DZONE Skydiving launches industry-first franchise model

Entrepreneurship requires ambition, self-belief, and a willingness to embrace risk. It’s a little bit like skydiving.

Over the weekend, DZONE Franchising Corporation announced the sale and transition of their first-ever DZONE Skydiving franchise location in Three Forks, Montana. This marks the first such agreement in the rapidly growing adventure tourism industry, which is valued at roughly $185B.

DZONE Skydiving’s inaugural franchisee will be Eric Skroch, a local Three Forks resident who has been a DZONE team member for several years. Skroch will transition from employee to owner, fulfilling a lifelong ambition of operating a business that benefits the greater Bozeman community.

“Taking this step as the first franchisee in the DZONE network is an incredible honor,” said Skroch. “I’ve seen first-hand how this business changes lives. I’m excited to continue helping our jumpers ‘Feel The Freedom’ while proving that skydiving is a viable, professional business opportunity for entrepreneurs.”

Franchise model growth

From DZONE’s perspective, the franchise announcement isn’t just about elevating a deserving employee; it’s a key step toward creating a proven model that can be used to scale other experiences in the extreme sports and adventure tourism spaces.

“This is a massive moment for our company and the sport,” said Abbie Mashaal, founder of DZONE Franchising Corporation. “By launching the first-ever skydiving franchise, we are proving that these high-adrenaline operations can be professionalized and scaled. Seeing Eric—a friend and dedicated team member—take the helm of our Three Forks-based operation is the perfect proof of concept. He knows the market and the DZONE standards better than anyone.”

Adventure tourism sector

Skydiving is the primary driver of the adventure tourism sector, with roughly 3.88 dives taking place in the U.S. in 2024 alone. Thanks to significantly reduced incident rates and increased professionalism, driven by investment from companies like DZONE, skydiving is poised to evolve from niche to mainstream.

Now that they’ve officially launched their franchise offering, DZONE is looking to connect with entrepreneurs across the U.S. who are interested in tapping the growing adventure tourism and extreme sports markets.