The Little Gym logo

The Little Gym

Child-development/fitness programs
Investment
$420,324
Initial Franchise Fee
$59,500
Units
371
Growth Rate
+7.5%

Overview

Industry
Children's Businesses
Founded
1976
Franchising Since
1992
Parent Company
Unleashed Brands LLC
Leadership
Samantha Musonda, Brand President
# of Employees at HQ
120

Units and Growth Chart

About The Little Gym

The Little Gym is one of the leading children's enrichment companies in the United States. The company was founded in 1976 by Robin Wes, a kinesiologist, musician, and innovative educator. West created The Little Gym to offer a conducive nurturing environment for children. This non-competitive space is ideal for children to explore their physical development, while also promoting emotional, intellectual, and social growth. 

The Little Gym currently operates in dozens of countries, and franchisees operate these units. The Little Gym offers classes in dance, gymnastics, kinder music, and karate. There are also enjoyable extras like birthday parties, parents' survival nights, and camps. Since it began franchising in 1992, the company has grown to over 350 gym franchises.

Why You May Want to Start a The Little Gym Franchise?

By opening a The Little Gym franchise, you will be given the opportunity to witness the amazing journey of child development. The company offers its franchisees a chance to make a difference in the lives of kids, families, and the community. Becoming a franchisee can be a fulfilling experience. The company has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 many times in the past decade. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

The Little Gym company offers an extensive training program to ensure that franchisees have everything they need to operate their business. The company's training department is there to ensure that you get off to a great start as you learn the ropes of the business. New franchisees have access to real-life gym sessions, hands-on training, and refresher courses. To ensure you have mastered the required skills, The Little Gym franchise will take you through a multi-day internship on opening and operating a gym.

What Might Make a The Little Gym Franchise a Good Choice?

As with any other business, specific factors like labor costs, commercial lease rates, and, most importantly, franchise location are very important to consider when opening a The Little Gym franchise. There may continue to be a high demand for the services offered by The Little Gym. With proven systems, The Little Gym provides franchisees with the best chance to continue operations while working at a job you find enjoyable. 

Many potential franchisees wonder what the cost of opening a gym will be. To be part of The Little Gym franchise team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment that will include a franchise fee and other startup costs. You should also be prepared for ongoing fees made up of royalty fees and advertising fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

How Do You Start a The Little Gym Franchise?

To start a The Little Gym franchise, submit an initial inquiry. If a The Little Gym franchise representative approves of your inquiry, you may receive an email with the candidate qualification summary and franchise information to review. If you satisfy the application requirements, you may then visit company headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona.

During your visit to headquarters, you may meet and interact with the company's executive team. If you decide that you would like to pursue the opportunity and they agree, the franchisor will give you a Franchise Disclosure Document to review. After reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document and completing various interviews and background checks, The Little Gym will notify you if a franchise has been awarded.

Investment Details

Initial Franchise Fee
$59,500
Initial Investment
$420,324 - $722,773
Net Worth Requirement
$250,000
Cash Requirement
$100,000
Royalty Fee
8%
Ad Royalty Fee
1%
Technology Fee
$119-$399/mo.
Term of Agreement
10 years
Is Franchise Term Renewable?
Yes
Financing
Third Party
Veterans Incentive
5% off franchise fee

Available Territories

Franchising opportunities available in the following regions

United States

States

Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
International

Continents

Canada

Training & Support Programs

Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed

Training

On the Job Training
53-56 hours
Classroom Training
30-44 hours

Ongoing Support

Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform

Marketing Support

Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing

Operations & Requirements

Key operational details and requirements for running this franchise

Is absentee ownership allowed?
No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
No
Can this franchise be run part time?
No
# of employees required to run
0
Are exclusive territories available?
Yes

Ranking History

The Little Gym performance in the Franchise rankings over recent years

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where The Little Gym ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022