Undeniably, sport is one of the greatest things ever been created. It emerged as a powerful exercise that makes us feel good about ourselves, both physically and mentally.
When it comes to kids, sport significantly contributes to the enhancement of their mental and physical development. Sport is more than just physical fitness; it teaches children a variety of skills and helps them learn to express themselves and discover their true selves. It enables them to have fun, boost their confidence and self-esteem, make new friends, be a team player, and the list goes on.
However, children are becoming more inclined towards technological devices for their entertainment and, thus, disconnect from physical activities. Today, it is more important than ever for children to be physically active and disconnected from technology. Experiences and skills gained through sports are often forgotten or ignored, and a generation of children are missing out on life lessons that would be instrumental to their personal growth.
Hi-Five Sports Franchising is addressing this dilemma through its novel approach.
Hi-Five was formed with a mission to enrich the lives of children through team sports in a fun and non-intimidating manner. It does this through its own “kid sized” Hi-Five Sports Zone facilities and programs at local parks and third-party facilities. The company emphasizes fun and entertainment that provides families with an unparalleled youth sports experience.
Today, Hi-Five is the largest youth sports entertainment franchise network in the US! It is available in dozens of cities in numerous states throughout the US.
We at The Franchise Universe got into conversation with Ryan Tuchman, the CEO of Hi-Five Sports Franchising, to know more about the company and what makes it best in the game.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Describe your top-notch offerings that address the need of your customers. And what makes your franchise a preferred choice among your clientele over other competitors?
Hi-Five Sports is your one-stop shop for youth sports entertainment and is a family-owned business. We offer both home-based models and our state-of-the-art youth sports facility options so franchise owners can experience the magic of our brand through either high or low capital amounts.
Describe in detail the work culture the values that drive your franchise services.
Hi-Five Sports operates its youth sports programming and work culture in the same way. Everything we do follows the core Hi-Five Values that can also be found on the walls of our Hi-Five Sports Zones throughout the US.
- Family
- Respect
- Loyalty
- Sportsmanship
- Teamwork
- Leadership
In what ways have you or your franchise contributed to the community?
Hi-Five Sports supports local charities and our franchise owners go out of their way to offer complimentary programs for underprivileged children. Locations also give back to local PTA organizations.
Would you please shed the knowledge on your training programs that help you to expand your franchise?
Our training is what we call the “secret sauce” so you will have to become a franchise to find that out haha. We train our franchises the same way we have been training for over 30 years. It is a mix of onsite/offsite and ongoing training because we believe you never stop learning. We can turn any owner into a local celebrity by training the “Hi-Five” way.
As a well-known franchise in Youth Sports, what innovative technologies are you implementing to elevate your services to be more productive?
We created a unique digital reward system that is focused around our lovable French bulldog mascot Murphy and our core Hi-Five values. We started franchising from our HQ in silicon-valley and use that culture in all that we do. We use technology to differentiate ourselves from all the other brands out there and never stop learning and innovating. Our digital reward system is just one example.
What are Hi-Five Sports’ future aspirations? What strategies are you undertaking to achieve those goals?
Our mission has remained the same since we started franchising in late 2015. The goal is to become the number 1 household name in youth sports and take it to the next level which is sports with a focus on entertainment for the entire family.
As an established franchise, what would your advice be to up-and-coming entrepreneurs aspiring to venture into the franchise industry?
Do your homework. Know the industry and what it entails to become a franchisor. If your business is successful, be sure to test it across state lines where you have zero connections. That is what we did at Hi-Five. We were a household name in the Chicago Metro area and in 2011, tested our model in both CA and AZ. Once those new locations were successful, I knew it was time to expand and let other entrepreneurs with the same passion become part of the Hi-Five family through franchising.
