Funtopia is looking to climb atop the $48 billion child services industry: continues international growth with aggressive expansion plans in the U.S.
One of the original players in the active entertainment industry, Funtopia has been expanding dynamically over the last few years, thanks to its winning combination of fun and sports under one roof. Today, the broadly-appealing indoor adventure park concept – which offers an exciting range of entertaining and healthy activities for all ages – has set its sights on further growth in the U.S. marketplace.
Founded in Bulgaria in 2013, Funtopia has since grown to 10 locations throughout five countries: Bulgaria, Israel, Malaysia, Australia and the United States. The company’s U.S. expansion began shortly after the already-flourishing entertainment concept launched its franchise opportunity in 2015. That year, an adventure park opened just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. One year later, Funtopia’s second U.S. location opened in the Chicagoland area.
“Growing our U.S. footprint, where the $48 billion child services sector shows no signs of slowing, makes perfect sense,” said Yassen Nikolov, General Manager of Funtopia North America. “Parents these days are constantly looking for new ways to encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in their children. While this isn’t an easy task, Funtopia is here to help. And we know we can, and we will.”
It’s all about laughs, adrenaline and adventure
Designed to entertain kids of all ages, as well as young adults and adults interested in corporate team-building events, Funtopia offers several entertaining and healthy activities, including climbing walls, rope courses, drop slides, free falls, giant slides and a guided exhibition in a simulated cave. Some of the new facilities will also offer ninja courses and jungle gyms. Climbers are required to wear a harness for every activity, with the exception of those using the soft play area designed for younger kids.
“With challenges designed for visitors of all ages, our adventure parks are the family spot of choice,” said Nikolov, noting that each Funtopia is built upon, and always reflects the company’s core values – Fun, Active, Safe, Courteous. “Our main goal is to get people involved in challenges that will make them have a good time and provide excellent health benefits too. That’s why all our attractions are specifically designed to be entertaining and good for the mind and the body.”
According to Nikolov, Funtopia is also a place which encourages social interactions. “We strongly believe that overcoming challenges and obstacles together in a family-friendly environment helps in building friendships and developing a sense of camaraderie,” he added.
“This place is fantastic,” said Dan Nilson of Chicago, who recently brought his two children to Funtopia for the first time. “Kids are curious. ‘Can I do this? Am I big enough? Am I strong enough? Can I make it to the next level?’ This place is the true definition of curious play.”
Funtopia also offers large seating areas for eating or for adults to work or relax while watching their children. Additionally, the venue offers a menu of fresh food and snacks, as well as a wide range of hot and cold beverages.
The path to 50
Adventure parks, particularly those that offer climbing walls, are experiencing a tsunami of growth: the number of indoor climbing gyms has more than doubled since 2005. It’s also estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 people are trying climbing for the first time – every single day, in the United States alone.
“The climbing industry has been booming over the past several years,” said Nikolov. “Both kids and adults have a natural tendency to want to climb and jump. Our features are interactive, so instead of just climbing a boulder, you are climbing up a beanstalk or a fire station, so it makes it more fun and engaging because you have a goal toward something you know.”
The industry’s continued popularity and record growth has Nikolov extremely confident of Funtopia’s aggressive expansion plans, which call for opening five new adventure parks across the country by the end of the year and having as many as 50 total locations nationwide by 2021. Two new facilities are already scheduled to open in the Chicagoland area over the next few months. Meanwhile, Nikolov is looking to enter new markets throughout California, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin, among others, over the next several years.
Let’s go on a funbelieveable adventure!
Including an initial franchise fee of $35,000, the projected investment for a standard size center (without a restaurant) is $629,674 to $758,216. For a large sized center (with a restaurant) the projected initial investment is $1,088,093 to $1,335,974.
“Funtopia is where the future of the entertainment industry is heading – sustainability for the owners and value for their customers,” said Nikolov. “Becoming a Funtopia franchisee will make you a part of a global team of dedicated professionals. All you need is a strong work ethic and to be enthusiastic about running your own adventure park.” A typical location is approximately 15,000-25,000 square feet and employs as many as 75 full- and part-time people.
AT A GLANCE:
Name of franchise: Funtopia
Established: 2013
Location of units: Australia, Bulgaria, Israel, Malaysia, United States
Investment range: $629,674 – $1,335,974
URL: www.funtopiaworld.com
Contact: (email and/or phone): Yassen Nikolov, yassen@walltopia.com
