How to Start an Indoor Trampoline Park

Start an indoor trampoline park by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Indoor Trampoline Park
2. Form your Indoor Trampoline Park into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Indoor Trampoline Park for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Indoor Trampoline Park
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Indoor Trampoline Park
7. Get Indoor Trampoline Park Insurance
8. Define your Indoor Trampoline Park Brand
9. Create your Indoor Trampoline Park Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your indoor trampoline park. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

• What will you name your business?
• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?
• How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Indoor Trampoline Park Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability.

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening an indoor trampoline park?

The costs involved in opening an indoor trampoline park business are often high. Startup costs average in the low seven figures, because trampoline parks usually must be custom built. There are two steps business owners can take to reduce their buildout costs slightly, although they can’t be completely eliminated.

First, business owners should get quotes from multiple contractors. Business owners should contact several contractors that specialize in indoor trampoline parks and ask them to submit a bid. Obtaining multiple bids not only shows what different contractors will charge for the work, but it also gives the business owner several designs to consider. One design may be simpler than the others and, therefore, significantly cheaper.

Second, business owners can look for a building that already has a wide open space. Choosing a location that has a large, open area will reduce any costs associated with demolishing walls, counters or other structures that are already in place.

Some buildings that may be good locations are old industrial buildings and old barns. Both provide lots of open space and are usually in low-rent areas. Although they may be in rural or industrial areas, guests will usually drive to an indoor trampoline park business even if it’s a little out of the way because it provides a unique business.

What are the ongoing expenses for an indoor trampoline park?

The largest ongoing expenses for an indoor trampoline park business include rent and common area maintenance, which together should be between 15 and 20 percent of gross revenue, labor costs, which should be between 20 and 25 percent. Trampoline parks that don’t serve food usually have labor costs closer to 20 percent, while those that have food tend to be closer to 25 percent. Insurance typically runs between 6 and 7 percent of gross revenue.

Other ongoing expenses include marketing costs, trampoline repair costs and utilities.

Who is the target market?

An indoor trampoline park business’ ideal customer is a family that has active children and discretionary income. Trampolines are a fun way for kids to burn off some energy while having fun, and a family with discretionary income can afford to bring kids to the trampoline park.

How does an indoor trampoline park make money?

An indoor trampoline park business makes money by charging guests a fee for a set amount of jump time. Many also rent equipment (e.g. specialized jumping socks) and sell refreshments.

How much can you charge customers?

Indoor trampoline park businesses typically charge around $10 per hour of jumping time. Rates are slightly higher in high-rent areas, and they may be a little lower in less-populated areas.

How much profit can an indoor trampoline park make?

While the startup costs for an indoor trampoline park are high, so is the profit potential. One trampoline park in California has a gross revenue of $2 million and a profit margin of 39 percent -- which equates to an annual profit of $780,000. A business owner who opened a park in New Jersey expected a profit margin of 25 percent.

How can you make your business more profitable?

An indoor trampoline park business can increase its profitability by adding concessions and other forms of entertainment. Transforming a facility that’s exclusively dedicated to trampolines into one that’s a trampoline-focused family entertainment venue can double guests’ time in the park and increase revenue by as much as $1 million annually.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your indoor trampoline park is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate an indoor trampoline park. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Release of Liability

Liability waivers are essential since consumers will be in high risk environments, partaking in intense physical exertion. For this reason, it is best to require protective gear. Here is an example of a release of liability waiver from Sky Zone.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional release of liability form for your trampoline park business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Music Licensing

In order to play music in a business setting, as many indoor trampoline parks do, permission must be acquired from the composer or license holder. Typically, it is possible to obtain a “blanket” license allowing a businesses to play music owned by a large catalog of artists and recording studios. Such licenses can be obtained from Performance Rights Organizations, such as ASCAP or BMI.

• Learn more about music licensing requirements

Labor Safety Requirements

It is important to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements:

Most important amongst OSHA regulations for a trampoline park are the relevant safety measures, including proper labeling, training, and injury report.

Certificate of Occupancy

An indoor trampoline park is generally run out of a warehouse. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

• If you plan to lease a location:
• It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
• Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a indoor trampoline park.
• After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening,  it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

• If you plan to purchase or build a location:
• You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
• Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your indoor trampoline park will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

Is this Business Right For You?

Anyone who loves people, adventure and having fun may be well-suited for operating an indoor trampoline park business. These businesses promise guests high-flying adventures and fun activities in an indoor setting.

Business owners often also need to either have sizeable savings, decent credit or a business partner who can provide financial capital, because the startup costs for an indoor trampoline park business can be high.

What happens during a typical day at an indoor trampoline park?

In a typical day, a business owner will welcome guests, explain how to enjoy the trampolines safely and respond to guests’ requests. They also may help serve guests refreshments, prepare for any scheduled parties and clean the facility, although these tasks may also be done by employees.

When not interacting with guests, a business owner will spend their time scheduling and managing employees, inspecting and repairing equipment, and marketing the business.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful indoor trampoline park?

Indoor trampoline park business owners don’t need any specific training before they open a trampoline park, but they ought to have strong communication skills (in order to clearly explain safety protocols), good customer service abilities, and decent general business skills. Business owners who want to improve in any of these areas may want to attend a relevant seminar or a class at a local community college.

While it isn’t required, business owners may want to become certified service technicians. Getting certified as a service technician can help a business owner keep their maintenance costs low, as they’ll be able to perform a lot of the maintenance their trampolines need themselves. The International Association of Trampoline Parks offers two levels of certified service technicians exams.

What is the growth potential for an indoor trampoline park?

Most indoor trampoline park businesses serve a single city. In areas where there is already at least one trampoline park, competition may be stiff. In cities that don’t have any, though, an indoor trampoline park business can fill a unique niche in the out-of-home entertainment industry. People from all over the city may be willing to drive to the trampoline park, because it’s something different.

Should you consider joining a franchise?

Joining an indoor trampoline park franchise can be a good option for entrepreneurs who prefer to use a proven model rather than start from scratch. While joining one can mean slightly higher initial costs and less control, a quality franchise offers great benefits such as initial and ongoing support, marketing assistance, and brand recognition.

Opening an indoor trampoline park franchise typically requires $1,000,000-$3,000,000. Larger indoor trampoline park franchises like Sky Zone typically cost more, while more niche favorites like Rockin' Jump often have lower startup costs.

Interested in joining an indoor trampoline park franchise? Check out our favorites.