2.4 m

SEC (XBRL)· 25 Feb 2026verified

Computed indicators

Growth

Revenue growth (YoY)
5.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Revenue CAGR 3Y
1.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Revenue CAGR 5Y
5.4%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EBIT growth (YoY)
3.1%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income growth (YoY)
4.3%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Net income CAGR 3Y
1.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
Net income CAGR 5Y
6.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
EPS growth (YoY)
3.8%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
EPS CAGR 3Y
1.0%
computed by olivLawFY 2022 → FY 2025
EPS CAGR 5Y
7.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2020 → FY 2025
FCF growth (YoY)
6.5%
computed by olivLawFY 2025

Profitability

Gross margin
96.6%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
EBITDA margin
60.5%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
EBIT margin
59.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Net margin
45.1%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
FCF margin
47.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026

Returns

ROE
unavailable
equity is negative: the ratio is not economically meaningful (not by itself insolvency; usually the result of buybacks)
ROA
83.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
ROIC
unavailable
equity is negative: buybacks shrink the invested capital and ROIC would come out large without meaning anything
ROCE
157.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Payout ratio (EPS)
unavailable
input data missing
Payout ratio (FCF)
113.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026

Balance sheet

Net debt
unavailable
input data missing
Net debt / EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
Debt / equity
unavailable
input data missing
Interest coverage
22.4x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026

Liquidity

Current ratio
3.2x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Quick ratio
3.1x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Cash ratio
2.7x
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 26 Sept 2026

Cash

Operating cash flow
44.1 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Capital expenditure
296.3 k USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Free cash flow
43.8 m USD
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
FCF conversion
105.7%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Cash conversion
79.3%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026

Efficiency

Days sales outstanding
8 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Days inventory outstanding
63 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Days payables outstanding
188 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Cash conversion cycle
-117 days
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026

Market and valuation

Market capitalisation
987.7 m USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Enterprise value
unavailable
input data missing
Market cap / net income TTM
23.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
P/E (TTM)
24.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Earnings yield
4.0%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
P/B
unavailable
equity is negative: the ratio is not economically meaningful (not by itself insolvency; usually the result of buybacks)
P/S
10.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
EV/EBIT
unavailable
input data missing
EV/Sales
unavailable
input data missing
P/FCF
22.6x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
FCF yield
4.4%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
Dividend yield
1.2%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Shareholder yield (distributions)
5.9%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026 · balance sheet at 26 Sept 2026

1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.

Valuation

olivLaw classification

Neutral profile

Score: 57 / 100

A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.

Closing price

277.51 USD

04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series

Market cap: 987.7 m USD

Key indicators

Market capitalisation
987.7 m USD
computed by olivLawbalance sheet at 26 Sept 2026
P/E (TTM)
24.8x
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
P/B
unavailable
equity is negative: the ratio is not economically meaningful (not by itself insolvency; usually the result of buybacks)
EV/EBITDA
unavailable
input data missing
ROE
unavailable
equity is negative: the ratio is not economically meaningful (not by itself insolvency; usually the result of buybacks)
Net margin
45.1%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026
Revenue growth (YoY)
5.9%
computed by olivLawFY 2025
Dividend yield
1.2%
computed by olivLawTTM to 26 Sept 2026

Coverage and freshness

33/37 reporting lines present
Latest full fiscal year: 2025
Latest reported period: 26 Sept 2026
Latest balance sheet date: 26 Sept 2026
Share count (cover of the latest filing), as of: 12 Oct 2026
Source: SEC (XBRL)published 14 Oct 2026
verified 2300derived 184

Score by group

  • Valuation47
  • Balance sheet100
  • Quality100
  • Growth11
  • Returns54

Estimated value range

Low
94.00
USD per share
Mid
124.32
USD per share
High
204.11
USD per share
Price: 277.51 USD
The price is above the range
Potential to the central value: -55.2% (value / price − 1)
Margin of safety: -123.2% (1 − price / value)
Agreement between methods: low · 2 methods used · 2 independent bases

The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 40.74 – 353.44 USD.

Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.

Method ranges (USD per share)

— — Mid · ▏ Price

Valuation methods

  • DCF (discounted cash flow)unavailable · net debt missing: EV cannot be bridged to equity (missing debt is not zero)
  • Peers: EV/EBITDAunavailable · net debt missing: EV cannot be bridged to equity (missing debt is not zero)
  • Peers: P/E147.27 – 353.44 (Mid 201.91)
    4 companies used · median multiple 18.0x · quartiles 13.1x – 31.5x
    EZPW, FCFS, SPH, SVV
  • Dividend discount (DDM)40.74 – 54.78 (Mid 46.73)
Multiple comparisons use the SIC vertical: Retail-Miscellaneous Retail (SIC 5900)

Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.

Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)

Risk-free rate
4.3%
Equity risk premium
5.0%
Beta (default)
1.00
Cost of equity
9.3%
Terminal growth
2.5%

Factor scorecard

Neutral profile · Score 57/100

FactorValueScoreWeight used
ROIC · Qualityunavailableunavailable—
Net margin · Quality45.1%100 (vs peers)9%
FCF conversion · Quality105.7%100 (on a fixed band)9%
Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth1.9%16 (on a fixed band)12%
EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth1.0%7 (on a fixed band)12%
Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheetunavailableunavailable—
Interest coverage · Balance sheet22.4x100 (on a fixed band)9%
Current ratio · Balance sheet3.2x100 (on a fixed band)6%
P/E (TTM) · Valuation24.8x40 (vs peers)15%
EV/EBITDA · Valuationunavailableunavailable—
FCF yield · Valuation4.4%55 (on a fixed band)12%
Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns5.9%84 (on a fixed band)9%
Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns113.9%9 (on a fixed band)6%

Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.

Score groups

  • Balance sheet100/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
  • Growth11/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
  • Quality100/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
  • Returns54/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
  • Valuation47/100 · 2/3 factors with a value

Memo

WINMARK CORPORATION (WINA). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-09-26.

Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 86.1 m USD in 2025; YoY growth 5.9%; net margin 45.1%.

The estimated value range is 94.00–204.11 USD per share (median of 2 methods, agreement: low); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 124.32 USD, the price of 277.51 USD leaves a potential of -55.2% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -123.2% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.

olivLaw score 57/100, methodological classification: neutral profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Not investment advice.

Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.

What supports the thesis

  • Net margin: 45.1%
  • FCF conversion: 105.7%
  • Interest coverage: 22.4x
  • Current ratio: 3.2x
  • Shareholder yield (distributions): 5.9%

What contradicts it

  • Revenue CAGR 3Y: 1.9%
  • EPS CAGR 3Y: 1.0%
  • Payout ratio (FCF): 113.9%
  • The price is above the estimated value range
  • The valuation methods diverge

Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): ROIC, Net debt / EBITDA, EV/EBITDA.

Versus the vertical median

Retail-Miscellaneous Retail (SIC 5900) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 12 companies

Multiples and returns vs the median

P/E
24.8x
vertical median 20.9x
above median (+18.2%)
EV/EBITDA
—
vertical median 9.7x
P/S
10.8x
vertical median 0.9x
above median (+1,157.4%)
P/B
—
vertical median 3.2x
ROE
—
vertical median -2.8%
Net margin
45.1%
vertical median -0.6%
above median
EBIT margin
59.7%
vertical median 1.4%
above median (+4,125.2%)
Revenue YoY
5.9%
vertical median 7.9%
below median (−26.1%)
Net debt/EBITDA
—
vertical median 3.6x
Dividend yield
1.2%
vertical median 0.4%
above median (+165.4%)

Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)

Companies in the vertical

Market capP/EROENet marginRevenue YoY1A / 3A
FCFSFirstcash Holdings, Inc.8.3 bn20.918.2%9.5%+8.0%+22% / +73%
REALTheRealReal, Inc.1.7 bn——-1.4%+15.4%−6% / +500%
SVVSavers Value Village, Inc.1.5 bn63.35.7%1.4%unavailable+10% / −33%
SPHSuburban Propane Partners LP1.1 bn7.3—9.4%+7.9%−12% / +0%
WINAWinmark Corporation987.7 m24.8—45.1%+5.9%−33% / −35%
TMSTeamshares Inc344.7 m—-6.7%—unavailable−54% / unavailable
PLBYPlayboy, Inc.164.1 m609.512.4%0.2%+4.1%−29% / +161%
LIVELIVE VENTURES Inc22.9 m—-2.8%-0.6%−5.9%−19% / −70%
WBUYWebuy Global Ltd1.3 m—-160.3%-45.3%−63.0%−66% / −100%
NEXRNexera Technologies Ltd62.0 k—-43.2%-21.8%+23.0%−100% / −100%
EZPWEzcorp, Inc.—15.114.7%10.0%+9.7%+53% / +260%
WSHPWeShop Holdings Ltd——-946.5%-14,972.7%−67.3%−98% / unavailable
POMPOMDOCTOR Ltd———-32.7%unavailable−98% / unavailable

1- and 3-year price returns: for WINA from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.

olivLaw engine forecast

The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.

The engine has no published run for this company yet.

Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)

Illustrative scenarios

Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.

Bear
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Base
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Bull
Allowed range: -50 … 50%
Allowed range: -100 … 100%
Allowed range: 0 … 100
Allowed range: -10 … 20%
Allowed range: 0 … 100%
Nothing is saved.

Estimated price (USD)

Estimated priceBearBaseBull
1 years
165.81
Total return -40% · Per year -40%
293.52
Total return 6% · Per year 6%
442.65
Total return 60% · Per year 60%
3 years
152.52
Total return -45% · Per year -18%
304.58
Total return 10% · Per year 3%
505.53
Total return 82% · Per year 22%
5 years
140.29
Total return -49% · Per year -13%
316.06
Total return 14% · Per year 3%
577.34
Total return 108% · Per year 16%
What moves the 3-year price the most
  • Exit P/E± 76.15
  • Net margin± 53.30
  • Annual revenue growth± 44.89
  • Annual dilution± 4.48

AI analysis

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

In brief

Winmark Corporation is a Minnesota franchisor running five resale brands for second-hand clothing, toys, sporting goods and musical instruments. Its model, built on recurring royalties from over 1,378 franchises, has remained steady, and in 2026 the company is investing in advertising funds and a point-of-sale system upgrade.

SWOT

Strengths

  • A franchise model with low capital needs and recurring royalty revenue that produces high operating margins 2.
  • Very high franchise renewal rates, which confirm the network's attachment to the brands 12.
  • A portfolio of five resale brands with recognition across several product categories 1.

Weaknesses

  • Dependence on a large base of independent franchisees that the company can support but cannot directly control 1.
  • Core operations depend on the availability of used merchandise, which can be irregular and hard to forecast 1.
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses have at times grown faster than revenue, weighing on margins 12.

Opportunities

  • North American advertising funds could raise brand visibility and draw more customers into franchisee stores 23.
  • Opening new franchises in available territories could support growth in royalty revenue 1.
  • Modernizing the point-of-sale system and online sales through the network could expand franchisee sales channels 13.

Threats

  • Competition from online used-goods platforms and discount retailers could reduce franchisees' market share 1.
  • Adverse macroeconomic conditions could make it harder for prospective franchisees to obtain financing and reduce openings 1.
  • State and federal rules on franchising and secondhand goods could raise compliance costs 1.

Risks

  • Dependence on franchise renewalshigh

    A significant number of franchise agreements not being renewed would materially affect financial performance, and management considers renewal essential to long-term success 1.

  • Point-of-sale system modernizationhigh

    Replacing or significantly modifying the mandatory point-of-sale system could disrupt franchisee operations and brand reputation if the rollout is poorly executed 1.

  • Reliance on used merchandise supplymedium

    Franchisees depend on a continuing supply of used goods from the public, which is not assured and may be limited by product safety rules 1.

  • Indebtedness and covenantsmedium

    The credit line, term loan and note facilities impose operating restrictions and financial tests; failing to comply could lead to acceleration of the debt 1.

  • Data securitymedium

    Security systems at the company and its franchisees could be breached, which could lead to financial losses, litigation and reputational harm 1.

Investment thesis

What would need to be true (bull case)

  • Rising royalties and near-complete franchise renewals point to recurring revenue, if franchisee sales keep growing 12.
  • The launch of advertising funds and technology investment could reignite network growth, especially if the new campaigns perform 23.
  • A low-capital structure and high profitability give the company room to return cash to shareholders if financial conditions remain favorable 2.

What would break the thesis

  • Rising overhead and investment in marketing and technology could erode margins if revenue does not grow fast enough 12.
  • Online competition and large retailers could limit franchisee sales growth, weighing on the royalty base 1.
  • If the point-of-sale upgrade or the advertising campaigns run into trouble, relations with franchisees could suffer and openings could slow 13.

What to watch

  • Franchisee retail sales growth and royalty trends compared with the prior yearQ4 2026
  • Results of the first Plato’s Closet advertising fund campaigns and the reporting of related costsQ4 2026
  • Trend in selling, general and administrative expenses and operating margin amid technology investment2027

Products, market & competition

AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.

The business

The franchise model gives franchisees training, operational support, specialized point-of-sale systems and access to centralized purchasing, in exchange for franchise fees and royalties generally ranging from 4% to 5% of gross sales 1. The business is not capital intensive, which management says is designed to generate consistent, recurring revenue and strong operating margins 2.

Segments

Other (equipment leasing)

The non-reportable segment comprises the equipment leasing business, which has been run off since May 2021; the portfolio was fully wound down by December 27, 2025, and 2025 leasing income was largely driven by the settlement of customer litigation 1.

Market context

Demand for value-priced and second-hand goods remains relevant to the model, but it depends on a supply of used merchandise from the public that may be irregular, as well as on the regulatory framework for secondhand dealers 1.

Trends

  • Royalty growth from higher salestailwind

    Royalties grew in 2025 and in the first nine months of 2026, which the company attributes to higher franchise retail sales and additional stores 12. If this continues, it could support the company's recurring revenue.

  • Investment in advertising and technologymixed

    Management describes a long history of underinvestment in marketing and has launched advertising funds and a point-of-sale modernization, which could raise brand visibility but also adds costs and execution risk 231.

  • Pressure from personnel and operating costsheadwind

    Selling, general and administrative expenses rose in 2025 and 2026, mainly from compensation and investments in technology and marketing, which could compress operating margins if revenue does not grow in step 12.

Competitive position

Winmark's franchisees compete with specialty apparel stores, large discount retailers, local sporting goods and musical instrument stores, and online marketplaces for used goods 1. Competition from online platforms and from brands reselling their own used items is cited as a growing threat 1.

Competition for prospective franchisees is also intense, and the company compares itself with other franchise companies on initial investment, franchise fee, royalty rate, profitability and franchisor services 1.

  • Dick’s Sporting GoodsDKS

    Large sporting goods retailer named by the company as a competitor for Play It Again Sports 1.

  • Academy Sports & OutdoorsASO

    Sporting goods and outdoor retailer named as a competitor for Play It Again Sports 1.

  • Guitar Center

    Musical instrument retailer that competes with Music Go Round 1.

  • eBayEBAY

    Online marketplace for new and used goods that the company sees as competing with its franchisees 1.

News & filings

In the press

No news in our archive over the last 180 days.

SEC filings

Sources

  1. [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-27 · SEC / Winmark Corporation · 25 Feb 2026
  2. [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-09-26 · SEC / Winmark Corporation · 14 Oct 2026
  3. [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / Winmark Corporation · 14 Oct 2026

Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.