Bricks & Minifigs started as a dream in 2003 when David Ortiz thought there should be a better way to buy, sell, and trade LEGO items while being a stay-at-home father of twin boys. He knew that if there was a safe place for families to buy, sell and trade LEGO product that it would be a success. In 2009 he met John Masek, who had spent most of his life working in and running stores for some of the largest names in retail. John had recently started selling LEGO online, and as it happened the two men stumbled into a bidding war with each other over a large LEGO collection for sale. Instead of fighting, they decided to begin working together to split the collection. Shortly afterwards they started drafting plans for the future, combining David s knowledge and John s retail experience to create what is now Bricks & Minifigs. They opened their first store in 2010. The company began franchising in 2011, and by 2018 had over 41 stores in operation in the US and Canada. Veteran Incentives 20% off franchise fee #317 in Franchise 500 for 2021. Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.