The Little Gym franchise startup costs run $206K–$534K for a children's gymnastics and movement skills franchise with 300+ US and international locations. The weekly class membership model produces recurring revenue across a wide age range from 4 months through 12 years.
The Little Gym is a children's gymnastics, dance, and movement skills franchise serving children aged 4 months through 12 years. Each location delivers weekly classes in a purpose-built open-floor studio with gymnastics equipment scaled to children. The curriculum progresses through developmental stages — from parent-and-child classes for infants and toddlers through structured gymnastics and movement skill programs for older children. Revenue comes from weekly class memberships, birthday party packages, and summer camps. With 300+ locations in the US and internationally, The Little Gym is one of the most established children's activity franchise networks globally. Prospective franchisees should review the current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436).
Per the current FDD filed under the FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436), total estimated initial investment for a The Little Gym franchise runs $206,000–$534,000. The open-floor studio format with specialized gymnastics equipment for children drives build-out and equipment costs:
The Little Gym charges an 8% royalty on gross sales plus marketing fund contributions. Revenue streams include weekly class memberships (families pay recurring fees for weekly scheduled classes), birthday party packages (private party rental of the gym space), and seasonal camps. Membership retention is structurally strong — The Little Gym's multi-year developmental curriculum keeps children enrolled as they age through skill levels, producing customer relationships that span 5–8 years from infant enrollment through age 12.
The Little Gym is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. At $206K–$534K, the investment range spans SBA Express and lower SBA 7(a) standard territory:
The Little Gym operators typically target breakeven within 24–36 months. The multi-year developmental curriculum creates customer lifetime values that extend well beyond typical activity franchises — families enrolled from infant classes may remain customers for 8+ years as children progress through skill levels. Birthday party packages and summer camps fill off-peak studio time and provide high-margin incremental revenue. Markets with high concentrations of families with children under 12, strong early childhood development awareness, and household incomes supporting $100–$200/month membership fees produce the best unit economics.
The Little Gym suits operators with education, childcare, fitness, or service business management backgrounds. Certified gymnastics instructors and child development staff are hired — the franchisee does not need gymnastics certification. Financial benchmarks typically require net worth of $250K+ and liquid capital of $75K+. The concept suits owner-operators who are deeply community-oriented and can build long-term relationships with families. Multi-unit operators benefit from The Little Gym's established 300+ location network, proven curriculum system, and strong brand recognition among parents of young children.
SBA lenders underwriting The Little Gym applications under SBA SOP 50 10 7 evaluate five primary factors:
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Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $206,000–$534,000. The open-floor studio format and children's-scaled gymnastics equipment account for a significant share of investment.
The Little Gym serves children aged 4 months through 12 years with a developmental curriculum that progresses through parent-and-child infant classes, toddler movement programs, and structured gymnastics and skill classes for older children.
The Little Gym charges an 8% royalty on gross sales plus marketing fund contributions.
Yes. The Little Gym is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory. The lower end of the investment range fits SBA Express (up to $500K). The full range fits SBA 7(a) standard loans (up to $5M). SBA 504 is available for significant real estate or equipment components.
Families enrolled from infant classes may remain customers for 5–8 years as children progress through the developmental curriculum from infancy through age 12. This multi-year retention is one of the strongest in the children's activity franchise segment.
SBA lenders require a minimum DSCR of 1.25× at stabilized enrollment levels under SBA SOP 50 10 7. For a children's activity franchise like The Little Gym, stabilized DSCR is typically modeled at 65–75% of target class membership capacity after 12–18 months of ramp. The multi-year retention model — families staying 5–8 years from infant enrollment — supports a lower churn assumption in the pro forma. Document pre-opening inquiry counts, trial class bookings, and pre-enrollment commitments to strengthen the ramp DSCR narrative.
SBA 7(a) financing for the $206K–$534K The Little Gym investment range requires 15–20% equity injection under SBA SOP 50 10 7 — approximately $31K–$107K in liquid borrower assets depending on total project cost. Projects at the lower end ($206K–$500K) may qualify for SBA Express (up to $500K) with a similar equity requirement and faster approval. Equity injection must come from liquid personal assets — it cannot be borrowed. Liquid reserves above the equity injection are required to fund instructor payroll and occupancy during the enrollment ramp period before DSCR 1.25× is achieved.