Entrepreneur Creates a Community Hub for Youth Fitness with USA Ninja Challenge Franchise

Three years ago, Jana King opened USA Ninja Challenge in Bristol, Virginia, inspired by a love for fitness and a desire to create a welcoming place for kids to stay active. King, alongside her husband, who has a background in coaching, saw the need for accessible fitness options beyond school sports. Through USA Ninja Challenge, she’s brought a safe and engaging environment where kids can build confidence, make friends and have fun. In partnership with local schools, churches and community organizations, King’s gym offers more than just classes — it’s a supportive hub for the whole community.

King took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what she had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Jana King: I’ve worked in customer service for 25 years, and my husband and I even worked together for a while in the same company. We started thinking about what we wanted after the corporate world and realized we both wanted something in fitness. We’re active in our local CrossFit community, we love children, and he’s always been involved in coaching. I did some online research, and USA Ninja Challenge really drew us in. We visited a few locations in the Boston area, and everything just seemed to flow so well. The process made it easy.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

King: I worked as an operations manager, so franchising felt like it aligned with my skills. Having a proven business model to follow really appealed to me because we’d never done this before. If you follow the plan, you’ll be successful.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

King: My husband’s background in public school sports showed us how important it is for kids to have other options to stay active and build confidence. This program really fills that need. There’s also a large homeschool community here, and this offers them an additional way to get active. Plus, compared to other gyms, the start-up costs were lower and we’ve felt supported the whole way. It’s nice knowing I can pick up the phone and ask questions whenever I need to.

1851: What are the ways you get involved in the community?

King: We’re active with our local Chamber of Commerce and have great relationships with local schools and churches. We get involved in book fairs, seasonal festivals — we set up booths and talk to parents. Building those face-to-face relationships has been important for us. We’re near the Bristol Motor Speedway, too, so we get involved with their events. We also host birthday parties, field trips, camps and afterschool programs.

1851: Can you describe a typical day in the life of a USA Ninja Challenge owner?

King: I coach classes a few days a week because I like staying in touch with the kids and parents. I go to the gym regularly to get to know everyone. Outside of that, I spend time talking with the community, meeting new students and managing some of the social media.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

King: Our goal is to reach at least 200 students in the next six months. Our gym is large, so we have plenty of space to grow and expand.

1851: What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?

King: Our main goal is to create a place where families and kids feel safe and like they’re part of a community. We want people to feel this is a part of their weekly routine, a place to make friends and socialize. Building that family atmosphere in the community is really important to us.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Jana King: Visit and observe other franchisees. Talk to as many people and visit as many locations as you can. For parents considering our program, it’s the same advice — getting to see the program in action makes all the difference.

ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGE

USA Ninja Challenge is the leading kid’s Ninja franchise, offering an exciting obstacle-based fitness experience for children across the United States. Since its founding over a decade ago, USA Ninja Challenge has grown into a trusted brand nearing 40 gyms and more in development. The franchise combines fun and fitness by teaching kids agility, balance, and problem-solving through a series of structured obstacle courses. As the only Ninja franchise partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is helping raise awareness for Ninja as an official sport, set to debut in the 2028 Olympics. With low initial investment, high margins, and rapid ROI, USA Ninja Challenge offers franchisees the opportunity to build profitable businesses while making a lasting impact on children's physical fitness and confidence. For more information on USA Ninja Challenge or to learn about franchise opportunities, visit www.usaninjachallenge.com.