America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Code Ninjas solved a real problem in children’s education: how do you get kids to willingly learn to code? The answer — let them build video games. That insight drives everything from curriculum design to retention. Parents see results, kids stay engaged, and the model generates the kind of recurring membership revenue that makes children’s enrichment franchises among the most durable in franchising. With 350+ locations and a Microsoft MakeCode partnership, the brand has earned its infrastructure.
At a Glance
- Minimum Liquid Capital: Approximately $52,000–$90,000 (30% of total investment) — liquid capital is cash or cash-equivalent assets available to invest without borrowing
- Ownership Model: Owner-Operator or Semi-Absentee with a qualified General Manager
- Location Type: Brick-and-Mortar retail Dojo — 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft in family-dense communities
- Time Commitment: Full-time owner-operator or management oversight role with GM in place
- Experience Required: No coding or teaching experience required; passion for kids and community impact essential
Top 5 Reasons to Invest
- 90% of parents prioritize coding education for children
- Recurring membership model drives predictable monthly revenue
- Microsoft MakeCode partnership elevates curriculum credibility
- Purpose-driven concept with near recession-resistant demand
- 350+ locations with international expansion underway
About Code Ninjas
Code Ninjas was founded in 2016 by software developer David Graham in Pearland, Texas and began franchising in 2017. Built around in-person “Dojos” where children learn to code by building video games and completing creative projects with mentor support, the brand has grown to 350+ locations across the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom.
The brand’s self-paced but mentor-supported model — anchored by structured programs, summer camps, and outcome-based learning — has enrolled 500,000+ students and accumulated thousands of five-star parent reviews. Code Ninjas has received recognition from Entrepreneur Magazine and Franchise Business Review for franchise performance and franchisee satisfaction.
Why Code Ninjas?
- The “kids build video games” hook isn’t just marketing — it’s the core engagement mechanism that drives enrollment, retention, and word-of-mouth in every market.
- Recurring CREATE and LITE membership programs generate predictable monthly revenue, supplemented by summer camps that have enrolled 200,000+ students in recent years.
- A partnership with Microsoft MakeCode gives Code Ninjas curriculum credibility that independent coding schools and smaller competitors simply cannot match.
- 74 million children under 18 in the U.S. and shrinking school budgets pushing parents toward supplemental education create a demand environment that strengthens rather than fades over time.
- Veterans and active-duty service members receive a 10% discount on the franchise fee, subject to standard verification requirements.
ABF Advisory Perspective
ABF Market Analysis —
Children’s enrichment franchises perform well in economic downturns because parents treat their children’s education as a non-discretionary investment. Code Ninjas benefits from that dynamic while adding a technology angle that most enrichment concepts lack. The STEM education market is projected to reach $132 billion globally by 2030. Code Ninjas doesn’t need that entire market — it needs parents in a 1,500 square foot radius who want their kids future-ready. That’s a manageable and repeatable local market problem.
ABF Timing Insight — Code Ninjas has passed the fragile early-stage risk threshold with 350+ locations and a proven curriculum platform. The brand is still growing domestically with territory availability, while also expanding internationally — signaling a system with real runway ahead of it. For candidates drawn to purpose-driven education businesses with recurring membership revenue and a universally recognized concept, Code Ninjas is an established brand in a category that continues to strengthen.
Training and Support
- Code Ninjas University provides structured pre-opening training for non-technical owners, covering curriculum delivery, center operations, staff management, and the full Code Ninjas learning platform — no coding background required.
- A dedicated New Center Opening team guides franchisees through site selection, pre-sales, marketing launch, and grand opening — with a focus on generating revenue before the doors open.
- The proprietary IMPACT learning platform manages student progress, curriculum delivery, and community features — giving franchisees a technology backbone that independent operators cannot replicate.
- A commercial real estate team and design and construction manual support franchisees through lease negotiation, buildout planning, and center setup from agreement signing through opening day.
- Ongoing marketing support includes customized local marketing plans, social media content, email templates, and a creative support team producing promotional materials tailored to each franchisee’s market.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Community-driven operators passionate about children’s growth and development
- Leaders who enjoy building and managing a small team of mentors
- Parents and educators who understand the value of STEM from the inside
- Relationship builders who thrive on school partnerships and local outreach
- Operators who want purpose and profit in the same business
Who Code Ninjas Is NOT For
- Candidates who cannot meet the liquid capital requirement of approximately 30% of total investment and a minimum net worth equal to total investment
- Purely passive investors — Code Ninjas requires active ownership or a committed, qualified General Manager running day-to-day operations
- Those expecting a home-based or mobile model — Code Ninjas requires a dedicated retail Dojo location of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet
- Anyone uncomfortable with retail lease commitments, buildout timelines, and the operational demands of a children’s education environment
- Candidates without genuine enthusiasm for children’s education — parent and student relationships are central to enrollment, retention, and community reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to know how to code to own a Code Ninjas?
A. No. Code Ninjas is specifically designed for non-technical owners. The curriculum, learning platform, and in-center Senseis (mentors) handle the technical instruction. Franchisees focus on business management, staff leadership, community relationships, and local marketing — not teaching code themselves.
Q. How do kids learn at Code Ninjas?
A. Code Ninjas uses an experiential, self-paced model where students build video games and creative projects rather than completing passive lessons. In-center Senseis provide one-on-one mentorship and encouragement. The brand partners with Microsoft MakeCode to deliver curriculum that meets students where they are and progresses them through increasingly complex skills at their own pace.
Q. What are the primary revenue streams?
A. The core revenue model is recurring membership — CREATE (8 classes per month) and LITE (4 classes per month) programs. Franchisees also generate significant revenue from summer camps, which have enrolled 200,000+ students in recent years, as well as additional programming options. This multi-stream model reduces dependence on any single revenue source.
Q. What size space does a Code Ninjas Dojo require?
A. A typical Code Ninjas location is 1,500 to 2,000 square feet. Code Ninjas’ development team assists with site selection, demographic analysis, and commercial real estate evaluation to identify the best available space in a franchisee’s market.
Q. How long does it take to open?
A. Opening timelines vary based on real estate availability, buildout complexity, and market factors. Code Ninjas’ New Center Opening team works closely with each franchisee to establish a realistic timeline and maintain momentum through the process.
Q. Is there a veteran discount?
A. Yes. Qualified U.S. military veterans and active-duty service members receive a 10% discount on the initial franchise fee, subject to verification and standard transfer conditions.
Next Steps
If you’re drawn to a purpose-driven children’s education concept with recurring revenue, an established curriculum platform, and a community impact that parents and students feel every week, Code Ninjas is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Code Ninjas.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.