Established
2019
Franchise Units
25
Minimum Investment
$65,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$140,000
Home Based
No
Description
Middle School Matchup is an innovative education-focused franchise concept designed to meet today’s students where they already are—gaming, competition, teamwork, and digital engagement—while reinforcing academic values, social development, and structured extracurricular participation. Built around organized, supervised middle school esports leagues and skill-based competitions, the brand blends education, technology, and youth development into a scalable, community-driven business model.
Positioned at the intersection of education enrichment, youth sports, and esports, Middle School Matchup provides schools, parents, and communities with a safe, curriculum-aligned competitive environment for students in grades 6–8. Unlike traditional tutoring or after-school programs, the concept leverages structured competitions, seasonal leagues, STEM alignment, and character development to keep students engaged while building transferable skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and digital responsibility.
For investors and educators alike, Middle School Matchup stands out as a mission-driven franchise with strong social impact, low overhead compared to brick-and-mortar education centers, and growing demand across U.S. school districts seeking modern extracurricular solutions. The franchise benefits from repeat seasonal participation, long-term school partnerships, and multiple revenue streams tied to leagues, camps, sponsorships, and events.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Middle School Matchup addresses a clear and expanding market need: structured, engaging after-school programs that align with both student interests and educational standards.
Key investment advantages include:
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Fast-Growing Youth Esports Market – Esports participation among middle school students continues to rise, with schools actively seeking organized, supervised programs rather than informal gaming.
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Education-First Positioning – Designed for schools, districts, and parents who value academic alignment, student safety, and skill development.
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Recurring Revenue Model – Seasonal leagues, annual school contracts, repeat student enrollment, and camps create predictable income.
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Low Facility Dependency – Programs can operate within partner schools, community centers, or hybrid models, reducing real estate risk.
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Community Impact – A purpose-driven brand that appeals to educators, parents, municipalities, and local sponsors.
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Scalable Territory Model – Protected territories allow franchisees to grow across multiple schools and districts within their region.
Background
Brand Name: Middle School Matchup
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Established Year: 2019
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Industry Category: Education & Youth Development / Esports & STEM Enrichment
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Founders: Education and youth esports professionals with backgrounds in curriculum design, competitive gaming, and school partnerships
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Franchise Active Units: 25+ operating territories across the United States
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Ownership Structure: Privately held
Brand Journey & Company History
Middle School Matchup was created to fill a gap left by traditional youth sports and academic programs—engaging students who thrive in competitive digital environments while still prioritizing structure, supervision, and learning outcomes. The brand developed standardized league formats, age-appropriate competition rules, and educator-friendly implementation systems that schools could easily adopt.
As demand increased from school administrators and parents, the company transitioned into a franchise model, allowing local operators to deliver programs under a unified national brand. Today, Middle School Matchup operates across multiple U.S. regions, partnering with
Support Training
Middle School Matchup offers comprehensive franchise support designed for both educators and business-minded operators.
Pre-Launch Support
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Franchise onboarding and territory setup
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Local school outreach and partnership playbooks
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Launch marketing templates and enrollment campaigns
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Technology platform access and system setup
Training Programs
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Initial franchisee training covering operations, education standards, and league management
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Staff and coach training modules
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Student safety, digital citizenship, and compliance protocols
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Curriculum integration and academic alignment guidance
Operational Support
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League scheduling systems and competition frameworks
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Ongoing curriculum updates and game rotations
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Standardized policies, procedures, and best practices
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Vendor relationships for equipment and technology
Marketing & Growth Support
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National brand marketing and digital presence
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Local marketing toolkits for schools and parents
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Enrollment funnels, seasonal promotions, and sponsorship guidance
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PR support for school launches and community events
Ongoing Support
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Dedicated franchise support team
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Performance reviews and growth planning
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Annual conferences, webinars, and peer collaboration
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Continuous innovation in programming and esports formats
Ideal Candidate
Middle School Matchup is best suited for franchisees who are passionate about youth development and community engagement.
Ideal candidates include:
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Educators, school administrators, or former teachers
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Youth program operators or enrichment center owners
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Entrepreneurs seeking a purpose-driven education business
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Community leaders with strong local school connections
Key Traits & Qualifications
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Interest in education, youth sports, or STEM programs
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Strong communication and relationship-building skills
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Ability to work with schools, parents, and districts
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Commitment to student safety and positive outcomes
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Hands-on or semi-absentee operational mindset
Investment Capability
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Adequate capital to fund launch, staffing, and marketing
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Willingness to scale across multiple schools within a territory
Location Preference
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Suburban and urban U.S. markets with middle schools
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Areas with school district openness to enrichment partnerships
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Regions with strong parent engagement in extracurricular programs
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $65,000 – $140,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$65,000 |
| Territory Fee | Included in franchise fee |
| Infrastructure & Equipment Cost | $15,000 – $35,000 |
| Technology & Software Systems | Included |
| Initial Marketing & Launch Budget | $7,500 – $15,000 |
| Training & Onboarding | Included |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | $12,500 – $30,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross revenue |
| National Marketing Fund | 2% of gross revenue |
| Renewal Fee | As per franchise agreement |
| Franchise Term | 5–10 years (with renewal options) |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 12 – 24 months |
| Estimated ROI Timeline | 18 – 36 months |
| Primary Revenue Streams | School contracts, student registrations, tournaments, camps, sponsorships |