Recreation Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Kickboxing Fitness Chain Fights its Way into Contention with 30-minute Training Regimen; Continues National Growth with One-of-a-Kind Franchise Opportunity
May 20, 2013 // Franchising.com // GREENVILLE, SC – Not since Jane Fonda helped trigger the aerobics explosion in the 1980s has any form of cardiovascular fitness captivated the country so convincingly as boxing and kickboxing. And as more and more health enthusiasts are donning boxing gloves and kicking up a storm, 9Round is bringing them boxing and kickboxing fitness training in a 30-minute, full body circuit format.
With 48 centers currently open and operating in 19 states – including an additional 30 locations in various stages of development – 9Round is seeking to have a total of 100 centers by the end of 2013...

Early Morning Classes and Showers Help Commuters Start the Day Right
PEEKSKILL, N.Y. - May 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - CKO Kickboxing, one of the fastest growing health fitness franchises, will open its newest fitness kickboxing gym at 8 John Walsh Boulevard, Suite 326, Peekskill, NY, across from the Charles Point Marina on Monday, May 20, 2013. The high quality, cross training gym provides a family friendly setting to Westchester County residents who are looking for an alternative to Pilates, yoga, martial arts and spinning classes.
"We're excited to offer cardio boxing classes in Peekskill," said Jen Zelop , who along with Jen Clark and John Heagle are franchisees of CKO Peekskill.
The 8,000 square-foot gym features 53 heavy bags and is open 6 days a week...

TITLE Boxing Club® Reaches Company Milestone with Opening of Fishers, Indiana Location
May 16, 2013 // Franchising.com // OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Capitalizing on the $20 billion fitness industry, TITLE Boxing Club announced today the opening of their 100th club location, signifying a new company milestone for the quickly growing fitness concept that began franchising less than three years ago.
The largest boxing franchise in the nation will open its 100th club in Fishers, Ind. on May 15. This club is owned by Dan Hannay and will boast the brand’s POWER HOUR workout that burns up to 1,000 calories per hour. The Fishers club will be the second location in Indiana for the brand. Another club, also owned by Hannay, is already operating in Indianapolis...

Student Bands from Elementary through High School Showcase Talent & Compete to Win in Semi-Annual Event 
BETHESDA, Md., May 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Bach to Rock (B2R), America's music school for students of all ages, announced today that the B2R Battle of the Bands XII will launch at the Fillmore Silver Spring June 8 – 9, 2013, before closing out at the 9:30 Club on June 15, 2013, for a jam band showdown. Hundreds of local area students will showcase their incredible talent, performing a mix of original music and popular hits, for a chance to win professional studio recording time.
"We can't wait to debut the latest talent that has been cultivated at our schools during this month's Battle of the Bands competition," said Brian Gross , president of Bach to Rock...

America's Music School Provides Path to Veterans to Achieve Entrepreneurship
BETHESDA, Md. - May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Bach to Rock (B2R), America's music school for students of all ages, announced today it will continue its commitment to veterans with a new franchise incentive for 2013. The company will offer 50 percent off of the franchise fee and waive its royalty fees for the first six months of operations for all honorably discharged veterans who served post Jan. 1, 2000. The total savings is estimated at approximately $29,520.
"At Bach to Rock, we believe it is crucial to provide a path to business ownership for more veterans, especially those who have recently returned home and are seeking an entrepreneurial opportunity," said Brian Gross , president of Bach to Rock...

Melbourne, FL - May 14 2013 - Kinderdance® International has been recognized by Bonds Top 100 Franchises in the annual 2013 5th edition. Bonds Top 100 Franchises is the industry’s most respected authority on franchise selection process picks Kinderdance as a proven franchise performer!
Kinderdance®, established in 1979 is a nationally recognized dance, gymnastics and fitness program for children age’s two to twelve. Their 124 Franchisees currently teach over 12,000 children weekly at over 800 various locations in 30 states and 9 countries. Classes are held on site in child care centers, recreation centers, hospitals, military bases, bowling alleys, fitness centers and many other locations that have space that can be utilized as an additional learning center...

FRANKLIN, N.J., May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - As more and more people told their friends about their weight-loss success stories by working out at CKO Kickboxing in Franklin, NJ, it was only a matter of time before the fast-growing fitness center would need to find a bigger place to hold classes.
That time is now.
The popular fitness center will hold Grand Opening festivities on Saturday, May 18, 2013 from noon to 4 p.m. at CKO Kickboxing-Franklin at 44 Ed Mitchell Avenue, adjacent to Shop Rite, according to franchisees Darlene Pallay and Joe Pallay .
There will be plenty of activities for children, including a balloon artist on stilts, face painting and games. Light refreshments and beverages will be available.
Radio station WNNJ 103...

May 13, 2013 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA - As evidence mounts supporting a link between stress, heart disease and a slew of other ailments, national footwear retailer Flip Flop Shops has stepped up to the plate with a campaign that declares June as Stress-Free America month with grassroots protests around the nation, fundraising for the American Heart Association (AHA) and a creative effort to convince corporate America to relax their workplace cultures.
As part of the campaign, companies are urged to sign an online pledge committing to establishing “Flip Flop Fridays” in their workplaces in June, and donating $2 to the AHA for every employee that wears flip flops each Friday throughout the month.
In addition, in partnership with footwear company SANÜK, Flip Flop Shops has organized “Life’s Too Short to Wear Shoes Protests” for public participation to protest against our fast-paced, overstuffed lifestyle...

May 09, 2013 // Franchising.com // EDINA, Minn. – Welcyon, Fitness After 50, a new slant on the fitness industry that caters to the 50-plus crowd, recently announced its membership in the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran Program.
The company will begin offering a $10,000 discount off its $30,000 franchise fee to qualified veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who want to own a Welcyon franchise.
“VetFran is the perfect way to thank the men and women who served our country and protect the free enterprise system under which we live,” said Suzy Boerboom, co-founder and CEO of Welcyon, who comes from a family with a long history of military service.
Boerboom’s father was a World War II veteran, and her husband and Welcyon co-founder is a Vietnam veteran...

NEW YORK - May 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - US Fitness Group of McLean, Virginia is firing up more cutting edge fitness options and bringing the world-famous, Crunch Fitness, to the acclaimed Reston Town Center. The club is due to open in the Fall of 2013.
Crunch, the health club chain best known for making serious fitness fun through unique programming and cutting-edge training, brings their 'No Judgments' philosophy and fusion of fitness meets entertainment to join this community of shopping, dining and entertainment. Crunch is known for creating unique programming that caters to an exceedingly diverse membership and has raised the bar for the entire fitness industry. Crunch provides members with the most innovative fitness equipment and classes, along with industry-leading instructors and expert personal trainers...

The iLoveKickboxing.com fitness franchise opened 80 locations in their first 8 months of franchising. An executive from the company revealed why he thinks entrepreneurs are "jumping" on the opportunity.
New York, NY (PRWEB) May 07, 2013 - iLoveKickboxing.com, referred to on their website as a "Low-Cost, Kick-Butt Fitness Franchise That's a Ton of Fun to Own", has caught the eye of many entrepreneurs looking for a franchise opportunity. With 80 locations opened within 8 months of franchising, it's no surprise why. But the question is: how are they opening so many locations so quickly?
"I think I can shed some insight into that," Scott Ferrari, Director of Franchise Development stated. "The biggest problem most businesses face is getting new customers...

Northeast Catches the Wave through Franchise Expansion with 20-Plus Shop Growth Plan; First Shop to Open in May 2013 in Greenwich Village
May 08, 2013 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA – Promoting the Worldwide Movement to Free Your Toes®, Flip Flop Shops is bound for the Big Apple.
The only lifestyle retail franchise to capture the essence of the flip flop connoisseur way of life, Flip Flop Shops is bringing its one-of-a kind brand to the New York City area with plans to open 18-24 shops throughout the Northeast in the next 3-5 years. Joining the shops operating in Woodbridge, N.J.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and Virginia Beach (two locations) and Richmond, Va., the first of these locations will open in May 2013 in Greenwich Village at 61 E...

May 08, 2013 // Franchising.com // LOS ANGELES - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first wall-to-wall trampoline playing court, announces the location of its first Richmond park. The innovative company has signed a lease and will be opening at 1345 Carmia Way, Richmond, VA 23235 in late 2013. The 37,500 square foot facility will be home to one of the largest trampoline parks in the country.
Sky Zone will defy gravity with its newest park, offering Richmond area residents the ultimate 3-D play experience. The all-trampoline walled courts are designed for optimal air time with popular activities such as Open Jump, offering a court of connecting trampolines where the sky is the limit, 3-D Dodgeball, for a fresh new take on that favorite childhood pastime and SkyRobics, an innovative fitness class that tones, strengthens and trains those looking to get a jump start on their fitness routine! Freestyle flyers can also practice their moves as they soar into the Foam Pit...

April 10, 2013 - Extra Innings, the nation’s premiere indoor sports training centers, have announced that due to market demand they will be offering their retail “Locker Room” outlets to indoor sports training centers all across the US. “Sports facilities will now be able to take their business to the next level by offering their customers equipment and apparel from the best names in the game at the best prices” said Rob Nash, president and co-founder of Extra Innings. “There are many indoor training centers across that country that are looking to take their business to the next level by offering the equipment and apparel to their athletes” continued Nash, “We have that buying power and are now going to offer a solution to those sports facilities with the Extra Innings Locker Rooms”...

Alabama-Based Photography Company Launches Franchise Division with Plans to Expand Throughout the Southeast
Huntsville  - April 30, 2013 - The future of Spoiled Rotten® Photography just came into clearer focus with the recent launch of the 10-year-old company’s franchise division. The brainchild of professional photographer and mother of two, Melissa Tash, Spoiled Rotten Photography has steadily grown both its portfolio and reputation since first debuting in local preschools all over Huntsville, Alabama in 2003. Since that time, Tash has streamlined her company’s systems, developed proprietary software, created effective marketing materials, written a guidebook to “kid wrangling,” and built a highly successful business that has parents grinning as widely as the children beautifully captured in each portrait...

May 02, 2013 // Franchising.com // LOS ANGELES - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first all-trampoline, walled playing court, is getting ready to open its newest franchise in Westlake, OH in June, 2013. The brand new 29,000 square foot facility will include three 3-D Dodgeball courts, a SkySlam Basketball court, Foam Zone and huge Open Jump court. Sky Zone will hire 70 employees over the coming months in preparation for the opening.
Sky Zone will defy gravity with its newest park, offering Cleveland residents the ultimate 3-D play experience. The all-trampoline walled courts are designed for optimal air time with popular activities such as Open Jump, offering a court of connecting trampolines where the sky is the limit, 3-D Dodgeball, for a fresh new take on that favorite childhood pastime and SkyRobics, an innovative fitness class that tones, strengthens and trains those looking to get a jump start on their fitness routine! Freestyle flyers can also practice their moves as they soar into the Foam Pit...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - May 1, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Creative Learning Corporation (CLCN.OB), owner and developer of Bricks 4 Kidz®, the highly-popular children’s education and enrichment program, is pleased to announce that BFK Franchise Company, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative Learning Corporation) has recently sold a Master Franchise to Creative Child Development Sdn Bhd.
“The sale of the Malaysia Master Franchise clearly indicates a significant demand internationally for the Bricks 4 Kidz® program, considering that we’re now operating in thirteen countries and in Puerto Rico, with contracts out for Botswana and Spain also. In addition to the Malaysia Master Franchise, we have a Malaysian subfranchisee coming to our May training,” commented Brian Pappas, CEO of Creative Learning...

FORT WAYNE, IN - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park opens first ever location in Fort Wayne, IN to offer a thrilling 3-D experience for the whole family atop a court of connecting trampolines. Specializing in Active Fun, the creator of the world’s first indoor trampoline park has a variety of gravity defying activities that will get people of all ages jumping for joy. Beginning today, Fort Wayne residents are welcomed to hop into Sky Zone to check out the wildly popular activity that has the whole country bouncing off the walls!
Sky Zone’s wall-to-wall trampoline courts are designed as a fun and fit outing for all ages, shapes and sizes. The innovative trampoline park offers a variety of activities for everyone to enjoy, from Open Jump, allowing guests to leap, bound and soar to their hearts’ content to 3-D Dodgeball for those who enjoy a friendly competition...

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - April 26, 2013 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Creative Learning Corporation (OTCBB:CLCN) owner and developer of Bricks 4 Kidz®, the highly-popular children’s education and enrichment program, is pleased to announce that the Company reached its 300th franchise on April 25th, a milestone that was not projected to be achieved until the end of October, 2013. The 300th franchise is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Creative Learning Corporation now has franchises in 39 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 13 foreign countries.
About Creative Learning Corporation
Creative Learning Corporation, operating under the trade name Bricks 4 Kidz®, offers programs designed to teach children ages 3-12+ the basic principles of engineering, architecture and physics using LEGO®, bricks...

The Dahn Yoga newsletter, Dahn Yoga Life, spotlights the Body + Brain franchise location in the Village of Lynbrook on Long Island, New York as Center of the Month for April 2013.
Gilbert, AZ (PRWEB) April 26, 2013 - Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc., a national leader in health and wellness, spotlights the Body + Brain Franchise in the Village of Lynbrook, Long Island, New York as the Dahn Yoga Community's Center of the Month in the April issue of the newsletter, Dahn Yoga Life.
Dahn Yoga Life shares the story of how owner/manager, Rose Brun regained her health through Dahn Yoga following an auto accident and decided to dedicate her life to helping others in her community. Dahn Yoga benefitswere so evident that this prompted her to open a franchise in Lynbrook five years ago...