USA Ninja Challenge

<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-brings-a-unique-kids-first-model-to-athletes-nationwide-2726577" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">USA Ninja Challenge</a>, the 28-unit youth gym franchise, is bringing the allure of Ninja fitness and obstacle courses to the general public, catering specifically to kids looking to get into and grow within the sport. Born from the 1997 Japanese TV show “Sasuke,” the concept has gradually caught the attention of people in the U.S., leading to the launch of kids' Ninja challenges, local Ninja gyms, and now, a place in the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics. USA Ninja Challenge creates a safe place for kids aged two-and-a-half to 17 to explore the sport while developing physical skills like jumping, balance and agility alongside problem-solving skills, self-esteem and confidence.&nbsp;“What we’re really passionate about is working with children. And it’s all about helping kids overcome obstacles, both mentally and physically, one at a time,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/riknight/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-brings-a-unique-kids-first-model-to-athletes-nationwide-2726577" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Richard Knight</a>, founder and CEO. “It’s really about that mindset. We offer instructed training, and kids come either once, twice or three times a week. They have a scheduled class time with coaches, and you see the kids’ development — it’s amazing. This is the only business where I’ve gotten people telling us how we’ve changed or impacted their son or daughter’s life in a positive manner.”<h3>A Model Focused Exclusively on Kids Creates a Safe, Welcoming Space and Minimizes Risk</h3>Kids love USA Ninja Challenge because the obstacles, courses and programs are built for them. Parents love it because they see the brand’s focus on both kids’ experience and their safety. Everything is built to cater to kids exclusively, and all equipment is carefully evaluated by multiple industry experts to ensure safety and mitigate risk before it hits the floor of any gym nationwide.“When I started, one of the real issues I was worried about was liability risk. From day one, we have gone out and proactively built relationships with people who can help prevent that,” Knight said. “Everything we do gets approved by the insurance company before it goes out to our gym owners.”While some gyms or entertainment spaces will offer courses for both kids and adults and simply work to regulate use, USA Ninja Challenge removes even the slightest possibility of a child attempting an obstacle that is inherently incompatible with their size and skill.“Think of the warp wall. The kid’s version is shorter with less of a pitch at the end. The adult warp wall goes all the way up, and it’s got this big leap at the end,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuafaber/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=usa-ninja-challenge-brings-a-unique-kids-first-model-to-athletes-nationwide-2726577" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Joshua Faber</a>, franchise development manager. “Some big injuries can happen on the adult warp wall, and if you put the two right next to each other and tell a teenage boy that he’s not allowed on the adult warp wall, he very well might run around you and attempt it anyways. By only offering obstacles and classes for kids, we’re preventing these types of injuries before they even have a chance to happen.”<h3>Tiered Growth Pathways and Ongoing Coach Engagement Helps Kids Develop Their Ninja Skills</h3>USA Ninja Challenge uses a gradual training program that helps kids progress through six skill levels as they work to master 18 skill categories.&nbsp;“We’ve developed a software product called Skill Tracker that keeps kids engaged through a zero to six level system,” Knight said. “They get different colored shirts at each level; it’s very similar to martial arts. The nice thing is that our instructors have a tablet with this curriculum in the palm of their hands, so they can show kids a quick description or video of the skill to help them better understand.”In addition to providing this coaching resource, the leadership team compares local statistics to the larger system to ensure kids are being promoted at steady rates.“Both promoting kids too fast and too slow can create tension,” Knight said. “If you promote a child too fast, they’ll hit a wall when they reach a level that their body isn’t ready for, and they can’t move on to the next level. If you promote a child too slow, they get frustrated. They don’t feel like they’re making enough progress.”USA Ninja Challenge maintains an eight-to-one student-to-coach ratio, meaning leaders at the gym are consistently engaged with the children, available to offer help when needed, ensure safety throughout the process and support the kids in growing through the skill levels at an appropriate rate.<h3>Partnered With Some of the Biggest Names in the Industry, USA Ninja Challenge Is Further Strengthening Its Reputation and Increasing Awareness</h3>As USA Ninja Challenge continues to offer an unmatched experience in its local gyms, it is also partnering with national organizations to take young Ninjas to competitions and stepping into a global spotlight through a partnership with the U.S. Olympics.“We’re an affiliated partner with the Ultimate Ninja Athletic Association (UNAA), and we’ve attended competitions through that association with over 10,000 kids from 23 countries,” Knight said. “There’s also the World Ninja League, which we compete in as well.”These affiliations, along with USA Ninja Challenge’s ongoing attendance at competitions across the country, demonstrate the quality of training provided at its local gyms and speak to the increasing demand for Ninja athletics.&nbsp;More recently, when it was announced that Ninja would become an official Olympic sport, likely at the 2028 Summer Games, USA Ninja Challenge was able to partner with the U.S. Olympics.&nbsp;“Since Ninja is now becoming an Olympic sport in 2028, we partnered with the U.S. Olympics to lead a fundraiser, and our top athletes will get to go to the Olympic Training Center and work with Olympic coaches this summer,” Knight said. “They see us as the number one player in the industry, and that’s a testament to the quality of our training and skills of our athletes.”With plans to maintain its status as the number one player in the industry, USA Ninja Challenge continues to hone its training curriculum, test and implement new equipment, forge new partnerships, and spread the word about the transformative powers of the sport of Ninja. As it goes, the brand is cultivating a future where kids nationwide can increase their fitness, confidently overcome obstacles — physical or mental, in or outside of the gym — and build focus and discipline, all through safe, enjoyable Ninja practice.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit <a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

USA Ninja Challenge Brings a Unique, Kids-First Model to Athletes Nationwide

USA Ninja Challenge Franchise Offers Revolutionary Ninja Gym

1851 Franchise

The Ninja gym caters exclusively to kids, using a proprietary curriculum and highly tested equipment to help young Ninjas build physical fitness, confidence and self esteem.

This brand page has been paid for by USA NINJA CHALLENGE. 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

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USA Ninja Challenge Adds COO Role as Franchise Expansion Accelerates

USA Ninja Challenge Appoints Thomas Dievart as Chief Marketing Officer

USA Ninja Challenge Opens Three, Signs Two More Franchises in Q1

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CONCORD, N.H.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising">USA Ninja Challenge</a>, the nation’s leading children’s ninja fitness franchise with nearly 50 locations, has a strong development pipeline for 2026 with eight franchise owners currently searching for a location and two signing letters of intent. One location has already opened in San Antonio, Texas, in the second quarter, with two more scheduled in Leander, Texas, and Bonita Springs, Florida. The news follows a record-breaking 2025 when the brand saw 20 new unit sales and 11 new openings.&nbsp;The franchise started the year on a high note, with three new openings and two signed agreements, along with increases in membership across the system. The new openings were in Appleton, Wisconsin; Humble, Texas; and Howell, New Jersey. The two agreements were signed in Marietta, Georgia, and Suffolk, Virginia.&nbsp;“We spent a lot of time strengthening our programs and support structures for franchisees in 2025, and now we are seeing the fruit of that,” said Dale Grant, president. “We continue to see demand from families across the country, and we look forward to even more growth during the rest of the year.”Also in Q1, the franchise expanded its leadership team, announcing that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdievart/">Thomas Dievart</a> was named as its new chief marketing officer. Dievart brings nearly two decades of global marketing leadership to the role and will focus on strengthening marketing foundations across the system. He will also support new openings and ensure franchise owners are equipped with high-quality tools as the brand scales nationally. “Putting all the foundations in place so that they are successful, that’s first and foremost,” Dievart said.Additionally, the fast-growing franchise was recognized on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500® list at the beginning of the year. The franchise ranked No. 361, up 61 spots from its 2025 ranking.“We’re building confidence in children through skill progression, and recognition on the leading franchise ranking shows the strength of USA Ninja Challenge’s specialized approach,” Grant said. “It is valuable for kids and families and represents a high-growth opportunity for entrepreneurs.”Further into 2026, USA Ninja Challenge will host its annual summer camp programs and target locations, including Colorado Springs to Fort Collins, Colorado; Portland and Eugene, Oregon; Louisville, Kentucky; the state of Rhode Island; and Albany, Syracuse, Rome and Utica in New York for franchise development.ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGE:USA Ninja Challenge is the leading kids’ Ninja franchise, offering an exciting obstacle-based fitness experience for children across the United States. Since its founding over a decade ago, USA Ninja Challenge has grown into a trusted brand nearing 45 gyms, with more in development. The franchise combines fun and fitness by teaching kids agility, balance and problem-solving through a series of structured obstacle courses. Partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is raising awareness for Ninja's Olympic debut in 2028. With low initial investment, high margins and rapid ROI, USA Ninja Challenge offers franchisees the opportunity to build profitable businesses while making a lasting impact on children's physical fitness and confidence. For more information on USA Ninja Challenge or to learn about franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usaninjachallenge.com">www.usaninjachallenge.com</a>.

USA Ninja Challenge Opens 3 New Locations in Q1

The youth obstacle-course fitness franchise with nearly 50 locations continued expanding into new states, including Wisconsin, Texas and New Jersey.

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<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising">USA Ninja Challenge</a> added a chief operating officer to its team as it stays on track to open at least 20 locations in 2026.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/somersetbuchanan/">Somerset Buchanan</a> brings more than a decade of franchise experience to the system as it prepares for growth.&nbsp; With just over 40 locations currently operating, adding another two dozen units represents roughly 50% growth in a single year.In her role, Buchanan will build what is needed to support new and existing franchisees while protecting the experience that keeps families coming back.“Our big-picture growth is to ultimately get to 500 locations, and so I will be a key contributor to the foundation of what we need to have as an infrastructure to support that,” Buchanan said.&nbsp;<h2>How Buchanan’s Experience Led Her to USA Ninja Challenge</h2>Buchanan has been in franchising since 2012, when she began her career with Dunkin’ Brands, where she led the U.S. field learning team and worked closely with new franchisees as they entered the system.She joined Threshold Brands in 2020 and later advanced to vice president of HR and learning, overseeing human resources and leading learning and development initiatives for all affiliated brands.“I was very involved in setting franchises up for success,” she said.&nbsp;Through that experience, Buchanan was referred to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge/info">USA Ninja Challenge</a>. In August 2025, she joined the youth fitness franchise as COO, bringing experience in supporting and scaling franchise systems.Her background in building operational infrastructure, along with her leadership of cross-functional teams, positioned her to strengthen internal collaboration and communication.&nbsp;“I have been loving my job here,” she said. “What's not to love about what we do? We support young children and young adults in growing their confidence, whether it's just through the sport itself or just overcoming their own internal obstacles.”<h2>Why Now Was the Time to Add a COO</h2>As USA Ninja Challenge continues to grow around the country, 2025 was the right time for Buchanan to join the franchise. It also made sense in her own life.&nbsp;“Looking at just the state of the world right now, there's a lot happening,” she said. “Everything around us is moving fast. I'm a mother of three. So for me, it's very top of mind. Are my kids being set up for success?”The brand’s mission to positively influence youth stood out to Buchanan. She valued that the program is inclusive and not limited to elite athletes. Children do not have to be top performers in traditional team sports to participate and benefit.&nbsp;2025 was also the moment for USA Ninja Challenge to add a COO role to its corporate office as it prepares to add another two dozen units in a single year. Buchanan will help build the operational infrastructure, systems and cross-functional alignment necessary to support that next phase of expansion.“I want to look at how we are truly supporting our existing franchises beyond the launch so that we're really looking at their profitability, driving their annual business planning,” she said.&nbsp;One of the initiatives she is focusing on is the lead instructor curriculum. This includes making it more robust and implementing the right learning management system to create a centralized hub of learning not only for franchisees but for their entire staff. With the brand moving quickly, the goal is to ensure resources remain fresh and competitive within the industry.&nbsp;<h2>Areas of Focus</h2>In addition to curriculum enhancements, Buchanan is overseeing the development of a centralized franchise portal designed to simplify access to tools, updates and communication.“One of the systems that we're working on right now is a franchise portal so that it makes it easier for a franchisee to find all their items in one spot,” she said. “We also want to make sure there's a clear communication channel in there as well.”Operationally, Buchanan defines success in one word: retention.First, retention of franchisees. That means not only renewals, but supporting owners through growth challenges and ensuring they have the tools and accountability structures needed to build profitable businesses.“If I fast-forward the clock two years, I want to be able to see some of those that might be going through some challenges right now and they're retained, successful and profitable,” she said.&nbsp;Second, retention at the home office. As the corporate team grows, Buchanan wants to maintain the institutional knowledge of early team members while supporting new hires as the brand scales.And third, retention of the ninjas themselves.&nbsp;“This is probably the most important when it comes to the business,” she said. “We want them to come into the gym maybe at age 5 or 6 as a junior ninja, and they're here until 17.”<h2>Guiding the Brand as It Scales</h2>Coming from backgrounds in coffee, donuts and home services, Buchanan has been intentional about immersing herself in the world of ninja and obstacle racing.“My responsibility is to get my arms wrapped around the sport,” she said. “What is it really going to mean nationally and internationally for this sport and are we consistently pushing the envelope to be number one when it comes to the experience in our locations?”USA Ninja Challenge’s youth-only model gives the brand a clear lane in the ninja gym space. It also helps create a longer-term connection with students, some of whom grow up in the program and later come back as coaches.“How do we keep that specialty special?” Buchanan said. “How are we truly creating that information flow, that training flow to the coaches and the lead instructors who are the pulse of those businesses so they continue to deliver the service that will make us stand out beyond any of our competitors?”With rapid expansion ahead and a focus on operational excellence, Buchanan sees her role as helping ensure that as USA Ninja Challenge scales, it never loses sight of that purpose.“We have a very exciting brand. That's why we're growing so rapidly,” she said. “And I'm just so proud to be a part of this community.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge">https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge</a>.&nbsp;

With more openings planned, Somerset Buchanan is focused on building the systems, support and communication needed to help franchisees grow.

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The Season 3&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usaninjachallenge.com/franchising/ninja-franchising">USA Ninja Challenge</a> National Championships brought together athletes from across the country for one of the most exciting competitions in the program’s history.The event showcased the determination and skill of young athletes who spent months preparing for the national stage. Breakthrough performances, comeback moments and impressive obstacle runs highlighted the level of competition throughout the championship.Families packed the stands to support their athletes, while teammates encouraged one another before and after each run. The event reflected the strong community that has grown around&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge">USA Ninja Challenge</a>, where competitors push themselves while also celebrating each other’s success.Nationals marked a major milestone for many of the athletes. Some of the competitors featured began their journey in beginner classes before advancing through the program and earning the opportunity to compete at the championship level.While the event crowned new champions, the biggest takeaway from the weekend was the perseverance and confidence displayed by every athlete who stepped onto the course.With the 2026 championship now complete, the USA Ninja Challenge community is already looking ahead to Nationals 2027.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.">https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.</a>&nbsp;

Season 3 Nationals brought athletes from across the country together for a weekend of competition, encouragement and big moments on the course.

USA Ninja Challenge Nationals Showcase the Best of the Season

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Top 10 Reasons to Buy a USA Ninja Challenge Franchise

USA Ninja Challenge Brings a Unique, Kids-First Model to Athletes Nationwide

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