Expanding Your Soft Play Business | Animo Business Finan

Expanding Your Soft Play Business: The Next Best Step for You

As your soft play centre grows, you may reach a stage where demand, loyal customers, and strong financial performance signal that it’s time to expand. The next step is choosing the strategy that best aligns with your goals, resources, and long-term vision, whether that be funding for soft play equipment at a second site or preparing your brand for franchising.

Here are the three most common expansion routes, and how to know which one is right for your business.

Opening a second site

A second site is the most direct way to grow, this is ideal for owners whose current venue is consistently busy, with high party bookings and strong community demand. It can significantly increase revenue, but it does require investment in fit-out, equipment, staffing, and launch marketing.

This option works best when:

• Your first centre runs smoothly without your constant involvement

• You have standardised processes for staffing, cleaning, and customer service

• Local demographics in the new area show strong potential

Relocating to a better venue

Expansion isn’t only adding another site, it can be moving your existing one to unlock more potential. A well-executed move can dramatically improve customer experience and overall profitability.

Relocation makes sense when:

• Your centre has outgrown its current space

• Rent or rates are becoming restrictive

• Parking, visibility, or layout are limiting customer flow

• You want to add facilities like party rooms, sensory areas, or a café

Franchising your brand

If your soft play business has a strong identity, loyal customer base, and repeatable systems, franchising may be the fastest route to large scale growth. This route offers major long-term opportunity, but requires a solid operational foundation and clear brand structure.

This is ideal for owners who

• Want expansion without managing multiple sites

• Have a proven business model that others can replicate

• Can provide training, documentation, and ongoing support

Upgrading soft play equipment:

Sometimes the best next step is enhancing what you already have. Upgrading your soft play equipment can refresh your space, attract new customers, and increase return visits from existing families.

Equipment upgrades are ideal when:

• Your centre is performing well but needs a fresh draw to stay competitive

• Customer feedback suggests demand for new features or updated play areas

• You want to increase party bookings or introduce new themed zones

• You’re preparing the site for future expansion or franchising and want it to meet higher standards

How to decide: Demand, Finances & Scalability

Before taking any expansion step, review three core areas:

Demand: Are you consistently busy? Are parents asking for more classes, more space, or a closer location?

Financial strength: Do you have the capital, or access to funding, to support fit-out, equipment, staffing, or legal costs?

Scalability: Can your business run smoothly without you on-site? Are systems and processes repeatable?

When these three align, you’re ready to grow.

How Animo Business Finance Can Help

Expanding a soft play centre is exciting, but it often requires the right funding structure to make it achievable and sustainable. That’s where we can support you.

Whether you’re:

• Fitting out a second location

• Relocating to a larger, more profitable venue

• Or preparing your brand for franchising

We help you secure funding for soft play equipment you need to expand with confidence. From flexible finance options to expert guidance and clear, honest support, we ensure your next step is strategic, and financially sound.

Give us a call on 0333 880 2912 or click here to start the conversation.