KidStrong Franchising, LLC

With prior involvement in community recreation programs and later professional work in franchise growth and mental health counseling for children and families of first responders,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-montoya-152078191/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya-2730512" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bobby</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-montoya-lpcc-090659251/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya-2730512" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jessica Montoya</a> have long shown their commitment to community involvement and support.&nbsp;Over time, Jessica observed a lack of regulation, structure and body awareness among the children she worked with. While her husband Bobby was advancing his career as an Orangetheory franchise business manager and regional sales and operations team member, he came across&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya-2730512" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">KidStrong</a>, the youth enrichment franchise with a science-based curriculum focused on developing socially and emotionally strong kids who will “win at life.” Though the two were not looking for business opportunities, they realized just how important this type of program would be to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, community, and they decided to leap into franchise ownership. After opening their first location in late 2023 and a second last year, the two are seeing marked improvements in students and children in their own communities, and they’re setting the stage for further growth.The Montoyas spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss their journey to franchise ownership, the unique value&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a> provides to both students and coaches, and their plans for the future. Here’s what they had to say:1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What do you want us to know?Jessica Montoya: I want people to know that we are not only enriching kids’ lives but also those of our coaches. We have seen many coaches — the majority being younger adults, juniors, or seniors in high school or college — develop confidence, public speaking, and professional skills. Even though we are teaching six-year-olds, those same skills are important for a 25-year-old as well.My background is in mental health; I am still a licensed counselor, having worked with kids and families of first responders for close to 10 years, focusing on trauma work and adjustment.Bobby Montoya:&nbsp;My background is in franchising, having been involved in regional fitness sales and operations for Orangetheory, and also working as a franchise business manager, helping area developers and franchise owners with training and ongoing success. That is how I heard about KidStrong. I checked out KidStrong while I was in Dallas. At the time, our son was too young, but our daughter was in gymnastics, so we knew what those classes entailed, and I saw that KidStrong had a lot more value than a standard gymnastics class. Albuquerque is often one of the last places to get new concepts, and I thought it was needed here. While KidStrong isn’t purely a fitness class, the moving, learning, and socialization aspects caught my eye.Jessica:&nbsp;Our motivation was our kids and wanting to enrich their lives. We both worked with youth in recreational settings when we were younger, and we saw areas where kids could be helped, and we wanted to bring that to our community.1851: What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?Bobby:&nbsp;Our mission wasn’t to be business owners. We knew about franchising because of my experience with Orangetheory, but it’s nearly impossible to get into business with them in our market; it’s already so saturated. Finding out about KidStrong was what pushed us into franchising. It wasn’t a situation where we said, “It doesn’t matter what the business is; we’re going to own a business.” We loved and were aligned with KidStrong’s values, and we knew it was a need in our community.1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchise owner, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Bobby:&nbsp;We were pretty prepared. A lot of that had to do with my experience having worked for a franchise owner and franchisor in the past.&nbsp;Jessica:&nbsp;This wasn’t necessarily a surprise for us because it was our plan all along, but there did come a time when the system began talking about the fact that locations are often more successful when the owners are involved. People should know that this is the case sometimes and should be aware of this when choosing their opportunity.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?Jessica:&nbsp;The mental health side of things and my past life working with kids — focusing on regulation, mindfulness, and body awareness — excited us. Studies have shown that movement helps that connection, and there is a lack of this in schools where kids must sit.&nbsp;KidStrong integrates skills like regulation and structure that are lacking in youth. We don’t outwardly say we are teaching mindfulness, but the skills are integrated. We’re teaching students mindfulness and how to be in their bodies and how to move their bodies in productive ways.1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;Bobby:&nbsp;Our five-year plan is to open up two more locations in El Paso, Texas, which we have already secured. Beyond that, we are not sure, but our goal is to ensure all four centers are operating at a high level and reaching as many kids as possible to help them grow confidence and skill sets.Jessica:&nbsp;We looked at other franchises, but nothing crossed our table that we felt connected with or aligned with our values. Venturing out to open more KidStrong centers made the most sense when we thought about how we wanted to grow.Bobby:&nbsp;KidStrong has allowed us to have a really healthy work-life balance with our family. As an area developer, you are never really "off," but you can be on and off at your convenience, allowing us to find balance and be present parents for our kids, volunteering and attending sports during the day.Jessica:&nbsp;We’re also looking forward to the growth we’ll support throughout our community. Our kids have attended KidStrong since we opened, and we’ve seen so much growth in them over the past few years. We also see it in the community — kids who started and are now leaps and bounds ahead in speech, occupational skills, and awareness.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?Bobby:&nbsp;Make sure that you’re passionate about the purpose, regardless of which brand you’re choosing. There were other brands we researched that were great brands, but we didn’t have passion for them. In business, just like in life, there will be good days and bad days. Passion for the purpose of the business will help push you through. Make sure you choose something that you really want to get behind. If you have that, you’ll be able to get through any rough waters.Jessica:&nbsp;Do your research, but go for it. If you have the opportunity to work for yourself, why not? At this time, why not work for yourself and build your own future?&nbsp;About KidStrongKidStrong 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 kid's 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 400 franchises sold to date since the company opened its first center in 2015. Over the next five years, KidStrong plans to have 500 open centers nationwide. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kidstrong.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=kidstrong-franchise-albuquerque-montoya-2730512" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.kidstrong.com</a>.&nbsp;

KidStrong Franchise - Franchisee Spotlight - Jessica and Bobby Montoya - 1851 Franchise

KidStrong Albuquerque: Counselor and Former Orangetheory Manager Empower Youth

1851 Franchise

Bobby and Jessica Montoya, the area developers behind the growth, combine prior franchise and family counseling experiences to power a new, meaningful venture.

This brand page has been paid for by KIDSTRONG FRANCHISING, LLC. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Former Orangetheory Regional Manager and Licensed Counselor, Grow KidStrong Franchise, Empowering Youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico

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Michael Reyes Left Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

Why a KidStrong Franchise Fits This Family’s Next Chapter

A 61-Unit Development Agreement Puts Joe Pedatella at the Top of KidStrong’s Development Ranks

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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-pedatella-91845163/">Joe Pedatella</a>, who already operates 18&nbsp;<a href="http://v">KidStrong</a> locations across New Jersey, Connecticut and New York, has signed a larger development agreement with the science-based youth enrichment franchise. He plans to open four new centers per year, making him the brand’s largest developer.“<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a> is at an inflection point where brand awareness, consumer demand and operational maturity are aligning,” Pedatella said. “The concept has moved beyond early adoption into broader market validation, while still having significant whitespace for growth. From an operator standpoint, we now have the infrastructure, leadership bench and data to scale efficiently.”&nbsp;Before entering youth enrichment, Pedatella spent decades building a fitness business centered on families and community. He currently owns and operates Spa 23 Fitness and Lifestyle, a 40,000-square-foot, family-oriented health club in New Jersey offering everything from CrossFit and yoga to swim school, summer camp, massage and a dedicated kids zone. He began his career there in 1998 as a fitness department employee and worked his way up to ownership, steadily expanding the business into a collection of boutique offerings under one roof.That background helped set the stage for this development agreement. The confidence to expand at this scale comes from consistency across his existing portfolio.“We’ve seen repeatable unit economics driven by strong membership retention, stable lifetime value and improving operational margins as locations mature,” Pedatella said. “We now operate with standardized management roles, training systems and operational playbooks that allow performance to be replicated rather than reinvented. When outcomes become predictable across several units, expansion becomes a disciplined scaling decision rather than a risk-based one.”<h2>Scaling With Intent, Not Speed</h2>Even as his footprint grows, Pedatella said the goal has never been to chase unit count. For him, expansion starts with building the infrastructure to support what comes next — staffing, systems, leadership development and culture — before adding new locations.“We always look at it this way,” he said. “If we have five centers, we build it like we’re going to have 25. If we’re at 15, we build it like we’re going to have 100.”That approach shows up most clearly in how he hires and develops leaders. Pedatella prioritizes getting the right people in place early, then simplifying the operating rhythm with repeatable processes that can scale without adding chaos.“Organization comes first,” he said. “Then SOPs you can scale quickly. But none of it works if you don’t have the right people.”Rather than taking a top-down approach, Pedatella involves his leadership team in growth decisions and future planning, creating shared ownership in the expansion process.<h2>Why the Tri-State Region Works</h2>For Pedatella, the opportunity comes down to fit — the kind of suburban, family-heavy communities where parents are already investing in enrichment programs.“The tri-state region benefits from strong demographics aligned with KidStrong’s core customer: family-dense suburbs with high education engagement and parents prioritizing developmental enrichment for their children,” he said.&nbsp;Operationally, the close geography supports more efficient oversight through shared leadership, regional training, marketing efficiencies and cross-location staffing support. Concentrating openings in nearby markets also strengthens brand presence: each new location builds awareness and reduces customer-acquisition friction in surrounding areas.<h2>A Model Built for Scale</h2>Pedatella points to KidStrong’s centralized programming and operating model as one of the brand’s biggest advantages.“Because curriculum, training methodology and customer experience standards are developed centrally, operators can focus on execution rather than content creation,” he said. “This reduces operational variability and ensures consistency across locations.”As his unit count grows, he says complexity does not rise at the same pace. Instead, business becomes more efficient because every location runs on the same proven framework.<h2>The KPIs Behind Disciplined Expansion</h2>With a long-term roadmap in place, Pedatella doesn’t rush openings. Instead, the team watches how quickly membership builds, how well retention holds and how long each center takes to settle into steady performance before moving on to the next market.They also watch leading indicators that show whether a location is truly stable — presale conversion, trial-to-member conversion and whether staffing is in place early enough to deliver a consistent experience from day one.“The goal is disciplined growth, opening new units only when existing locations demonstrate predictable performance and leadership capacity is in place,” Pedatella said.With four new centers planned each year, he views the agreement as a long-term platform anchored in the same principle that has guided his career since 1998: build the people and systems first, and expansion follows.For more information about franchising with KidStrong, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/.">https://franchise.kidstrong.com/.</a>&nbsp;

With 18 locations operating — including 16 open and two in pre-sale — across NJ, CT and NY, Pedatella plans to reach 22 centers by year’s end and continue opening at least four locations annually. 

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For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-torres-71129a/">Manuel Torres</a>, franchising has never been about chasing trends. It has been about finding systems that work, building strong teams and scaling with discipline.“I’ve always been an entrepreneur,” Torres said. “I looked at different businesses and, at some point, did a restaurant. I discovered that it’s very hard to do your own thing. When I found&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-orangetheory-fitness-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721213">Orangetheory</a>, I saw that it was so much easier to follow the processes and the proven concept that, obviously, the franchisor has put together.”That lesson — trust the system, execute with consistency — became the foundation of his multi-unit approach. After building within Orangetheory Fitness, Torres began looking for his next scalable opportunity. He found it in&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a>, a children’s fitness and enrichment concept that blends physical activity with brain and character development.“I was very impressed with the purpose of it,” Torres said. “What resonated the most for me, similar to Orangetheory, is that it is a purposeful concept, meaning that it has substance, a benefit, a nice outcome that helps people.”The concept hit home personally. At the time, his children were squarely in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong’s</a> target age range.“The concept spoke to me loudly in terms of what it was intended to do,” he said. “Obviously, kids want physical activity, and there are other places they can do that. But I think combining the brain and character development component, I felt that was not only beneficial to an individual family, but truly — and this is not exaggerating — it’s beneficial for communities.”<h2>Scaling Across Markets</h2>Today, Torres operates KidStrong locations in Indianapolis and Seattle, with development underway in Texas. His expansion model mirrors his fitness playbook: leverage trusted leadership, empower operating partners and select markets with precision.One of his first KidStrong opportunities came in Indianapolis, where a longtime team member relocated to launch the brand. Soon after, he repeated the model in Seattle.“Similarly to Indianapolis, I had people who had worked with me for a long time who were from Seattle,” Torres said. “I made them the same deal, it worked, and they moved. Now we have three locations there, and those three locations are exploding.”Geography matters, but demographics matter more. Torres relies heavily on data and disciplined site selection.“With my experience in the other concepts, I know demographic information is the key,” he said. “You have to make sure it has the household income that would be conducive to spending the money that is needed for kids … and it has to be a location that has families with certain niche groups.”He also weighs growth patterns and future trends. “You want to see that young families are moving to the area and it’s not going to be something more for retirement,” he said.Real estate discipline remains central to his philosophy. “The most essential, important thing is to find the right location,” Torres said. “You want to grow, but it has to be the right location, not just open because you want more. You have to open because it’s the prime location.”<h2>Why Kids Fitness, Why Now</h2>Torres believes the children’s fitness category is positioned for long-term growth, driven by cultural shifts around screen time and structured development.“Nowadays, people are in electronics and not very active, with the sedentary aspect of our lives,” he said. “With electronics and how things are, it’s kind of coming back to the basics of physical activity — get active. People want that. It’s coming back full circle.”KidStrong’s structured programming fills a gap many parents feel but struggle to address on their own.“I think activity and development and learning outside of the household is indirectly in parents’ brains,” Torres said. “They’re thinking, ‘I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what my kid can do that is different.’”For Torres, the opportunity is both scalable and meaningful. As he continues to expand in Seattle and evaluate additional growth in Texas, his strategy remains clear: disciplined development, strong operators and a concept with purpose.“This concept, in my view, has been very rewarding,” he said. “I strongly believe it benefits communities, not just a few families.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong">https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong</a>.

Photo of KidStrong franchisee Manuel Torres

An operating partner behind franchises like KidStrong and Orangetheory Fitness, Torres shares his expansion strategy and why children’s fitness is the next frontier for operators with scale.

From Multi-Unit Fitness Portfolio to KidStrong Franchising: Manuel Torres’ Journey Across Seattle, Indianapolis and Texas

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1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Gabe & Melissa Uribe, KidStrong

After Seeing KidStrong’s Impact on Their Kids, the Uribes Are Bringing It to Rancho Bernardo, California

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image of Danielle Pointer from Kidstrong  South Utah County child development franchise

Stay-at-Home Mom Returns To Work by Bringing KidStrong to Utah County

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As demand for structured youth fitness continues to grow,&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a> has entered 2026 with momentum that few children’s concepts can match. From strong system health to new revenue-driving programs, the brand has positioned itself for its next phase of expansion.&nbsp;Here are the five reasons prospective owners are choosing to invest now.<h2>1. A Healthy, Profitable Franchise System That Owners Are Doubling Down On</h2>One of the clearest indicators of franchise health is what existing owners do next. In KidStrong’s case, they are signing leases and buying more territory.“The fact that franchisees are signing leases tells me the entire system is very healthy,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-patrick-49576a90">Joshua Patrick,</a> senior vice president of franchise development. “They don’t sign leases if they’re not making money. If they’re not feeling supported, if they’re not happy with the franchisor, they will not sign additional leases.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a> closed out 2025 with 148 licenses sold in the year, including 27 licenses purchased by franchisees who already own locations and chose to grow further within the system.<h2>2. Strong Retention Driven by Weekly Programming Innovation</h2>Retention is one of the biggest profit drivers in membership-based businesses, and KidStrong has made it a central focus. By updating its programming weekly, the brand was able to keep classes fresh for families without losing the repetition kids need to build skills.“We changed our programming weekly, but still gave kids the reps they need,” Patrick said. “Our churn almost immediately dropped by about two points, which had a huge financial impact for franchise partners.”Additional enhancements, including showcase weeks, milestone rewards and in-center leaderboards, have further strengthened engagement and encouraged consistent attendance.<h2>3. Built for Multi-Unit Ownership With Actionable Data</h2>KidStrong’s franchise base is largely made up of multi-unit developers, and the brand has invested heavily in tools that support scale. A centralized data warehouse allows owners to view KPIs across individual locations and entire portfolios.“One of the biggest points that gets easily missed in a franchise system is data,” Patrick said. “As a multi-unit operator, do I have a place where I can go in and see my reports and the KPIs I need on a portfolio basis and an individual basis? We pulled all of our data together so franchisees can drive action off the numbers that matter.”Franchisees can benchmark performance across the system, with field business coaches using the same data to support operations.<h2>4. Real Estate and Marketing Support That Removes Guesswork</h2>The brand works directly with franchisees on site selection and marketing, offering AI-supported real estate analysis and hands-on support from its real estate and construction team.“Franchisees can send an address to an email and within seven minutes they have a full custom KidStrong report,” Patrick said. “It’s not just a demographic report. It includes the leading things we look at because we don’t just look at kid counts and income.”On the marketing side, KidStrong runs digital campaigns at the corporate level using systemwide data to drive lead generation. Individual locations typically see hundreds of leads each month, while franchisees focus on local, grassroots efforts in their communities.<h2>5. New Growth Levers Expanding the Addressable Market</h2>Looking ahead, KidStrong is unlocking additional growth through format innovation and new programming. A smaller, one-floor prototype is being tested to reduce build-out costs and open the model to underserved markets.“If we’re successful, we could open up another 200 to 300 markets in the U.S. alone,” Patrick said.The rollout of BabyStrong adds a new membership option for pre-walking children, helping centers better use morning hours and easing families into the core KidStrong program.<h2>Why 2026 Is the Right Moment</h2>With franchisees reinvesting in the system, better retention and a focused real estate strategy, KidStrong is heading into 2026 with solid momentum. For entrepreneurs looking at youth fitness, the timing to enter the system is right.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong.">https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong.</a>&nbsp;

Top 5 Reasons to Buy a KidStrong Franchise in 2026

KidStrong’s combination of franchisee reinvestment, retention gains and disciplined expansion strategy has positioned the brand for continued growth in 2026.

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<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a>, the science-based youth enrichment franchise, closed 2025 with a faster opening pace, a deeper development pipeline and a renewed focus on improving unit-level performance, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-patrick-49576a90/">Josh Patrick</a>, senior vice president of franchise development.In a system built around multi-unit development, Patrick pointed to lease momentum as a key signal of franchise owner confidence. “We opened 40 locations — in 2024 it was 33 — so we saw a good year-over-year,” Patrick said. “But one of the biggest nods was that we signed 50 leases. We hadn’t signed 50 leases since 2020, which tells me the system is very healthy.”A yearlong effort to push performance upward through added support, product investment and technology has gained traction. “We set out at the beginning of the year to raise the bar on the AUVs and bring in more support, product and technology to get franchise owners to be as profitable as possible,” he said. “From my seat in development, the fact that franchise owners are signing leases tells you everything. They don’t sign leases if they’re not profitable. End of discussion.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong’s</a> development results in 2025 included 148 licenses sold, with growth coming from both new owners entering the system and existing operators expanding. “Forty of those were new franchise owners signing on, which is really exciting,” Patrick said. “And 27 were existing franchise owners buying more territory — a lot of people who developed their three, four, five and are buying another five-pack to double down.”Those signings are expected to drive a heavier opening schedule ahead. “We were well on track to open more than 50 locations because of that development and the health of the system,” Patrick said.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/kidstrong-franchise">KidStrong</a> also used 2025 to tighten the in-center experience, with a particular focus on retention. “At the beginning of the year, our curriculum ran the same class for four weeks,” Patrick said. “Based on member feedback, we quickly developed additional programming and made some technology changes so we could change the programming weekly and still give kids the reps they need to reach promised milestones. That made a big impact. Our churn almost immediately dropped by about two points.”The brand also added new engagement mechanisms inside the center. “We added a streak milestone leaderboard,” Patrick said. “Kids walk in and run to the board to see where they rank against everyone in their center. The great thing is kids don’t want to break their streak, which means they’re reminding parents to take them to class.”Heading into 2026, Patrick said the brand is continuing to narrow the profile of who it wants in the system, emphasizing proven leadership and hiring strength. “We’re leaning heavy on experience,” he said. “We need to see business competency — leadership and hiring — that you can bring into KidStrong.”KidStrong is also using behavioral screening to improve fit. “We worked with Zoracle and developed what we call a ‘grit score,’” Patrick said. “Some of our best franchise owners score very high in grit — back against the wall, you’re going to figure it out. Now we can score incoming franchise owners on that grit factor and test it at Discovery Day to see who’s going to push through when things get tough.”The brand is also clear about what ownership requires. “We stress it during the discovery process that this is a full-time gig,” Patrick said. “You can’t keep your job and do KidStrong. You need one full-time person. If it’s a husband and wife, who’s leaving their job to do KidStrong?”With a growing pipeline and a more defined operator profile, KidStrong expects 2026 expansion to concentrate in the West and Midwest, where the brand says there is still meaningful white space. At the same time, Patrick said the focus will remain on building durable unit economics by improving the member experience, tightening execution and ensuring franchise owners enter the system with the right expectations about the day-to-day work required to run the business.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong">https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong</a>.About KidStrongKidStrong 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 U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kidstrong.com">www.kidstrong.com</a>.

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With a healthy pipeline and additional focus on expansion, the brand heads into 2026 focused on growth across the West and Midwest.

KidStrong Closes 2025 Strong: 40 New Centers, 50 Leases, More Runway Ahead

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Parents today have more options than ever when it comes to kids’ activities, from youth sports leagues and gymnastics programs to open-play spaces and tutoring or enrichment classes. Yet many of these programs were designed for a different era, one where unstructured play, seasonal participation or narrow skill-building were considered enough.&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a>, the science-based child development franchise, was created to fill a growing gap in that landscape.&nbsp;Rather than functioning as a gym, sports-specific program or drop-in activity,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a> positions itself as a comprehensive child development system, one built around structure, progression and confidence during the most critical developmental years.<h2>Skill-Based Development vs. Indoor Playground</h2>Traditional kids’ gyms and drop in&nbsp; programs often emphasize movement without intention. Children run, jump, climb and explore, but progress is incidental rather than designed. While play is important, open environments rarely provide clear milestones or a framework for long-term growth.KidStrong takes a different approach. Its programming is built on a structured, skill-based curriculum that follows a clear progression. Children move through defined developmental stages, learning foundational motor skills, coordination, balance and strength in a way that builds intentionally from one class to the next. Growth is not left to chance. It is designed, measured and reinforced.This structure allows parents to see tangible progress over time, rather than simply knowing their child was active for 45 minutes.<h2>A Whole-Child Approach to Development</h2>Traditional kids' programs often focus on one area: specific sports, general fitness or academics. While helpful, childhood development isn't single-focused.Children build confidence through movement, communication, problem-solving and social interaction at the same time. When programs only address one area, other skills are often overlooked. KidStrong was designed to reflect how kids actually grow by combining physical challenges with mental engagement and social interaction within each class. Strength, focus, communication and confidence are developed together rather than treated as isolated outcomes.This integrated approach helps children carry what they learn beyond the program itself, showing up more capable not only during activities but in everyday situations.<h2>Confidence as the Primary Outcome</h2>In many kids’ programs, success is easy to spot. A child scores a goal, finishes a routine or keeps up with the group. Those moments can be exciting, but they do not work the same way for every child. Some kids thrive in performance-driven environments. Others shut down when comparison becomes part of the experience.That confidence shows up outside the program. Parents often notice changes in everyday situations, such as children speaking up more easily or participating without prompting.&nbsp;<h2>Designed for Today’s Parents</h2>Modern parents face challenges that previous generations did not. Increased screen time, reduced physical activity, shorter attention spans and lingering social effects from the post-pandemic years have reshaped childhood.&nbsp;KidStrong was designed with those concerns in mind. Classes provide routine and structure without rigidity. Activities are engaging without relying on screens. Skills taught are practical, transferable and relevant to daily life. Parents are also integrated into the experience, with visibility into their child’s progress and a clear understanding of what each class is designed to accomplish.This intentionality resonates with families who want more than another extracurricular. They want a program that supports their child’s growth in a measurable, thoughtful way.<h2>Filling the Gap That Traditional Programs Leave Behind</h2>Youth sports, gyms and play spaces still have a role in childhood. But they often leave critical gaps unaddressed, particularly for younger children who need structure, repetition and confidence-building more than competition or specialization.KidStrong fills that gap by operating in a category of its own. It is a child development program built around science-based principles, delivered through a consistent system and focused on outcomes that matter long after childhood.As parents continue to seek intentional, research-informed solutions for their kids, KidStrong’s approach reflects a broader shift in how families define success. It’s a shift away from trophies and performance and toward confidence, capability and readiness for life.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong.</a>&nbsp;

What Makes a KidStrong Franchise Different From Other Children’s Programming

KidStrong's structured, confidence-first approach is redefining kids' development beyond sports prep or indoor playgrounds

What Makes a KidStrong Franchise Different From Other Children's Programming

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FRISCO, Texas&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a>, the science-based child development franchise helping kids grow stronger and more confident, has been named to Entrepreneur’s prestigious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500">Franchise 500® ranking for 2026</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonfeifer/">Jason Feifer</a>, 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattsharp321go/">Matt Sharp</a>, 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-patrick-49576a90/">Josh Patrick</a>, 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 KidStrongKidStrong 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 &amp; Canada. For more information, visit<a href="http://www.kidstrong.com">&nbsp;www.kidstrong.com</a>.

Photo of multiple students participating in KidStrong

Fast-growing kids’ fitness franchise lands at No. 96 overall after opening 40 new locations in 2025, bringing strength, confidence and character development to more communities nationwide

Former Orangetheory Regional Manager and Licensed Counselor, Grow KidStrong Franchise, Empowering Youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico

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