With a shared background in fitness, education and the military, Wallace and Tracy Reed have always been driven by discipline, movement and a love for working with children. Now, the couple is channeling that passion into their new USA Ninja Challenge franchise, bringing an exciting new fitness opportunity for families in Concord, North Carolina.

With eight children of their own, the Reeds understand the importance of keeping kids active and engaged. Their new USA Ninja Challenge location — set to open in Spring 2025 — aims to introduce local children to obstacle-based training while fostering confidence, coordination and a lifelong love of movement.

1851 Franchise spoke with the Reeds to learn more about their backgrounds, what drew them to the brand and their plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Tracy Reed: I’ve been teaching physical education for many years and have a deep love for fitness. I’m a runner and triathlete, a certified Les Mills instructor, and have homeschooled our kids for the past 20 years. I was also in the military. Wallace and I have eight children, and fitness has always been a huge part of our lives.

Wallace Reed: My background is also in the military — I was a fitness instructor in the Army for five years. Now, I’m a high school teacher focusing on aerospace science. I’ve been involved in fitness for over 30 years, running marathons, triathlons and endurance races. Tracy and I actually met in the Army while working as veterinary technicians before I transitioned to the Air Force in cyber defense.

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Tracy: We’d talked about owning a business for years. While working toward a business degree, I did a project on franchises and started researching different concepts. That’s when I discovered USA Ninja Challenge. We ended up visiting another ninja gym and loved the concept and business model. The biggest draw of franchising was that we didn’t have to figure everything out on our own — the structure and support were already in place.

Wallace: With our background in fitness and years of working with kids, this was a perfect fit. I’d considered personal training, but it didn’t feel like the right direction for me. This brand combined everything we love — fitness, teaching and family.

1851: What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Wallace: We loved that USA Ninja Challenge was family-oriented. The team wasn’t just trying to sell us something — they took the time to talk to us as parents and learn about our family values. That really resonated with us. Considering we have eight kids, it was important that this felt like a family business, not just a business.

Tracy: What really stood out was that they weren’t pushy or salesy. They were genuine, polite and transparent. Everything made sense, and all the tools and resources were available. We didn’t even look at other concepts — this was the one, and we never looked back.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?

Wallace: Our 22-year-old daughter is going to be our lead instructor, and we’re excited to build this as a family business. Our goal is to eventually hand it over to her while we expand to a second location that we can manage directly. We also have another daughter in San Francisco who’s hoping to open her own USA Ninja Challenge gym in the future. So, for us, this is more than just a business — it’s a family legacy.

1851: Is there anything else about your story you want us to know?

Wallace: Fitness has been a huge part of our family. Our kids have been involved in gymnastics, triathlons, mountain biking, cross-country running and competitive swimming. We see this business as an opportunity to help young kids break away from screens and learn the importance of movement and physical health. This isn’t just about owning a franchise — we want to actively participate and bring our family into it.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Tracy: Fear is natural when starting a business, but with a franchise, you have to trust the process. Someone has already paved the way for you to succeed, and they’re there to support you every step of the way.

Wallace: It’s always a leap of faith, but if I could give advice to my past self, I’d say: Take the chance. You can either stay stagnant or take a risk — as long as you do your homework and research, it can be an exciting new journey.

For more information on franchising with USA Ninja Challenge, visit: https://1851franchise.com/usa-ninja-challenge.

ABOUT USA NINJA CHALLENGE

USA Ninja Challenge is the leading kid’s 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 40 gyms and more in development. The franchise combines fun and fitness by teaching kids agility, balance, and problem-solving through a series of structured obstacle courses. As the only Ninja franchise partnered with the USA Pentathlon Multisport Olympic Team, USA Ninja Challenge is helping raise awareness for Ninja as an official sport, set to debut in the 2028 Olympics. 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 www.usaninjachallenge.com.