Pump It Up Franchise News

America's Favorite Indoor Playgrounds Offer Families a Chance to Win a New Home Entertainment System and the New Scooby-Doo! musical adventure on Blu-ray™
TEMPE, Ariz., March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable fun is partnering with the Warner Home Video for the release of the first Scooby‑Doo! musical adventure, Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire.
In addition, Pump It Up Facebook fans have the chance to enter the Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Sweepstakes, which runs March 1 through April 30, 2012. Prizes include a chance to win a variety of fantastic prizes, including a family home entertainment center (valued at $1,000), and copies of Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire on Blu-ray™...

Nation's Largest Inflatable Playground Launches Video Contest to Get Families Moving
TEMPE, Ariz., Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with the November 8, 2011 release of Happy Feet Two: The Video game, Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds, is encouraging families across the country to get moving together – just like the dancing penguins in the game.
Starting November 1, 2011, families are encouraged to visit Pump It Up on Facebook to submit a 30-second video showing how their 'feet get happy.' Winners of the online video contest will receive a variety of interactive prizes ranging from a family home entertainment center to copies of the musical adventure game inspired by the whimsical Antarctic world of the upcoming animated film Happy Feet Two...

Nation's Largest Inflatable Playground Franchise Seeks to Open More Doors for Military Veterans September 09, 2011 // Franchising.com // Tempe , AZ – Recognizing that more veterans want to continue their career of service after leaving the military, often by opening businesses that cater to families and communities, Pump It Up has joined a national program that provides financial incentives to help honorably discharged veterans open a franchise.

Effective immediately, Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties celebrating birthdays, school outings, field trips, corporate events and more, will participate in The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran), a national program coordinated by the International Franchise Association (IFA) to help military veterans become franchise owners...

America's Largest Inflatable Playground Launches New Party Package for Summer Birthdays June 24, 2011 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – For a mom whose child's birthday falls during the summer months, gathering 20-30 children for a party is a daunting task. To help make mom's life easier, Pump It Up has introduced the exclusive 'Perfect 10' party package, designed for 10 children or less, offered at more than 150 indoor inflatable playgrounds across the nation.

Pump It Up designed the 'Perfect 10' after discovering the trend in smaller birthday party groups held throughout the summer months. A recent survey of moms revealed that 47 percent of birthdays celebrated away from home are for parties of less than 14 children, and 21 percent of all parties away from home include less than nine children...

Pump It Up Provides Checklist of Five Things to Look for in a Safe Facility June 15, 2011 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – Following a recent string of reports of injuries and close calls related to people playing on rented, outdoor inflatable play structures rather than going to safety compliant, indoor facilities, the experts at Pump It Up are offering a helpful safety checklist to help parents identify safe inflatable play environments for their children.

Pump It Up, the nation's leading franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds and other private party themed events with more than 150 locations nationwide, holds the most stringent safety standards in the inflatable party industry. In fact, the company's nationally recognized insurance carrier recently completed an independent audit of all open facilities, in which Pump It Up received an A+ rating with a total scoring average of 99 out of a possible 100 per facility...

Private Party Franchise to Also Host System-wide Fundraiser to Benefit Autism Speaks TEMPE, Ariz., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Families across the United States will soon have access to the first nationwide sensory entertainment program designed exclusively for children with autism, which will be unveiled on April 7, 2011 at more than 150 Pump It Up locations nationwide in conjunction with a fundraiser for Autism Speaks.

Families impacted by autism can participate in the Sensory Jump Time program debut from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at their local Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties and other events. The ongoing program combines playtime on the giant, colorful inflatables with games and activities that cater to the needs of children with autism...

Indoor Inflatable Playground Franchise Plans `Great Open Jump' to Raise Funds, Awareness January 18, 2011 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties and other events, announced today that it has partnered with Autism Speaks, North America's largest autism science and advocacy organization, to fundraise and design a program that caters to the needs of children with autism.

On April 7, 2011, more than 150 Pump It Up locations across the country will host the "Great Open Jump," rallying local communities to raise funds for Autism Speaks and increase awareness about the disorder that impacts an estimated 1.5 million individuals in the U.S...

Joe Kendra Joins the Party at Nation's `Leaders of Fun' November 02, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – PIU Management, LLC, the nation's largest multi-brand franchisor of indoor inflatable playgrounds Pump It Up and BounceU, announced today it has hired respected national marketing executive Joe Kendra as its new Vice President of Marketing.

Kendra offers PIU Management more than 25 years of experience in all facets of marketing and branding, including research, creative, public relations, field marketing, pricing, website development, direct marketing, and new product development with well-known brands such as Cold Stone Creamery, Pizza Hut, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, and Long John Silvers.

Pump It Up and BounceU, both specializing in interactive, indoor private parties for birthdays and other events, as well as a variety of children's enrichment programs, are known as leaders in the active children's entertainment segment...

Indoor Inflatable Playground Chain Helps Promote New Interactive Toy for 2010 Holiday Season October 27, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – While the nation's largest retailers are stocking their shelves with a new virtual pet, Fin Fin Friends™, Pump It Up is offering families an opportunity to experience the highly anticipated interactive new toy for the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Through November 15, 2010, families can visit more than 160 Pump It Up franchises across the nation for a chance to interact with the Fin Fin Friends pets on display and enter weekly drawings to win a free Fin Fin Friends playset.

"Our arrangement to serve as a partner with WowWee for Fin Fin Friends supports our ongoing efforts to create partnerships with a variety of innovators in the children's entertainment industry," said Lee Knowlton, President & CEO of Pump It Up...

Nation's Largest Inflatable Playground Joins Ad Council's Coalition for Healthy Children October 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – Pump It Up is taking action to help reverse childhood obesity in America with the new Jump It Up! Challenge, a nationwide program that promotes fitness and rewards children for 60 minutes of physical activity on the playgrounds' giant, colorful inflatables. The challenge coincides with Pump It Up's membership in the Coalition for Healthy Kids, a national awareness campaign spearheaded by the Advertising Council that addresses childhood obesity in America.

Starting October 15, 2010 children will be able to join the Jump It Up! Challenge at more than 160 Pump It Up locations across the country...

August 02, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – A few weeks ago, most kids didn't know what a roto launcher was. Now, it's one of the hottest gadgets found exclusively in the new Goodie Bags from Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor inflatable playgrounds committed to helping families across the country stay active and safe.

The spiraled plastic wand that shoots circular discs is just one of a variety of interactive goodie bag items that promote physical activity, in stark contrast to the candy and chotchkies that kids bring home from most other birthday parties.

The new Goodie Bag was developed after Pump It Up commissioned brand marketing firm C|3 (Creative Consumer Concepts) to determine what moms and kids are really looking for in their goodie bags...

Franchise Goes Beyond Birthday Parties to Attract New Demographics July 12, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – Bouncing, sliding and jumping is big business, and Pump it Up, the nation's largest franchise to pioneer the concept of indoor inflatable playgrounds, is proving it once again.

After branching out beyond private birthday parties for kids by adding educational programs, team building for adults and a variety of offerings targeted to teens, Pump It Up has increased its sales and solidified its position as the undisputed category leader. In fact, the franchise company has reported individual store increases of up to 40 percent in total revenue over 2009.

"Over the last decade, Pump It Up became known as the ultimate birthday party option with more than 160 locations across the country," said CEO and President, Lee Knowlton...

Local Inflatable Playground Earns Prestigious Franchisee of the Year Award at National Conference April 29, 2010 // Franchising.com // Manassas, VA – Pump It Up of Manassas was recently recognized for its success in business with the Franchisee of the Year Award at the company's national convention in Scottsdale, AZ.

Last Month, David and Denise Ramsey were recognized for outstanding performance, as displayed by their growth, exceptional work in the franchise system and development of innovative programs.

"We're very proud to be recognized from among a national system of dedicated and successful business owners, "said David Ramsey, owner of the Pump It Up in Manassas. "It's truly rewarding to be in the business of having fun, and giving back to our local community...

Families Across America 'Bounce' to Support Autism Awareness, Research
April 01, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ - On April 22, 2010, thousands of children and families across America will be bouncing, sliding and jumping to raise funds for autism and celebrate National Autism Awareness Month.

Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of indoor, inflatable playgrounds, is launching its annual fundraising efforts on behalf of the Autism Society throughout the month of April. The efforts will culminate on April 22 when more than 150 participating Pump It Up franchises across the country will host 'Bounce for Autism' events. For a suggested donation to the Autism Society, families will enjoy open play time on the giant, inflatable structures that stand nearly two stories high...

March 29, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – As inflatable play structures become increasingly popular for children's parties and other events, Pump It Up, the nation's leader in the active children's party industry, is taking the lead on promoting legislation to create consistent safety standards for both indoor and outdoor inflatable play environments.

Pump It Up executives recently travelled to the Minnesota Legislature to speak with lawmakers about a bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Katie Sieben. The proposed measure, which calls for increased insurance and staffing, applies only to indoor play centers with bounce houses and other inflatable equipment. It does not address equipment that is rented for events such as private home parties, carnivals and other festivals, either indoors or outside...

January 06, 2010 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ – PIU Management, LLC, franchisor of the Pump It Up and BounceU brands, announced two new appointments to its senior management team, including Vice President of Operations Scott Keppel, and Vice President of Development and Real Estate Sean Bock.

Keppel will oversee operations for both franchise brands, while Bock will spearhead domestic and international expansion for Pump It Up. Pump It Up, with more than160 locations across the country, and BounceU, with 52 locations, both offer communities a unique and fresh alternative to traditional parties with their colorful, proprietary indoor inflatable structures, climbing walls and other attractions.

Keppel, who brings more than 20 years of experience in operations management to the PIU Management, LLC team, previously served as COO of International Operations for all 13 of Kahala Corp...

Kahala Corp's Former COO Lee Knowlton to Take Pump It Up & BounceU Brands to New Levels June 29, 2009 // Franchising.com // Tempe, AZ, – Staying true to his "get it done, generate results" leadership style, PIU Management's newly appointed President & CEO, Lee Knowlton, has already decided the top item on his proverbial "to-do" list: Increase store sales.

"In a franchise system, when sales are growing and profits are up, everything else falls into place," says Knowlton, the former Chief Operating Officer for Kahala Corp., who oversaw operations for the company's 12 brands and 3,750+ stores.

Calling it a giant step forward in the franchise organization's evolution, PIU Management, LLC, the parent company of Pump It Up and BounceU franchise brands with a total of 220 locations nationwide, appointed Knowlton as its new President and CEO, effective immediately...

Pump It Up Launches Corporate Team Building Program in Locations Nationwide December 16, 2008 // Franchising.com // Mesa, AZ – Proving that indoor inflatable playgrounds aren't just for child's play, starting today, more than 175 Pump It Up facilities around the country will officially introduce a new program that lets adults cut loose and bond with their peers through corporate team building activities.

Targeting event planners and human resource departments at corporations, businesses and other adult organizations, Pump It Up's new Corporate Team Building program combines its giant, inflatable structures with results-driven activities designed to increase employee productivity, cooperation, and overall morale.

"Pump It Up is offering a unique alternative to traditional team building events by inviting employees to bounce, jump, and slide on our state-of-the-art inflatables," said Gordon Keil, CEO of Pump It Up...

Susan Boresow, Susan Fickes Bring Marketing & Finance Experience to Multi-Brand Franchisor

July 25, 2008 // Franchising.com // Pleasanton, CA – Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of interactive, indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, announced today that it has added two highly experienced franchising executives to its management team, including a Vice President of Marketing and a Vice President of Finance with a combined 40 years industry experience. The announcement follows the recent merger of Pump It Up with its only national direct competitor, BounceU.

Pump It Up, founded in 2000, currently operates 174 franchises in 33 states nationwide, with more than 70 locations in development, while BounceU, which began in 2003, has 40 locations open and more than 60 in development...

It's `One Giant Party' in Markets Around the Country as Two Top Players Join Forces

July 08, 2008 // Franchising.com // Pleasanton, Calif. – Pump It Up, the nation's largest franchise of interactive, indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, announced today that it has merged with Phoenix-based BounceU, its only direct national competitor. The transaction positions both private party franchises for domination of the indoor inflatable entertainment industry.

Pump It Up, founded in 2000, currently operates 174 franchises in 33 states nationwide, with more than 70 locations in development, while Bounce U, which began in 2003, has 40 locations open and more than 60 in development. The two brands currently compete in approximately 15 markets...