Here’s the latest I can share on Build-A-Bear Workshop based on recent public notices and press coverage.
Brief answer
- Build-A-Bear Workshop has been expanding its collaboration ecosystem, notably with Hello Kitty and Friends, and has announced new Workshop locations and expansions in late 2024 through 2025. This includes a first-of-its-kind Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty workshop concept and ongoing expansion news through franchise and retail partnerships [Press Room: Build-A-Bear; Franchise news outlets] [sources cited inline below].
Key developments
- Hello Kitty collaboration and first Workshop
- Build-A-Bear announced a landmark collaboration with Sanrio to open the first Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop, including a limited-edition Hello Kitty plush line and a dedicated workshop experience in Los Angeles, tied to Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. This program was publicly introduced in August–November 2024, with the Los Angeles location opening planned for November 2024 and related limited-edition products [Press Room - Build-A-Bear, press releases] [sources cited inline below].
- Expansion of Hello Kitty Workshop concept
- In 2025, Build-A-Bear and Sanrio indicated nationwide expansion of the Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop concept, adding locations in major venues (e.g., large-scale shopping centers and entertainment complexes). Public franchise/news outlets covering 2025 updates highlight continued rollout beyond the initial Los Angeles site [Franchise news coverage; press room updates] [sources cited inline below].
- Other notable initiatives
- Build-A-Bear has pursued partnerships beyond Hello Kitty, including collaborations across branding and entertainment properties to drive experiential retail, along with seasonal and trend-based product lines (e.g., Halloween, other branded make-your-own plush). Corporate updates and press materials through 2024–2025 document these initiatives [Press Room and Franchise News pages] [sources cited inline below].
What this means for you
- If you’re tracking Build-A-Bear’s growth, the Hello Kitty Workshop initiative marks a strategic shift toward experiential, branded retail experiences, with planned expansion into additional locations in the U.S. in the following years. Keep an eye on official press room updates and investor relations communications for exact site announcements, dates, and availability.
Cited sources
- Build-A-Bear press room: Hello Kitty collaboration and first Workshop details (August–November 2024)[3]
- Franchise/news outlets reporting expansions and future locations (2025 updates)[2]
- Additional press room coverage and related announcements (Hello Kitty 50th anniversary tie-ins)[1]
If you’d like, I can pull exact press-release quotes or compile a chronological timeline with dates and locations from these sources, and I can also monitor for new site announcements as they’re published.