Code Ninjas Expands Dallas Footprint with New Franchise Agreement

May 12, 2026 // Franchising.com // Code Ninjas is continuing its expansion with a new franchise agreement in the Dallas area. The center is slated to open in mid-August in McKinney and will be led by seasoned technology executive and military veteran Kenneth Johnson, alongside his business partner, Calvin Thomas.

Together, the duo brings a shared vision to deliver hands-on STEM education and equip local youth with future-ready skills.

“Dallas is a priority market for our continued growth, where we’re seeing strong demand from both families and prospective franchisees,” said Navin Gurnaney, CEO of Code Ninjas. “As demand for real-world STEM skills continues to accelerate, we’re focused on expanding in markets where we can deliver both meaningful student outcomes and strong unit-level performance. With Kenneth and Calvin leading this location, we’re confident in our ability to bring a high-quality, community-driven experience to Dallas.”

From Enterprise Technology to Business Ownership

Johnson began his career with 12 years in the military before transitioning into government contracting and later the private sector. He has held leadership roles at several Fortune 100 companies, including Vice President of Engineering for data loss prevention at JPMorgan Chase and leading solution engineering across the Americas at Microsoft.

The Dallas venture brings together a longtime friendship and shared vision, with Johnson and Thomas building the Code Ninjas together in McKinney.

“We were very intentional about finding the right opportunity, and Code Ninjas kept rising to the top,” said Johnson. “We spent a lot of time thinking about what the next generation needs to be successful, and this felt like a way to be part of that. Code Ninjas is a brand we believe in, and one that helps kids build skills that will carry with them long term.”

The location is currently under development, with construction underway and a focus on creating a high-energy, welcoming environment where kids can learn to code through engaging, hands-on experiences.

Meeting Demand for Future-Ready Skills

There is ongoing demand for coding and technology education as families seek programs that teach AI, robotics, and programming. Code Ninjas reports ongoing program offerings across the U.S. and internationally.

The broader education services sector has seen growth as we move into 2026. Code Ninjas continues to evolve its curriculum to include hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and the relationships between coding, AI, and robotics.

Code Ninjas uses a membership-based model and a hyper-local approach to engaging families, schools, and community organizations.

With ongoing development across markets and a focus on multi-unit growth, the organization continues to expand its footprint while delivering meaningful local impact.

SOURCE Code Ninjas

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