Gracie Barra is an international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization that traces its roots back to 1986, when Master Carlos Gracie Jr. opened the first academy in Rio de Janeiro. Built around the values of discipline, physical fitness, and community, the company has grown into a worldwide network of professional martial arts schools.
Today, its headquarters are based in Irvine, California, and the franchise began its global expansion in 2010.
The franchise provides a wide range of structured BJJ classes designed for children, teens, and adults. Students can train in beginner fundamentals, advanced techniques, competition-focused sessions, and practical self-defense. Every program emphasizes safe instruction, technical development, and individual progress.
What sets Gracie Barra apart is its standardized approach to teaching. All locations follow the same curriculum and rely on certified instructors to deliver training. This model ensures uniform quality, consistent student experience, and a cohesive brand presence around the world.
Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
The Gracie Barra franchise provides a structured set of training programs and certifications for franchisees and their staff to maintain consistent operational and instructional standards across its schools. The training offerings include:
Gracie Barra grants its franchisees a defined geographic area, referred to as the “Territory,” in which they are authorized to operate their school. Within this Territory, the franchisor agrees not to establish or authorize another Gracie Barra school, provided the franchisee meets certain performance benchmarks such as the required sales threshold.
However, this grant does not confer exclusive or perpetual rights to the Territory, and the franchisor retains substantial flexibility in its operations. Despite the initial assignment of a Territory, the franchise agreement makes clear that the rights are non-exclusive.
Gracie Barra reserves the right to use or license its brand and methods for other purposes or in other formats outside of physical school locations, including online platforms or retail channels.
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