Ronnie Hernandez has been working for himself since he was 22 years old. Now 63, he has spent decades building businesses and is known locally for owning and operating Orangetheory Fitness studios. Through his growing portfolio of KidStrong locations in South Florida, he is combining his experience in fitness and franchising to create opportunities for families, including his own, by allowing his two adult daughters to step into leadership roles and run day-to-day operations.
“I really enjoy the franchise model,” Hernandez said. “I liked the fact that I didn’t have to continually reinvent something or be the one who always had the ideas. If I can follow instructions, I should be successful.”
That mindset led him to Orangetheory more than a decade ago, where he built a successful multi-unit operation. His introduction to KidStrong came from seeing fellow Orangetheory operators get involved with the brand. Hernandez took a closer look at the brand and later traveled to Texas, where he met the KidStrong founders and made his decision.
“We loved the concept from day one,” he said.
Hernandez, who grew up in a time when kids spent most of their days outside, sees a clear gap in how children engage with physical activity and development today. That perspective, combined with his wife’s background in education, set KidStrong’s model apart.
“We grew up in a different time. We were running around, we were entertaining ourselves,” he said. “A lot of that is missing today. So when we saw a child development center that focused on physical activity and building life skills, it really caught our attention.”
KidStrong’s curriculum, which focuses on building confidence, character and physical ability through structured, coach-led classes, aligned with that belief. Hernandez saw that the model addresses a real need for families today.
That vision is now playing out in the communities his locations serve. With centers operating in Kendall and Doral and expansion continuing across the Miami market, Hernandez has seen how families are responding.
“The response has been amazing,” Hernandez said. “When you see the parents and the children, how they progress, and the overall community that’s being formed, it’s rewarding. Not everything is monetary. It’s nice to see people thrive and excel.”
That sense of impact extends beyond the centers' walls. As KidStrong’s presence grows, so does its visibility throughout the community. When Hernandez sees children wearing KidStrong shirts or families talking about the program in everyday settings, it sends signals that the brand is becoming part of the area's fabric.
“It happens a lot now. There’s a buzz around town,” he said. “It’s a positive thing for the community.”
KidStrong’s corporate team has been providing meaningful support throughout the expansion process. From site selection to market analysis, the franchisor brings a strong understanding of different regions. At the same time, Hernandez appreciates that the brand values his local expertise and allows operators to weigh in with real-world knowledge.
“They’ve been very helpful,” he said. “But there’s nothing like boots on the ground. I know Miami. I know the little pockets that might not look great on paper but are actually strong areas. They were receptive to that. It wasn’t just cut and dry based on data.”
With his daughters leading the day-to-day operations, KidStrong has taken on a different meaning for Hernandez. What started as an investment has become more personal, with his family directly involved in running and growing the business. He still checks in and stays connected, but much of what’s being built at the center level is driven by them.
That has made the experience different. It’s not just about opening locations or expanding into new markets. It’s about being part of something families in the community are actually using and seeing the impact unfold over time.
“It’s a win-win,” he said. “It’s a good investment, but it’s also a positive impact on the community. That’s what makes it special.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong.
KidStrong Franchising, LLC
SPONSORED
Ronnie Hernandez has spent years in the adult fitness franchise space. Now, hes using his expertise to build KidStrong in the Miami area with his daughters taking the lead.
Ronnie Hernandez has been working for himself since he was 22 years old. Now 63, he has spent decades building businesses and is known locally for owning and operating Orangetheory Fitness studios. Through his growing portfolio of KidStrong locations in South Florida, he is combining his experience in fitness and franchising to create opportunities for families, including his own, by allowing his two adult daughters to step into leadership roles and run day-to-day operations.
“I really enjoy the franchise model,” Hernandez said. “I liked the fact that I didn’t have to continually reinvent something or be the one who always had the ideas. If I can follow instructions, I should be successful.”
That mindset led him to Orangetheory more than a decade ago, where he built a successful multi-unit operation. His introduction to KidStrong came from seeing fellow Orangetheory operators get involved with the brand. Hernandez took a closer look at the brand and later traveled to Texas, where he met the KidStrong founders and made his decision.
“We loved the concept from day one,” he said.
Hernandez, who grew up in a time when kids spent most of their days outside, sees a clear gap in how children engage with physical activity and development today. That perspective, combined with his wife’s background in education, set KidStrong’s model apart.
“We grew up in a different time. We were running around, we were entertaining ourselves,” he said. “A lot of that is missing today. So when we saw a child development center that focused on physical activity and building life skills, it really caught our attention.”
KidStrong’s curriculum, which focuses on building confidence, character and physical ability through structured, coach-led classes, aligned with that belief. Hernandez saw that the model addresses a real need for families today.
That vision is now playing out in the communities his locations serve. With centers operating in Kendall and Doral and expansion continuing across the Miami market, Hernandez has seen how families are responding.
“The response has been amazing,” Hernandez said. “When you see the parents and the children, how they progress, and the overall community that’s being formed, it’s rewarding. Not everything is monetary. It’s nice to see people thrive and excel.”
That sense of impact extends beyond the centers' walls. As KidStrong’s presence grows, so does its visibility throughout the community. When Hernandez sees children wearing KidStrong shirts or families talking about the program in everyday settings, it sends signals that the brand is becoming part of the area's fabric.
“It happens a lot now. There’s a buzz around town,” he said. “It’s a positive thing for the community.”
KidStrong’s corporate team has been providing meaningful support throughout the expansion process. From site selection to market analysis, the franchisor brings a strong understanding of different regions. At the same time, Hernandez appreciates that the brand values his local expertise and allows operators to weigh in with real-world knowledge.
“They’ve been very helpful,” he said. “But there’s nothing like boots on the ground. I know Miami. I know the little pockets that might not look great on paper but are actually strong areas. They were receptive to that. It wasn’t just cut and dry based on data.”
With his daughters leading the day-to-day operations, KidStrong has taken on a different meaning for Hernandez. What started as an investment has become more personal, with his family directly involved in running and growing the business. He still checks in and stays connected, but much of what’s being built at the center level is driven by them.
That has made the experience different. It’s not just about opening locations or expanding into new markets. It’s about being part of something families in the community are actually using and seeing the impact unfold over time.
“It’s a win-win,” he said. “It’s a good investment, but it’s also a positive impact on the community. That’s what makes it special.”
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong.
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