Why MUMBOs Are Growing at Unleashed Brands

Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Franchisees Use Shared Systems and Support to Scale

Multi-unit, multi-brand operators, better known as MUMBOs, are becoming a bigger part of the franchise world — and of the Unleashed Brands system. These franchisees grow by opening multiple locations and investing in more than one brand. For experienced operators, the model can create new revenue streams and more ways to scale.

Unleashed Brand’s portfolio of kid-friendly enrichment brands offers franchisees access to proven systems, shared resources and experienced support. Even better: it gives franchisees the opportunity to reinvest in their existing brand, or expand into another concept — all while leveraging the relationships and systems they already know. 

“At Unleashed Brands, we strive to build long-term partnerships where franchisees see continued opportunity to grow alongside us,” says James Franks, chief franchise officer. In fact, multi-unit, multi-brand operators — are the fastest-growing segment within the Unleashed Brands network. Today, 10% of the company’s franchisees are MUMBOs — and an additional 36% of are multi-unit franchisees of the same brand. 

“Multi-brand ownership has become one of the fastest-growing opportunities across our system because franchisees can leverage existing infrastructure, leadership teams and operational expertise while continuing to diversify their businesses,” says Franks. 

Long-Term Investing

Instead of chasing short-term gains, MUMBOs in franchising invest for the long haul. “They become trusted partners who shape the future of the brand through their experience, feedback and willingness to reinvest,” says Franks.

When franchisees choose to expand within the same organization — either by opening another location or investing in another brand — it signals that they have faith in the franchisor and in the business model. It’s one of the strongest signs that a franchise system is delivering on its promises.

“Franchisees reinvest when they have confidence in the leadership, the economics and the support behind the brand. If operators are achieving their goals, receiving exceptional operational support and believe the franchisor is continually investing in innovation, they naturally look for opportunities within that system,” says Franks. 

Unleashed Brands is well aware of how beneficial MUMBOs are to the franchise system and encourages franchisees to grow within the organization. “MUMBOs bring a level of business sophistication that benefits the entire franchise system,” says Franks. “They understand how to build teams, manage financial performance, develop leaders and execute consistently across multiple locations.”

Unleashed Brands sets the stage for MUMBOs to build relationships with families that can last for years. The company’s portfolio — Urban Air, The Little Gym, Water Wings Swim School, Class 101, Sylvan Learning, Premier Martial Arts, and Snapology — serves kids at different ages and stages. A toddler who starts at The Little Gym may later enroll in swim lessons or martial arts, explore STEM through Snapology, or eventually turn to Class 101 for college planning. As families’ needs evolve, the Unleashed Brands portfolio evolves with them. 

“We’ve intentionally built a portfolio of complementary brands that support children across a wide range of interests and developmental milestones. That creates opportunities for franchisees to serve them throughout multiple stages of their journey rather than through a single experience,” Franks points out.  

Unleashed Brands wide range of services also positions franchisees to meet growing demand from parents looking for ways to keep their children active, engaged and learning. The Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 America After 3PM survey found that parents of nearly 30 million children want afterschool programs for their kids. For franchisees, that demand creates opportunities to serve families with trusted programs that help children learn new skills, build confidence and reach important milestones.

Sharing Resources

Technology benefits MUMBOs, too. Instead of managing separate apps for each brand, parents can use KidHub to book classes, see schedules and track progress across the Unleashed Brands portfolio. Personalized recommendations introduce families to new brands based on a child’s interests, location and previous experiences. 

“Our goal is to build the industry’s leading youth enrichment platform, one that gives entrepreneurs multiple pathways to grow, diversity and create long-term value,” says Franks. “Through investments like KidHub, we’re making it easier for franchisees to scale while creating an even better experience for families.” 

Unleashed Brands offers franchisees the chance to expand into new brands easily without starting over. The company supports expansion with enterprise-level resources, from site selection and marketing analytics to established vendor relationships.

“That kind of purchasing power would be hard to obtain on their own,” notes Franks.

Plus, they know how the organization works. “They already know the people, the systems and the expectations,” says Franks. “That familiarity reduces complexity, accelerates growth and allows them to focus on serving families and building exceptional businesses.”

In any franchise system, franchisees want to trust that a franchisor will continue to innovate, communicate transparently and provide support. “They want to know that they will remain invested in their success long after the franchise agreement is signed,” says Franks.  

Unleashed Brands sets up a system where franchisees can find all of it — and build on what’s already working. 

Learn more at www.unleashedbrands.com.