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Great Locations for Playground Dealer Franchises

 

• What Is a Franchise?
• Where Is a Great Location for a Superior Play Systems® Playground Franchise?
• Great Playground Locations
• What Does a Superior Play Systems® Playground Look Like?
• Learn More About Our Franchise Opportunities

 

If you’ve always dreamed of being a business owner, you’re probably aware of the importance of location. The right space can help a business boom, while the wrong one can close its doors and keep you from achieving your goals. A successful playground franchise relies on a great location, just like any small business and learning the best place to start your venture is critical in getting things off the ground.

If you’re interested in becoming a playground equipment franchisee, you first need to know where you want to open your franchise. Finding the ideal location sounds intimidating, but it’s not as difficult as it seems. With the right information, you’ll be able to make an educated decision that works for you and your business goals.

We’ll look at the most important factors in choosing a location for your indoor playground franchise. We’ll also show you fast-growing cities and other promising locations where there’s a demand for indoor playgrounds.

All over the United States, schools, parents and community centers are recognizing the importance of play in childhood development. The playground industry is growing to meet the need for fun, safe playgrounds. For example, the outdoor and sports toys market hit 3.7 billion in 2016 — a 10 percent increase from 2015. It’s a good time to enter the world of playground franchising.

What Is a Franchise?

A franchise allows you to be a business owner without all the risk that comes with starting your own business from scratch. When you become a franchise owner, you’re supplied with the necessary tools, recognition and managerial assistance to get you started off on the right foot. One of the greatest benefits of operating a franchise is getting to use a name that’s already established and which people know and trust.

A franchise also takes trial and error out of the equation. Considering nine out of 10 business ventures and startups fail, it seems like a smart idea to go with a business that already has a track record of success. Some of the reasons companies fail include:

• Lack of market for their product
• Poor management
• Lack of vision
• Poorly designed business models

However, if you invest in a franchise such as Superior Play Systems®, you can expect to experience:

• Expert support
• All necessary training
• A solid customer base
• Brand-name recognition
• Lower start-up costs
• Greater success
• A growing industry

If you want the freedom of a business owner without the risk of starting all on your own, while helping children reap the benefits of playtime, an indoor playground business might be right for you.

Where Is a Great Location for a Superior Play Systems® Playground Franchise?

Choosing a location for your franchise can be tricky because there are many different factors to consider. If you become a franchise owner with Superior Play Systems®, we’ll help you choose the best place for your franchise. However, it’s still helpful to know what makes a location right. Usually, the following factors are considered:

• Demographics: As a playground franchise owner, you want to be located where there’s a growing population of children and demand for playgrounds. Look at overall demographics of the area you’re considering, such as age and household income. These can impact your sales dramatically, especially as a playground and outdoor equipment retailer.
• Traffic: Consider how much customer traffic an area receives. Common traffic generators include industrial parks, schools, hospitals, colleges and retailers. Franchises should be easy to access and offer ample parking. Placing a playground franchise in a remote area is not the best idea.
• Competition: If you’re confident in your business, you want to be located close to competitors, not far away. You can benefit from a competitor’s marketing efforts and their customer base. Being close to complementary businesses is important as well. For example, a playground franchise might do well next to a supermarket or a toy store — places children and families go.
• Safety: You want to make sure families feel safe bringing their children to your location. You also want employees to feel safe walking to their cars at night. Check the crime rate of the area you’re interested in as well as that of the surrounding areas.
• Building size: Superior Play Systems® will find a building that suits the indoor playground, with high ceilings and areas large enough for play equipment.

Great Playground Locations

Children are slightly less likely to live in affluent metros, according to research published at CityLab. The following cities make excellent choices for an indoor playground franchise because they share one or both of the following in common: affordability and growth. It seems safe to say that families want to raise their children where they can afford to live comfortably and securely. Therefore, you might consider opening a new franchise location in one of the following cities.

1. Detroit

Great things are happening in Detroit. In 2009, the city saw an unemployment rate that approached 30 percent, but as of May 2018, the unemployment rate is at a healthy 4.3 percent. Also, the city is expected to grow for the first time since the 1950s. According to a study conducted by the Urban Institute, it’s projected that Detroit will add 60,000 residents by 2040.

With the city making efforts to improve education and high school graduation rates, there will be an emphasis on healthy childhood play and a demand for safe, quality playgrounds. If you want growth and plenty of franchise opportunities, Detroit makes for an intriguing option.

2. Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a family-friendly city with 15.8 percent of the population under the age of 18. With a median gross rent of $844 and a median gross income of $42,450, Pittsburgh is an affordable city that’s perfect for raising children.

Pittsburgh is attracting a younger population with several higher-learning institutions and plentiful job opportunities for recent college graduates. There are dozens of safe neighborhoods to raise a family in Pittsburgh, making the city an ideal choice for those looking to settle down. With affordable housing and a healthy economy, Pittsburgh is a great place to start a playground equipment business that can successful for years to come.

3. Cleveland

Cleveland offers a low cost of living and an abundance of job opportunities, making it an appealing location for families. Twenty-three percent of the population is under the age of 18 in Cleveland, and over six percent is under the age of five.

Despite its affordability, Cleveland has a higher crime rate than similarly-sized cities. However, a high crime rate creates a demand for safe play areas for children. It’s likely the community would welcome your play equipment franchise with open arms in Cleveland.

Families may look to relocate to suburban areas of Cleveland, such as Olmsted Falls, which is both safe and affordable. According to the real estate website Zillow, home values in Olmsted Falls are on the rise. Families in Cleveland and the surrounding areas would likely appreciate safe indoor playgrounds for their children and could respond extremely well to a Superior Play Systems® location.

4. Washington, D.C.

The population in Washington, D.C. is continuing to climb with a growth rate of 1.4 percent between July 2016 and July 2017. During this period, more than 9,700 babies were born in the District.

Washington, D.C. attracts residents from around the country and globe, including people who want to start businesses and raise families. Of the 9,636 new residents in the city, children under the age of 17 made up 37 percent. The District will need plenty of colorful, fun playgrounds to keep up with its rapidly growing population. With the boom and housing craze that is taking place in this area, the cost of a new playground in your backyard makes sense for many families with income levels that are ever increasing. Superior Play is in a perfect position to partner with a Washington D.C. franchise.

5. Baltimore

Baltimore residents are placing a high value on playgrounds and the impact they have on the community. For example, a new playground in the Harlem Park neighborhood has allowed children to get outside and enjoy a cheerful space when they used to play with toys in a paved courtyard. The playground helps to relieve stress resulting from exposure to violence.

Baltimore is in need of new, safe play areas for children like the one in Harlem Park. Compared to other cities, Baltimore boasts a low cost of living, and 6.7 percent of its population is under the age of five.

Another great Maryland location for a playground franchise is Hagerstown. The population in Hagerstown grew 1.8 percent between 2010 and 2016. Also, over a quarter of the population in Hagerstown is under the age of 18. This affordable town is worth looking into if you’re looking for the perfect franchise location.

6. Indianapolis

Indianapolis grew 4.2 percent from 2010 and 2016. People are moving to Indianapolis because it’s an affordable place to live, features a low unemployment rate and offers plenty of opportunities for family fun.

In fact, the entire state of Indiana is drawing new residents. As a whole, the population in Indiana increased 2.7 percent from 2010 to 2017 and has an unemployment rate of 3.2 percent. There are plenty of places in Indiana to start a playground franchise. Other towns to consider are Fishers, Noblesville and Carmel.

7. Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky is attracting new residents by the thousands. From 2010 to 2016, Louisville saw a 3.3 percent increase in population. Kentucky as a whole is growing, with an overall 2.2 percent rise in population. As a fun and affordable place to live, families are happy to call Louisville home.

An indoor playground franchise has the potential for success in many Kentucky locations. For example, the Lexington-Fayetteville metro is also rapidly growing, with a 7.7 percent increase in population from 2010 to 2016. This area is also an affordable place to live and raise a family, with a median rent of $793 and a median home value of $170,800. As Kentucky continues to grow, so will the need for playgrounds.

8. Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids in the fastest-growing city in Michigan, with a 7.0 percent increase in population between 2010 and 2017. Another plus — the largest driver of growth is births, meaning a lot of children will need playground space. Combined with a low unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, Grand Rapids might be the perfect city for your franchise.

Other cities in Michigan are also growing and feature a low cost of living. For example, the population of Kalamazoo increased 2.3 percent from 2010 to 2016.

Other Fast-Growing Cities

The United States is seeing growth in many cities across the country. Here are a few more cities on the rise to consider as locations for your playground franchise business to thrive:

• Dover, Delaware
• Salisbury, Maryland
• Trenton, New Jersey
• Columbus, Ohio
• Savannah, Georgia
• Raleigh, North Carolina

What Does a Superior Play Systems® Playground Look Like?

Indoor playgrounds for kids are popular among families because they keep kids safe and enclosed while offering the fun and exercise of an outdoor playground. An indoor Superior Play Systems® Playground provides all the opportunities to bounce, swing and slide as a traditional outdoor playground.

As a Superior Play Systems® franchise owner, you’ll supply the community with the highest-quality play equipment available and offer pay-to-play prices families can afford. In your showroom, kids can burn off energy and experience the joy of Open Play anytime. With almost any product, trying before you purchase is a critical decision tool and a great way to influence potential customers. With Open Play, kids get the chance to test out play equipment at a reasonable fee, including:

• Swinging, climbing and sliding with wooden playsets
• Playing basketball on PROformance Hoops®
• Bouncing on safety-tested trampolines

Families looking for a safe indoor play area can take advantage of Open Play with no pressure to purchase playground equipment for their homes. You’ll help families enjoy the benefits of indoor playtime, including:

• Protection from the elements
• Comfortable temperatures
• A safe environment
• Something different from traditional playgrounds
• A break from video games and TV
• The physical, cognitive and social benefits of Open Play
• A way to play in urban areas that lack outdoor play spaces

As a franchise owner, you’ll also offer birthday reservations and annual passes for more ways to make money and support your mission. Overall, you’ll have the opportunity to sell:

• Playsets and their installation
• Trampolines
• PROformance Hoops®, mounts and accessories
• Birthday party reservations
• Open Play fees
• Yearly passes

Best of all, you’ll experience the reward of offering kids the chance to laugh, play and enjoy safe playground equipment indoors. You’ll reap the benefits of multiple selling opportunities while helping the community bring playtime to kids.

Learn More About Our Franchise Opportunities

If you want to contribute to your community while also living your dream of being a franchise owner, look no further than Superior Play Systems®. For more than 25 years, we’ve been bringing the best playground equipment to communities all over the East Coast. With Superior Play Systems®, you’ll enjoy brand-name recognition as a member of a growing industry.

Communities need better playgrounds for their kids to raise happy, healthy children. At Superior Play Systems®, we’re committed to our customers and franchise owners. Starting an indoor playground business on your own is a challenge. That’s what we’re here for. You can rest assured — it’s our goal to help you succeed. We’ll assist you with:

• Site selection
• Store build consultation
• A finance package
• A complete training program
• An operations manual
• Ongoing support
• Marketing support

If you’re ready to take the leap and become a playground franchise owner, we can’t wait to work with you. To learn more about our franchise opportunities, contact us today!