Launch opened as a trampoline park in 2012. Today it’s a full family entertainment center: trampolines, ninja courses, bowling, arcade, a bar and a restaurant. CEO Craig Erlick and Franchise Sales Director and former multi-unit franchisee Mark Murphy break down the model.

A Launch Family opening

Born on a Rainy Day at Disney

Rain hit while founders Rob and Erin Arnold were in Orlando. Rob wouldn’t wear a parka, so they found a trampoline park instead. Their verdict was the experience was not great. Funded by their friend, NFL Hall of Famer Ty Law, they decided to build a trampoline park that’s 10X better than anything else.

“I Liked the Company So Much, I Bought It”

Mark Murphy sat at the Starbucks across from the first location before it opened. He had already owned five businesses before, but recognized the Launch Family opportunity as exceptionally promising. He “ordered a bigger safe and became the third franchisee in 2014”. He grew to three parks,then sold in 2020 to his partner Ryan, who now owns five.

The insides of a Launch Family location

Why Families Stopped Leaving for Chili’s

Mark watched parents leave his trampoline park to finish the day at Chili’s or other restaurants. Rob’s shift to full family entertainment fixed that, and brought Mark back to lead franchise sales. The age range grew from 8–14 to 0–25: soft play for toddlers, bowling and a bar for 21st birthdays. A full-lifespan venue also hedges seasonality, weekday stagnation and even falling US birth rates.

Launch Is Not Eatertainment

Eatertainment gets over half its revenue from food. At Launch, food and alcohol are just over 10%. A restaurant operator who signed on put it simply: “now I sell time, not ingredients.” Parties and events take up 25–30%, and arcade 10–15%.

Weekends Walk In. Weekdays Get Sold.

About 80% of business lands Thursday through Sunday. Weekdays are sold to groups, fundraisers and corporate events. Birthday parties come rain or shine, pay a deposit upfront, and bring guests who are 80% first-time visitors. One company booked a park for four hours before opening: $50,000.

Don’t Be a Block Away from Greatness

Parks run 25,000–50,000 sq ft with modular attractions. A 26,000 sq ft former mall anchor in Clearwater, Florida holds every one. Craig’s rule: “Don’t take the box available today. Take the one a competitor can’t outposition.”” A lot of franchisees also buy the building.

A general manager spending a Sunday morning promoting summer camp at a baseball game

Professional Oversight > Being Inside the Four Walls

Launch Family franchisees build a team that runs the park so they don’t have to. A Core Four handles daily operations: general manager, assistant manager, food and beverage manager, and a sales manager who books community events. The owner focuses on landlords, marketing, and local relationships. As Craig puts it: “The franchisees who follow the playbook win.” One ex-military franchisee booked 40+ parties two weeks before opening just by working the pre-opening checklist.

Mark worked seven days a week at opening and once a week after a year. He shared “10–15 hours a week, mostly digital” is a typical load now.

Originally from the Northeast, Launch is now going west: Texas, Florida, Colorado, California and the Midwest

Who Owns a Launch

ER doctors, CPAs, veterans and multi-unit owners of other brands. Lately, child-care operators escaping regulation and staffing pain, and restaurant operators escaping food costs. Solid business background is the main prerequisite; Launch Family playbook will take care of the rest. A lot of franchisees come in as groups to meet the financial requirements.

Next step: book a call with Mark Murphy to learn about how you can build a Launch Family location.