Small-sided football facility operator KikOff unveils franchise model

KikOff, Sydney's largest provider of five-a-side football competitions, is looking to expand across the country by offering a franchise model for investors.

Launched in 2008, KikOff facilities offer a ‘football destination’ - an outdoor sports facility offering seasonal five-a-side football competitions, coaching programs, birthday parties and a range of other sport-related activities.

Capable of operating on tennis courts, bowling clubs and other locations, the small footprint taken up by KikOff facilities makes them flexible and easy to set-up. Typically the space accommodates four five-a-side football pitches although smaller areas with two fields are a viable option.

Looking back at the creation of the concept, KikOff Football co-founder Oli Bramley explains “we wanted to build a business based on our love of the beautiful game.”

Now, with more than 15 years experience, the KikOff franchise launch reveals a refined business model.

With specific insights into the business challenges, Bramley states “we have spent the past two years refining and building the model to work with minimal staff and still bring in the same revenue.

“This is a very simple business to run, whether someone wants to do it themselves, or invest.

“This is the perfect business to franchise because it is easily replicable. If you work full time on this business, you can run two or three facilities with support staff.

“Franchisees can buy one territory, then expand. There is plenty of room to grow with KikOff.

Competitions and coaching deliver the greatest revenue share, with parties also a significant income source.

As Bramley advises “last year we hosted almost 500 birthday parties over two venues”, while, in summer, KikOff facilities offer coaching for younger players from 4pm till 6.30pm and adult leagues running from 6.30pm till 10pm.

Bramley notes “the target is to get all facilities booked every night.

“The joy of this business is giving back weekends to our customers. They can play local competitions or social soccer during the week at a reasonable cost, and still have the weekend free for friends and family.”

Other sports businesses, including child coaching franchises such as Little Kickers, hire the facilities during the day.

While the focus is football, the all-weather pitches can also accommodate a wide variety of sports.

With growing participation in the game and Football Australia having emphasised the importance of small-sided games in the skills development of young players, the potential of five-a-side facilities has long been seen as ‘the next big thing’.

However, while operations such as Powerleague and Goals have been highly successful in Europe, the model has rather stuttered in Australia.

Nonetheless, Bramley is confident about the KikOff franchise model and who it is suitable for, going on to say “we want people with a passion for football. We want to enable keen soccer aficionados to do what they love. And they can keep their day job because the hours are mostly afternoon and evening.

“We plan to have three franchisees by mid-year, and five by the end of 2024.”

Franchisees sign up for a five-year term, with options to renew, and operate within an exclusive territory.

Location
The first stage in establishing the business is sourcing the right location to build the football facility.

Bramley indicates “we can consult on the best location, costs, major planning considerations as well as council or landowner issues.”

Investing in the facility is a significant investment, but one which Bramley suggests will be recouped in a single year of trading, adding “a four field facility generates about $500,000 a year - the cost of building it.”

Once the location is set, KikOff brings in its building partners to handle the site build.

The franchisor will also provide support for the franchisee’s business opening.

Bramley concludes “we have all the systems in place, from marketing and sales to operations and HR. We are all ready to go.”

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Images: KikOff facilities in the Sydney suburbs of Lakemba (top) and Harbord (below).