The Sport Star Academy (SSA) has signed off its first international agreement, a deal that takes the Aussie brand into the Middle East.
SSA signed an agreement with a master franchisee in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a target of 100 franchises open within 10 years.
In the agreement, the master, Live Life Products and Services, will take on all the sports offered in the brand’s portfolio.
SSA chose the master for its local knowledge and network, expertise in building brands in UAE, and sales and marketing skills.
Sport Star UAE deal is the first in the region
Kelly Nikolakopoulos, SSA chief marketing officer, said the deal is concentrated on expansion in the UAE.
“The focus is on supporting the master franchisee in growing the sport brands successfully in the area. There is a huge expat community with young families, great schools with excellent facilities,” she said.
However there are plans for further expansion globally, she added.
Nikolakopoulos told Franchise Executives “Internationally we are having light level discussions with prospect master franchisees in India, USA and Indonesia.”
She said “The domestic focus is in expanding the “more than sport” offering into the AllStar Academy with a primary focus on wellbeing programs and entrepreneurship.”
Right now there are 100 Australian franchise units operating across Australia.
Former international footballer Peter Nikolakopoulos founded the brand in 2002. The business has partnered with Aquastar Swim Schools as well as launching five activities outside the sports arena.
Source: Franchise Executives
