Functional fitness chain Ninja Parc will open 10 further outlets in 2021, building on the two sites already operating and two more in the pipeline.
The corporate Newcastle outlet was joined 18 months ago by a centre in Townsville, the first franchised Ninja Parc. After reopening post-Queensland lockdown this centre has been doing “phenomenally well”, says John Perlo, the concept founder.
“Performance at the moment has been more than we expected, we’ve seen how quickly the community wants to gravitate towards this kind of activity. It’s been a very successful restart,” he says.
“We intend to open 10 sites next year. We had more on the plan but it’s been revised. Our main focus is on capital cities, large regional cities, then building a hub and spoke model,” says Perlo.
Franchisees will be able to take on multiple sites with the hub and spoke concept, with smaller outlets feeding the business and allowing franchisees to expand their business quickly.
The smaller footprint sites are around 600-700 sq m rather than the usual 12-1400 sq m.
“It will be the same style of equipment in a modified program so there are more interchangeable parts. It keeps it fresh for clients too” he says.
There won’t be an overflux of sites though. Perlo points out that customers are happy to travel for this style of activity.
The core business focuses on kids and parties but the functional movement element attracts adults too and it’s one of the few places families can exercise together.
The nature of a Ninja Parc is part of its booming appeal, says Perlo, with lockdown forcing families to take their fitness regime outside. Now they are looking for the next step up from this.
“This is a natural progression from climbing and park-based work. It’s a good way for the body to move, and people are looking for new activities.”
Limited patron numbers and comprehensive cleaning have always been part of the operation, so Ninja Parc has been well set to cope with OH&S changes and has continued to offer all its services including kids’ parties.
Ninja Parc is part of the Belgravia Group, an established multi-brand business which has a long history of franchising.
Belgravia provides the back bone of services – accounting, marketing and payroll – allowing franchisees to focus on generating energy and enthusiasm in the community to build up the business.
“Enquiries are coming up, it’s never been a better time to invest. People have made a change, think it’s time to move on from their career and look for a better work life balance.”