Challenge Island Franchise

Challenge Island was founded by Sharon Duke Estroff and developed around challenge-based activities that introduce children to science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Its mobile format brings programs to the places children already gather, including schools, camps, parks and community centers. The core audience described in the 2026 FDD is children ages 5 through 14+, with programs also developed for other age groups.

The brand’s operating and franchising history involves several distinct companies. Kidsplorations, LLC was formed in Georgia on July 9, 2012 and operates Challenge Island businesses. The predecessor franchisor, CI Franchise Company, LLC, was formed in Florida on September 14, 2012 and offered franchises from September 2012 through November 2015.

The current franchisor, Challenge Island Global, LLC, was formed in Georgia on September 24, 2015. It acquired the rights to the marks and system on December 9, 2015 and began offering franchises in January 2016. A separate affiliate, Challenge Island IP Holdings, LLC, owns the marks and licenses them to the franchisor. As of December 31, 2025, Kidsplorations operated seven Challenge Island businesses; that figure describes the affiliate’s operations, not the entire franchise network.

Estroff remains the chief executive identified in the FDD issued April 21, 2026, as amended June 2, 2026. The franchise system combines proprietary curriculum and program materials with training, operating standards and a franchise management tool, giving local owners a defined framework for delivering enrichment activities.

Initial Challenge Island training is scheduled over three days in the Atlanta metropolitan area unless otherwise specified. The 2026 FDD lists 24 hours of classroom training, including hands-on practice with proprietary challenges. Subjects include curriculum delivery, the franchise management tool, field trips, after-school classes, camps, Girl Scout programs, school outreach, student safety, classroom management, supplies, recruiting and supervising teachers, and website and social media marketing. The franchisor may combine in-person and online instruction.

The operating owner and any required manager must successfully complete training at least three days before opening. There is no initial training tuition for up to three people, but franchisees pay travel, lodging, meals, wages and related expenses. Additional or replacement management training can carry a $1,000 fee. On-site training, when requested or considered appropriate by the franchisor, costs $1,000 per day plus staff travel and related expenses under Item 11.

Before opening, the franchisor designates the protected area, supplies access to its brand manual and identifies approved suppliers and preferred vendors. Item 7 also describes assistance developing an initial marketing program, beginning the week before opening and continuing for up to 90 days afterward. Owners are responsible for finding the schools and other venues where they will deliver programs; the franchisor does not find, review or approve those teaching locations.

Ongoing support includes access to proprietary products incorporated into the system, meetings and seminars, operating inspections, administration of the marketing fund, and maintenance of the brand’s website and social media presence. Advice and written materials about operations and program improvements are provided as the franchisor considers appropriate. Refresher courses, new-program training and conventions may be required, with registration and attendance expenses paid by the franchisee. The owner remains responsible for hiring employees, local marketing, required software and day-to-day program delivery.

Challenge Island offers an education business built around taking programs into the community. A home-office base, proprietary STEAM curriculum and a mix of school classes, field trips, camps and parties give an owner several settings in which to build relationships with schools and families. That combination may appeal to a buyer who wants to develop a local children’s enrichment business using an established program framework.

The strongest fit is someone comfortable with outreach, scheduling, teacher supervision and consistent program delivery. A trained owner or approved manager must devote full time to daily management, so the opportunity calls for active operating leadership. The appeal is the ability to organize a community-facing education service around Challenge Island’s materials and methods, with the owner responsible for earning local business and running it well.

Learn more in our guide to Challenge Island Franchise: STEAM Programs, Training and Ownership.