KidStrong: A Franchise Transforming Child Development

KidStrong is on a mission — not just to help kids get stronger, but to help them grow into confident, capable humans. The concept, which blends physical, cognitive and character development for kids ages 1 to 9, is filling a major gap in the child enrichment space. And as more parents seek out meaningful, screen-free activities for their children, demand is only going up.

For entrepreneurs who want to build a business with purpose and strong potential — top-performing centers report $1 million* in average annual revenue — KidStrong offers a rare opportunity. But with territory quickly selling out, the window to join is closing fast.

“We’re not trying to be everything to everybody,” said co-founder Lincoln Brown. “But if you’re the right person, and you’re aligned with the mission, there’s nothing else like this.”

The Brand That’s Redefining Child Development

KidStrong started in the back of a crossfit gym in Kentucky. Founders Matt and Megin Sharp were simply trying to help their daughter Ella grow more confident. When they couldn’t find a program that did what they were looking for — a place that helped with everything from strength and coordination to social skills and confidence — they built it themselves.

“We didn’t want a playdate,” Megin said. “We wanted something structured and impactful.”

What started with 25 kids quickly grew into a thriving community. When Brown — a former tech entrepreneur — got involved, the team realized they had something bigger. Today, KidStrong serves more than 65,000 kids every week across 150+ locations, with more than 50 more centers on the way.

“You can help kids develop faster, especially during those peak developmental years, one through nine,” Matt said. “That’s when 95% of your brain development happens. So if you can shape kids during that time, you can make a huge impact on their lives, their families and their futures. There’s a lot of science behind that — and still nothing else out there like what we’re doing.”

And this isn’t just another kids’ fitness class. It’s a development program backed by real science. Coaches are trained to teach everything from goal setting to public speaking, all in a high-energy, fun environment that kids love.

“You can’t serve all vegetables,” Brown said. “It has to be fun for kids to want to come back and learn. When you combine real child development with fun, that’s when the magic happens. It’s really hard for someone to replicate the science that’s gone into this. Matt, Megin and a few other people on the team are just geniuses when it comes to the product — what happens on the floor.”

A Business That’s Built to Scale

From day one, the team approached KidStrong like a tech company, not a traditional franchise. That meant building infrastructure before scaling, investing in software to simplify operations and hiring leaders with deep experience in both business and child development.

“We make every decision now based on where we want to be in 2030 — not 2025,” Matt said. “That long-term mindset is what makes this brand different.”

KidStrong combines cutting-edge technology, expert insight and custom design to deliver a truly unique experience for kids and franchise owners alike. The brand’s proprietary tech is woven into every class, making learning and movement more fun, interactive and engaging for children. Behind the scenes, a team of experts in occupational therapy, child development and sports performance continuously develops fresh, science-backed curriculum tailored to support kids during their most critical developmental years. Even the equipment is next-level — each center features patented, custom-designed equipment and obstacles created by KidStrong to bring the curriculum to life and deliver results in strength, confidence, and coordination.

The business model is lean, Brown says, with centers ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 square feet and efficient staffing. And franchise owners — known as Area Developers — don’t need a background in education or fitness, but they do need strong leadership skills, an ability to execute and a real connection to the brand’s mission. 

That’s because KidStrong sets franchise owners up for success with hands-on support from day one. The team helps with lending, real estate, buildout and pre-opening marketing to ensure a strong start. After launch, franchise owners receive ongoing operational guidance, including KPI tracking, center reviews and process optimization. Local marketing is managed by KidStrong’s in-house experts, and the brand’s nationally recognized Coach Certification Program helps teams grow stronger, more effective and more engaged over time.

The financials are compelling, too, with top-performing centers reporting $1 million* in average annual revenue with an investment range of $448,100 to $600,000, according to the brand’s Franchise Disclosure Document. New owners can open strong with the right team and follow-through. “If you open with 500 members, you’re crushing it,” Matt said.

And it’s not just numbers on paper — owners are seeing real results.

“Our KidStrong location has been successful because of the guidance that we have had throughout the process,” said Jeff and Samantha Gossett, owners of KidStrong Timonium. “From the beginning stages of deciding on a location to the presale marketing and communication, to working with our NCO team, each team has played a huge part in our success. We have never owned a franchise before so this entire process has been filled with new experiences, but the team that KidStrong provides is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. We would not be where we are today without them.”

Why Now

KidStrong’s footprint is growing fast — and that means territory is going fast, too. After signing nearly 30 new area development agreements in the first half of the year — and averaging around 100 signed deals annually — the brand is on track to open approximately 50 to 60 new centers this year. That will bring the total to nearly 200 locations in operation by the end of the year. 

Primary growth targets include California, where the franchise remains underrepresented, along with Chicago and broader Illinois markets, North Arkansas, and the greater Midwest. Meanwhile, remaining pockets of opportunity on the East Coast are being carefully reserved to ensure market balance. 

While demand is high, this isn’t a race to sign anyone with a check. The team is hyper-selective about who joins. They’re looking for people who get the brand and are ready to go all-in.

“You’ve got to be on mission to be here,” Sharp said. “If you’re not, it’s uncomfortable. But if you are, and you’re great at what you do, you’ll love it here.”

And the market timing couldn’t be better. Parents are more tuned in than ever to their kids’ development — physically, emotionally and socially. Post-COVID, many families are seeing real gaps and want to take action. That is why the childhood enrichment industry is currently valued at $61 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.86% from 2024 to 2030.

“We really believe we can become the Starbucks or Orangetheory of early childhood development. No one owns that category right now — and it’s the most critical time in a human’s life,” Matt said. “So to have the opportunity to impact kids at that stage? There’s almost nothing more fulfilling than that.”

KidStrong is already being recommended by pediatricians and OTs. It’s not just a fun weekend or evening activity — it’s a program with measurable, meaningful impact.

Who They’re Looking For

Strong candidates come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are multi-unit fitness operators and some have credibility in their local market, like a pediatrician or athlete. Others are sales professionals or parents who fell in love with the program through their own kids. What they all share is a belief in the mission and a bias for action.

“KidStrong offers children the skills to truly win in all areas of life,” said Bobby and Jessica Montoya, owners of KidStrong Westside in Albuquerque. “We are excited to be able to enrich our own children's lives and the entire community with this one-of-a-kind program!"

You don’t need to be the face of the business, but you do need someone on your team who can lead. The brand offers flexibility for semi-absentee owners as long as there’s a strong regional manager in place.

If you’re looking to open a single unit, it’s possible — but KidStrong encourages multi-unit deals. In fact, the average deal signed is 2.5 units. Why? Because if you don’t grab the territory, someone else will.

“We’re not trying to sell thousands of units,” Matt said. “We’re building something that’s going to last — and we want the right people in the right places.”

When Purpose Drives Performance

This is one of those rare franchise opportunities that actually checks all the boxes: purpose-driven, community-focused, scalable and built on a rock-solid foundation. KidStrong is already changing the lives of tens of thousands of families — and it’s just getting started.

“I am thrilled to bring KidStrong to my hometown,” said Paul Thomas, owner of KidStrong Meridian. “As a new dad, I am excited to give my daughter and other kids in the community an opportunity to grow and discover their own superpowers through KidStrong.”

So if you’re looking to invest in something meaningful, backed by strong systems and a team that knows how to win, there may never be a better time to jump in.

“You can make money,” Matt said. “But more importantly, you can make an impact. That’s what this is really about. When you wake up and know you’re making a difference, everything changes. You’re more excited, more driven. You see the impact you’re having on kids and families. Now with KidStrong, we wake up and we’re building something we believe in.”

For more information on franchising with KidStrong, visit: https://www.kidstrongfranchise.com.

*According to top quartile revenue range reported in KidStrong's Item 19 Financial performance representation in their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document