KidStrong vs The Little Gym
KidStrong vs The Little Gym: KidStrong costs $448K to $600K to open; The Little Gym costs $506K to $757K. KidStrong has 131 units, The Little Gym has 227. SBA loan history: KidStrong = 31 loans (0.0% default); The Little Gym = 281 loans (8.5% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
KidStrong vs The Little Gym: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
KidStrong requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($448K vs $506K for The Little Gym), a 11% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for KidStrong versus $60K for The Little Gym, KidStrong has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8.5% for KidStrong and 8% for The Little Gym, giving The Little Gym the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, The Little Gym operates 227 units to KidStrong's 131. The Little Gym has been operating 50 years (founded 1976) versus 11 for KidStrong (founded 2015), a 39-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Little Gym has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 281 7(a) approvals compared with 31 for KidStrong. KidStrong's peak SBA year was 2024 (10 loans); The Little Gym's peak was 2025 (36 loans). The Little Gym's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. KidStrong has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 3. The Little Gym leads in TX, with 27. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded KidStrong deals is $441K vs $344K for The Little Gym, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for KidStrong and 8.5% for The Little Gym, KidStrong has the cleaner SBA loss record by 8.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 86 (Excellent) for KidStrong and 85 (Excellent) for The Little Gym, giving KidStrong the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 86/100 | 85/100 |
Health Tier | Excellent | Excellent |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Surging | Growing |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 31 | 281 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 8.5% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $448K to $600K | $506K to $757K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 8.5% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 1.65% | 6% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $100K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $300K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 131 | 227 |
Franchised Units | 121 | 227 |
Company Owned | 10 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2015 | 1976 |
Franchising Since | 2019 | 1992 |
Years Franchising | 7 yrs | 34 yrs |
Headquarters | Dallas, TX | Scottsdale, AZ |
Category | Children's Fitness & Development | Children's Fitness & Development |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, KidStrong or The Little Gym?
Lower upfront capital required
KidStrong
KidStrong: $448K starting · The Little Gym: $506K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Little Gym
KidStrong: 31 SBA loans · The Little Gym: 281 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
KidStrong
KidStrong: 0.0% · The Little Gym: 8.5%
Larger system & brand presence
The Little Gym
KidStrong: 131 units · The Little Gym: 227 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Little Gym
KidStrong: 8.5% · The Little Gym: 8%
More lender financing options
The Little Gym
KidStrong: 16 unique lenders · The Little Gym: 93 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
KidStrong vs The Little Gym: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing KidStrong and The Little Gym is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $448K to $757K.
KidStrong has 31 SBA loans on record and The Little Gym has 281. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
KidStrong vs The Little Gym, Frequently Asked Questions
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman