PE-backed CircusTrix buys Sky Zone

CircusTrix, which is backed by Palladium Equity Partners LLC, has acquired Sky Zone, a franchisor in the indoor trampoline entertainment space. No financial terms were disclosed. Harris Williams & Co. served as financial adviser to Sky Zone.

PRESS RELEASE

PROVO, UT – February 1, 2018 – CircusTrix Holdings, LLC (“CircusTrix”), a leading developer, operator and franchisor of indoor active recreation parks, today announced that it has acquired Sky Zone, LLC and Sky Zone Franchise Group, LLC (together “Sky Zone”), a leading franchisor in the indoor trampoline entertainment space.

The combination of CircusTrix and Sky Zone creates the largest indoor active recreation and trampoline park company in the world, with nearly 300 owned and franchised locations. Sky Zone’s brand and franchise structure will remain in place, and its management team will continue to manage Sky Zone operations as well as corporate-wide franchise activity in conjunction with the existing CircusTrix franchise team.

Sky Zone President Jeff Platt said, “We are extremely excited about what this new partnership with CircusTrix will enable for our guests and our franchise partners across the world. We believe, together, we will continue to be the leader in bringing more play to more people.” Jeff will continue to oversee Sky Zone as well as CircusTrix’s global franchise division as President of Franchise Operations and a member of CircusTrix’s executive team.

CircusTrix’s acquisition of Sky Zone follows its acquisition of Rockin’ Jump in March 2017 and the investment in CircusTrix in December 2016 by an affiliate of Palladium Equity Partners, LLC (along with its affiliates, “Palladium”), a middle market private equity firm with approximately $3.0 billion in assets under management. Palladium and other CircusTrix equity holders made follow-on investments to support the acquisition and the future growth of the combined company.

“Sky Zone launched our industry when it created the first indoor trampoline park almost 10 years ago. They have since grown to become the largest brand in the trampoline park market,” said Case Lawrence, Founder and CEO of CircusTrix. “When it comes to franchise support and infrastructure, we believe that nobody does it better than Sky Zone. We are delighted to welcome Jeff Platt and the Sky Zone team into the CircusTrix family.”

Sky Zone, which was founded in 2004, opened its first park in Las Vegas and has since grown to 195 franchised and corporate-owned parks in the U.S. and abroad. It focuses on active play experiences for people of all ages.
Provo, Utah-based CircusTrix was founded by Lawrence in 2011. Its parks specialize in active recreation attractions including trampoline fields and ninja courses. With this acquisition, CircusTrix has almost 300 parks worldwide under its umbrella.

Harris Williams & Co. served as the exclusive financial advisor to Sky Zone.

To learn more about CircusTrix, visit www.circustrix.com.

To learn more about Sky Zone visit www.skyzone.com/.

About CircusTrix
Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Case Lawrence in 2011, CircusTrix is one of the leading companies in the increasingly relevant “Experience Economy.” With a growing network of almost 300 facilities worldwide, CircusTrix is the largest developer, operator and franchisor of trampoline parks in the world. Known as the leading innovator in adrenaline, CircusTrix is constantly creating new facilities and attractions that provide active physical activity, facilitate shareable social media posts, and bring thrill and delight to its worldwide fan base.

About Sky Zone
Since creating the world’s first all-walled trampoline playing court in 2004, Sky Zone, LLC has expanded its unique concept to 195 franchises across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, India, Guatemala, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Sky Zone trampoline parks feature a wide array of fun, fit and low-impact activities ranging from freestyle jump, ultimate dodgeball and SkyFit fitness classes to birthday parties, corporate events and other group outings. The franchise has been awarded various accolades, including being ranked the second Fastest Growing Franchise by Inc., the second Smartest Growing Brand by Franchise Times, 53rd on Entrepreneur’s 2017 Franchise 500 list, 273rd on the 2015 Inc.’s 500/5000 list, 152nd on the 2014 Inc.’s 500/5000 list, and 55th on the Forbes America’s Most Promising Companies list.