BIG BUCKS IN LITTLE GYM

Fun gyms for kids pump up big bucks, taking in about $75 million a year.

Are we havin’ fun yet,” asks Adam Stone, a multi-unit franchisee for The Little Gym, as he enters his bustling Glenview, IL location, one of more than 160 thriving units in 14 countries.

The answer to Stone’s rhetorical question is evident: In clear view are 16 bouncy toddlers leaping happily about to an original version of “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” as their parental counterparts beam with pride. Stone’s success, and that of every The Little Gym franchise owner, is built on the same principle the company applies every day for the children entrusted to its care: “Motor Skill Development Made Fun Builds Confidence That Leads to a Lifetime of Success.” Ask any The Little Gym franchisee how they feel about their business and the answer is strikingly similar: Owning The Little Gym is fun.

“As you help children develop motor skills, they sparkle; and their parents see what a positive impact you and The Little Gym are making in their lives,” said Bob Bingham, president and CEO of The Little Gym, International, Inc. “Through our thorough training program, our franchisees’ confidence grows, as does the success of their gym. We have more than 100 franchise owners that are proud and happy to live their dreams, everyday. They enjoy a fun and rewarding career, while enriching the lives of children and building a sound financial future. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

The Little Gym is the premier children’s motor skill development program in the world that for 28 years has provided hundreds of thousands of children worldwide with physical, intellectual, emotional and social benefits. Founder Robin Wes, a musician, former gymnast and degreed kinesiologist (the study of movement), opened the first The Little Gym in 1976, building the foundation for future success with a unique motor skill development program that focuses on fun, positive experiences in a non-competitive environment.

In 1992, The Little Gym Inter-national, Inc., was incorporated in order to franchise Wes’ extraordinary concept. Two years later, Bingham, a successful broadcasting executive, joined the company as president and CEO with a fresh and unique concept on how to build a franchising company—”cloning” the system’s most competent franchisees.
“Rather than grow with franchising executives from other companies, I recognized the extraordinary backgrounds and experience of The Little Gym franchise owners themselves,” Bingham said. “My vision was to bring these people, bound by their common passion for The Little Gym business, together as a team and have them help guide the company’s future,” said Bingham, noting that almost all of The Little Gym management team are current or previous The Little Gym franchise owners.

The concept works. Last year the company reported approximately $75 million in systemwide revenues worldwide and the figure is growing at about a 30% per year rate. They award an average of one new franchise territory each week.

The process expanded in 1997 as Bingham began to replace his entire franchise support staff with exist-ing franchise owners. He asked his most competent, profitable franchisees to give 10 hours of their time each week to help and advise new owners. Once implemented, the “owner/advisor” program boosted the success rate of new franchisees astronomically. Bingham then decided to capture the expertise of the experienced owners on the management team.

“The idea was for our best owners to come on board at the corporate level and create and clone themselves in our franchise system,” Bingham said. “Our new franchisees have a great deal of respect for our management team because they know they have been there as franchisees themselves. That lends tremendous credibility.”

The Little Gym franchise owners come from diverse backgrounds, including former attorneys, doctors, teachers, sales and marketing executives or others in the business world who felt there was something missing in their lives. According to Bingham, people with virtually any background can be successful as The Little Gym franchise owners, as long as they are motivated, energetic and share a love for children and make use of the variety of support tools provided by The Little Gym corporate office. It’s a complete kit.
“Our programs are based on meticulously and professionally developed curriculum that we teach every franchise owner,” he said. “We teach them every detail of everything from the skills of how to properly work with children of all ages to recruiting and training staff,” said Bingham, adding that each franchise owner is assigned a New Business Specialist (often people who have successfully owned or managed a The Little Gym themselves). They provide consistent and ongoing support to nurture the rapid growth of our franchisees’ business.”

As word spreads of the fulfilling and financially satisfying nature of owning a The Little Gym, interest in the franchise concept is at an all-time high, with an average of six new franchise territories awarded each month. The Little Gym facilities are approximately 4,000 square feet and are usually found in strip malls or business parks.

While The Little Gym fields multiple inquiries from prospective franchisees daily, the company takes pride in selectiveness—awarding franchises to only the most qualified candidates who show passion for the concept, exceptional business aptitude and a true love for children.

“We are finding that in recruiting franchisees, financial success is important, but it isn’t everything,” Bingham said. “The opportunity to work with kids and make a difference in their lives, and to have fun while working hard is what drives our franchise owners to change their lives and be in control of their own destiny.”

The Little Gym franchise system includes a significant share of former attorneys, doctors and corporate executives who walked away from lifelong successful careers to find a different kind of fulfillment seeing children build confidence and have fun at The Little Gym. The company prides itself on being extremely selective in who is allowed to own a franchise. Candidates must possess a passion for the concept, exceptional business aptitude and a true love for children.

The Little Gym International, Inc., headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ, was formed in 1992 in order to franchise The Little Gym concept. For more information visit them at their website www.thelittlegym.com.

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