Children’s franchises run the gamut of opportunity and investment level
Parents will do just about anything for their children’s success and development. According to a survey conducted by SunTrust Bank, 40% of American families spend more than $1,000 per year on their children’s extracurricular activities, and as many as 20% spend over $2,500. Parents want the best for their children and franchisors have come up with a multitude of ways to keep kids happy, entertained, educated and inspired. Not only do children’s franchises offer a high-energy business, but also one that’s rewarding and in-demand.
In children’s franchising, you can find opportunities that consist of more than just daycare and basic tutoring programs. From indoor play centers to cooking lessons, to college prep and party services, the children’s franchise industry has got it all covered. Here’s a look at 11 different types of children’s franchises and the benefits that come with ownership.
Mobile children’s fitness franchises
Children’s fitness and sports franchises are a great way to teach kids about teamwork while gauging their interest in different sports they may want to pursue as they grow older. Soccer Shots focuses on character development through its coaching and curriculum while providing children a fun soccer experience. At British Swim School, children are not only taught to swim but learn the importance of water safety. Franchise owners never have to get wet or teach a lesson (unless they want to). They rent pools, so there are no costs for buildout, maintenance, or upkeep.
FUN BUS (main photo) is a brightly-colored mobile “gym on wheels” created from refurbished school buses. The unique service gives children ages 2-7 years fun fitness classes at daycares and preschools. It also hosts birthday parties and special events. FUN BUS franchisees enjoy repeat business by essentially becoming an extension of preschools and daycare centers. Their regular fitness classes are a great way for schools to get kids moving and occupied throughout the day without investing in their own equipment or staff. Other revenue streams include summer camps, school events, and birthday parties.
Children’s cooking franchises
Children’s cooking franchises have taken their own unique spin on cooking classes, and are making them accessible to youngsters. Giving children the chance to learn to cook, follow recipes, and work with others fuels their curiosity and creativity. Young Chefs Academy is a cooking school for kids, teens, and adults. It offers weekly classes, workshops, camps, and even parties. At Flour Power Kids, children have the same opportunity to get creative through hands-on work.
Children’s enrichment franchises
Enrichment programs play a huge role in children’s development. Challenge Island and Drama Kids are two popular children’s enrichment franchises. With low start-up costs and a scalable, home-based model, Challenge Island is a leader in STEAM education. Its curriculum fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, leading to better concentration and academic success. Drama Kids after-school programs help children develop confidence and creativity.
Daycare franchises
The need for daycare will always exist. Daycare not only provides help for busy parents but also teaches children outside of their formal education and provides them with important additional social interactions. With curriculum and care for children ranging from 6 weeks to 12 years, Kiddie Academy and Lightbridge Academy are examples of daycare franchises that give children the opportunity to play, learn, and grow.
College prep service franchises
College prep franchises give students and their families a jump start on getting into the college of their dreams. Class 101 is a full-service college planning franchise that not only prepares students for standardized tests but helps students with college applications, essays, and college searches. Huntington Learning Center tailors personalized plans that accelerate students’ abilities and improves their scores by focusing on individual student needs. They promise test-prep students an increase of 5.4 points on the ACT and 299 points on the SAT. The franchise also offers tutoring services for grades k-12, making repeat business one of the benefits of ownership.
Tutoring franchises
Tutoring can go a long way for students and their success at school and is definitely an in-demand business with a distinct target market. Kumon, founded by a father who wanted to help his son, provides after-school help for students in math and reading. Mathnasium, which tutors students of all ages in math, has a mission to help every child understand – and master – math. Franchise owners benefit from recurring revenue and an in-demand business proposition.
Fundraising franchises
Fundraising franchise owners can feel good about making a difference in their communities. Founded by former coaches and athletes, Fundraising U is designed to help sports teams have enough funds to succeed. With fast startup and low overhead, franchise owners enjoy a flexible home-based business. Similarly, at Apex Leadership Co., franchisees are in the position to make a difference in thousands of elementary schools and student’s lives.
Children’s haircutting franchises
All kids need haircuts, so why not turn this necessity into a fun business? For a kid, a haircut can be scary or even dreadful. Franchises like Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids and Snip-Its get the job done while making it enjoyable and entertaining for the child. Both opportunities offer a scalable business with multiple revenue streams, with no haircutting experience required.
Indoor play center franchises
Indoor play center franchises keep children off screens and gives them a space to laugh, jump and play. Capitalizing on trends to lead a healthy lifestyle, UrbanAir Adventure parks offers large-scale attractions for the whole family including trampolines, go-carts, and high-ropes courses. Tumbles combines kids’ gym and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classes, camps, parties, an indoor playground and other fun programs for younger children.
Art and crafts franchises
We all know arts and crafts are a kid’s best friend. Abrakadoodle and Young Rembrandts are two franchises that allow kids at all levels of art experience to embrace their creative side and let imaginations run free. Through the process of weekly instruction, Young Rembrandts students are exposed to a wide variety of subject matter, artistic concepts, art history, and mastery of their materials. In addition to children’s classes and camps, Abrakadoodle also offers adult programs including events and workshops.
Children’s music franchises
Allowing children to get in touch with their musical side is a great way to let them explore their interests and tap into their natural talent. At School of Rock, children learn to play songs that inspire them, leading up to a performance to showcase all their hard work and technique. At Children’s Music Academy, music lessons for young children are full of fun, interactive activities that not only help develop a strong musical foundation and build essential life skills but also offer a bonding experience for parents and children.
Children’s play franchises
Children can also get in touch with their theatrical side with play franchises. Parents know if their kids have a knack for drama from a young age, so a great way to allow them to improve their acting skills can be by getting them into acting classes and other local productions. Kidstage is a company that enriches the lives of children through the performing arts and can take place at schools, senior centers, daycare centers, and boys and girls centers. Drama Kids International, the U.S.’ provider of one of the world’s largest drama programs, combines a specialized curriculum and customized teaching techniques that ensure all students are able to go at their own pace and get the recognition they deserve.