There's a Perfect Sports Franchise for Every Sports Lover

If you’re a business-savvy sports lover, why not combine your passions and open a sports franchise? Whatever your preferences, the perfect opportunity is out there for you. Here are just five examples with different sporting focuses.

Combine work and fun as a franchisee with a sports business. The franchising industry is growing, the sport sector is booming, and with so many options available to you, from dance to rugby, you’re almost guaranteed to find the right sports franchise for you. 

The right sports franchise opportunity is out there

The UK sport industry has grown substantially and is nowadays considered to contribute £39 billion to the economy [Sports England]. The most popular sports seem to be rugby, golf, football, and tennis, all of which you can find a targeted investment opportunity in, along with many more options. 

It’s an undeniably lucrative sector, and consumer demand is present. Two million people in England play football at least twice a month, while 40.7% of male adults and 31.7% of female adults participate in sports every week [Statista]. During the pandemic, the wider sector has taken a hit, but thankfully, most sports franchises were able to continue to thrive.

Five franchise ideas for sports lovers

A sports franchise is an affordable, reliable and rewarding investment choice. Here are five different sports, and five corresponding opportunities, covering sports lovers of every kind...

1. Dance

If you’d like to combine your franchising career with a love of dance, why not invest with Strollercise. Strollercise combines 50s style with fitness and dance, and it was named after the slow rock and roll dance widely called ‘strolling’. The fitness franchise provides its customers with a gentle, low-impact form of dance fitness, suitable for anyone over 14. 

Since the business was established in 2018, it has grown impressively, and there are now six established Strollercise franchises operating across the UK. To get involved with Strollercise, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £1,995, with total investment costs of £4,995. In return for your money, you’ll receive:

• Rights to use the Strollercise name 

• Full training 

• An exclusive franchise territory 

• A rocker box 

• A head microphone set 

• Music on a dongle 

• A branded t-shirt 

• A central website 

• A Facebook page 

• Ongoing support 

• Access to operational processes, systems and templates

2. Cycling 

Fox Cycling is working to change the statistic that only half of the six-year-olds can ride a bike. This children’s education franchise doesn’t want kids across the UK to miss out on all the enjoyment, freedom and adventure of riding a bike. Based in Portishead, Fox Cycling is currently welcoming new franchisees who are interested in cycling, good with people, and able to deliver a high-quality service.

During Fox Cycling’s pilot operation, the franchise taught 169 children and generated £100,000 in revenue. Since launching in 2019, the franchise has opened three franchises across the country, and it’s looking to continue its expansion. For investment pricing information, you’ll need to get in touch. Once you invest, you’ll receive:

• Full training 

• A fleet of pedal bikes for demonstration

• A deposit payment on your Fox Cycling van 

• All the equipment and teaching resources that you need

• Launch support and a business mentor 

• An exclusive territory, including 10,000 potential customers 

• Access to an online booking system

• Assistance with the distribution of pedal bikes within your territory

3. Football

Active Future aims to engage all children in movement activities, including and beyond football. The sports franchise is more than your average after-school club and is passionate about addressing the dropout rates among children taking part in sports. Activities and games will vary, encouraging children with a wide range of interests to get involved. As an Active Future franchisee, you’ll provide exciting after-school activities, free play, holiday camps, parties, sports coaching for dodgeball and football, and themed parties.

You don’t need to be a qualified sports coach to franchise with Active Future, but you do need to be an ethical and honest communicator, willing to follow the blueprint of your franchisor. You’ll also need to invest a minimum of £12,500. In return for your investment, you’ll receive:

• A full training programme

• A support team

• A fully protected scalable territory

• Assistance securing and filling your first two venues

• Waived royalty fees in year one

• Website and social media set up support

• Professional company set-up support

3. Rugby

Rugbytots is the world’s favourite rugby play programme, and since its establishment in 2006,  it has grown substantially. 70,000 children, across 17 countries and seven continents, have been taught by this 100-franchisee-strong business, which delivers 4000 classes a week. You don’t need any experience to become a Rugbytots franchisee. You just need a love of working with young children, the ability to communicate effectively, and the drive and ambition to succeed.

To connect with this franchise, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of just £500, with franchise fees of £8,500. You’ll also pay a yearly operational fee of £2250 and a yearly advertising fee of £500. In return for your investment, you’ll receive:

• Comprehensive training 

• A full Rugbytots start-up kit, including all the equipment you need

• Access to an extensive range of personalised marketing materials 

• Access to expert franchisor support

• Swimming

At Angela’s Swim School, there’s a range of classes to suit all requirements, no matter the skill or age. Angela’s Swim School believes that learning to swim is really important, as it can be a life-saving tool in an unexpected moment. The swimming franchise was established in 2002 by Angela Wilson, who was passionate about teaching people to swim and giving back to her local community.

The ideal Angela’s Swim School franchisee would be passionate about swimming, first and foremost. They would also be supportive, driven and good with customers, with an interest in working with children. Finally, they would need to be able to stick to the tried and tested teaching methods of the Swim School, following an established model of business to achieve success. To become a franchisee, you’ll need to make a minimum investment of £22,000, with total investment costs of £50,000. In return for your investment, you’ll receive:

• Training 

• Ongoing support and guidance

• Assistance in becoming a qualified swimming instructor 

• Support with compliance, development and marketing 

• Professional PR and social media support 

Follow your passions and become a franchisee with a fitness business 

Follow your passions, find your niche, and get involved. The fitness sector is bouncing back, and it’s the perfect time to jump on board. Find out more about the franchising process via Point Franchise’s articles.