The Cheaper by the Dozen franchise consists of a series of films and stage adaptations,[1] based on the real-life events of the Gilbreth family.

The books detail their upbringing in a large family of 12 children, as well as the time and motion study techniques by which they were raised.

The couple tested and perfected their business practices, helping factories fine-tune their assembly lines for maximum output at minimum cost, and used these skills in their personal lives with their large number of children.

The Gilbreth family endured a chicken pox outbreak and the influence of an unwelcome boyfriend, and even met the President of the United States.

The married couple have added assistance from their oldest daughter, who oftentimes acts as a parental figure to her younger siblings.

Tom is the sole breadwinner coaching college football, while Kate retires from her passion as a journalist to raise their kids.

Their day-to-day lives suddenly change when Tom is offered the opportunity to coach at a collegiate level, at the same time that Kate's parenting memoir is purchased by a book publisher.

After the wedding of their oldest daughter Nora and the upcoming birth of her first child, Tom and Kate Baker plan a vacation for their large family.

Hoping for a relaxing summer vacation at a lakeside resort, the family realizes upon arrival that they will be staying in the most aged unit in the area.

The baby is born, and he is named Tom after his grandfather, with Nora stating that though her dad has never been perfect he's excelled in many ways at being a good father.

[3] Later that month, Gail Lerner signed on as director, with a script co-written by Kenya Barris and Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry.

[6] Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff were cast to co-star as the parents of the family in the film,[7][8] while Journee Brown, Kylie Rogers, Andre Robinson, Caylee Blosenski, Aryan Simhadri, Leo A. Perry, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Christian Cote, Sebastian Cote and Luke Prael were cast as their children.

Written for an adolescent to college-age audience, the play primarily follows the point of view of Anne Gilbreth, the primary character.

Seeking to save money and to find a more organized living for his family, Frank comedically pushes forward with unorthodox practices.

Over the course of the play, Anne learns amidst her frustrations that the secret reason her father has been behaving differently is that he has a serious heart condition.

[27] A comedy-musical adaptation of the play by Christopher Sergel debuted with a score and lyrics co-written by David Rogers and Mark Bucci.