Having conquered Buenos Aires, Barbie is looking to go out with new suitors and franchisees.

The first official Barbie Store in the world opened in Buenos Aires in 2007 aimed at winning the hearts of girls aged 3-12 and simultaneously the credit cards of doting parents. The first location in Palermo was such a hit, a second location opened in BA’s Unicenter Galleria. Barbie then grabbed her passport and flew her pink G5 to Mexico City, Lima and Montevideo to open her first stores outside of Argentina.

Now the BA-based team behind the Barbie Store is ready to replicate their unique concept of “fashiontainment” around the globe using a franchise model. According to Rosario’s ON24, the store’s target market is young girls but many times the mothers are the ones who are the most excited about at trip to the Barbie Store which features dolls, clothing, merchandise aimed at adults, the House of Barbie, and a Beauty Salon for manicures and pedicures.

The Montevideo store which opened in 2011 was the first Barbie Store franchise, and now the founders are eyeing expansion to the interior of Argentina. “The brand has established itself as leader in fashion for girls, and the business model is mature enough that we can grow it in smaller formats across the country, without neglecting the concept of retail experience that makes our stores unique,” explains Pebly Garica, CEO of Barbie Stores.

Opening a 1,000 to 2,000 square foot Barbie Store franchise requires an initial investment of approximately US$150,000 to $200,000 including store furnishings, initial inventory and working capital for the first 6 months. (Full Story in Spanish)

For more information about franchise opportunities in Argentina and Uruguay, download the new issue of InvestBA Privada.