Unleashed Brands on Pace for 85+ Grand Openings in 2026 as Youth Enrichment Platform Accelerates National Growth

• Shared Real Estate, Training and Operational Support Help Franchisees Move from Signed Agreements to Open Doors
• Water Wings Franchise Debut, Co-Branded Locations and Expansion into New Markets Among 2026 Highlights

DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Unleashed Brands, the world's premier youth enrichment franchise platform and parent company of seven industry-leading children's franchise brands, has opened 70 new locations so far in 2026, with at least 17 more expected to open before year-end. The momentum reflects growing demand from families for high-quality youth enrichment experiences and the strength of the franchise platform to take franchisees from signed agreement to grand opening.

Founded to help kids learn, play and grow, Unleashed Brands is home to a family of trusted brands, including Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. Today, the platform serves over 20 million families annually across its network of over 1,500 franchise locations.

"Signing franchise agreements is important, but the real measure of our success is opening doors and bringing our brands to more families," said Michael O. Browning Jr., Founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands. "Behind every grand opening is a franchisee investing in their community and a dedicated team working alongside them, from site selection to opening day and beyond. That's the strength of the Unleashed Brands platform. We're giving entrepreneurs the tools, resources and support to build thriving businesses while helping more kids learn, play and grow."

Grand Opening Momentum Across the Platform
The grand opening momentum follows the 73 franchise agreements and 58 lease signings Unleashed Brands reported for the first half of 2026. Existing franchisees expanding within the platform have accounted for 24% of grand openings year-to-date, reflecting the strength of Unleashed Brands' shared development and operational support across its portfolio. Year-to-date openings across the platform include:

• Water Wings Swim School opened its first three franchised locations just over a year after launching its national franchise program, and expects one more by year-end. Its pipeline now includes 54 awarded units across 16 states.  
• The Little Gym has opened 28 locations during its 50^th year anniversary, with six more slated by year-end.
• Urban Air Adventure Park has opened ten parks, including its first in Utah, and expects four more by year-end.
• Sylvan Learning has opened 14 locations and expects six more by year-end.
• Snapology has opened six locations, and Class 101 has opened nine.

Multi-Brand Owners Fuel Platform Growth
Multi-unit, multi-brand operators (MUMBOs) are the fastest-growing segment of the Unleashed Brands system: 10% of franchisees own more than one brand, and another 36% own multiple units of a single brand. Co-branding is adding to that momentum, with three Class 101 and Sylvan Learning centers opening this year and the first Urban Air and Water Wings co-brand coming up next. With complementary brands, shared support teams and cross-brand tools like the platform's free family app, KidHub, Unleashed Brands gives franchisees more opportunities to grow their portfolios, reach new families and build their businesses within one connected system.

"When a franchisee chooses to reinvest with us, whether in another location or an entirely new brand, that's the strongest signal of confidence in our platform," said James Franks, Chief Franchise Officer of Unleashed Brands. "Those owners already know our people and our playbook, so each new opening moves faster and stronger than the last. We're looking forward to seeing even more of our franchisees grow their businesses with us in 2027."

Expanding the Platform's National Footprint
As it continues expanding its national footprint, the platform is seeking qualified franchise partners who share its passion for helping kids learn, play and grow. Franchisees benefit from the scale, shared resources and operational support of a multi-brand platform while maintaining the distinct identity and customer experience of each category-leading concept.

For more information about franchise opportunities with Unleashed Brands, visit https://www.unleashedbrands.com/franchising.

About Unleashed Brands
Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 15 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com.

Media Contact: Bridget Roberts, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or 847-945-1300

SOURCE Unleashed Brands