KidStrong Named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®, Ranks No. 1 in Children’s Fitness (Misc) and Celebrates 500th Franchise Agreement

FRISCO, Texas — KidStrong, the science-based child development franchise helping kids grow stronger and more confident, has been named to Entrepreneur’s prestigious Franchise 500® ranking for 2026. KidStrong earned the No. 96 spot overall and was recognized as the No. 1 franchise in Children’s Fitness (Misc) for the second year in a row, underscoring the brand’s momentum, stability and long-term potential.

The ranking caps a milestone year for KidStrong, which opened 40 new locations in 2025, bringing its science-based program to dozens of additional communities. The brand also recently signed its 500th franchise agreement, a significant business benchmark that reflects both franchise owner demand and confidence in KidStrong’s model.

“For 47 years, the Franchise 500 has been the gold standard for identifying franchise excellence. This year’s ranking proves that the best brands don’t just survive changing markets; they thrive in them,” said Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur’s editor in chief. “These 500 companies represent some of the most reliable pathways to business ownership in America, each one vetted through our rigorous analysis of what actually drives franchise owner success.”

For KidStrong co-founder Matt Sharp, the recognition is deeply personal.

“When we started KidStrong, we weren’t trying to build a national business,” Sharp said. “We were parents who wanted to help our daughter become stronger and more confident. What began as a small class in the back of a gym has become a movement that’s now reaching families across the country. Being recognized by Entrepreneur affirms that we’ve built something that delivers both real impact for kids and a meaningful opportunity for business owners.”

KidStrong was designed for children walking through 11, which are some of the most important developmental years. Its proprietary curriculum blends physical training with cognitive and social-emotional development, helping kids build balance, strength and coordination alongside public speaking, teamwork and confidence. Every class is rooted in science and wrapped in play, creating an experience both kids and parents love.

That differentiation has fueled success for franchise owners. KidStrong’s membership-based model drives recurring revenue and strong retention, as parents don’t view KidStrong as “just another activity.” They see it as an investment in their child’s future. That mindset creates predictable, durable businesses for franchise owners, along with packed classes, birthday parties, seasonal and summer camps. The brand’s focus on systems, technology and culture enables franchise owners to scale quickly without sacrificing quality.

“KidStrong has been built like a modern growth company,” said Josh Patrick, senior vice president of franchise development. “We’ve invested early in the infrastructure, training and support that allow our owners to open strong and reach profitability quickly. Hitting our 500th franchise agreement is a powerful signal that entrepreneurs see both the mission and the business case behind this brand.”

As KidStrong continues its expansion across the United States and Canada, the company is focused on partnering with operators who share its dual commitment to purpose and performance.

“The best owners care deeply about kids and know how to run a great business,” Sharp said. “When those two things come together, the results are extraordinary—for families, for communities and for our franchise owners.”

With a clear path to more than 500 locations, KidStrong remains early in its growth journey. What will not change is its focus: protecting the culture, supporting franchise owners and helping millions of kids discover what they’re capable of.

About KidStrong

KidStrong was founded in 2015 by Matt and Megin Sharp because they wanted a program focused on developing strength and confidence for their daughter Ella and other kids like her. Together, they partnered in 2017 with Matt's best friend and co-founder Lincoln Brown to help grow the program. Later, Megan Stein joined as a co-founder. Together they developed KidStrong, a science-based kids’ training program focused on brain, physical and character development for ages walking through 11 years old. KidStrong offers a science-based curriculum that is parent-focused and taught by professionals to help accelerate milestone development and promote social and emotional strength. Today, KidStrong has grown exponentially, with more than 500 franchises sold to date since the company opened its first center in 2015. Over the next five years, KidStrong plans to have more than 500 open centers in the US & Canada. For more information, visit www.kidstrong.com.