
The Little Gym
Child-development/fitness programs- 2022 Franchise 500 Rank
-
N/R Ranked #398 last year
- Initial investment
-
$320K - $509K
- Units as of 2022
-
345 19% over 3 years
Company Overview
About The Little Gym
- Industry
- Children's Businesses
- Related Categories
- Children's Fitness Programs, Tutoring, Miscellaneous Children's Businesses, Fitness
- Founded
- 1976
- Parent Company
- Unleashed Brands LLC
- Leadership
- Nancy Bigley, Brand President & CEO
More from The Little Gym
The Little Gym is the world's premier enrichment and physical development center for children ages four months through 12 years. The company was founded in 1976 by Robin Wes, a kinesiologist, musician, and innovative educator. Wes 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 throughout the United States and in dozens of countries. The Little Gym offers classes in dance, gymnastics, Kindermusic, 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 400 locations.
No one tops The Little Gym International, Inc. at developing age-appropriate events—it’s why we’re the top choice among kids’ gym franchises. We are passionate about celebrating childhood and are proud to work with renowned partners and brands that share our core values and beliefs. Our proprietary, detailed lesson plans allow you and your team to easily deliver exceptional programs in your community.

Our programs include:
- Parent/Child—Suitable for children between four months and 3 years old, these classes promote early development and lay a foundation for a child's critical first few years.
- Pre-K/Kindergarten Gymnastics‐ The preschool gymnastics program helps children ages 3 to 6 channel their boundless energy and reach developmental milestones in a fun, structured environment.
- Grade School Gymnastics‐ Kids tackle new challenges at their own skill level in a fun, supportive environment in this grade school gymnastics program.
Franchise Ownership With The Little Gym
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 as a top children’s franchise.

Every new franchise owner can count on comprehensive training and support to grow their business. Support covers every area of the business, from pre-opening to business growth and ongoing guidance from a dedicated field consultant. The franchise roadmap to success also includes the latest technologies in youth enrichment with custom dashboards for benchmarking and tracking the success of the gym.
Is The Little Gym Right For You?

Opportunities are still available in prime territories and The Little Gym has its sights set on more growth. The brand’s thriving system is filled with franchisees from all walks of life, ranging from current business owners and teachers to marketing and sales executives. No gymnastics or childcare background is required to be a children’s fitness franchise owner. The Little Gym is seeking entrepreneurs passionate about kids who possess qualities such as:
- Existing owners looking to diversify their portfolios in the youth enrichment space
- Passionate about impacting multiple communities
- Experience leading teams
- Works on the business, not in the business
- Understands our core customers but has a team to interact with them
- Systems and processes oriented
Franchising Overview
- Franchising Since
- 1992 (30 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 41
- Where seeking
-
This company is seeking new franchisees worldwide.
This company is seeking new franchisees in the following US 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
- # of Units
- 345 (as of 2022)
Franchisor Information
Information for Franchisees
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in opening a The Little Gym franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here’s what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $59,500
- Initial Investment
- $320,100 - $508,500
- Net Worth Requirement
- $250,000 - $750,000
- Cash Requirement
- $75,000 - $200,000
- Veteran Incentives
- 10% off franchise fee
- Royalty Fee
- 8%
- Ad Royalty Fee
- 5%
- Term of Agreement
- 10 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- In-House Financing
- The Little Gym offers in-house financing to cover the following: franchise fee
- Third Party Financing
- The Little Gym has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- On-The-Job Training
- 29-32 hours
- Classroom Training
- 30-44 hours
- Additional Training
- At existing franchise location
- Ongoing Support
-
NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsToll-Free LineGrand OpeningOnline SupportSecurity & Safety ProceduresLease NegotiationField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
-
Co-op AdvertisingAd TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingMarketing Planning & SupportSocial MediaSEOWebsite DevelopmentEmail MarketingLoyalty Program/App
Operations
Additional details about 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
- Are exclusive territories available?
- Yes
Request more information from
The Little Gym

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Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where The Little Gym landed on this year’s Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
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