KidStrong Franchising, LLC

As demand for structured youth fitness continues to grow,&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-kidstrong-franchise-in-2026-2731525" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-kidstrong-franchise-in-2026-2731525" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">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

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

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

Michael Reyes Left Sales Career to Build KidStrong Centers

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When a new&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a> center prepares to open, the marketing machine doesn’t wait for the doors to unlock. It starts months before the first class ever runs. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymoscovic">Courtney Moscovic</a>, Vice President of Marketing at&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong</a>, that intentionality is everything. With more than a decade at Yum! Brands, supporting powerhouse concepts like Pizza Hut, agency experience and seven years as a KidStrong mom herself, Moscovic brings both franchise rigor and personal passion to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/franchise-recurring-revenue-model-2731506">the brand’s growth strategy</a>.1851 spoke with Moscovic to learn how that blend of enterprise-level strategy and mission-driven belief shows up in every phase of KidStrong’s marketing playbook.<h2>Building Momentum Before the Doors Open</h2>KidStrong’s presale window typically begins 10 to 14 weeks before opening, the moment a center is officially able to sell memberships. But the groundwork starts even earlier.“We start digital marketing - aggressive paid digital marketing - to generate leads to get the presale members,” Moscovic said. “We do that intentionally to set centers up for success early in their KidStrong journey. We want them to be profitable as soon as possible and the more members they open with, the more momentum they’ll have.”Before paid ads turn on, however, the team focuses on priming the market. “Prior to that, we have a team that leads you through brand awareness initiatives in the market, which includes a VIP list of early leads so that you have a strong starting point in your sales funnel,” she said. “And then we turn up the dial on paid advertising.”Digital is the primary engine, with social media, particularly Instagram, driving a significant portion of early leads. But KidStrong doesn’t rely on a single channel.“All throughout presale, we do digital marketing as well as on-the-ground events,” Moscovic said. “Digital will drive the majority of your lead volume, especially through social media, like Instagram. That’s where we see a majority of millennial moms spending their time, so we want to meet them where they’re at and that requires investment. The philosophy is simple: invest early, win early.”“We also do a series of events and in-market activities throughout presale,” she said. “Some cities have never heard of KidStrong so inviting them into our centers can make a huge difference. When you can see and feel the KidStrong difference, even before classes start, it can really ramp sales.” That layered approach - awareness, VIP list, paid acquisition and in-person events -&nbsp; is designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-kidstrong-franchise-in-2026-2731525#featured">help centers open with meaningful membership volume</a> from day one.<h2>Turning Openings Into Community Moments</h2>Opening week at KidStrong is a multi-phase experience. After launch, Moscovic’s team encourages new centers to activate their space immediately.“After opening, we want you to run a few open houses, which have 15-minute mini classes,” she said. “You get all of those people who didn’t sign up during the presale phase out onto the floor to experience what KidStrong is.”Thirty days later, it’s time to celebrate bigger. “After about a month, we want you to have a big grand opening - have the mayor come, cut a ribbon, food trucks, all of the fun stuff you expect at a grand opening,” Moscovic said. “Take a deep breath and celebrate the opening and your new community.”While&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/franchise-recurring-revenue-model-2731506">KidStrong provides structure and proven tactics</a>, it also leaves room for local creativity. “We have a playbook for what we know works,” she said. “But with grassroots marketing, we let the local franchise owners choose their own adventure with how big they want to go.”<h2>Marketing That Never Turns Off</h2>For Moscovic, marketing isn’t just a launch-phase activity. It’s a permanent operating function.“Marketing does not have to be your first stop every day, but it should at least be your second,” she said. “The KidStrong marketing never turns off. You will always be losing members, which means you will always need new members, which means more leads, which means you need marketing. Love it or hate it, our marketing team will be by your side for the entirety of your KidStrong journey.”That ongoing engine includes always-on paid digital campaigns, camp and party promotions, triggered email and SMS automations, and structured organic content support. Centers are encouraged to amplify that messaging locally.“Franchise owners also have their own socials and we encourage them to post about their local centers,” she said. “We also provide a national marketing calendar that comes out quarterly so they can plan ahead.”While the systems are centralized, innovation doesn’t flow in just one direction. “The biggest thing that leads to success in franchise marketing is collaboration,” Moscovic said. “A good idea can come from anywhere. We have a lot of smart franchise owners in our system and they often come to us with ideas.”Rather than shutting down new concepts, her team leans into experimentation. “We don’t want to say no,” she said. “How can we treat this as a test and replicate it elsewhere? I always want franchise owners to bring ideas to us.”<h2>Hands-On Support From Day One</h2>Overall, Moscovic is clear that marketing at KidStrong is not passive support. “We are extra supportive and responsive with the franchise owners,” she said. “We are hands-on with every single center, all the time.”From presale launch plans to quarterly calendars to day-to-day campaign optimization, the marketing team acts as an extension of each franchise owner’s business. That hands-on structure, combined with aggressive early investment and always-on digital execution, is designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/franchise-manuel-torres-seattle-indianapolis-texas-2731544">create momentum that compounds over time</a>.For franchise owners, that means they’re not starting from scratch in a new market. They’re stepping into a tested system with national expertise, local flexibility and a team that treats marketing as a growth lever.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>.

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From national brand campaigns and lead generation to local playbooks and hands-on coaching, KidStrong’s marketing team gives franchise owners a competitive edge from day one.

Inside KidStrong’s Playbook: The Marketing Engine Powering Franchise Success

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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;

<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">KidStrong</a>, the science-based child development franchise helping kids grow stronger and more confident, character and strength, is targeting Colorado for growth. With locations open in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker and Fort Collins, the franchise has established an early presence but still sees significant room for expansion.“Colorado checks a lot of boxes for us,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-patrick-49576a90/">Josh Patrick</a>, senior vice president of franchise development. “You have strong population growth, high-income communities and parents who are very intentional about the programs they choose for their kids.”Much of that growth is concentrated along the Front Range, where cities like Denver, Boulder and surrounding communities form a connected stretch of high-density, family-oriented markets. The region continues to attract young professionals who are settling down, starting families and putting down long-term roots.“The Front Range is a great setup for multi-unit operators,” Patrick said. “You can grow within a defined region, build awareness across neighboring communities and scale in a way that’s efficient.”That environment creates strong demand for structured, premium youth programming.<h2>How KidStrong Meets Market Demand</h2>Families across Colorado are already investing in health, wellness and development, both for themselves and their children. That mindset can carry over into how they evaluate activities, with many looking for programs that go beyond traditional sports or one-time classes.“In Colorado, you have parents who value an active lifestyle and want that for their kids as well,” Patrick said. “They’re looking for something that builds confidence, supports development and gives their kids a foundation they can carry forward.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/kidstrong/info">KidStrong’s</a> model is built around weekly, coach-led classes that focus on strength, confidence and overall development. Families attend regularly, creating consistency for both the child and the business while fostering long-term engagement.That consistency, paired with a structured curriculum, allows locations to build a strong and reliable membership base over time.<h2>Why Now Is the Time to Invest</h2>Colorado has plenty of space for growth, particularly across key markets such as Denver, Boulder, Lakewood, Arvada, Longmont and Greeley. While the brand has an early foothold, there is still room to grow across these high-demand areas. KidStrong has already shown it can perform in the state, and strong territories are still available.“Colorado is still in a position where you can get in and build something meaningful,” Patrick said. “There’s demand, there’s growth and there’s a path to scale.”With strong population trends, engaged parent communities and a lifestyle that aligns with the brand, Colorado is positioned to play an important role in KidStrong’s continued growth.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>.

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The franchise already has proven success in the Centennial State, but significant whitespace remains as Colorado’s population of young families continues to grow.

KidStrong Targets Colorado’s Fast-Growing Front Range Markets for Growth as Family Demand Increases

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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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<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-pedatella-91845163/">Joe Pedatella</a>, who already operates 18&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.kidstrong.com/">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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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

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