The Little Gym vs Skyhawks Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
The Little Gym Franchise
Skyhawks Franchise
Investment $174,900 - $456,500$30,800 - $94,500
Franchise Fee $39,500 - $59,500$17,500 - $42,500
Royalty Fee 8%9% -6%
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 19761979
Year Franchised 19922007
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years7 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
The Little Gym Franchise
Skyhawks Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 55 hours Classroom Training: 100 hours Additional Training: At existing franchise location On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 16 hours Additional Training: Software training
    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 Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    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 Loyalty program/app
    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)

    		Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 1 - 7

    Expansion Plans
     
    The Little Gym Franchise
    Skyhawks Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    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 Skyhawks

    Since 1979, over 1,000,000 children have participated in a Skyhawks program! Skyhawks is the nation's leader in sports programs for children. Skyhawks is a brand with national exposure and appeal - and offers a dependable and rewarding business to own. With the Skyhawks system, franchisees will teach children and young adults meaningful life lessons through athletics. Franchisees will have exclusive territories to operate athletic camps and programs in a variety of sports for local schools, park and recreation departments, and other community-based organizations - wherever children are found.
    Skyhawks has developed a system to sell its services, market its programs, and hire and train employees to implement those programs.
    The Skyhawks Program is founded upon a coaching philosophy and methodology that have evolved and been fine-tuned for over 25 years.
    The Skyhawks Program also includes marketing strategies and the technology to manage events, marketing, and staff,
    all of which are clearly outlined in the Skyhawks Confidential Operations Manual.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Skyhawks franchised business is between $30,800 and $71,750. This includes $17,500 to $42,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s).
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Skyhawks franchised business with one additional territory is between $41,650 and $94,500. This includes $28,350 to $65,250 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s).
    Veteran Incentives  30% off franchise fee
    "Entrepreneur
    #217 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #137 in Franchise 500 for 2021.