City Lifestyle Franchise
Imagine this: running your own business, making an impact in your community, and still having time for what matters most—City Lifestyle offers a proven system to do just that.
$30,000
$10,000
212
2020
Kansas City,MO
Steven Schowengerdt
About City Lifestyle
At City Lifestyle, we empower driven professionals to own and operate luxury community publications — no prior publishing experience is required. With comprehensive training, ongoing support, and a proven business model, we set you up for success.
Recognized by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., City Lifestyle connects local businesses and affluent readers with an 82% read rate, reaching over 6.5 million readers monthly.
As a franchisee, you’ll build a respected local brand while enjoying:
- Work-Life Balance – Set your own schedule and run a business on your terms.
- Financial Stability & Residual Income – Benefit from recurring revenue and uncapped earning potential.
- Community Impact – Support local businesses while curating high-quality content.
Join 200+ successful publishers who have turned their passion for business and community into a thriving, flexible career.
Franchise Unit Trends & Revenue
212
50
$575,063
* in 2024
Franchise Fees
$10,000
7.0%
Advertising Value
0.0%
Why Choose City Lifestyle?
Since 2009, City Lifestyle has grown to over 200 locations, making it one of the fastest-growing luxury publication franchises in the U.S. We offer a unique and highly attractive business opportunity, combining the benefits of entrepreneurship with strong corporate support.
Proven Success & Support
- Comprehensive training — no industry experience required
- Structured training, dedicated sales coaching, marketing resources, CRM, and ongoing corporate support.
Impact & Community
- Cultivate local connections and tell meaningful stories.
- Support businesses and organizations in your area.
Financial & Lifestyle Benefits
- Earn even when you’re not actively working
- Set your schedule and achieve work-life balance
- Uncapped earning potential
With a low barrier to entry, a high potential for earnings, and a business model that combines flexibility with impact, City Lifestyle is the smart choice for entrepreneurs ready to take control of their future
Starting Costs & Investment Requirements
$10,000 - $50,000
$50,000
$30,000
Training & Support
At City Lifestyle, we set you up for success from day one with comprehensive training and ongoing support designed to help you launch, grow, and scale your business.
Initial Training
- Comprehensive Onboarding: A step-by-step training program covering sales, marketing, and business operations.
- Sales & Marketing Strategies: Proven techniques to attract advertisers and build strong community relationships.
- Business Coaching: One-on-one guidance to help you establish a strong foundation for your magazine.
Ongoing Support
- Dedicated Home Office Team
- Marketing & Advertising Resources: Ready-to-use materials and best practices.
- Peer Network & Community: Automatically have access to 200+ successful publishers who share insights, strategies, and encouragement.
- Continued Learning & Growth: Regular webinars, workshops, and updates.
With a strong support system and a proven model, you’ll never be in business alone. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
History
City Lifestyle launched its first magazine in September 2009, at a time when many were facing uncertainty. Amid an economic downturn, our founders Steven and Matt saw an opportunity to bring hope and inspiration to communities through uplifting, locally focused content. The magazine quickly became more than just a publication — it became a source of joy and connection that people eagerly anticipated each month.
For over 12 years, City Lifestyle has been building on this vision, focusing on connecting people to their communities and helping local businesses thrive. What started as a single magazine has grown into a nationwide network of over 200 locations, proving that their vision wasn’t just possible — it was scalable. From its humble beginnings, City Lifestyle has expanded into cities across the nation, each magazine reflecting the unique spirit and character of its community.
As we continue to expand, our mission remains the same: empowering local leaders, making meaningful connections, and helping communities flourish — one magazine at a time.
Ideal Candidate
At City Lifestyle, we’re looking for highly driven professionals passionate about community, business, and growth. Our most successful franchisees share these key qualities:
You’re ambitious. You have an entrepreneurial mindset, big ambitions, and the motivation to build a thriving business.
You’re a connector. You thrive on building relationships, supporting local businesses, and becoming a trusted leader in your community.
You want to own something. Sales, marketing, and networking excite you. You understand the value of strong branding, and you’re eager to grow a profitable business.
You’re passionate about impact. You care about making a difference — whether it’s helping local businesses grow or bringing people together through meaningful content.
You’re open to growth. No publishing experience? No problem. You’re ready to embrace our proven system, follow a successful model, and become part of a network of 200+ franchise owners
This web site and the franchise sales information on this site do not constitute an offer to sell a franchise. The offer of a franchise can only be made through the delivery of a franchise disclosure document. Certain states require that we register the franchise disclosure document in those states. The communications on this web site are not directed by us to the residents of any of states. Moreover, we will not offer or sell franchises in those states until we have registered the franchise (or obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and delivered the franchise disclosure document to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law.
During the calendar year ended December 31, 2024, the average gross sales of the 28 publishers in the top quartile of publishers with a single magazine was $575,063. Of those 28 publishers, 13 publishers (46%) met or exceeded the average gross sales for the top quartile, which ranged from $964,638 to $435,896. The average gross sales of the 29 publishers in the bottom quartile of all publishers with a single magazine was $238,521. There is no assurance, however, that you will do as well. See Item 19 of the FDD for more information.