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Hot Ground Gym Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Hot Ground Gym is a unique fitness program designed for kids, promoting physical activity, teamwork, and life skills in a fun setting.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Franchise fee

?

$40,000
Investment

?

$163,000 - $317,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$345,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade

Hot Ground Gym is a kids' fitness franchise founded in 2013 in Northbrook, Illinois, by military veterans Doug Gialds and Sam Simpson. The company is headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois, and began franchising in 2023.

The brand was created to address a need for structured, engaging, and impactful fitness programs for children that go beyond physical activity. Hot Ground Gym specializes in obstacle-based fitness programs that focus on building physical strength, mental toughness, and strong character.

Its offerings include after-school classes, holiday camps, birthday parties, and team-building activities. All programs are led by instructors with backgrounds in the military or emergency services, ensuring a unique and disciplined approach.

The franchise differentiates itself through a curriculum built on five pillars of confidence: discipline, obstacle course fitness, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. This structured approach helps children develop not just fitness, but also resilience, communication skills, and responsibility.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Hot Ground Gym franchise is $163,000 - $317,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000 – $40,000
Leasehold Improvements $0 – $80,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $50,000 – $65,000
Signage $3,000 – $6,500
Rent and Security Deposit $5,000 – $7,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $8,000 – $15,000
Grand Opening Advertising $2,000 – $5,000
Additional Training Expenses $1,500 – $3,000
Professional Fees, Permits, and Licenses $2,000 – $3,000
Insurance Premiums $7,000 – $18,000
Computer Systems $3,000 – $6,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $1,500 – $3,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $50,000 – $65,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $163,000 – $317,000

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Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000 – $40,000
Leasehold Improvements $0 – $80,000
Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment $50,000 – $65,000
Signage $3,000 – $6,500
Rent and Security Deposit $5,000 – $7,500
Opening Inventory and Supplies $8,000 – $15,000
Grand Opening Advertising $2,000 – $5,000
Additional Training Expenses $1,500 – $3,000
Professional Fees, Permits, and Licenses $2,000 – $3,000
Insurance Premiums $7,000 – $18,000
Computer Systems $3,000 – $6,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $1,500 – $3,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $50,000 – $65,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $163,000 – $317,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Hot Ground Gym's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Hot Ground Gym had 2 total units in 2023, of which 0 were franchised-owned and 2 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Hot Ground Gym

key competitors in the

Children

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

6.00%

$163,000

-

$317,000

$345,000

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Training

Hot Ground Gym provides a robust and multi-tiered training system to prepare franchisees and their staff for operating a successful location. The training is structured to cover the essentials before opening and includes ongoing support. Here are the key programs:

  1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees and their Designated Location Manager must complete a 20-day program that includes online, classroom, and on-the-job training. This must be completed between three to six weeks before opening and is held at a location chosen by the franchisor. The cost is included for two trainees in the initial franchise fee, but expenses like travel and lodging are the franchisee’s responsibility.
  2. Additional and Remedial Training: Additional training may be required for new managers or if performance issues arise. These sessions incur a fee plus associated travel and lodging costs. Franchisees must also pay a cancellation fee if training is missed or rescheduled.
  3. Continuing and In-House Training: Franchisees are expected to conduct ongoing internal training for their staff to maintain standards and incorporate updates from the Hot Ground Gym system. This includes holding in-house meetings and mandatory participation in webinars.
  4. Regional and Annual Training Meetings: Attendance at regional or annual training sessions is mandatory for key management personnel. These events may carry a fee and additional costs for travel and accommodations.

Territory Protection

Hot Ground Gym grants franchisees a "Protected Territory" as defined in their Franchise Agreement, which varies based on location demographics and population. Typically, territories in metropolitan areas are smaller than those in suburban or rural settings.

As long as the franchisee is not in default, the franchisor will not authorize another Hot Ground Gym location within that designated area. However, the protection has key limitations.

The franchisor and its affiliates retain rights to market and sell products, including proprietary items, within the franchisee’s territory through various channels. They may also solicit and accept customers from the franchisee's territory for other services not exclusively tied to the gym's core offerings, and franchisees are not compensated for such activity.

Competitors

Below are some of Hot Ground Gym's key competitors in the Children sector.

Perfect Skating

Franchisees

?

22
+
22%
22%
Investment

?

$54,000 - $198,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

N Zone Sports

Franchisees

?

68
+
62%
62%
Investment

?

$54,000 - $87,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Child's Play Challenge Courses

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$141,000 - $186,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Gym Skills

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$48,000 - $296,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

National Academy of Athletics

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$43,000 - $63,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

Kidokinetics

Franchisees

?

121
+
1629%
1629%
Investment

?

$111,000 - $145,000
Revenue

?

Upgrade

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