All-Star 2020-2021: New Gyms, Closings, And Acquisitions

[luv2cheer92]

Are there any well known US brands in the UK?

FAME is the only one I can think of.

 

[BlueCat]

I just need to know if at any point you’ve been like “whoa, did we mess up with this franchise?” CA has largely been successful with the other locations, especially compared to others, but I just feel like it HAS to happen.

Not really. We have had issues getting some buildings open at the right time (don't get me started on bureaucratic permitting processes), but there is not a single location we wouldn't do again. We are pretty selective about who/where we take on and we pass on far more than we approve.

 

[TUMBLR]

Thank you for posting that list BlueCat! I would be interested to see an extensive list of all mega gyms and a breakdown of all their locations.

Now I haven’t posted on the Fierceboard in a long time so be gentle with me… PLUS I hate to beat a dead horse but I genuinely want to understand the point of this. Every time I drop in to the acquisitions thread I always think “what’s the point???”. It can’t be just for money. My biggest problem with these acquisitions is quality control and continuity. Who’s going around making sure all of these athletes are conditioning the “World Cup” way (just using them as an example). Who’s ensuring the choreography is up to par, that the skills are taught and executed the same way, that the coaching style is consistent, etc…
I feel like if companies are doing this JUST for money then they’re going to lose a lot of brand integrity in the long run when mom and her cp find out that Amazing Allstars South Dakota location is just the same old gym but with a fancy new uniform.

This is just my opinion but the only gyms I’ve seen roll out their many locations successfully are the two CA’s. They really breathe new life in to their locations and fully assimilate the staff to the Cali or Cheer Athletics way… just my opinion.

I used to cheer in the Arizona market and I find it interesting that Arizona Element and USA Starz continue to remain very competitive year-after-year at Summit and Worlds. Especially when California Allstars and Top Gun are down the street. (Literally very close).

Thats the kind of stuff that makes me think ‘what’s the point?” Because if it is just for money then won’t people realize sooner or later that its just the same gym it was before the acquisition and eventually that gym will be back in whatever financial situation that forced them to sell their soul in the first place? I just think that maybe people are starting to see past the facade of “new name, new gym” and are staying at whatever gym they’re already at. I could also have a very narrow view of how the local market reacts to these kinda changes. Anyone have any experience with mega gym success stories in their area? Particularly with any mega gym that isn’t one of the CA’s.

But maybe it just takes time to build a competitive program in these really obscure locations. I could be completely wrong about all of this. I mean, it can’t hurt to have acquisitions so I guess it’s a moot point. However, I still stand by the whole ‘continuity’ thing. What’s the point of taking on another gym’s name if you’re not gonna teach those athletes the same technique, choreo-style, conditioning, etc… that made the main location so famous in the first place?

Anyway, genuinely curious here. Please enlighten me.

Sorry for deviating from the topic. I don’t have any news to contribute. I’ll shut up now.

P.S. this was probably already mentioned and perhaps it doesn’t fit in this thread but I’m pretty sure Top Gun Orlando got rid of their old Toys R’ Us location (which was a phenomenal location btw) and got a new gym somewhere else in that area. Maybe I’m completely wrong but I thought I saw it mentioned in someone’s Vlog and the space they competed in this year at the virtual competitions looked completely different and new.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Thank you for posting that list BlueCat! I would be interested to see an extensive list of all mega gyms and a breakdown of all their locations.

Now I haven’t posted on the Fierceboard in a long time so be gentle with me… PLUS I hate to beat a dead horse but I genuinely want to understand the point of this. Every time I drop in to the acquisitions thread I always think “what’s the point???”. It can’t be just for money. My biggest problem with these acquisitions is quality control and continuity. Who’s going around making sure all of these athletes are conditioning the “World Cup” way (just using them as an example). Who’s ensuring the choreography is up to par, that the skills are taught and executed the same way, that the coaching style is consistent, etc…
I feel like if companies are doing this JUST for money then they’re going to lose a lot of brand integrity in the long run when mom and her cp find out that Amazing Allstars South Dakota location is just the same old gym but with a fancy new uniform.

This is just my opinion but the only gyms I’ve seen roll out their many locations successfully are the two CA’s. They really breathe new life in to their locations and fully assimilate the staff to the Cali or Cheer Athletics way… just my opinion.

I used to cheer in the Arizona market and I find it interesting that Arizona Element and USA Starz continue to remain very competitive year-after-year at Summit and Worlds. Especially when California Allstars and Top Gun are down the street. (Literally very close).

Thats the kind of stuff that makes me think ‘what’s the point?” Because if it is just for money then won’t people realize sooner or later that its just the same gym it was before the acquisition and eventually that gym will be back in whatever financial situation that forced them to sell their soul in the first place? I just think that maybe people are starting to see past the facade of “new name, new gym” and are staying at whatever gym they’re already at. I could also have a very narrow view of how the local market reacts to these kinda changes. Anyone have any experience with mega gym success stories in their area? Particularly with any mega gym that isn’t one of the CA’s.

But maybe it just takes time to build a competitive program in these really obscure locations. I could be completely wrong about all of this. I mean, it can’t hurt to have acquisitions so I guess it’s a moot point. However, I still stand by the whole ‘continuity’ thing. What’s the point of taking on another gym’s name if you’re not gonna teach those athletes the same technique, choreo-style, conditioning, etc… that made the main location so famous in the first place?

Anyway, genuinely curious here. Please enlighten me.

Sorry for deviating from the topic. I don’t have any news to contribute. I’ll shut up now.

P.S. this was probably already mentioned and perhaps it doesn’t fit in this thread but I’m pretty sure Top Gun Orlando got rid of their old Toys R’ Us location (which was a phenomenal location btw) and got a new gym somewhere else in that area. Maybe I’m completely wrong but I thought I saw it mentioned in someone’s Vlog and the space they competed in this year at the virtual competitions looked completely different and new.

Ooh that would be a fun project. I know @BlueCat had a map that he created at one point.

 

[BlueCat]

Thank you for posting that list BlueCat! I would be interested to see an extensive list of all mega gyms and a breakdown of all their locations.

Now I haven’t posted on the Fierceboard in a long time so be gentle with me… PLUS I hate to beat a dead horse but I genuinely want to understand the point of this. Every time I drop in to the acquisitions thread I always think “what’s the point???”. It can’t be just for money. My biggest problem with these acquisitions is quality control and continuity. Who’s going around making sure all of these athletes are conditioning the “World Cup” way (just using them as an example). Who’s ensuring the choreography is up to par, that the skills are taught and executed the same way, that the coaching style is consistent, etc…
I feel like if companies are doing this JUST for money then they’re going to lose a lot of brand integrity in the long run when mom and her cp find out that Amazing Allstars South Dakota location is just the same old gym but with a fancy new uniform.

This is just my opinion but the only gyms I’ve seen roll out their many locations successfully are the two CA’s. They really breathe new life in to their locations and fully assimilate the staff to the Cali or Cheer Athletics way… just my opinion.

I used to cheer in the Arizona market and I find it interesting that Arizona Element and USA Starz continue to remain very competitive year-after-year at Summit and Worlds. Especially when California Allstars and Top Gun are down the street. (Literally very close).

Thats the kind of stuff that makes me think ‘what’s the point?” Because if it is just for money then won’t people realize sooner or later that its just the same gym it was before the acquisition and eventually that gym will be back in whatever financial situation that forced them to sell their soul in the first place? I just think that maybe people are starting to see past the facade of “new name, new gym” and are staying at whatever gym they’re already at. I could also have a very narrow view of how the local market reacts to these kinda changes. Anyone have any experience with mega gym success stories in their area? Particularly with any mega gym that isn’t one of the CA’s.

But maybe it just takes time to build a competitive program in these really obscure locations. I could be completely wrong about all of this. I mean, it can’t hurt to have acquisitions so I guess it’s a moot point. However, I still stand by the whole ‘continuity’ thing. What’s the point of taking on another gym’s name if you’re not gonna teach those athletes the same technique, choreo-style, conditioning, etc… that made the main location so famous in the first place?

Anyway, genuinely curious here. Please enlighten me.

Sorry for deviating from the topic. I don’t have any news to contribute. I’ll shut up now.

P.S. this was probably already mentioned and perhaps it doesn’t fit in this thread but I’m pretty sure Top Gun Orlando got rid of their old Toys R’ Us location (which was a phenomenal location btw) and got a new gym somewhere else in that area. Maybe I’m completely wrong but I thought I saw it mentioned in someone’s Vlog and the space they competed in this year at the virtual competitions looked completely different and new.

I appreciate the kind words.

(Obvious disclosure that I have spent my entire career at this particular "mega gym", so I am not remotely objective on this topic.)

I can't really speak to why everyone else chooses to join with a "mega" gym, I only know why some have chosen us. I honestly don't know details about how others run their expansion/franchise systems, so I can't speak definitively about how they do it. I imagine there is quite a variety in the type/level of support the "main" brand gives the "satellite" locations and probably wide variations in the costs & expectations for being a part of their brand. I would guess ours to be at or near the top on both sides of that equation for cheer. (most support, most expensive). In fairness, there are probably many different ways to be "successful" on the franchise side - including ways that are very different from ours.

<<I started a lengthy post about the various benefits/aspects of joining an established brand, but it would take hours to even start to do it justice. Perhaps another time when I am not a post-Worlds zombie.>>

I have an ever-growing, extensive database of locations, programs, addresses, etc. that we have spent hundreds of man-hours on. I am usually pretty open to sharing information, but honestly, I'll have to think about that one.

 

[california cheer mom]

California is not particularly business friendly. Tax rates, commercial property values (rental or purchase) around the big cities, state regulations around businesses/franchises, etc mean that other states are more attractive and far easier to make work. I am sure it will happen from someone at some point because of the demographics and opportunities, but it may be a few years.

(Not trying to make a political statement, there are also plenty of great things about beautiful California, just trying to address the comment.)

It is expensive, but we also also pay a lot to cheer here! At our first gym I think the tuition is up to around $350 a month. Does not include anything other than tuition for 2x a week practices! While there are some D1 "big" gyms here the actual buildings are pretty small.

 

[california cheer mom]

Also, wow, I had no idea WC had that many locations! Having just come back from D1 Summit I don't remember seeing any WC teams at all.

 

[BlueCat]

Numbers of gyms/locations (4 or more, some count multiple locations as a single "franchise", so some #s may vary)

14 - Rockstar
12 - ACE, Cheer Athletics, Cheer Extreme
8 - Premier, World Cup, Cheer Sport Sharks
7 - Stingray
6 - Cali, ICE, ECE
5 - Top Gun, Woodlands Elite, Midwest Cheer Elite
4 - Maryland Twisters, GymTyme

Number of gyms is only part of the story, but is easiest number to isolate.

 

[TUMBLR]

Numbers of gyms/locations (4 or more, some count multiple locations as a single "franchise", so some #s may vary)

14 - Rockstar
12 - ACE, Cheer Athletics, Cheer Extreme
8 - Premier, World Cup, Cheer Sport Sharks
7 - Stingray
6 - Cali, ICE, ECE
5 - Top Gun, Woodlands Elite, Midwest Cheer Elite
4 - Maryland Twisters, GymTyme

Number of gyms is only part of the story, but is easiest number to isolate.

You’re amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.
Its crazy to see an entire full picture like this. As someone who’s terrible at keeping track of this kind of stuff I was really expecting certain programs to have more locations and certain programs to have less locations. I guess that’s what I get for just assuming. This has actually made me think a bit more highly of a few. Very informative!

 

[BlueCat]

You’re amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.
Its crazy to see an entire full picture like this. As someone who’s terrible at keeping track of this kind of stuff I was really expecting certain programs to have more locations and certain programs to have less locations. I guess that’s what I get for just assuming. This has actually made me think a bit more highly of a few. Very informative!

As I said earlier, number of locations does not tell the whole story. (That is NOT a shot at any particular brand, just an observation.). Also, different brands run things in different ways. Some brands centrally own and run all of their locations. Some basically rent out a logo. Most are somewhere in between. There are advantages and disadvantages to each model and valid, sound business reasons for choosing each route.

We used to be on the own-and-run-it-all model and grew that to 5 locations in 3 states. We have since converted all but the original location to other owners who are local and specific to the their location. We feel strongly that, in our case, the resulting setup is much better for us, for the gyms, and for the athletes at those gyms.

We are now a fully federally registered franchise operation and follow the (extensive) FTC guidelines. I believe we are the only cheer gym that has gone through this process and has FDDs, etc. Others may be in the process, but it is time (and $) consuming to say the least. We face extensive annual audits and must follow very specific guidelines. It is not for the faint of heart on the brand side. However, once done, it does offer significant benefits, protections, and assurances for both sides.

 

[alpaca]

Numbers of gyms/locations (4 or more, some count multiple locations as a single "franchise", so some #s may vary)

14 - Rockstar
12 - ACE, Cheer Athletics, Cheer Extreme
8 - Premier, World Cup, Cheer Sport Sharks
7 - Stingray
6 - Cali, ICE, ECE
5 - Top Gun, Woodlands Elite, Midwest Cheer Elite
4 - Maryland Twisters, GymTyme

Number of gyms is only part of the story, but is easiest number to isolate.

Twisters had 5 until a very acrimonious split with one satellite location this past January. There is a lawsuit pending.

 

[Rudags]

Team Illinois announced they are closing next week. Sounds positive for the gym owner and her family! Team Illinois has ALWAYS been one of the classiest, humblest programs in Illinois. Sad to see them go, but honored to have been a life long Black Sparkle fan!

 

[Knowcheering]

Team Illinois announced they are closing next week. Sounds positive for the gym owner and her family! Team Illinois has ALWAYS been one of the classiest, humblest programs in Illinois. Sad to see them go, but honored to have been a life long Black Sparkle fan!

Didn't they just win something in Level 4 at Summit. They're located only 20-25 min from 2 gyms with top Worlds teams (Gym Tyme IL and ICE), so that couldn't have been easy trying to maintain a program.

 

[Rudags]

Didn't they just win something in Level 4 at Summit. They're located 20-25 min from 2 gyms with top Worlds teams (Gym Tyme IL and ICE), so that couldn't have been easy.

Yes. They won Summit this year, and won NCA previously in multiple divisions. Doubt the decision was easy!

 

[oncecoolcoachnowmom]

Team Illinois announced they are closing next week. Sounds positive for the gym owner and her family! Team Illinois has ALWAYS been one of the classiest, humblest programs in Illinois. Sad to see them go, but honored to have been a life long Black Sparkle fan!

Wait didn't they just have Summit wins?!

And isn't that owner on this board?

Wow.