The children's fitness franchise has already topped its 2026 licensing goal at midyear, driven mostly by existing multi-unit owners adding territories.
KidStrong opened 21 centers in the first half of 2026 and expects to reach roughly 56 by year-end, putting the children's fitness and development franchise well ahead of its own targets. The Dallas-based brand set a goal of awarding 75 new licenses for the year and had already passed 80 at the halfway mark.
Chief Development Officer Josh Patrick said a significant portion of the pipeline comes from existing franchise partners acquiring additional territories rather than brand-new owners entering the system. KidStrong is actively courting operators who already run franchises in adjacent categories like adult fitness, child care or swim schools, on the theory that experienced multi-unit owners consistently post higher average unit volumes.
The brand introduced a four-week brand awareness campaign ahead of the traditional presale period, pushing franchise owners to build community relationships months before construction starts. That shift has been most effective in newer Midwest markets, where local grassroots marketing carries more weight than in KidStrong's established Northeast and Southeast territories.
Systemwide average unit volume grew 12% year over year, KidStrong's third consecutive year of double-digit AUV gains, which Patrick said keeps payback periods under three years for owners. That combination of demand and unit economics is what is pulling in operators who already know how to run a franchise and are looking for a second or third brand to scale.
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