The Little Gym vs My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of The Little Gym vs My Gym Children's Fitness Center including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
The Little Gym Franchise
My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise
Investment $174,900 - $456,500$36,760 - $277,200
Franchise Fee $39,500 - $59,500$25,000 - $55,000
Royalty Fee 8%7%-8%
Advertising Fee 1%1%
Year Founded 19761983
Year Franchised 19921995
Term Of Agreement 10 years12 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years12 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
The Little Gym Franchise
My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 55 hours Classroom Training: 100 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 19 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5 - 7

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 10

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    My Gym Children's Fitness Center Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About The Little Gym

    After teaching grade school in public schools for years, Robin Wes used his physical education, psychology and motor development degrees to open The Little Gym in 1976. Although it started out focusing on physical education, the program has evolved to focus on children's intellectual and social development as well.
    Today Little Gym offers programs for various age levels, including Parent & Child, Developmental Gymnastics, Karate and Sports Skills Development.
    Franchises also hold birthday parties, summer camps, Creative Crafts Adventures and Parent's Survival Nights.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a The Little Gym franchise with a Standard Territory is $223,400 to $456,500. This includes $139,500 to $175,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a The Little Gym franchise with a Medium Market Territory is $174,900 to $392,000. This includes $114,500 to $141,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates.
    If you elect to begin operation of a Multi-Unit Area Development, the additional costs for the estimated initial investment is $133,875 to $148,750 which must be paid to the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  50% off franchise fee
    #179 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About My Gym Children's Fitness Center

    Welcome to the exciting business of children's gyms! The timing is right The children's fitness industry offers a vast marketplace where the potential has now become even greater because of school budget cuts, decreasing opportunities for safe play in parks and neighborhoods, and the appalling state of the physical fitness of our youth. Millions of our children are overweight, inactive and below minimum standards for strength, flexibility and endurance. The need for more children's gyms is apparent, and the field offers an abundance of opportunities to those who love children.
    Improve the lives of children Our innovative and carefully structured programs, along with our ideal student/teacher ratio and noncompetitive atmosphere, allow children to discover what great things they can accomplish. My Gym Kids have so much fun developing strength, balance, coordination, agility, flexibility, fine and gross motor proficiency, social skills and self-esteem as they run, jump, tumble, dance and sing.
    Be your own boss Our franchisees derive real satisfaction from running a business
    that promotes the physical and emotional health of our world's most precious resource, our children.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee
    #202 in Franchise 500 for 2020.