Private Party Giants Pump It Up and BounceU `Leap’ into New Arenas with Children's Art and Structured Play Offerings

Posted on January 14, 2009 by Aubrey Glencamp

Tempe, AZ– As many U.S. companies scale back on services, spending and workforces to meet slimmer 2009 budgets, the nation's largest multi-brand franchisor of indoor inflatable playgrounds announced today it has made significant investments to expand consumer offerings at Pump It Up and BounceU locations across the country.

Starting January 15, 2009, more than 175 Pump It Up and 40+ BounceU locations, previously known best for booking private parties enjoyed by a combined 10 million children annually, will begin offering children’s enrichment activities, including seasonal art camps and year-round structured play classes. Company executives say the move to expand offerings outside of traditional private parties was designed to constantly evolve the business model to ensure the continued success of its franchise owners.

"While Pump It Up and BounceU franchise owners continue to see parents spend money on their children’s private parties, there was obvious unmet potential for additional revenue streams for our franchise owners," said Gordon Keil, CEO of PIU Holdings, LLC, parent company of both Pump It Up and BounceU . "In any economy, healthy companies take proactive measures to keep their concepts fresh in the marketplace. These two new programs position both of our brands for long-term growth, continued industry leadership and competitiveness in the larger children’s entertainment category."

The new art camp at Pump It Up and BounceU, named "Jump-N-Art" and "Create and Bounce" respectively, combines art lessons and physical activities on the facilities’ wide variety of indoor inflatable equipment. Parents can also enroll preschool-age children in Pump It Up’s "PumpStart" program or BounceU’s "Bounce and Learn" classes, which promote learning and large motor skill development through music and structured activities on the inflatable structures.

In addition to these children’s enrichment offerings, Pump It Up recently introduced a Corporate Team Building program that targets event planners and human resource departments at corporations, businesses and other adult organizations. The Corporate Team Building program combines its giant, inflatable structures with results-driven activities designed to increase employee productivity, cooperation, and overall morale. The BounceU Brand is currently developing its own exclusive approach to organized, corporate team building events.

"As we evolve into a one-stop-shop for children’s entertainment and enrichment activities, as well as being a place for companies and organizations to provide team building events, Pump It Up and BounceU are both an unmatched franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs and a one-of-a-kind experience for children and families in communities nationwide," Keil said.

In July 2008, Pump It Up merged with BounceU to become the single largest multi-brand franchisor in the children’s birthday party segment. Franchise executives project combined, system-wide revenues to top $100 million in 2009.

About Pump It Up and BounceU

Both Pump It Up's inflatable party zone and BounceU were created as fun, safe, clean places for children and adults to enjoy. Private parties for birthdays, team, school events, etc. are available to everyone from toddlers to adults and must be reserved in advance. Trained staff provides guests with supervision, food and beverage set-up, and clean-up services.