On this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume welcomes Kirk Bowyer, co-founder and CEO of Mini Athletics, a rapidly growing children’s fitness franchise that started in Cambridge, UK. Born out of Kirk’s desire to give his son a better first sports experience, Mini Athletics focuses on foundational athletic skills—running, jumping, and throwing—infused with imagination and fun. With themes like dinosaurs and robots, the program is designed to foster physical literacy while making exercise enjoyable for kids from walking age through eight.
Kirk explains how the idea came to life after noticing a gap in the market during his son’s early soccer class. Rather than pushing kids into early specialization, Mini Athletics encourages natural movement and creativity. What started as a single class quickly gained traction through word of mouth and smart grassroots marketing. Within a year, the brand launched its first franchise location.
Today, Mini Athletics has over 40 franchises across the UK and Ireland and has begun expanding in the United States. Kirk shares what sets their franchise apart, including a mobile-friendly, low-overhead business model and a commitment to high-quality, imaginative programming. He also offers insight into navigating the U.S. franchise landscape—from dealing with brokers to embracing the legal rigor of the FDD process.
For aspiring franchisors, Kirk’s advice is clear: invest in the right talent early and stay true to your mission. If you’re passionate about youth development and looking for a scalable, meaningful franchise opportunity, now might be the perfect time to get involved with Mini Athletics.
Learn more at miniathleticsfranchising.com.
August 14, 2025
