The Starz Program Franchise

The history of The Starz Program franchise began in the early 2000s with founder Sophia Wastler, an educator who had previously worked as a middle-school teacher. The definite article “The” became part of the company’s recognizable name and trademark, while the word “Starz” reflected the brand’s emphasis on helping children build confidence, develop new skills, and feel successful. The original abstract idea took form after Wastler helped a young child learn to play T-ball and observed how sports and movement could positively affect confidence, social development, and classroom performance. That moment led her to create a company combining physical activity, education, health, and personal growth. Founded around 2004–2005, The Starz Program began offering sports, dance, creative movement, fitness, cheer, and other enrichment programs at schools and childcare centers. Instead of requiring families to visit a separate studio or sports site, the programs were brought directly to children in a familiar place, making participation easier for parents and school administrators.

Over the following decade, The Starz Program refined its curriculum, instructor-training process, payment systems, technology, and school-partnership model before beginning to offer franchise opportunities around 2017. The company created a home-based business format that allowed franchise owners to operate without building an expensive studio, gym, or retail location. Franchisees could develop relationships with preschools, childcare centers, Montessori schools, elementary schools, and community organizations while offering several program types under one brand. Franchise expansion was later limited or paused around 2020, but the company recently renewed its focus on growth and began adding new franchise owners and markets again in 2024. Today, The Starz Program continues to build on nearly two decades of experience by combining established curriculum, instructor support, recurring student enrollment, and flexible school-paid programs. Its history shows how one educator’s idea grew into a children’s enrichment franchise designed to help young people move, learn, play, and develop skills that can carry into the classroom and throughout their lifetime.

New owners of The Starz Program franchise receive detailed initial training designed to help them understand every important part of the business before launching in their local market. The training combines live instruction, online course content, recorded video lessons, operating information, and practical guidance from the company’s experienced support team. Franchisees learn how to introduce the brand to schools, childcare centers, and community organizations; build relationships with site directors; set up sports, dance, fitness, and cheer programs; manage class enrollment; process payment information; and use the company’s technology, computer systems, website, and franchisee account. Training also covers instructor recruitment, children’s health and safety, background checks, parental consent, equipment, scheduling, local marketing, customer contact, and the proper way to deliver each program. New owners can ask questions, review saved training content, watch lessons again, and refer to the operations manual whenever they need additional direction.

Support continues after the initial training course, giving franchisees access to the Starz leadership team as they open and grow their business. Owners receive help finding school partners, preparing program proposals, selecting class options, setting prices, improving enrollment, managing instructors, and building a strong presence in their community. Regular meetings, updated training modules, phone support, marketing materials, program notices, curriculum resources, and ongoing coaching allow franchise members to compare results, share ideas, solve problems, and plan for future growth. The company can also provide guidance when an owner wants to add new programs, hire a manager, expand into another part of the territory, or increase the number of children served each month. This combination of structured training and ongoing franchise support gives new owners a clear way to learn the business, protect the Starz brand, and build a professional children’s enrichment company without having to create every system, class, or process on their own.

The Starz Program franchise gives a person a practical way to build a children’s fitness enrichment business without opening an expensive gym, studio, or retail site. Franchise owners partner with preschools, childcare centers, schools, and community organizations to offer sports, dance, cheer, creative movement, mindfulness, and health-focused activities directly where children already spend their time. This mobile, home-based business model can limit major costs such as construction, rent, and large equipment purchases while allowing an owner to start with a manageable number of classes and add instructors as enrollment grows. The company provides established programs, initial training, technology, marketing content, payment systems, and ongoing support, giving new owners a clearer course than starting an independent children’s enrichment company from the ground up. Success still depends on the owner’s ability to contact schools, build trust, recruit a dependable team, answer parent questions, and consistently deliver a fun, professional class experience.

The children’s fitness enrichment market can be a good industry because parents and schools increasingly understand the importance of movement, active play, confidence, teamwork, and healthy habits. Many children spend more time using a computer, phone, video, or other device, creating stronger demand for structured activities that help the body and mind while improving social skills. The Starz Program franchise can benefit from recurring monthly enrollment, school-paid programming, camps, and special events, giving owners more than one way to generate revenue. Its combined selection of sports, cheer, dance, fitness, and mindfulness programs also allows each location to serve different ages, interests, and community needs. For someone who enjoys working with people, supporting children, and building relationships with local schools, this franchise offers a flexible, purpose-driven opportunity with room to grow over time.