WINA
Consumer CyclicalWinmark Corporation · Apparel - Footwear & Accessories · $1B
What is Winmark Corporation?
Winmark Corporation is a Minneapolis-based franchisor of secondhand retail concepts operating across the United States and Canada. Its asset-light model generates revenue by licensing proven resale brands to independent franchise owners.
Winmark earns franchise fees and royalties from store owners who operate under its branded resale concepts. A smaller leasing segment provides middle-market equipment financing focused on technology and business-essential equipment. Because Winmark does not own or operate the retail stores itself, its cost structure stays lean while royalty income scales with franchisee sales.
Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Winmark has spent decades building a portfolio of resale franchise brands.
- Plato's Closet – teen and young adult used clothing and accessories
- Once Upon A Child – children's clothing, toys, furniture, and gear
- Play It Again Sports – used and new sporting goods and equipment
- Style Encore – women's used apparel and accessories
- Music Go Round – used and new musical instruments and audio equipment
Is WINA a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WINA as Good overall, reflecting a business with genuine strengths and a few areas worth watching.
The Quality and Risk pillars both register as Good, consistent with Winmark's capital-light franchise structure and historically steady cash generation. The business carries relatively low operational complexity compared with traditional retailers.
Growth scores as Weak, suggesting limited near-term expansion momentum, while Valuation comes in as Elevated — meaning the market may already be pricing in the company's quality characteristics.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WINA pay dividends?
Yes — Winmark Corporation pays a dividend.
Winmark pays a regular dividend, which aligns with its cash-generative franchise model. The company's asset-light structure leaves room to return capital to shareholders. Income-oriented investors often look to WINA for its dividend consistency, though the Elevated Valuation pillar is worth factoring into any yield-focused analysis.
When does WINA report earnings?
Winmark Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
The franchise and leasing segments together drive Winmark's reported results each quarter. Given the Weak Growth pillar rating, recent top-line expansion has been modest relative to broader sector peers. Royalty income tied to franchisee performance remains the primary revenue driver.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Winmark Corporation's investor relations page directly.
WINA Price History
+140.3% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Winmark Corporation?
Based on Winmark Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
WINA Long-term Outlook
Winmark's fundamental outlook reflects a mature, stable franchise network rather than a high-growth story. The Good Risk pillar suggests the business is well-positioned to weather economic softness, partly because resale retail tends to attract budget-conscious shoppers during downturns. However, the Weak Growth pillar indicates that meaningful revenue acceleration is not clearly visible in the current profile.
Growth drivers
- Resilient consumer demand for secondhand and value-oriented retail
- Potential for incremental franchisee additions across existing brand concepts
- Steady royalty income tied to franchisee network performance
Key risks
- Elevated Valuation leaves limited margin of safety if growth disappoints
- Weak Growth pillar signals limited near-term expansion catalysts
- Macroeconomic shifts affecting discretionary consumer spending at franchise locations
WINA vs Peers
Winmark operates in the consumer cyclical space, though its pure-franchise resale model differs meaningfully from traditional footwear and apparel brands.
Wolverine designs and markets branded footwear globally, carrying a heavier inventory and manufacturing footprint than Winmark's asset-light franchise approach.
Steven Madden focuses on fashion footwear and accessories sold through wholesale and retail channels, with brand-driven demand rather than a resale or franchise model.
Caleres operates both branded footwear and retail store chains, giving it direct consumer exposure that contrasts with Winmark's royalty-based revenue structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Winmark Corporation do?
Winmark franchises a network of resale retail stores under five brand names — Plato's Closet, Once Upon A Child, Play It Again Sports, Style Encore, and Music Go Round. It collects franchise fees and royalties rather than operating stores directly. A smaller leasing segment finances technology and business equipment for middle-market clients.
Does WINA pay dividends?
Yes, Winmark pays a regular dividend. The company's capital-light franchise model generates consistent cash flow, which supports ongoing shareholder distributions. Investors should review the current dividend rate and payment schedule on Winmark's investor relations page, as terms can change.
When does WINA report earnings?
Winmark reports on a standard quarterly cadence. For precise dates of upcoming earnings releases, check the company's investor relations page or a financial calendar service, as specific dates are subject to change.
Is WINA a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates WINA as Good overall. Quality and Risk pillars are both Good, reflecting the franchise model's stability. However, the Growth pillar is Weak and Valuation is Elevated, which are factors worth weighing carefully. The complete pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is WINA overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for WINA is rated Elevated, suggesting the stock may be priced at a premium relative to its fundamentals. This does not automatically make it a poor holding, but it does mean there is less room for error if business performance softens.
How does WINA compare to its competitors?
Winmark's pure-franchise, asset-light structure sets it apart from peers like Wolverine World Wide, Steven Madden, and Caleres, which carry inventory and operate traditional retail or wholesale channels. Winmark's revenue is primarily royalty-based, making its cost profile and risk characteristics quite different from those brands.
What is WINA's market cap bracket?
Winmark Corporation is classified as a small-cap company. This means it has a smaller market capitalization than large- or mega-cap peers, which can affect liquidity and volatility characteristics that investors should factor into their analysis.
Who founded Winmark Corporation?
Winmark Corporation was founded in 1993. Detailed founding history, including the names of its founders, is publicly available through the company's official communications and widely accessible business databases.
Is WINA a long-term quality indicator?
As a long-term quality indicator, WINA's Good UQS Score reflects a stable franchise business with manageable risk. The Weak Growth pillar and Elevated Valuation are the primary factors that temper the long-term quality picture. Pro members can view the full pillar breakdown to assess durability over time.
What is the main competitive advantage of Winmark Corporation?
Winmark's primary advantage is its asset-light franchise model. By collecting royalties rather than owning inventory or store locations, it avoids much of the operational risk that traditional retailers face. The resale concept also benefits from consumer interest in value-oriented shopping, which can hold up relatively well across economic cycles.
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Pro Analysis
WINA — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 53.3 | 73.3 | 58.0 | 23.9 | 70.5 | 33.9 | -1.0 |
| May 7, 2026 | 54.3 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 23.9 | 79.1 | 33.1 | +0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 54.2 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 23.9 | 79.1 | 32.9 | +0.4 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 53.8 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 23.9 | 79.1 | 29.6 | -0.1 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 53.9 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 23.9 | 79.1 | 30.9 | -0.9 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 54.8 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 25.5 | 79.1 | 34.4 | +0.5 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 54.3 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 25.5 | 79.1 | 31.3 | -1.2 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 55.5 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 25.5 | 79.1 | 39.1 | +0.6 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 54.9 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 25.5 | 79.1 | 35.1 | -0.3 |
| Apr 5, 2026 | 55.2 | 72.6 | 58.0 | 25.5 | 79.1 | 37.1 | +0.1 |
WINA — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 73.3/100 (25%)Winmark Corporation shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 23.9/100 (20%)Winmark Corporation faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 70.5/100 (15%)Winmark Corporation maintains a reasonable risk profile with manageable debt levels.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 33.9/100 (15%)Winmark Corporation appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 58/100 (25%)Winmark Corporation has meaningful competitive advantages that should protect its market position. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WINA.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the WINA UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Winmark Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Winmark Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Winmark Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.