In 2015, we were thrilled to be ranked in Franchise Business Review's Top 50 for Franchisee Satisfaction for the tenth consecutive year. For 2016 we are not only happy to be on that list yet again, but this time we are ranked as the #1 Franchise System in the Child Services Category! This is an honor we've had several times before during our now eleven year run, but with the level of competition increasing in this category, getting the acknowledgement is extra special this year. The satisfaction scores we received are based on direct franchisee feedback on our system and objectively compared to other systems in the same service category and the franchise industry as a whole.
We are right in the middle of the holiday season, and there is no doubt that kids get excited about the surprises and fun that come along with this time of year. While JumpBunch franchise owners don't wrap up each week's activity in colorful paper and bows, they deliver that same excitement of giving something new each time they walk through the doors with their bags of equipment. Parents love to see their kids excited and happy, and that is part of what makes JumpBunch such an appealing program. You can bet that happy parents and excited kids are things school directors definitely want to see!
A pure entrepreneur is likely to want an environment where they have complete freedom to take an original idea, uniquely create a model for it to thrive, and operate according to their own set of rules. Before going down the road to franchising, it is important to consider whether how you're wired as a potential business owner is going to be compatible with an established and standardized system.
The concept of JumpBunch is pretty simple. We introduce kids to sports and fitness at an early age through a variety of active and fun activities. We are fortunate to have many wonderful host location partners such as daycares and preschools that open the door for this to happen for kids. Unfortunately, this is not a door that is so easily opened for kids with special needs.
Persistence, resilience, tolerance for risk, and courage are all qualities you need to be a successful business owner, or in our case, a franchisee. The reality is that you need all of these, but which is most important? A survey of our JumpBunch franchisees revealed opinions that broke out in the following way.
Many entrepreneurs opt to franchise a business rather than starting from scratch. The security of a proven business model combined with the support and resources offered makes it very appealing. However, it is important to remember that even franchise businesses can be risky if the decision is made without a lot of thought and planning. It’s easy to avoid being guilty of the common mistakes that a lot of entrepreneurs make, if you keep the following tips in mind:
It can be difficult to imagine how JumpBunch can offer over 70 unique sport activities and then tailor each for different age groups, from toddlers to preschool, to school age children. After all, what kinds of “sports” could you possibly teach toddlers? Check out the new video produced by JumpBunch showing classes in action at each level. Several short interviews with JumpBunch coaches and a teacher help explain some of the hidden benefits of the fun but structured play. Parents and teachers watching the video can appreciate the advantages of an enrichment program like JumpBunch showing up weekly with fresh activities, all the equipment required and an enthusiastic coach. Potential franchisees reviewing the video quickly gain a better understanding of how JumpBunch partnerships work with day care facilities, camps and school groups at every level.
Good news! Children’s franchises are continuing to grow in popularity. Here are some statistics that exemplify the success that our industry is experiencing:
The beauty of franchise ownership is the freedom to run your own business within the existing support of the established brand. If you find the right franchise, you don’t have to go at it on your own. You will get training up front and ongoing support to keep your business growing and flourishing. But the level of support you receive is certainly not guaranteed across all franchise opportunities. So it’s important to make sure you do your research and confirm that the franchise you’re interested in will provide the level of support you need once you sign on the dotted line.
The children’s sports and fitness franchise industry is offers many different opportunities to choose from. It’s important to identify the strengths and weaknesses of all the options before you make your final choice. Some enrichment programs serve a narrow age group or offer just one sport or a limited range of activities. This can leave owners with few options to build their business, react to market changes or best serve their local demographics. On the other hand, no business should try to be “all things to all people.” Great franchisers recognize their core strength and build on it to give owners the flexibility to succeed in diverse markets and across changing economic times.
