How do you start an American eagle franchise?

That'd be really hard. American Eagle Outfitters' business model is designed around corporate stores, and they do not rely on franchises. To start an American Eagle franchise would take a significant amount of starting capital, much more than a traditional franchise in the retail space. Then, and more importantly, you'd need a geographic market that American Eagle would otherwise not be able to easily penetrate that has a good potential of attracting customers from their target demographic.

For more information, refer to M. H. Alshaya, a UAE franchisee of American Eagle.