Sports & Recreation

The sports franchise industry presents an exciting opportunity for aspiring business owners. From fitness centers to youth sports leagues, there are many opportunities for success.

Growth Potential of the Sports Franchise Industry

The sports and fitness franchise industry in the United States has seen tremendous growth over the years. From established names like Read more

The sports franchise industry presents an exciting opportunity for aspiring business owners. From fitness centers to youth sports leagues, there are many opportunities for success.

Growth Potential of the Sports Franchise Industry

The sports and fitness franchise industry in the United States has seen tremendous growth over the years. From established names like Gold's Gym, to emerging fitness and sports franchise brands such as Planet Fitness and Snap Fitness, the demand for sports-related services continues to rise. Whether it's group fitness or sports bar franchises, prospective business owners have ample opportunity to find a niche that suits their interests and goals.

Investing in a sports franchise allows you to tap into a passionate consumer base, whether it’s for martial arts, fitness centers, or even gaming franchises. Sports culture in cities like San Francisco, New York, and L.A. is deeply ingrained, making it a great market for those looking to build a successful business.

Benefits of Investing in a Sports Franchise

When you invest in a sports franchise, you’re buying into a proven business model with brand recognition and support. Key benefits include brand recognition, training and support. 

Evaluating Franchise Opportunities

When considering which sports or recreation franchise to invest in, conducting thorough market research is crucial. Here are a few steps to guide your evaluation process:

  • Understand the Competitive Landscape: Analyze the competition in your desired market.
  • Assess the Franchisor’s Reputation: Look into the franchise partners and track record of the brand you’re considering. Speaking with current franchise owners can provide valuable insight.
  • Review the FDD: Carefully go through the Franchise Disclosure Document to understand the financial performance, fees, and legal requirements.
  • Financial Aspects: Consider the profitability and ROI expectations by evaluating financial performance representations provided by the franchisor.

Key Considerations for Prospective Franchisees

Before investing in a franchise opportunity, there are several factors to consider to ensure you make an informed decision.

1. Initial Investment and Franchise Fees

The initial investment for a sports franchise can vary widely depending on the brand, location, and type of franchise. For example, a fitness franchise may have different franchise fees and ongoing costs compared to a sports bar franchise.

It's crucial to review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to understand the financial commitment, including any applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements.

2. Location Requirements and Territory Exclusivity

Securing the right location is key to the success of your franchise. Understanding the market demand in your area is essential. Some franchises offer territory exclusivity, giving you the right to operate without competition in a specific region.

3. Training and Support

A key advantage of investing in a franchise is the training and support provided by the franchisor. From your first franchise to ongoing operational assistance, franchisors often provide a comprehensive training program to help you hit the ground running with confidence.

Start Your Franchise Journey 

With the support of a proven franchise system, extensive training programs, and ongoing operational support, you can build a successful business in this diverse industry. As the world’s largest membership organization for franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is committed to providing guidance and support to help you navigate the process of becoming a franchise owner. Contact us today!

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Member since 2023

Purchase Green

Purchase Green is the highest-producing manufacturer and distributor of landscape and leisure products in the US. The organization provides nationwide distribution support that delivers a beautiful and broad product portfolio. Including artificial grass, putting greens and golf accessories, turf installation materials, artificial ivy, as well as modular tile for both indoor and outdoor multi-sport use-cases, retail or event operations, and residential applications.

Purchase Green’s fully integrated business solutions provide exceptional service and savings for their franchise partners. Paired with a successful business model that utilizes brick-and-mortar retail locations and local market distribution, the brand demonstrates outstanding potential for further expansion. Learn more today.
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Lawn, Garden & Agricultural
Green & Eco Friendly
Recreation: Equipment & Supplies
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Member since 2012

Aqua-Tots Swim School Holding, LLC

Since 1991, Aqua-Tots has been the industry leader in swimming instruction. We challenge the status quo in the swim industry, focusing on delivering top-quality swim lessons and providing our swimmers with Lessons for Life. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools offers year round, indoor swim lessons for children of all ages and abilities starting at 4 months. Aqua-Tots specializes in the following services: Small Group Swim Lessons (4:1 Ratio); Private Swim Lessons; Swim Club and Swim Team; Indoor Pool Parties; Adaptive Aquatics for Special Needs; Adult Swim Lessons.
Children's Services
Children's Services
Fitness & Gyms
Educational Products & Services
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Boomers Parks

Boomers Parks is a privately held company based in Boca Raton, Florida. The company owns and operates 6 Boomers parks in California and Florida, Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park in Florida and Big Kahuna’s Water Park in New Jersey. Boomers Parks was founded in 2014 to acquire and operate best-in-class out-of-home entertainment assets and is committed to excellence, to the communities they serve, and to delivering value that exceeds expectation.
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
Children's Services
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Discover Strength

At Discover Strength, we believe you should be able to build the career you want while doing work that changes lives. Imagine owning a distinguished fitness business, backed by a market-tested business model, where efficient, 30-minute workouts are provided to your clients by expert, educated personal trainers. Imagine building a thriving business while doing work that you love, with people you love.
Fitness & Gyms Fitness & Gyms
Fitness & Gyms
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Member since 2001

Gold's Gym

Build your legacy with the world’s most iconic and strongest fitness brand—Gold’s Gym. With over 96% brand awareness, Gold’s Gym sets the industry standard and continues to redefine strength training and fitness globally. Our legacy is unmatched, supported by a robust network of dedicated franchisees, all contributing to the strength of our brand. We offer franchisees multiple revenue streams, including membership, personal and group training, as well as clothing and supplement sales.
As we build strength for the future, our global presence spans 27 countries and is still expanding. Our contemporary redefinition of the brand focuses on strength and performance in every aspect, exemplified by our Berlin flagship location, which serves as an inspiration for the brand's future direction. This includes an outstanding personal training concept and a recently remodeled company gym featuring a state-of-the-art strength and functional training area that rivals the best college facilities.
Fitness & Gyms Fitness & Gyms
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Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
Health & Beauty
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Member since 2002

Pinch A Penny, Inc.

America's largest specialty retail swimming pool supply & services franchise with over 290 locations throughout AL, AZ, FL,GA, LA, NC, NV, OK, SC and TX.
Retail Stores: Specialty
Retail Stores: Specialty
Maintenance, Cleaning & Sanitation
Recreation: Equipment & Supplies
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Member since 2008

Sky Zone

First on the scene and best in its class, Sky Zone created the world's first wall-to-wall trampoline park in 2004, bringing healthy, high-flying fun to people across the globe. Now you can be part of this international sensation. See how fitness, entertainment, and interactive technology create a powerhouse of an opportunity. Sky Zone has over 300 global locations in 16 international markets, generating more than $300 million in revenue.
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Slick City

Slick City is the world’s first indoor slide and action sports park! Co-founded by a team of experienced family entertainment center operators and pioneering attraction designers, Slick City features a wide array of never-before-seen, stomach-dropping “waterless water slides”.

Our proprietary dry-slide technology (with over 25 patents filed or granted) is pushing the boundaries of physics and friction… and the all-ages appeal of our attractions is driving major park attendance!

Our first two corporate locations generated an average gross revenue of $385,000 per month and 47% EBITDA over their first 20 combined months of operations, and that success has inspired us to begin opening or developing a dozen more locations – and to officially begin franchising!

You can become part of a thriving and rapidly growing brand on the ground floor, with a unique, proprietary, and patented core product, an experienced franchise team, and a proven business model. Are you ready to join the Slick City movement? Read on to learn more:
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Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2017

Stretch Zone Franchising, LLC

Stretch Zone is the first and largest franchisor in the stretching industry, and the only company that combines a proprietary stretch method with patented strapping equipment to improve muscle function throughout the body. Stretch Zone practitioners are certified and trained to follow specific methods to properly position, stabilize, isolate and manipulate muscles using powerful principles of neuromuscular behavior to improve range of motion, enabling efficient and effortless movement. Founded by Jorden Gold in 2004, Stretch Zone now has 355 locations open across 41 states nationwide.
Health & Beauty
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All Results

Member since 2022

TGA

TGA Premier Sports is a leader in youth sports and the go-to for golf and tennis introductory and recreational programming. Its curriculum is designed to help young players progress their skills, develop a passion for playing and provide a pathway to achieving through sports. TGA’s player pathway drives repeat business and increases the value proposition for parents.

TGA Premier Sports was designed to ensure its students have the ability to grow with TGA for all of their youth sports needs from introductory programs at schools and community centers to recreational camps and leagues at golf courses and tennis facilities.

TGA’s low-investment franchise model provides entrepreneurial-minded individuals who are passionate about sports, community, and youth, the opportunity to build a business while making a positive impact.
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Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2024

General Nutrition Centers

GNC is the leading global specialty retailer of nutritional products including: vitamin, mineral, herbs, sports nutrition, and diet and energy products. GNC opened its first franchise store in 1988, and has been ranked #1 in our industry by Entrepreneur for more than 26 years! We continue to grow our franchise system in the fast growing health and fitness industries with operators who are passionate about retail and who enjoy helping others live well.
Retail Stores: Specialty
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Health Aids & Services
Fitness & Gyms
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Member since 2024

Boulder Designs

Boulder Designs is a non-complicated franchise system coupled with low entry cost and minimal inventory requirements. Our franchises produce custom boulders that make great commercial signage. They are earth-friendly products that can turn any business into a landmark and are often allowed by local zoning regulations where other signage is not. Boulder Designs signage has the ability to turn any business, park, memorial, or subdivision into a landmark. In addition, the flexibility of the Boulder Designs system allows you to transition from your job into business ownership gradually.
Home-Based and/or Mobile
Sign Products & Services
Lawn, Garden & Agricultural
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2023

Structural Elements Franchising, LLC

Structural Elements® is an innovative franchise that approaches patient care with a holistic view of the human body. Focusing on the connective tissue matrix, the company has developed a proprietary method that promotes orthopedic wellness and overall health. Lasting results are achieved by reducing structural imbalances, improving connective tissue health, and re-educating movement.

With a two-tiered system, physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists, and others become Micro Franchisees, utilizing space and business support from Structural Elements® Unit Owners.

At Structural Elements®, we pride ourselves on our patient-centric model. We believe in fostering long-term patient relationships, which ensures a sustainable revenue model and underscores our commitment to ongoing health and well-being through regular maintenance visits.

Specialized Care: As leaders in treating the fascia and optimizing human movement, Structural Elements® serves a broad demographic, including professional athletes.

Cash Practice: Operating without insurance billing simplifies operations and increases profitability.
Health & Beauty
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MedSpa
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Member since 2005

Anytime Fitness

Join the largest fitness franchise in the world. With Anytime Fitness, we've taken our franchise-tested business model to all seven continents, giving people across the globe the opportunity to work out when it works out - that means anytime anywhere.
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Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Museum of Illusions

The first Museum of Illusions launched in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2015 and has since become a recognizable global brand and leading „edutainment“ attraction.

Each state-of-the-art museum offers an exciting and interactive journey for all age groups while explaining the science and mechanics behind enthralling optical illusions through fun and games. The fascinating holograms, mind-bending illusion rooms, and astonishing exhibits never fail to trick visitors’ minds, puzzle their perceptions, and show them a whole new world of the seemingly impossible and unbelievable.

With more than 45 locations spread over 25 countries and 4 continents, where no two museums are the same, the Museum of Illusions continues to pursue further expansion and provide its unique experience to adventure-seekers all around the world.
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2003

i9 Sports

Based in Tampa, Florida, i9 Sports® is the nation’s first and largest youth sports league franchise business with more than 3 million player registrations spanning hundreds of communities from New York to Hawaii. Our franchise owners offer youth sports leagues, camps, and clinics for boys and girls ages 3 – 14 in today’s most popular sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse and volleyball.
Home-Based and/or Mobile
Children's Services
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2019

CityRow

CITYROW is a boutique fitness studio offering a one-of-a-kind workout that combines rowing intervals on sexy, water-based row machines with dynamic sculpting exercises for the perfect balance of cardio and strength training. Since opening in early 2014, CITYROW has amassed a devoted following and earned raves from Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Details and more.
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Member since 2024

MyOutfit

OutFit is the premier mobile fitness studio taking high-intensity group workouts and personal training outdoors – to city parks, schools, companies and private residences.

In a climate where boutique fitness and private training have become costly and limited to those within a certain geographic area near the studio, we have carved out a unique space in the industry that brings boutique fitness to everyone, everywhere – at a fraction of the cost – all while providing the added endorphin boost of the outdoors.
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Member since 2024

Kidokinetics

Kidokinetics is an exciting and unique mobile sports and fitness program for children of various ages. Classes are offered at pre-schools, parks and community centers. We are currently serving 82 locations. Our young participants develop coordination, self-confidence and a lifelong love of physical fitness.
Home-Based and/or Mobile
Children's Services
Recreation: Exercise/Sports Ent./Products
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Member since 2024

MaxStrength Fitness

At MaxStrength Fitness we believe there is a better way to live. We understand what it feels like to worry about your health. We’ve created a powerful, no-sweat workout that helps you achieve your goals while still having time for everything you enjoy. With locations in Westlake and Willoughby, OH, we are northeast Ohio's premier fitness facility.
Fitness & Gyms Fitness & Gyms
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Member since 2024

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness

Imagine a fitness brand that transforms bodies and reinvents the workout experience—welcome to Oxygen Yoga & Fitness. As a trailblazer in health and fitness, Oxygen Yoga & Fitness is celebrated for its innovative systems and unique offerings. With 72 flourishing franchises across Canada and 123 territories snapped up, their expanding presence is a testament to their success.

Oxygen Yoga & Fitness seeks franchisees passionate about health and fitness, with stellar interpersonal and leadership skills, and an insatiable drive for success. If this sounds like you, join our dynamic family.
Fitness & Gyms Fitness & Gyms
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