Jumpbunch Children's Sports Franchise Grows By Leaps And Bounds

According to a recent federal report,* the child obesity rate in the U.S. has tripled over the past three decades, leaving parents and school administrators challenged to find creative ways to instill healthy routines in children. Responding to the growing concern about childhood health and fitness, JumpBunch, a franchise dedicated to nurturing active lifestyles in kids through the fun of sports, has announced plans to "leap" across the country with 100 locations slated to open by 2010.

Launched in 2002, JumpBunch partners with daycare and recreation centers and schools, offering more than 70 activities designed to help kids explore their athletic interests in a non-competitive atmosphere. With 17 locations currently open throughout the U.S., JumpBunch is aggressively targeting markets in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, and North Carolina for development. The franchise is also looking to expand their presence in San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles, Calif. Company plans call for 20 new territories to open annually for the next five years.

"The services of JumpBunch have never been more necessary to our children than they are today," said Tom Bunchman, founder and CEO of JumpBunch. "Through our program, kids learn to enjoy an active lifestyle, building a foundation for years of healthy living." Unlike their competition, JumpBunch emphasizes specific sports, not simply fitness. Catering to children in preschool and grade school, JumpBunch offers more than 70 physical activities by introducing a new sport during each week's 30-60 minute class. Classes in tug-of-war and volleyball improve athletic ability and enhance muscle tone, while lessons in curling and bocce ball expose children to sports they may not otherwise discover. Younger kids enjoy freestyle dance, hula hoops, and relay races while gaining familiarity with their bodies. Such a wide range of activities ensures kids can explore those that interest them in a safe, familiar environment. "Kids enjoy the classes because they're introduced to all different types sports, and parents like them because their kids sharpen motor skills and hand-eye coordination," Bunchman added. "Parenting" a Franchise The JumpBunch concept was born from Bunchman's experiences with his five-year-old daughter and her friends, who he noticed weren't getting enough exercise. In 1997, after several years working in the children's sports franchise arena, Bunchman began a sports enrichment program for preschools and daycares in the Anne Arundel County, Md. area, designed to develop students' motor skills and promote non-sedentary activities. By 2002 business was booming, and the JumpBunch franchise debuted. "JumpBunch was developed with kids' best interests in mind," said Bunchman. "The activities not only cultivate different skills, but also maintain students' attention from week to week. It's important to keep things fresh and exciting." An affordable alternative to expensive private lessons in multiple sports, enrollment rates vary from $6 to $10 per week, depending on location. Coaches travel to the host site, and classes are held either during or after school hours, making the program convenient for kids and parents. In addition to schools and daycares, JumpBunch works with recreation departments, youth groups, camps, and even birthday parties. A "Fitting" Franchise Opportunity Bunchman describes the ideal JumpBunch franchisee as "enthusiastic, friendly, and crazy about children." He adds that many franchisees find a corporate background is helpful to understand the administrative aspects of the business, though it is not required. JumpBunch is currently accepting both single and multi-unit franchisee candidates.

Boasting low overhead and service hours customized to each franchisee's schedule, the JumpBunch opportunity offers flexibility with the backing of a proven franchise system for entrepreneurs looking to balance their work life with family time.

"The JumpBunch franchise is an appealing option because it is portable," Bunchman said. "When a franchisee or coach goes to a session, all he needs is a bag filled with equipment and a CD player." The initial JumpBunch franchise fee is $15,000, with a typical territory eventually requiring an additional $5,000 for needs such as insurance and equipment. Territories are awarded based on populations of 250,000 people; the franchise fee increases to $20,000 and $25,000 in territories of 500,000 and 1,000,000 people, respectively. Franchisees attend a comprehensive training session in Annapolis, learning proven measures for class instruction, business and client management, and training additional coaches to teach classes in the field. Fees also include advertising and marketing materials, as well as extensive ongoing support via the JumpBunch intranet, forums and toll free number.

About JumpBunch Sports and Fitness for Kids Launched in 2002, JumpBunch is a national children's franchise dedicated to nurturing an active lifestyle through the fun of sports. Catering to children in preschool and grade school, JumpBunch enhances coordination while exposing students to a wide range of interests. Currently JumpBunch serves 17 school and daycare territories across the U.S., with plans to open an additional 100 locations by the end of 2010.

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