Top Franchise Brands for Veterans: KidStrong

KidStrong stands out as a strong franchise opportunity for military veterans because its model aligns with many of the qualities service members develop over the course of their careers: discipline, leadership, adaptability and a commitment to helping others grow. For veterans seeking a business that offers both structure and purpose, the youth enrichment brand is a natural fit.

That alignment is clear in the story of Ryan MacFarland, a U.S. Navy veteran who now owns and develops KidStrong centers in Hampton Roads, Virginia. After nearly 20 years in the Navy, MacFarland found in KidStrong a business that echoed the values that shaped his military career while giving him a way to continue serving families in his community.

A Mission-Driven Model With Familiar Values

Veterans are often drawn to franchise concepts that feel bigger than a transaction. KidStrong’s mission to help kids build confidence, character and resilience gives owners the chance to make a meaningful impact while growing a business.

For MacFarland, that sense of purpose was immediate. “This was the first time a business model really caught me,” he said. “Around 2012, while on a mission trip to Costa Rica, I really felt my purpose was in building relationships and helping children.”

That deeper sense of mission is part of what makes KidStrong especially appealing for veterans transitioning into civilian business ownership. The brand’s focus on coaching, mentorship and personal development mirrors the kind of leadership many veterans already know well. MacFarland said the culture inside KidStrong reminded him of the military in an important way.

“We create a community that starts within our four walls but doesn’t end at the door,” he said. “In the military, you see groups come together from all over the world and all different backgrounds; KidStrong builds that same community.”

Leadership Skills That Translate to Ownership

Military service builds leaders who know how to operate under pressure, solve problems and stay steady when challenges arise. Those skills transfer well into franchise ownership, especially in a people-centered concept like KidStrong, where consistency, culture and accountability matter every day.

MacFarland said his leadership style was shaped early in his Navy career by strong mentors and real operational responsibility. “This time was pivotal in developing my leadership style and truly focusing on taking care of my people,” he said. “This led to building a team that wanted to work together and would push through tough days or difficult tasks as one unit with one mission.”

That mindset carries directly into how he runs his KidStrong centers today. Rather than taking a top-down approach, he focuses on building trust and staying adaptable. “The military has taught me to be ‘Semper Gumby,’ as we would say, or always flexible,” MacFarland said. “There are always new and unforeseen challenges from staffing, equipment readiness, rapid timelines and mission-critical objectives that arise. You have to be able to stay emotionally balanced and adjust to meet the mission.”

A People-First Culture With Long-Term Potential

KidStrong’s appeal for veterans is not just about systems and discipline. It is also about people. The brand gives owners an opportunity to lead teams, invest in staff development and build lasting relationships with families.

MacFarland said that impact is what makes the work worth it. “The ability to watch lives transform, the confidence grow and to hear the success stories is unparalleled,” he said. “My wife Jessica and I also get to impact our parents’ lives, not only by building a bond with their child but by doing life with them.”

That same people-first philosophy shapes how he develops his team. “We like to get to know all of our coaches — what they enjoy outside of work, what their goals are and how we can help them achieve them,” he said. “We give feedback and challenges for growth little by little until the old them is unrecognizable.”

For veterans considering franchise ownership, KidStrong offers a business where leadership and service still matter. As MacFarland put it, “If you have a desire to help others succeed and constantly push for others around you to be better, KidStrong is the right place for you. Not every day will be easy, but every day will be worth it.”

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.