Indiana Location Marks Growth Milestone For Fast-Expanding Hobby Retail And Sports Card Shop Franchise
- Replay Sports Cards franchise signed its first franchise agreement with partners Josh Stigdon and Jason Buckel in Seymour, Indiana.
- The company is expanding its modern sports card shop franchise beyond its three existing corporate locations.
- Replay Sports Cards franchise combines retail, trading, events and online sales to create a full-service collector experience.
- The brand’s community-first mission includes Replay Gives Back, which donates millions of sports cards to children in need.
Building on the success of its modern approach to the traditional trading card shop, Replay Sports Cards, the first sports card shop franchise in America, has signed its initial franchise agreement. Replay’s new franchise partners Josh Stigdon and Jason Buckel will open a shop in Seymour, Indiana, joining three company-owned stores in North Carolina, Florida and Colorado.
“Signing our first franchisees is a landmark moment for Replay,” says Brent Schepel, cofounder of Replay Sports Cards. “From the beginning, our goal was to build a concept that could grow nationally while still feeling like your neighborhood card shop. Josh and Jason embody that vision. They’re passionate about the hobby, dedicated to their community and absolutely committed to delivering the Replay experience at the highest level.”
A Community-Based Business
Creating comfortable spaces where collectors of all ages can connect is a crucial part of the Replay Sports Cards franchise business model, with stores hosting beginner-friendly activities along with events geared toward more experienced collectors and investors. Knowledgeable staff members build long-term relationships by guiding new collectors and helping them learn the fundamentals of the hobby, converting them into loyal customers.
“Our vision is for this Replay location to become a true hub for the community,” says Buckel. “We want parents hanging out with their kids, trade nights that bring people together and events that make everyone — from the brand-new collector to the seasoned hobbyist — feel welcome.”
Although much of the brand’s business centers on the stores themselves, the company is not limited by the physical footprint of its locations. Collectors and investors can buy, sell, trade and grade sports cards with Replay at sporting events and at major card shows nationwide. The online marketplace provides another important revenue stream. Customers can buy from the company’s e-commerce site and at multiple auctions live-streamed weekly on the WhatNot shopping app. The blend of retail, trading and live events offers a full-service experience and encourages customers to keep coming back.
The Modern Card Shop
“It feels incredible to be Replay’s first franchisees,” says Stigdon. “When we discovered Replay, we saw a brand that had already done the hard work of figuring out what a modern card shop should be. The systems, support and brand reputation give us a huge head start, and we’re thrilled to bring that to our community.”
Replay’s management has spent years refining the company’s business model, from shop design to product mix to customer service, says Mike Martin, cofounder of the Replay Sports Cards franchise. “Seeing that work culminate in our first franchise agreement is incredibly exciting,” he says. “Josh and Jason understand what makes Replay special, and we know they’ll create a shop that feels like home for collectors and families across the area.”
Their launch also comes at a great time. The sports trading card world is booming, driven by both investors and people who love the nostalgia of collecting. Many customers are looking to reconnect with childhood memories while enjoying a more modern experience. The global sports trading card market topped $12 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to more than $23 billion by 2031, according to Verified Market Research. Replay fits right into that growth by blending a fresh retail concept with a hobby people have loved for generations.
Part of what sets Replay Sports Cards apart is its commitment to supporting the community, particularly through its Replay Gives Back program. The donation program has distributed millions of sports cards to children who otherwise would not have any. Community engagement is already a priority for the new franchise owners in Indiana. “We plan to partner with local schools, teams and organizations so that Replay is woven into the fabric of Seymour,” says Buckel.
The Replay Sports Card Shop Franchise Opportunity
To help franchise owners succeed, Replay provides comprehensive training, ongoing support and access to key industry relationships. In addition, the company’s dynamic marketing and technology-driven operational systems simplify the process of selling, both in the store and online.
The digital market is helping to fuel a surge of interest in sports cards, as they have become easier to buy and sell than ever before and have gained exposure to a wider audience. Many new collectors seek sports cards as an alternative form of investment, and the cards have become a major category within the collectibles market. For other people, though, the interest in sports cards is at least partially rooted in nostalgia. “I grew up collecting, and now I get to share that same excitement with my kids,” says Stigdon.
Replay is looking for partners for its sports card shop franchise who share that passion for collecting sports cards and have a community-first mindset.
“We founded Replay to modernize the local card shop experience while keeping the heart of collecting alive,” said Mike Weinberger, cofounder and president of Franchising for Replay Sports Cards. “Josh and Jason are exactly the kind of franchise partners we want to grow with—experienced, values-driven, and genuinely excited about serving their community. Their shop is a defining first step in building a national network of Replay shops that collectors can trust, owned and operated by people from their own community.”
Visit the Replay Sports Card Shop Franchise website to learn more.
