D-BAT Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

D-BAT is an indoor baseball and softball training franchise that pairs private instruction and cage rentals with member-based pricing. In August 2026, Rawlings Sporting Goods, its longtime pro shop partner, took ownership of the franchisor.

1. What Is the Brand Overview for D-BAT?

About the Brand

Kyle and Cade Griffis founded D-BAT in 1998. Cade had been traveling to different cities to give private lessons, and the pair set out to build an indoor facility that matched the skill level of players in the area. They opened their first location in Addison, Texas.

D-BAT Academies began franchising in December 2007 and is headquartered in Carrollton, Texas. The company now has more than 1,600 staff members.

Rawlings has stocked D-BAT pro shops since 2021. On Aug. 21, 2026, a new holding company became D-BAT's parent company, bringing the franchise under Rawlings Sporting Goods. Ron Ostrowski, president and CEO of Rawlings Sporting Goods, has also served as D-BAT's president and CEO since July 2026.

Mission: Provide a quality teaching environment with quality instruction to enhance the baseball experience for players at all levels, from Little League through the pros.

Vision: To create a new type of baseball academy where players have multiple ways to improve beyond the typical training facility.

Unique Selling Points (USPs)

• Training for Every Position: Instructors run private and group lessons in hitting, pitching, catching and fielding.
• Individual Instruction: D-BAT's approach to individual instruction is based on the belief that every player plays a different game. Its core players range from ages 6 to 18.
• Parent-Friendly Facilities: Well-lit indoor academies are designed to involve parents in their children’s development.
• Climate-Controlled Cages: Indoor batting cages with baseball and softball pitching machines let players train year-round, regardless of weather.
• Membership Pricing: Gold and Platinum memberships give players discounts and added benefits on lessons and cage time.
• On-Site Pro Shop: Each facility carries bats, gloves, helmets and other equipment supplied largely by Rawlings.
• Room to Field: Some facilities add an artificial turf field for defensive work and team practices.

2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?

Why Franchise With D-BAT?

• Several Revenue Streams Under One Roof: Franchisees earn from memberships, private instruction, cage and field rentals, camps and clinics, token sales, uniforms and pro shop merchandise.
• Fees Tied to Memberships: D-BAT generally charges no royalty on gross sales. Revenue from lessons and retail falls outside the Management Fee calculation for franchisees in good standing.
• Consigned Pro Shop Inventory: Rawlings supplies most pro shop inventory on consignment, so franchisees don't pay for stock upfront and receive a quarterly share of pro shop sales.
• Built-In Demand: The brand points to shrinking access to free practice space and growing competition for athletic scholarships as drivers of demand for paid training.
• Build-Out Guidance: The franchisor consults on facility design and layout and manages the construction process with each franchisee.

Available Territories

D-BAT continues to pursue franchise development across the United States, with upcoming locations announced in markets throughout the South, Midwest and West. The brand's development pipeline includes locations in Texas, Florida, California, Alabama and several other states. Specific territory availability is determined through discussions with D-BAT's franchise development team.

Investment Overview

Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment to begin operating a D-BAT franchise ranges from $522,950 to $1,009,600. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:

Initial Franchise Fee: The $45,000 initial franchise fee is due in full when the franchise agreement is signed.

Veterans and active-duty service members receive a $2,500 discount on their first facility. Area developers pay 100% of the fee for the first facility and 50% for each additional facility upfront.

Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, D-BAT franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:

ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 168 franchised facilities open for all of 2025 reported the following gross revenue, grouped by the number of batting cages in each facility:

3. What Franchisee Support Does D-BAT Provide?

Pre-Opening Support

D-BAT agrees on a site selection area with each franchisee at signing and reviews proposed sites within 30 business days. The franchisor provides guidance on layout and manages construction alongside the franchisee's contractor. Rawlings sets up the pro shop and its co-branded signage. Before opening, franchisees receive a kit of T-shirts, fungo bats and coaching buckets to distribute to local leagues and coaches.

Training Programs

Initial training covers up to three people at no tuition cost: the designated principal, general manager and assistant manager. It includes 13.5 hours at the brand's Dallas-area headquarters one to two months before opening, followed by seven hours on-site. Topics include scheduling, pro shop ordering, membership sales, marketing and camps.

Operational Support

D-BAT manages the systemwide membership program, collects membership payments and remits each franchisee's balance monthly. The brand's Advertising and Promotion Fund allocated 78% of its 2025 spending to media placement. The franchisor also provides ongoing guidance through on-site visits and phone support.

Technology and Tools

Franchisees use D-BAT's membership tracking and scheduling software, which also serves as the facility's point-of-sale system. Pro shop sales run through a separate system required by Rawlings.

4. What Are the Franchisee Requirements for D-BAT?

Eligibility Criteria

D-BAT does not publicly specify liquid asset or net worth requirements.

Prospective franchisees are not required to have professional baseball or softball experience, and no specific business management background is listed as a prerequisite. Candidates complete an online application and speak with the franchise development team to discuss their qualifications and the opportunity.

Operational Commitments

Franchisees must secure an approved site within 180 days of signing their agreement and typically open within 120 to 365 days after site approval. Each facility must have an operating principal who holds equity in the franchise, completes initial training and oversees daily operations. Owners can fill this role themselves or appoint an equity-holding operator to manage the business. A general manager and assistant manager must also complete training, and franchisees are required to actively promote the membership program.

Funding Assistance

D-BAT does not offer direct or indirect financing for franchisees.

5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?

"I've wanted to open a facility for 20 years. Then I found D-BAT and went down and heard what they were about. They aligned with my morals and with what I wanted to do.”

- Ryan Hobbs, Franchisee — American Fork, Utah (Read his story here)

6. What Is the Market Potential for Youth Baseball and Softball Training?

The U.S. youth sports market represents a significant opportunity for baseball and softball training facilities. Families spend approximately $40 billion annually on youth sports, with average spending on a child's primary sport reaching $1,016 in 2024, up 46% from 2019. Baseball spending rose even faster, increasing 68% over the same period. Participation remains strong, with a record 33.3 million Americans ages 6–17 playing at least one team sport in 2025. The baseball and softball equipment market also continues to grow, with U.S. wholesale sales reaching $891.4 million in 2025, up 7.9% year over year and 65.7% since 2020. Rising participation and family spending create opportunities for facilities offering year-round instruction, batting cages and specialized training.

Competitor Analysis

D-BAT competes on scale in a category dominated by independent operators. Its membership model gives families a reason to return weekly, and its Rawlings ownership ties franchisees directly to their primary pro shop supplier. Primary competitors include private instructors, independent baseball and softball academies, Frozen Ropes and The Hitting Academy.

7. What Is the Application Process for D-BAT Franchisees?

1. Analyze Opportunity: Review the D-BAT model and how a training facility could serve your area.
2. Submit Online Application: Complete the application on the D-BAT franchise site.
3. Talk to a D-BAT Executive: A D-BAT executive reaches out within 48 hours of receiving the application. Candidates must receive the FDD at least 14 days before signing a franchise agreement or paying any fees.

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