Investors Scale The Little Gym Franchise to $20 Million Revenue
Two business partners transformed their personal customer experience into a multi-unit franchise growth strategy.
1From Parents to Partners
Griffin Gordon and Kevin Condon initially encountered The Little Gym as parents enrolling their children in gymnastics classes. Impressed by the staff's engagement and the children's enthusiasm, they recognized a business opportunity. Their professional backgrounds in private equity and small business management provided the necessary foundation to pursue a large-scale franchise acquisition.
2Strategic Market Entry
The partners entered the market in 2023 by investing in seven existing North Carolina locations. They collaborated with Richard Moore, a long-term operator whose family had developed the business over three decades. This partnership allowed them to combine experienced local management with the capital required for rapid, systematic expansion across the region.
3Rapid Scaling Strategy
Within three years, the duo expanded their footprint from seven to over 30 locations, with 10 more currently in development. This growth has pushed their annual revenue to nearly $20 million. They attribute this success to a repeatable franchise playbook that balances established brand identity with modernized operational systems and infrastructure.
4The Power of Playbooks
The investors view franchising as a way to leverage a 50-year-old brand rather than starting from scratch. By following a structured system, they mitigate risks associated with independent startups. They emphasize that while the core gymnastics curriculum remains constant, modernizing customer-facing technology is essential for maintaining competitiveness in today's market.
5Modernizing Legacy Systems
Under the guidance of franchisor Unleashed Brands, the business has integrated new digital tools, such as a parent-facing app. This technology allows families to track milestones and view class photos, bridging the gap between historical brand strengths and contemporary parental expectations. Such improvements are critical for maintaining high-quality service standards.
6Human Capital Focus
Despite the focus on systems, the partners maintain that the business is fundamentally about people. Success depends on recruiting, training, and retaining high-quality staff members. They prioritize career development, offering employees paths to move from teaching roles into broader management responsibilities, which ensures consistent service quality across all their gym locations.
7Evaluating Franchise Opportunities
Gordon and Condon advise aspiring franchisees to utilize the franchise disclosure document to contact existing owners. They believe speaking with current operators is the most effective way to understand the model's reality. They stress that passion for the specific industry is vital, even for investors who are not running daily operations.
8Future Growth Potential
Having quadrupled their footprint in three years, the partners remain optimistic about continued scaling. While they acknowledge that reaching $100 million in revenue is an ambitious goal, they remain committed to the brand's potential. Their strategy continues to focus on unit economics, operational excellence, and providing high-quality youth enrichment services nationwide.