KidStrong has scaled into a fast-growing national franchise that blends science-based child development with a proven business model.
By Matt and Megin Sharp, founders of KidStrong
When we started KidStrong, we weren’t trying to build a national business. We were parents who wanted to help our daughter get stronger and more confident, but all we could find were generic children’s activities. We wanted a program based on science and led by strong coaches. To fill this void, we began training our daughter at home, and after seeing her progression we eventually launched a small pilot class in the back of the gym that Matt and Lincoln owned. After seeing some amazing progress with the kids and the program, we partnered with Lincoln Brown to turn the idea into a scalable business. From that day one we have all worked together to help as many families as possible. What started as a small class in the back of a gym has grown into a franchise with more than 185 locations and thousands of families attending each week.
How KidStrong Is Different
There are many programs for kids, but most of them focus on one area. Some emphasize fitness, while others focus on play or academics. We wanted something more comprehensive. Our program combines physical activity, cognitive training and social-emotional development.
We designed KidStrong for children ages one through 11, which are some of the most important developmental years. Research shows that 95 percent of brain development happens during this stage. In KidStrong classes, kids practice balance, strength and coordination, as well as public speaking, teamwork and social skills.
We knew the program had to be fun. Children wouldn’t want to come back if the classes felt like school or like chores, so we made sure every class included competition and recognition. The serious development is wrapped in play; parents see results and kids want to come back.
Growing the Business Responsibly
We saw how much demand there was for KidStrong, and we realized franchising could help us reach more families without jeopardizing quality. From the beginning, we built the company more like a technology business than a traditional franchise. We invested early in the right systems and people to help us grow, which gave us a strong foundation.
For example, we built technology to simplify operations and reduce administrative work for managers. Multiplied across hundreds of locations, even small time savings like this made a big difference not only in the experience we created for our members but in attracting top talent to come and work for our centers and for KidStrong HQ. These decisions allowed us to scale without losing focus on the product (our classes) or the families we serve.
We also learned the importance of protecting our culture. We only bring in franchisees who share our mission. If someone is only interested in numbers and not the impact on kids, they’re not a fit for our system.
Why Franchisees Are Thriving
The KidStrong model is built on recurring revenue, which allows franchisees to see strong performance from the day they open. Once parents see their kids’ growth, it encourages them to keep them enrolled, creating a predictable income for franchisees.
Retention is also high. Parents don’t view KidStrong as just another extracurricular activity. They see it as an investment in their kids’ future. That creates loyalty, referrals, booked birthday parties, full summer camps, and full classes.
We make it a priority to help new owners reach profitability quickly. Our goal is for each franchisee to break even and make back their investment in 28 months or less.
The Right Owners for the Right Markets
As we grow into key markets across the country, we are looking for operators who fit our vision. The best KidStrong owners are people who care deeply about helping kids but also have the skills to run a strong business. Some come from education or coaching backgrounds, while others have experience in business management. What matters most is a balance of mission and performance.
With KidStrong, you combine a kids-first mission with a serious business model. The owners who do well are those who understand both sides of that equation.
Our Outlook for the Future
KidStrong has grown faster than we ever imagined, but we are still early in our journey. We see a path to more than 1,000 locations in the US & Canada. Our long-term vision is to be the global leader in child development and to help millions of kids. But no matter how big we get, our focus will stay the same: supporting families and franchise owners while protecting the culture that makes KidStrong special.
When we wake up each day, we know the work we are doing matters. Parents stop us to share stories of how their children have changed. We hear about shy kids who now lead on the playground or children who have gained confidence that carries over into school and sports. Those stories remind us why we started and why we continue to grow.