Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Code Ninjas is a kids’ coding education brand that teaches children to code by building video games and completing self-paced projects with in-center mentors.
Code Ninjas is a kids’ coding education franchise built around in-person “Dojos” where children learn to code by building video games and completing creative projects in a structured, mentor-supported environment.
Founded in 2016, Code Ninjas was started in Pearland, Texas by software developer and entrepreneur David Graham. The brand began franchising in 2017 and has expanded across the U.S. and internationally.
Mission: To empower tomorrow’s innovators to thrive in a digital future through fun, immersive environments.
Vision: A world where kids write the code.
Code Ninjas indicates it is accepting new franchisees in the United States and Canada and directs candidates to request franchise information via its franchising site.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Code Ninjas franchise ranges from $174,750 to $298,250. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| New Franchisee Training Fee | $750 | $750 |
| Lease | $7,500 | $17,500 |
| Utility Deposit | $250 | $500 |
| Architect Fees | $1,500 | $5,000 |
| Construction Costs | $50,000 | $110,000 |
| Initial Training Expenses | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Business Licenses & Permits | $250 | $1,000 |
| Business Insurance | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Initial Inventory | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| Computer Hardware & Software | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| Signage | $6,000 | $15,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing Program | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Professional Fees | $500 | $2,500 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $20,000 | $30,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a Code Ninjas Learning Center is $40,000, due upon signing the franchise agreement.
Code Ninjas also offers a 10% franchise fee discount for qualified U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members, subject to verification and repayment conditions if ownership is transferred within the first two years.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Code Ninjas franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Learning Center Royalty Fee | 8.0% of net sales at the time of the transaction |
| Studio Center Royalty Fee | 12% of net sales at the time of the transaction |
| Marketing Contribution | 2.2% of net sales at the time of the transaction |
| Technology | $350/ month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 227 Ninja Code centers operating for the entirety of FY 2024 reported the following gross sales:
| Type/Quartile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Center - Top 25% (54) | $381,693 | $349,947 | $694,995 | $301,778 |
| Center - 2nd 25% (53) | $264,738 | $266,712 | $298,660 | $225,939 |
| Center - 3rd 25% (53) | $192,721 | $195,822 | $225,133 | $161,393 |
| Center - Bottom 25% (54) | $125,353 | $128,882 | $159,881 | $50,469 |
| Center - Total (214) | $241,242 | $225,536 | $225,536 | $50,469 |
| Studio - Top 25% (3) | $269,422 | $251,923 | $332,585 | $223,757 |
| Studio - 2nd 25% (3) | $200,215 | $199,532 | $207,604 | $193,509 |
| Studio - 3rd 25% (3) | $175,319 | $180,251 | $182,502 | $163,203 |
| Studio - Bottom 25% (4) | $126,789 | $129,162 | $142,573 | $106,256 |
| Studio - Total (13) | $187,848 | $182,502 | $332,585 | $106,256 |
| All Locations (227) | $238,184 | $220,751 | $694,995 | $50,469 |
The brand promotes support across the new center opening lifecycle, including planning, real estate/site selection support and launch preparation.
Code Ninjas promotes “Code Ninjas University” and structured training designed for non-technical owners.
The franchisor markets ongoing operational support, including operations guidance and marketing support for franchisees across the business lifecycle.
Code Ninjas highlights proprietary curriculum/program delivery and a proprietary learning platform (IMPACT), including a structured learning path and community features.
Code Ninjas positions the ideal candidate as someone passionate about helping kids and able to lead and manage a business; a background in education or technology may help but is not required.
Code Ninjas states owners may choose to be an owner-operator or hire a general manager, depending on what fits the franchisee’s approach.
Code Ninjas promotes financing availability through preferred partners.
"Some kids - whenever they complete it - the sense of achievement they have, the sense of fulfillment they have, is very unique. That is something you cannot get from different place.”
- Ashima Gupta, Franchisee — Northridge, Pasadena and Silverlake, California
The broader STEM education tailwinds remain strong, especially at the K-12 level. The global STEM education in K–12 market was estimated at $60.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $132.0 billion by 2030, representing a 13.7% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. This growth is being driven by the rapid expansion of high-tech occupations and the increasing need for innovation, critical thinking, and digital literacy in education systems worldwide.
Code Ninjas competes by pairing in-person mentorship with a kid-motivating format (building games/projects) and a structured, self-paced pathway, which helps it stand out against programs that are either purely online or more class-style with less individualized pacing.
Primary competitors commonly include other kids coding and STEM enrichment franchises such as theCoderSchool, iCode and Snapology (plus local independent coding camps and after-school programs).
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