If last year taught franchises anything during the height of the pandemic, it’s been to put increased focus on operational efficiency with the help of technology. Today, franchise businesses grow at the speed of the technology they use, and those who didn’t pivot in the direction of technology quickly enough last year, didn’t make it. 

“Technology is key to being successful,” said Terri Braun, CEO of Kidokinetics, a kids fitness franchise brand. “Without an efficient system, we can’t operate at 100%.”

The widespread shutdown of 2020 pushed existing franchises to increase their use of technology, plus implement new tech. All of our franchise clients have adopted advanced technology to the point where it’s baked into their everyday operations. For example, Kidokinetics, an at-home service-based franchise model, uses our custom-built technology as a CMS, booking engine, and reporting tool to simplify their operations.



There’s no debate that artificial intelligence is on a continued upward trajectory, and we are helping small and large businesses integrate technology solutions that are customized to their specific needs. Unlike cookie cutter software solutions that can often miss the mark on key metrics your franchise needs most, we offer fully custom software solutions that track trends, train workers, generate detailed reports, take payments, and that allow you to manage both customer and employee data in one place.

The Kidokinetics Story

As a woman-launched franchise brand, Kidokinetics has engaged children with sports and fitness classes since 2006, offering technique-oriented sports activities that combine games, drills and exercises that build basic skills and proper mechanics. Conceptualized by South African transplant, Terri Braun, the Kidokinetics brand—headquartered in Miami, Florida—is a cultivation of research from physical therapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, youth development counselors, and school directors. 

“Teaching children has always been my passion,” Braun said. “I knew I wanted to expand and grow the concept and get as many kids active as possible.”

Kidokinetics is expanding quickly with plans to add 150 locations over the next 3 years throughout the US, and international expansion is on the horizon. As the company continues to grow, they remain hyper focused on providing exceptional support to their franchise owners through continuous improvement in their systems, marketing, and all other aspects of their franchise support infrastructure.

[Learn about starting your own Kidokinetics location here.]

The brand approached Wide Open Tech early last year to create a custom software system called Kidolink that’s designed to simplify and streamline every aspect of the company’s operations on both the back and front end.

Some key features the Kidolink system offers include:

1. Advanced KPI tracking

2. Custom reports building

3. POS and booking functionality

4. CMS functionality

5. Email notifications

6. Enhanced calendar and appointment setting

7. Employee time tracking 

“These days, strong systems make for strong companies.” said David Pazgan, the director of franchising at Kidokinetics. “We understand the need for robust operating systems and . . . the system allows our franchise owners to manage their entire business on a single platform including CRM, logistics, scheduling, HR management, and more. Built with the user experience in mind, the goal is to maximize efficiency, while also providing scorecards and reporting for easy business health assessments.” 

As the Kidokinetics brand continues growing, Wide Open Tech is working closely to offer system enhancements, technical support, SEO, website content updates, and social media content strategy to the company on an ongoing basis. 

If you’re needing help with your website, software, or marketing this year, start planning your project with Wide Open Tech by going here. 
 

With 9+ years of experience in marketing and creative writing, Mel keeps his finger on the pulse of online trends and leverages storytelling as the driving force that sways the modern consumer into a loyal fan. He's worked with national brands like Audioengine USA, Kidokinetics, and Boardworks Education on marketing, design, and content writing efforts. With a bachelor’s in creative writing and journalism, the art of storytelling takes a front seat to all marketing efforts. Mel has written for encore magazine, Lumina News, and Writer's Hive Media.