The Back Nine

For discerning investors navigating the burgeoning recreational market, the critical question often revolves around identifying a scalable, high-margin franchise opportunity that aligns with evolving consumer behaviors. The Back Nine presents a compelling answer, directly addressing the modern golfer's dilemma of fitting their passion into demanding schedules, often constrained by weather or daylight. This innovative indoor golf simulator franchise was founded in January 2021 by Wil Bangerter, an attorney with a deep personal passion for golf, who conceived the idea in St. George, Utah, which remains the company's headquarters. Wil Bangerter serves as the Founder and CEO, with Darren Wilstead identified as the Chief Development Officer, guiding The Back Nine's rapid expansion since it began franchising in approximately 2022 or 2023. The brand leverages a sophisticated blend of proprietary software and strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Full Swing simulators, offering a premium, immersive, and accessible 24/7 golf experience. As of the latest data, The Back Nine boasts 76 total units, all of which are franchised, with no company-owned locations, underscoring its pure franchise model. The company's growth trajectory is remarkable, having signed its 440th franchisee by February 2026, and with Franocity reporting 180 franchise units awarded all time, including 147 awarded in the last 12 months, and 134 units currently open. This rapid scaling of The Back Nine franchise positions it as an emerging leader within the indoor golf entertainment category, tapping into a global indoor golf simulator market valued at approximately $1.74 billion in 2024, projected to reach $2.9 billion by 2030, at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9-10%. The Back Nine offers a semi-passive business model designed for high margins through recurring membership revenue, making this franchise opportunity particularly attractive for investors seeking to capitalize on significant market shifts.

The indoor golf simulator market represents a dynamic and expanding segment within the broader recreational industry, attracting substantial franchise investment due to its inherent growth drivers. The global indoor golf simulator market size was $862.537 million in 2021 and is projected to reach $1810.11 million by 2033, demonstrating a strong CAGR of 6.372% from 2025 to 2033. North America leads this market, with the United States' sales revenue alone projected to reach $490.045 million by 2033. Key consumer trends decisively favor brands like The Back Nine, as "off-course" golf, encompassing simulators and entertainment venues, has dramatically surpassed traditional on-course play. In 2016, 19.8 million people engaged in off-course golf; by 2023, this figure soared to 32.9 million, marking a 66% increase, while on-course play grew by only 12% to 26.6 million over the same period. This seismic shift has contributed to a 40% boom in total U.S. golfers, from 32 million to 45 million between 2016 and 2023. Indoor golf facilities also attract a younger, more diverse demographic: off-course golfers average 36 years old (compared to 44 for on-course), with 34% women (vs. 25% on-course) and 34% non-white (vs. 23% on-course). Secular tailwinds, including a growing emphasis on experiential spending, the demand for year-round leisure activities, and continuous technological innovation in realism and data analytics, fuel this expansion. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) estimates over 1,200 indoor golf facilities across the United States, indicating a competitive yet still fragmented landscape ripe for consolidation by well-positioned brands like The Back Nine, which leverage advanced technology and a streamlined operating model to create a compelling franchise opportunity within this high-growth sector.

For prospective investors considering The Back Nine franchise, understanding the financial commitment is paramount. The initial franchise fee for The Back Nine is $50,000, which aligns competitively within the recreation sub-sector. For the UK market, the franchise fee is £35,000. The total initial investment range for a The Back Nine franchise is notably accessible, spanning from $208,000 to $438,000, as per current franchise data. This range is significantly below the broader recreation sub-sector average, which typically falls between $806,992 and $1,117,660, making The Back Nine an attractive mid-tier franchise investment. The investment covers crucial elements such as the initial franchise fee of $50,000, travel expenses during training ($1,000 - $5,000), real estate improvements ($25,000 - $150,000), signage ($5,000 - $15,000), and essential equipment, including the high-quality golf simulators, which account for a substantial portion at $156,050 to $251,000, along with miscellaneous supplies ($3,000). Liquid capital required for a The Back Nine franchise is $60,000, while a minimum net worth of $300,000 is necessary. Ongoing fees include an 8.0% royalty fee of gross revenue, though some sources from December 2025 indicate a 7% royalty fee. An advertising fund fee of 1.0% is also applicable, with some sources from December 2025 also stating a 1% marketing or brand fund fee, while others indicate no brand fund. For UK franchisees, a monthly tech fee of £440 applies. This transparent breakdown of The Back Nine franchise cost highlights its structured financial model, designed to support a semi-passive business with lower overheads compared to many recreational franchises, thereby enhancing the potential for strong returns on The Back Nine franchise investment.

The operating model for The Back Nine franchise is meticulously designed for semi-passive ownership, a significant draw for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios without necessitating full-time operational involvement. A typical day for a The Back Nine franchisee involves reviewing online booking reports, monitoring membership activity, and managing payments or updates through the proprietary custom software platform. Facility visits are periodically required to ensure cleanliness, reset bays for the next users, and address any minor operational needs. The business model is "strictly golf," deliberately avoiding the complexities and additional staffing requirements associated with food and beverage operations, which differentiates it from many competitors in the entertainment sector. Staffing requirements are minimal, often allowing for operation with no employees beyond the owner, leveraging automated booking and keyless entry systems for 24/7 access. Owners' primary responsibilities beyond system oversight include local marketing efforts and ensuring the facility's pristine condition, particularly during busy periods. The Back Nine facilities typically range from 2,500 to 6,000 square feet, with common configurations featuring 3 or 4 golf bays. The comprehensive training program includes up to 5 hours of on-the-job training and 15.5 hours of classroom instruction, covering operations, technology setup, and marketing strategies. Franchisees receive robust ongoing corporate support, encompassing custom marketing materials, SEO-optimized websites, grand opening assistance, and continuous technology support from a dedicated success manager. The proprietary software developed in-house handles all aspects of bookings, reports, client management, security, and payments, streamlining operations and contributing to a lean team model. The Back Nine franchise also provides limited territory protection, typically defined by contiguous zip codes with a population not exceeding 75,000, conditional on meeting performance benchmarks. This structured support and lean operational design make The Back Nine an appealing franchise opportunity for those valuing efficiency and scalability.

Regarding financial performance, Item 19 financial performance data is not disclosed in the current Franchise Disclosure Document for The Back Nine. However, publicly available revenue data from various sources provides valuable insights into the potential for The Back Nine franchise revenue. While some reports indicate an average unit volume of $0, reflecting a nascent system's early disclosure practices or limited reporting units, other sources offer more specific figures. Franocity reports an Average Gross Sale over 12 months of $194,856, a figure corroborated by BizBuySell, which states an Average Unit Revenue of $194,856 in 2024. Earlier data from 2023 indicated a gross revenue of $75,519 for 10 units, which was noted to reflect the system's infancy and developing performance levels. Despite the absence of formal Item 19 disclosure, the aggressive growth trajectory of The Back Nine offers a strong signal of underlying unit-level viability. The brand grew from 0 franchisee outlets in 2021 to 26 by 2024, with a total of 76 franchised units currently and 134 units open according to Franocity, and an astonishing 440th franchisee signed by February 2026. This rapid expansion, including 18 new units opened in 2024, suggests significant investor confidence and a business model that is attracting substantial capital. The semi-passive nature of The Back Nine's operations, coupled with low labor costs and a focus on recurring membership revenue, inherently aims for high margins. The strategic investment in proprietary software for keyless entry, self-serve booking, and membership management further optimizes operational efficiency, allowing for a lean team model that contributes to a favorable cost structure. The use of premium Full Swing simulators also enhances customer experience, supporting competitive pricing and member retention, all of which are critical drivers for maximizing The Back Nine franchise revenue. These factors collectively indicate a robust financial outlook for unit-level performance, even without a formal FDD Item 19 disclosure.

The growth trajectory of The Back Nine is characterized by exceptional speed and strategic expansion, firmly establishing its competitive advantages within the indoor golf sector. From 0 franchisee outlets in 2021, the network expanded to 26 by 2024, and currently stands at 76 total franchised units. Franocity further reports 180 franchise units awarded all time, with an impressive 147 awarded in the last 12 months, resulting in 134 open units. The company's momentum is underscored by the signing of its 440th franchisee by February 2026, demonstrating an accelerated pace of development. In 2024 alone, 18 new units were opened. Recent corporate developments include a bold international expansion plan, targeting 250+ franchises across the UK over the next decade, actively seeking single and multi-unit partners. The Back Nine's competitive moat is built on several key pillars: its exclusive use of Full Swing simulators, recognized as a gold standard in the industry and chosen by professionals like Tiger Woods for his TGL golf league, ensures a hyper-accurate and immersive experience. Furthermore, the company has heavily invested in a proprietary, in-house software platform designed for franchise scalability. This integrated system manages keyless entry, self-serve booking, membership, security, and payments, enabling a lean team model and differentiating The Back Nine from competitors. This proprietary technology, combined with a semi-passive operating model that significantly reduces labor costs, provides a clear competitive edge. The brand's focus on "strictly golf" avoids the complexities of food and beverage operations, streamlining the business and enhancing profitability. The Back Nine is adeptly adapting to current market conditions by offering 24/7 climate-controlled, year-round play, catering directly to the surging demand for off-course golf and the younger, more diverse demographic it attracts, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing golf simulator franchise in America and a premier franchise opportunity.

The ideal franchisee for The Back Nine is typically an individual or group comfortable with an emerging brand's dynamics and eager to capitalize on a high-growth industry, even if the model is designed for semi-passive ownership. While the business can operate with minimal owner involvement, franchisees who actively engage with their local community through leagues, events, and local partnerships often experience faster growth and stronger market penetration. The model does not explicitly require prior golf industry experience or a specific management background, as comprehensive training and ongoing support are provided. The Back Nine is actively seeking both single and multi-unit partners, particularly for its ambitious international expansion, such as the plan to launch 250+ franchises nationwide across the UK over the next decade. Currently, The Back Nine franchise locations are established in 12 states across the USA, with the largest concentration in the West, boasting 14 locations. Specific states include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah, indicating broad market availability. International presence extends to Canada and Australia, further underscoring the brand's global vision. The initial term of the franchise agreement is 10 years, with a renewal term of 5 years, providing a substantial operational horizon for investors. While a specific timeline from signing to opening is not universally stated, the rapid unit growth suggests an efficient and repeatable setup process for The Back Nine franchise investment.

In synthesizing the investment thesis, The Back Nine franchise presents a compelling and timely franchise opportunity for investors seeking to enter a high-growth sector with a differentiated, semi-passive business model. The brand's strategic focus on advanced Full Swing simulator technology, proprietary operational software, and a lean labor model positions it to capture a significant share of the booming indoor golf market, which is projected to reach nearly $3 billion globally by 2030. The shift towards off-course golf, evidenced by a 66% increase in participation from 2016 to 2023, coupled with an attractive demographic profile of younger, more diverse players, provides a strong foundation for sustained demand for The Back Nine. With an initial investment ranging from $208,000 to $438,000, The Back Nine franchise cost is significantly more accessible than many recreational sub-sector averages, enhancing its appeal and potential for return on The Back Nine franchise investment. The rapid expansion, from 0 units in 2021 to 76 franchised units currently and 440 franchisees signed by February 2026, signals robust market acceptance and strong unit-level economics, despite the absence of formal Item 19 financial performance disclosure. PeerSense provides exclusive due diligence data including SBA lending history, FPI score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and side-by-side comparison tools. Explore the complete The Back Nine franchise profile on PeerSense to access the full suite of independent franchise intelligence data.