Unleashed Brands Sets Pace for Over 85 Grand Openings in 2026

DALLAS, Nov. 11, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Unleashed Brands, the world's premier youth enrichment franchise platform, has seen significant growth in 2026, with 70 new locations opened so far this year. The company, which is home to seven industry-leading children’s franchise brands, expects at least 17 more openings before the year ends. This grand opening momentum reflects the growing demand for high-quality youth enrichment experiences and the strength of the franchise platform in supporting franchisees from signed agreements to successful business launches.

The platform, which serves over 20 million families annually across its network of over 1,500 franchise locations, has seen a diverse range of brands contributing to this growth. Water Wings Swim School, for instance, has opened its first three franchised locations just over a year after launching its national franchise program and expects one more by the end of 2026. Its pipeline now includes 54 awarded units across 16 states.

The Little Gym, celebrating its 50th year, has opened 28 locations, with six more expected by year-end. Urban Air Adventure Park has opened ten parks, including its first in Utah, and plans to add four more by the end of the year. Sylvan Learning has opened 14 locations and anticipates six more by the end of 2026. Snapology and Class 101 have also expanded, with six and nine new locations opened, respectively.

Multi-unit, multi-brand operators (MUMBOs) are driving the platform's growth. Ten percent of franchisees own more than one brand, while 36% own multiple units of a single brand. This trend is evident in the opening of three Class 101 and Sylvan Learning centers this year, as well as the first Urban Air and Water Wings co-brand location. The platform's free family app, KidHub, supports these multi-brand owners by providing tools and resources to grow their portfolios and reach new families.

Michael O. Browning Jr., Founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, emphasized the importance of opening doors and bringing Unleashed Brands' brands to more families.

James Franks, Chief Franchise Officer of Unleashed Brands, highlighted the confidence of franchisees in the platform.

As Unleashed Brands continues to expand its national footprint, it 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 UnleashedBrands.com.