If you are looking for information on the Just Add Kids franchise business opportunity, Just Add Kids franchises or Just Add Kids franchising, then you have come to the right place.
Just Add Kids is the perfect solution for free standing business owners, fitness club, preschools, gymnastics schools, or anyone interested in helping children stay healthy, active, and stimulated. We have literally helped hundreds and thousands of kids in their development. Now we want to share our years of experience with you and your community through this unique business opportunity called JUST ADD KIDS!
Just Add Kids is the brainchild of founder and owner, Siegfried Gerstung, and incorporates the philosophy; equipment and teaching methods used everyday in his own facility in Baltimore, Maryland.
Siegfried Gerstung, first came to America as a young physical education teacher. He saw a lack of quality programs that focused on fostering creativity, problem solving skills, and boosting self-esteem. He decided to create a non-competitive teaching method with the focus on the cognitive and physical skills as well as encouraging the child to use their own innate curiosity to stimulate movement.
When he saw that his programs were a success, he wanted to share what he had learned with as many people as possible. That's when the Just Add Kids business opportunity was developed.
Gerstung Inter-Sport has been in business since 1964 and it has serviced the youth fitness market as creator of youth movement education curriculums, manufacturer of youth equipment and flooring, as well as providing instructor education programs. More importantly, we have owned and operated the Gerstung gym for over 40 years and have received numerous local "Best" awards as well as Club Industry's Best of the Best in Children's Programming.
CURRICULUM is designed to be developmentally appropriate, non-competitive with a strong emphasis on having fun and learning skills for life.
EQUIPMENT AND FLOORING are designed and created in our own manufacturing plant in Baltimore, MD. Consisting of many components, the equipment is easily changed and rearranges for the weekly set ups to capture the child's interests and to motivate movement and creativity.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING emphasizes personal involvement and focuses on the needs of the individual. Learning through exploration and discovering through movement is what all preschool programs are based on, while older students' programs are more fitness oriented.
VALUE ADDED SERVICES help organize your administration, marketing, and efforts.
If you're looking for a business opportunity that will be successful while at the same time providing children skills for life, this is the solution you've been looking for. We develop the ingredients; all you need to do is JUST ADD KIDS!
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
