The Indoor Entertainment Franchise Is Adding New Locations and Building on Strong Demand
Usman Rao was so confident in the potential of owning a franchise that he went all in on the purchase of his first Sky Zone in 2016.
How all in? Rao quit his job in the tech industry, cashed in his retirement fund and emptied his savings to purchase the Elk Grove, Calif. location with his brother and a friend.
“For me, going all in meant committing everything, financially, mentally and professionally,” Rao says. “To make it work, I left my job at Intel and dedicated myself full-time to Sky Zone from day one.”
Some might say leaving the salary and security of a lucrative position at a firm like Intel was foolhardy, but Rao’s vision and business acumen not to mention his commitment to Sky Zone, has proved to be the right decision.
Today, he operates multiple locations across three states and is preparing to open eight to 10 more in the next 12 to 18 months.
“Owning a Sky Zone has completely redefined my daily life,” he says. “Looking back, that leap of faith in both the business model and myself was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Sky Zone is an indoor entertainment park offering trampolines, foam pits, party spaces and other innovative attractions. It started in 2004 as a single trampoline park in Las Vegas, and now is an industry leader, welcoming 40 million guests annually across locations in the U.S. and Canada.
The company added nine franchise locations in 2024, with an anticipated additional 20 parks this year, bringing the total to 250, with the goal to reach 300 by year’s end.
“Sky Zone creates value for everyone,” Rao says. “Kids love the variety of attractions — from dodgeball and foam pits to ninja warrior courses. Parents appreciate the fitness focus and the chance for kids to take a healthy break from screens.”
Seeing Potential
Rao, who has an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, had key roles at Cisco, McAfee and Intel in global operations, product management and corporate strategy. But he always had the desire to build something of his own.
Sky Zone offered exactly that: a business model with strong revenue potential, low overhead and strong margins. “It was the perfect opportunity to take the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship,” Rao says.
That initial ownership phase wasn’t all fun and games. The transition from tech to consumer services came with a steep learning curve.
“The biggest challenge early on was navigating so many unknowns,” he says. “Weekends disappeared, the work never stopped, and I had to adapt quickly from a structured corporate environment to the nonstop demands of entrepreneurship.”
Along with leveraging his corporate strategy background to scale his business, Rao says the key has been building a strong support system, starting with the Sky Zone leadership team. “The leadership team fosters a culture of collaboration, trust and shared growth — all of which are essential for long-term success,” he says.
People are the Priority
Beyond the financial rewards, Rao says what’s been most gratifying is building a business that creates joy for families and opportunities for employees, many of whom are early in their careers.
“I take pride in mentoring and creating opportunities for growth,” he says. “That focus on respect and development translates directly into the guest experience, creating a culture where everyone strives to deliver memorable moments for families.”
As his business continues to grow, Rao says the all-in mindset he embraced nearly a decade ago still drives him. “The priorities shift constantly, but the passion and energy remain the same.”
His advice to others? “Find a business model you can fully commit to, surround yourself with the right people and don’t hesitate to go all in. The journey will be challenging, but the rewards — personally, professionally and financially — are worth it.”
Learn more about the Sky Zone franchise opportunity.
