Are you considering starting an indoor playground franchise business? As parents increasingly seek fun and safe spaces for their children to play, indoor playgrounds have become a thriving business opportunity. Franchising offers a unique opportunity to tap into this demand with a proven business model, built-in support, and a trusted brand.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to get started: the benefits of franchising, how much it costs, how to choose the right brand, and what tools and indoor playground software you'll need to launch and scale your business successfully.
Why choose an indoor playground franchise?
Starting any business from scratch comes with risks. Franchising gives you a head start by offering a pre-built blueprint for success. Here are some of the main reasons entrepreneurs are choosing to invest in indoor playground franchises:
Proven business model
With a franchise, you're not starting from zero. You’re following a model that’s already been tested in the market. This can save time, reduces trial and error, and increases your chances of success.
Brand recognition
Guests are more likely to trust and visit a venue they've heard of before. Established franchise brands have strong reputations, loyal customers, and marketing power you can leverage from day one.
Training and support
Franchisors typically offer extensive onboarding, manuals, staff training, and ongoing guidance. You’re not alone, you’ll have a team backing you every step of the way.
Understanding the indoor playground industry
Before diving into any business venture, it's crucial to understand the industry you're entering. The indoor playground industry caters to families looking for a safe, entertaining, and climate-controlled environment for their children to play. It often includes slides, ball pits, climbing structures, and themed play areas.
The global family/indoor entertainment centers market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% from 2021 to 2030, reaching $69.55 billion by 2030. Further, the Global Playground Equipment market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% from USD 4.1 billion in 2019 to USD 7.99 billion by 2026. The market size for the soft-contained play industry (including indoor playgrounds) is about $400 million in the United States.
Your target audience will be families with children between 9-12, as they account for the largest indoor playground industry revenue share.
Read more: How to Open an Indoor Playground: Costs, Profits and Steps to Success
Indoor playground franchise vs. independent ownership
Should you go with a franchise or strike out on your own? Here’s a quick breakdown:
|
Criteria |
Franchise |
Independent |
|
Brand recognition |
Instant awareness Franchise brands are typically already known to customers, which can help you attract traffic faster. |
Build from the ground up You’ll need to create your own brand, design your logo, and build awareness through local marketing. |
|
Startup support |
Comprehensive help Franchisors typically provide training, manuals, vendor relationships, and site selection guidance. |
Do it yourself You’re responsible for everything, from negotiating leases to selecting equipment to training staff. |
|
Operational freedom |
Follow the playbook You’ll need to operate within brand standards and systems, often with limited room for personal tweaks. |
Full control You can choose your own pricing, attraction mix, technology, and policies, which is ideal for innovators. |
|
Software & equipment flexibility |
Usually locked in Many franchises require you to use specific software and vendors, which may limit customization. |
Choose your tools You can select the software, timing systems, and hardware that best fit your budget and goals. |
|
Cost structure |
Franchise fee and royalties Expect an upfront franchise fee, which typically ranges from $30,000 to $150,000+ depending on the franchise, and ongoing royalty payments based on revenue. |
Flexible costs No franchise fees or royalties, but you may face higher upfront costs for branding, marketing, and R&D. |
How to start an indoor playground franchise
1. Research your market
Conduct thorough market research to understand the demand for indoor playgrounds in your chosen location. Analyze your competitors, their strengths, and weaknesses, and identify gaps in the market that your franchise can fill. A well-researched market strategy is essential for success.
Things that you should cover in your research include location analysis, competitor analysis, target demographic research, market trends, financial viability, marketing and promotions, seasonal fluctuations, and a general risk assessment of the market and your franchising plan.
2. Choose the right franchise brand
Compare options based on:
- Startup and royalty fees
- Brand reputation and reviews
- Required technology and vendors
- Marketing support
- Territory availability
Talk to current franchisees and request the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before making your decision.
3. Build your business plan
Make sure to include:
- Budget and financial projections
- Marketing strategy
- Staffing and training plans
- Expansion goals
- Break-even timeline
4. Secure a location
Work with your franchisor on site selection, lease negotiation, and layout. Confirm zoning, safety, and health regulations with your local authorities.
5. Prepare for launch
Coordinate play equipment installation, hire and train staff, and execute your marketing plan. Many franchisors will support you with a pre-opening checklist and launch campaign.
What kind of support do franchisors offer?
Each brand is different, but most indoor playground franchisors offer:
- Training: Initial onboarding and in-person or virtual training for owners and staff
- Marketing: Templates, materials, social content, and seasonal campaigns
- Technology: POS, ticketing, or vendor relationships
- Operational tools: Manuals, scheduling tools, waiver systems
- Ongoing support: Business coaching, compliance check-ins, and performance tracking
How to plan for expansion
A detailed business plan is imperative to expand your indoor playground franchise successfully. Your plan should encompass your franchise's vision, mission, and values, providing a clear sense of purpose and direction. Set specific goals and objectives supported by a well-defined budget and financial projections considering all expansion costs and potential revenue streams.
Lay out your growth strategy, whether it involves opening new locations, renovating existing ones, or pursuing alternative avenues for expansion. Include an operational plan that covers staffing, training, and operating procedures. Lastly, establish a timeline that pinpoints key milestones for your expansion project, ensuring a structured approach to growth.
Managing multiple locations
If you want to expand your indoor playground franchise, efficient multiple-venue management is essential. To maintain quality and guest expectations, you must implement consistent processes and branding across all locations.
Build a strong management team to oversee day-to-day operations at each site and continuously train and support your staff to ensure consistent service and adherence to safety protocols. You must also spend time with marketing professionals to develop a marketing strategy that works for all your locations. It should promote your brand and attract guests to each site.
Most importantly, though, you must use venue management software that helps you efficiently run multiple venues. All-in-one cloud-based technology is ideal for the modern attractions business. With cloud-based systems, you can monitor your venue and make real-time operational adjustments from anywhere. Utilizing all-in-one management systems simplifies the task of running your venue, reducing stress and costs.
Ensure that the system you select provides POS, online ticketing, digital waivers, guest feedback tools, group and party booking capabilities, analytics and reporting, and other tools vital to your venue's smooth operation and continued growth.
What's next?
Starting an indoor playground franchise can be rewarding, providing families with a fun and safe place for children to play while offering you a profitable business opportunity.
You can successfully launch and expand your franchise in this growing market by understanding the industry, conducting thorough research, using robust indoor playground software systems, and following a well-structured plan.
Contact us to discover how ROLLER can help your business grow at scale, increase revenue, and deliver great guest experiences.
