Unleashed Brands Nears 87 Openings in 2026 as Co-Branded Kids Centers Widen Its Reach

What happened

Unleashed Brands, the Dallas-based parent of seven children's enrichment franchises, said on November 11, 2026 that it has opened 70 new locations so far this year and expects at least 17 more before year-end. The company is also actively recruiting new franchise partners to extend its national footprint.

The openings follow 73 franchise agreements and 58 lease signings reported in the first half of 2026. Existing franchisees account for 24% of this year's openings, and multi-unit or multi-brand owners are the fastest-growing part of the system. Co-branding is a growing tactic: three combined Class 101 and Sylvan Learning centers opened this year, and the first Urban Air and Water Wings Swim School co-brand is next. The company also runs a free family app, KidHub, used as a cross-brand tool.

Overview

Unleashed Brands is a youth enrichment franchise platform that owns Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. Its network spans more than 1,500 franchise locations serving over 20 million families a year. The company grows by selling franchises to entrepreneurs and providing shared development, site selection and operational support across its brands. It has been building the platform for about 15 years.