Franchisor Stories
In this interview, the Sharps discuss their accidental entry into franchising, the principles behind KidStrong’s success and the impact they’ve had on families and communities.
Matt and Megin Sharp are the founders of KidStrong, a fast-growing kids’ development franchise with a unique mission: to empower children to become the best version of themselves through science-based fitness, character-building and cognitive development. KidStrong offers 45-minute classes led by expert coaches that blend fitness and fun to unlock kids’ "superpowers" across three key pillars: physical, social-emotional and cognitive development.
In a recent episode of the Meet the Zor podcast, hosted by Nick Powills, Matt and Megin shared their journey from building a program for their daughter in their dining room to becoming leaders in the children’s wellness franchising space.
KidStrong’s journey began in the Sharps’ home when their daughter, Ella, was 13 months old. Dissatisfied with existing options for children’s physical and social development, Matt and Megin decided to create their own program. They built training equipment in their dining room and designed activities to foster Ella’s growth.
“We didn’t want a play date,” Megin said. “We wanted a training program — not just for physical development but for her to be the best version of herself in whatever she chose to do.”
As they developed the program, they realized that other parents shared the same unmet need. Starting with 20 kids in a rented space at Matt’s CrossFit gym in Kentucky, KidStrong quickly gained traction. By creating a program grounded in developmental science and led by skilled coaches, the Sharps built a community that resonated with families.
The turning point came when KidStrong caught the attention of investors in Texas. Encouraged by strong demand in North Dallas, the Sharps moved to Texas and opened their first location in Frisco. Success in Frisco, along with interest from former OrangeTheory franchisees, paved the way for KidStrong’s entry into franchising.
Today, KidStrong has over 135 locations open, with rapid growth driven by passionate franchisees. Notably, half of the franchisees started as KidStrong members, highlighting the emotional connection and trust the brand fosters with its audience.
Looking ahead, the Sharps are excited about the opportunities to reach more kids and families across the country. With its unique approach and proven results, KidStrong is poised to lead a new category in children’s wellness and development.
A full transcript of Matt and Megin Sharp’s interview with Nick Powills is available below. It has been edited for clarity, brevity and style.
Nick Powills: What’s the backstory of KidStrong? How did you accidentally fall into franchising?
Megan Reilly: There’s a big story behind it, but I’ll condense it. It really was an accident. We created the program for our daughter, Ella, when she was about 13 months old — she’s 10 now. At the time, what we wanted for her didn’t exist, so we built it ourselves. By "we," I mean Matt built the equipment and I supervised! We turned our dining room into a mini training facility with a rock wall, ropes, rings — everything you could think of. Ella started playing and we started training her.
We didn’t want a playdate; we wanted a structured program that focused on her physical, social and emotional development. It wasn’t about making her the best athlete or the smartest kid — it was about helping her become the best version of herself. That was the vision.
Matt Reilly: At the time, I co-owned a CrossFit gym with Lincoln Brown, who eventually became our co-founder. We decided to rent some space in the gym and started running pop-up classes. It started with 20 kids, then grew to 40, then 50. We didn’t spend any money on marketing — just used Facebook to post videos and tag parents. Those videos ended up being the catalyst for everything that followed.
Powills: What happened next? How did you go from pop-up classes to franchising?
Matt: One of the videos caught the attention of someone we knew through a tech company that Lincoln and I were involved with. This person was connected to all the OrangeTheory franchises in Dallas and kept pushing us to bring KidStrong to the Frisco area. After a year of persistent conversations — and a tech company acquisition that allowed us to relocate — we moved to Texas and launched in Frisco. That first location did really well.
What really pushed us into franchising was the interest from OrangeTheory owners. A lot of them were exiting their OrangeTheory businesses but still wanted to stay in the health and wellness space. They saw KidStrong as a natural next step, especially since many of them now had kids. Our first franchise location opened in Ohio, followed by Austin, and both were run by former OrangeTheory operators. From there, it just took off.
Powills: It sounds like the program is deeply personal for you. Can you talk more about the "why" behind KidStrong?
Megan: Absolutely. Before we had Ella, I taught physical education for seven years and saw firsthand how physical development ties into social and emotional skills. The kids who could run, jump and throw confidently were the ones raising their hands, making friends and thriving. The kids who couldn’t were often shy and introverted. I knew that when we had kids, we couldn’t leave this to the schools. By the time a child enters school at six, they’ve already missed critical developmental windows. That was a big motivator for us.
When Ella was 13 months old, we realized we needed something that would help her with both physical and social skills. That’s how we structured the program: every class focuses on physical development, social-emotional skills and cognitive milestones.
Powills: How did this focus on development influence your programming?
Megan: It’s a huge part of what makes KidStrong unique. We designed the program to address multiple areas of development, which is why we started attracting professionals like pediatric occupational therapists (OTs). One of our first coaches was a pediatric OT, and she loved the program.
We also intentionally designed the experience for parents, not just kids. Most programs are purely kid-focused, and parents tolerate them. We wanted to create something parents would enjoy too — something that educates them about their child’s milestones and makes them feel like better parents. That’s been a big factor in our growth.
Powills: You’ve mentioned community and culture a few times. How do you balance the needs of kids and parents?
Matt: KidStrong is built as much for parents as it is for kids. We took inspiration from brands like Disney and Pixar, which create experiences that appeal to the whole family. Everything — from the colors and music to the developmental milestones — is designed to engage parents and kids alike.
We’ve also made sure to build a strong sense of community. Every coach knows the kids and parents by name. It’s about creating a tribe, much like what we experienced in the group fitness world. That sense of connection is a huge part of why people are drawn to KidStrong.
Powills: What sets KidStrong apart from other programs in the children’s space?
Megan: One big difference is that KidStrong isn’t just about physical activity. It’s about building confidence and life skills. For example, right now, we’re running a training cycle where kids as young as two practice ordering their own food in a simulated restaurant setup. The goal is to build independence and social confidence. Parents tell us their kids start doing this in real restaurants, and it’s transformative.
Another key differentiator is the emphasis on science-based programming. We’re intentional about hitting the right milestones at the right time, which leads to real developmental progress. And because the program works, we get a lot of organic interest from parents and professionals alike.
Powills: What’s next for KidStrong? What does winning look like for you?
Matt: Winning is about continuing to grow the brand and reaching more families while maintaining quality. There are so many kids and families who need this, and that drives us. Growth is important, but we want it to be healthy growth — strong branding, consistent programming and thriving franchise locations. If we can do that, we’ll be in great shape.
Powills: It’s clear you’re building something special. Thank you for sharing your story!
Watch the full interview here.
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