Successful Franchises Live By These 5 Unmistakable Qualities
Entrepreneurs interested in pursuing business ownership but uneasy about going it alone often turn to franchising. Franchising is a proven system of distributing products or services involving a franchisor and franchisee.
The franchisor establishes the brand’s trademark and business system. The franchisee pays a royalty and initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor’s name and system.
In the U.S. alone, there are more than 750,000 franchises. Franchises provide employment to more than 8 million Americans. While it’s a huge part of the workforce, it takes a lot to create a successful franchise. Many burn out before the grand opening.
Below, we’ve detailed the five top qualities that contribute to a successful franchise.
What are the Keys to Franchise Success?
Once you’ve understood the fundamentals of franchising, it’s time to pick which is the best fit for you. Here are some factors to consider that should drive your decision-making:
- Brand recognition: Having an established brand is one of the greatest assets for a franchise. This creates a customer base that already wants your service. Alone, this can be one of the hardest things to establish, and many businesses will try for years and still struggle to have returning customers. With a well-known brand, you get loyal customers from day one.
- A healthy industry: Some industries are booming; some are stagnant. It’s up to you to confirm the opportunities available, the budget, and desired work expectations, but choosing the right industry is incredibly important to the overall success of your business.
- Profitability: Will this business make me money? It’s a must to verify the business will be able to sustain you in short-term to create long-term financial security. Examine the past financials of the franchise as well as its growth trajectory and make sure to talk to franchisees about their experience.
- Sustainability: In addition to profit, your franchise must survive. Look for franchises that have been around and have tremendous growth potential.
- Marketing: Check out how the brand is revolutionizing their marketing strategies. Social media is a powerful tool now, and many companies are using it. Make sure the industry you’re looking at is using it to amplify and elevate the brand.
Why Franchising is a Great Choice
There’s a reason many people head to franchising when deciding to go into business ownership. Franchises have brand recognition, which often comes with a built-in customer base. They have a franchise system with a network of other franchisees. That means shoulders to lean on and experiences to learn from. In addition, there’s also support and training from a leadership team that understands your success equals their success. In general, franchises are relatively successful. Be mindful, there is no guaranteed financial prosperity, but it’s definitely the more promising route over starting from scratch.
What Soft Skills do I Need?
It takes more than a strong franchise brand to help you create success. You have to have the skills it takes – or be willing to develop those skills – to be the right kind of good franchisee to help the franchise truly thrive. That’s where soft skills come into play.
As a good franchisee, you should be:
- Passionate: Passion and drive are often the biggest motivation to be successful in any endeavor, franchise included. Having a passion for your brand will be visible and contagious to your team and your customers.
- Coachable: Leave your ego at the door. It’s imperative you have a willingness to learn and grow. You must be able to accept training and guidance from the franchisor. It’s helpful to also view every experience, the good and the bad, as a way to learn. In turn, those lessons will lead you to more profitability and success.
- Goal-oriented: To be a successful franchise owner, you must be goal-oriented. Having clear ideas of accomplishments you want to achieve and financial milestones you want to make creates a motivated and more productive environment for you and your staff.
- Adaptable: Possessing the quality to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial in franchise ownership. Being resilient in the face of mistakes as you establish your new business sets the proper tone for a successful franchise.
- A risk-taker: Franchising can involve taking some risks. We’re not asking you to be a daredevil or reinvent the wheel, but it’s best to not be dominated by fear or concerns. Be open to change and willing to take moderate risks.
Consider Launch Entertainment
Launch Entertainment checks all the boxes for a successful franchise. The family entertainment center industry is projected to reach $40.81 billion by 2025.
Franchising for nearly 10 years, Launch has been an innovating leader, completely revolutionizing the family entertainment industry. Launch offers you an incredible opportunity to engage with the community and be a part of a trusted system that is rapidly expanding. If you’d like to learn more about investing in a franchise, click here to request more info.
Family Entertainment Center Franchise to Open First Site Inside Outlet Mall in Jeffersonville, Ohio
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio – (May 3, 2022) – Launch Entertainment, a leading operator and franchisor of innovative, year-round family entertainment centers, is continuing to grow its presence across the nation. Launch is eager to announce its very first location will be coming soon to the state of Ohio. The franchise’s latest deal will bring a fun-filled experience for all ages to Destination Outlets in Jeffersonville, Ohio, and the surrounding area.
Launch Entertainment, headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, is one of the fastest-growing family entertainment concepts in the United States. The state-of-the-art family entertainment center franchise was founded in 2012 by Rob and Erin Arnold. Launch offers a differentiated entertainment experience with a wide variety of attractions and amenities for all ages, including XP Arena, ninja courses, laser tag arenas, virtual reality rooms, ropes courses, bowling, trampolines, Krave restaurant, Bar Hops beverage service, and more.
Aside from it being the first Ohio location, the latest Launch Entertainment facility heading to the Jefferson community is unique in that it will be the franchise’s first facility inside an outlet mall. This site will open within Destination Outlets, located at 8800 Factory Shops Boulevard. Launch’s very first Ohio family entertainment center is currently in development with plans to open by this fall.
“Opening a Launch Entertainment inside of Destination Outlets is just what this area needs,” said the new Launch franchisees. “The mall’s tagline is ‘Shop. Eat. Play.’ Launch exemplifies this concept. Our location will provide the community with a year-round destination for quality shopping, a variety of food choices, and engaging entertainment.”
Launch Franchisees are beneficiaries of comprehensive support and training from an industry-leading franchise team. The newest Ohio franchisees enjoy the independence of small business ownership while being backed by the benefits of a big business network. Launch is a reputable brand with a playbook for success.
Launch’s model, differentiated amenities, and one-of-a-kind Krave restaurant are key factors that made the Ohio franchisee team confident in bringing the family entertainment center into the community they call home. Launch Entertainment is a service-based, high-margin business that drives repeat customers by going above and beyond what most family entertainment businesses offer.
“Along with providing our community with an endless supply of fun, we are thrilled to offer new jobs to those in the Jeffersonville area,” said the new Launch franchisees. “At the core of Launch’s model is a group of community-focused individuals. This is one of many aspects in which we pride ourselves. In addition to the new job opportunities we will bring to this market, we are also excited to offer community-based activities to those in and around Jeffersonville. Our team is working diligently to develop new programs for our local school systems, including a bowling league they could participate in.”
Launch currently has 28 family entertainment centers open for business in 13 states across the nation. The rapid expansion of the family entertainment franchise continues by the hour, with numerous other locations in various stages of development.
“We are pleased to announce our first location in Ohio,” said Launch CEO Rob Arnold. “As a franchise, we are swiftly expanding our footprint across the nation, and this latest location is a testament to our success. Launch Entertainment will be a great addition to the Jeffersonville community and Destination Outlets. We look forward to working with the Jeffersonville team as they bring the community its very first Launch family entertainment center.”
The act of play is an important part of a child’s development and growth. Play is more than just fun and games; It’s been proven to help kids learn about themselves and the world around them. It affects their social development, interests, and passions. This all leads to discovering important life skills as they grow.
For the most part, children have very little preference when it comes to choosing the play that they’re engaging in. It doesn’t matter whether it’s inside or outside, as long as they’re able to have fun. In this case, many parents opt for convenience, security, sanitation, and weather when choosing a space for their children. This creates the perfect opportunity for indoor playground franchises to thrive.
How Much Do Indoor Franchise Owners Make?
In 2019, children’s fitness franchises earned a total of $336 million in revenue.
Generally, the children’s fitness industry sees a good return on investment. The profit margins and returns for indoor playground franchises vary by location, business model, and overhead costs. It’s also impacted by the establishment’s reputation, and if there are attractions available for all ages.
When investing in an indoor playground business, begin with researching the total indoor playground franchise cost and be mindful of the environment and what’s happening in the community. For example, many of the peak hour times will align with the surrounding school’s schedules. This means weekends and breaks will be your busiest time. Despite this, it’s important to continuously offer activities and opportunities to engage with the community, so there is less down time. This could look like opening your doors to local businesses for employee exercises, field trips, fitness classes, or activities for non-school age children.
In addition to working with locals, it’d be worth your while to invest in internet marketing. Having eye-catching equipment creates a lively Facebook and Instagram feed. Social media has become a powerful tool, don’t be afraid to use it.
At the root of it all, create a high-quality experience with fun in mind. This means offering birthday packages, selling food and beverages, and making sure kids of all ages (and parents!) are welcome to join in on the experience.
There are a multitude of fun, creative, and easy ways to make an indoor playground more profitable.
What Equipment Do You Need to Start an Indoor Playground?
First and foremost, trampolines! There’s nothing like seeing the pure joy of kids and adults jumping to their hearts content and shaking off all the school and work stress.
It’s best to focus on fun when you’re thinking of a layout for your indoor playground. Making sure you have a little bit of everything for everyone goes a long way. There’s rock climbing, basketball, dodgeball, foam pit, laser tag, virtual reality, and so much more.
The best example of how to create the optimal experience is looking at seasoned family entertainment park, Launch Entertainment. With all these amenities and more, Launch creates an environment where it’s impossible not to have fun.
Who is the Target Audience & Why Do Indoor Playgrounds Appeal to their Needs?
When exploring indoor playground ideas for business opportunities, keep in mind the target audience for these types of centers are areas with a large population of children and parents who have disposable income.
Indoor playground franchises have several advantages. A major benefit to an indoor playground is the accessibility during every season. There is less opportunity for severe injury as many activities have cushions like ball pits and tumble mats.
Indoor playgrounds often undergo routine cleaning. This creates a more sanitary environment than any outdoor opportunities for play. For example, Launch has raised the bar in sanitation by passing the rigorous “STERILE” cleanliness certification program. This program was designed specifically for family entertainment centers. This includes providing cleanliness to all surfaces, trampolines & attractions, equipment, railings, inventory, lockers, and employees & guests. The requirements all meet or exceed CDC guidelines.
In terms of entertainment, most of these indoor playgrounds are destined to thrive in areas where there are a lot of families either visiting or living. They also excel when activities are geared toward every age. This makes families much more inclined to stay longer, and also to return.
Consider Franchising with Launch
Launch Entertainment continues to prove time and time again, what it takes to drive customer foot traffic and create a loyal customer base with fantastic return rates. Whether it’s family night, date night, a team-building meeting exercise, or college kids looking for a place to feel young again, we’re the go-to. We prioritize creating an incredible experience for all ages.
Starting an indoor playground can be daunting with many obstacles hurled towards you, but you don’t have to go it alone. With us, you can have the incredible opportunity of engaging with the community and being an anchor for incredible memories while also receiving ongoing support, training, marketing assistance, and ample resources from a franchise system that is driven to see you succeed.
If you’re ready to take the next step in owning your own family entertainment center, fill out this form and one of our franchise development representatives will be in touch.
Rob Arnold and his family farm are the subjects of a recent feature in the Franchise Times, an important resource for those in the franchising community.
The article details the Arnold’s journey toward starting a farm during the heart of the pandemic and how tending to the animals helps ease the stress of leading the fast-growing business. Rob and his family started the farm in 2020 while Launch was shut down, and they now have cows, goats, chickens, and bees!
“You get some sense of accomplishment taking care of animals, keeping a nice clean farm, sitting out there and enjoying time,” Arnold explained in the article.
The Arnolds have no plans to slow down when it comes to Launch or the farm! You can check out the entire article here.
When researching a kid’s gym franchise, it’s possible several names come to mind. While often identified as a family entertainment center or trampoline park, Launch Entertainment is still very much a kid’s gym franchise. With ample opportunity for active play and promoting exercise among youth, Launch has cemented itself as a clear industry leader and standout investment.
A franchise that encourages active play, exercise
When thinking of active play, many people think of Launch Entertainment. With tons of amenities for all ages, we have completely revolutionized the trampoline park industry. Our family entertainment center franchise started as a trampoline park, but today is nothing short of an indoor amusement park.
One of the ways we differentiate ourselves in the market is through our all-inclusive customer base. It’s true we’re a great option for engaging kids in physical play, and we’re constantly evolving to add more family entertainment activities. But we also happen to be a destination of choice for fun-loving people of all ages. We’re a family entertainment center that caters to more than just families.
The perfect alternative to a kid’s gym
The founders of Launch Entertainment always had a vision to create an experience that appeals to all ages. It’s fun for family nights, date nights, work events, and college outings. This means we cast a net for a broader customer base, which can potentially mean a more diverse revenue stream for greater profitability. Compared to a kid’s gym that requires a more structured environment geared toward younger children in a limited age bracket, Launch Entertainment may be able to maintain more long-term, repeat customers.
To participate in the pre-scheduled programs of some kid’s gyms, children must be enrolled by a parent or guardian. With Launch, customers come at their convenience for a fun time, although they can book ahead for parties and special events.
Launch is constantly adding new attractions that appeal to everyone who walks in our doors. Trampoline courts, dodgeball, and rock climbing are just a few examples. Our activities allow kids and adults alike to play in a big way.
When it comes to making sure kids get enough activity, Launch is perfect. You don’t need specialized knowledge as a franchise owner to make sure you’re providing the right kind of enrichment and physical development training for the 4-12 crowd; you just need to know how to spread the word in your community and make your business the go-to spot for fun.
Entertainment through exercise
Launch is designed to get people pumped up and excited to move. From the obstacle course and laser tag to the Launch Pad and tumble tracks, Launch has much more to offer than a kid’s gym franchise. Many times, parents want an outlet for their children that requires them to simply enter a building and have fun until the kids are worn out, no extra fuss. Launch Entertainment provides that, too. Parents can enjoy themselves in our on-site restaurant or join in the fun with their kids.
Consider Franchising with Launch
Launch Entertainment has perfected the formula for a successful business, with ongoing support and guidance to steer you on the path toward success. Launch has been open for business since 2012, and started franchising just a year later.
When you work with the Launch team, you’ll be able to count on a widespread network of support from other franchisees and the corporate office. We offer ample pre-opening training as well as ongoing support throughout the life of your franchise.
To learn more about the benefits of owning a Launch Entertainment franchise, please fill out this contact form and one of our franchise development representatives will be in touch.
Family Entertainment Center Franchise Awards New Location to Marine Veteran in Houston
HOUSTON – (March 28, 2022) – Launch Entertainment, a leading operator and franchisor of innovative, year-round family entertainment centers, is thrilled to announce its very first location in the state of Texas. The franchise’s latest deal will bring Launch’s fun-filled experience for all ages to Houston and the surrounding area.
Founded in 2012 by Rob and Erin Arnold, Launch offers a differentiated family entertainment experience with a wide variety of attractions and amenities for everyone including XP Arena, ninja courses, laser tag, bowling, trampolines, premium food and beverage service, and more.
The newest Launch Entertainment location will be heading to the Houston community. This comes as a result of an agreement recently signed by Marine veteran Robert Adkins and his business partner Frank Fults. Texas’s first Launch Entertainment location is currently in development. As residents of the area, Fults, Adkins, and their families know the value of an invigorating adventure with a great atmosphere to celebrate birthdays, family gatherings, church events, work outings, or just a date night that everyone from all walks of life can enjoy.
“I can’t wait for my fellow Houstonians to check out this amazing, multifaceted entertainment center,” said Robert Adkins. “We are so passionate about kids. As I get older, I’m learning life is short, and spending time with my two children is a big deal. We are excited to create an environment for families to form long-lasting memories.”
Launch Franchisees are beneficiaries of comprehensive support and training from an industry-leading franchise team. Franchisees like Adkins and Fults enjoy the independence of small business ownership while being backed by the benefits of a big business network.
Launch’s model, differentiated amenities, and one-of-a-kind Krave restaurant are key factors that made the two long-time friends and business partners confident in bringing the family entertainment center into the community they call home. Launch Entertainment is a service-based, high-margin business that drives repeat customers by going above and beyond what most family entertainment businesses offer.
“Launch offers everything a family could ever want under one roof,” Adkins said of his decision. “I love how the company is very family-oriented and emphasizes the importance of the employee experience. At the end of the day, it’s all about loyalty and the culture we promote.”
Launch currently has 25 family entertainment centers open for business in 13 states across the nation. The rapid expansion of the family entertainment franchise continues by the hour, with numerous other locations in various stages of development.
“We are thrilled to break ground on our first Launch Entertainment location in Texas,” said Launch CEO Rob Arnold. “As a franchise, we are focused on developing more facilities in large markets, and we plan on growing our presence throughout the state. We are eager to work with a dynamic duo like Rob and Frank and support them as they embark on this profitable journey with Launch.”
Visit https://launchfamilyentertainment.com/franchise for more information.
For franchising information, visit https://launchfamilyentertainment.com/franchise
ABOUT LAUNCH FRANCHISING, LLC
Founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs Rob and Erin Arnold, Launch Entertainment is an innovative leader in the family entertainment industry. What started as an indoor trampoline park for kids has evolved into a year-round, all-inclusive family entertainment center featuring an XP Arena, ninja courses, climbing walls, laser tag, battle pits, bowling, giant trampoline surfaces, and more. As an ideal space for kids and adults alike, Launch offers a safe and enjoyable environment for date nights, birthday parties, family events, corporate events, church outings, fundraisers, and other get-togethers. Currently, there are 25 parks open and operating in 13 states, with numerous others in development across the country.