Unleashed Brands names familiar face chief franchise officer

This week, one franchise platform welcomed back a growth-oriented leader with an established track record of supporting their mission.

Unleashed Brands, the franchisor of seven youth enrichment brands, announced this Thursday the return of James Franks as Chief Franchise Officer. Franks previously served as Vice President of Franchise Recruiting at Unleashed from 2019 to 2025 and most recently held the title of Senior Vice President & Head of Franchise Growth at WellBiz Brands.

“James isn’t just a great franchise development leader, he’s someone who helped build this company alongside us,” said Michael Browning Jr., CEO and Founder of Unleashed Brands. “I’ve known James for years and have seen firsthand the passion, experience and leadership he brings to an organization. He understands our brands, believes in our mission and knows what makes a great franchise partner. As we continue expanding our platform and serving more kids and families, I’m excited to welcome James back and have him lead this next chapter of growth.”

Franks’ initial tenure at Unleashed Brands saw the platform grow significantly, awarding more than 330 franchises and evolving into a true multi-brand portfolio. Now, he will be applying his 25-plus years of experience in franchise development to continue growing Unleashed with a focus on long-term success.

In his new role, Franks will own development strategy for all of Unleashed’s brands. That roster currently includes the Urban Air brand of indoor adventure parks, The Little Gym, Water Wings Swim School, Premier Martial Arts, and the Snapology STEM and creative play brand, as well as the Sylvan Learning tutoring service and Class 101 for college planning.

Through those brands’ 1,400 locations, Unleashed delivers a vast range of fun and educational programs for children three months and older. Their stated mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential.

“Returning to Unleashed Brands feels like coming home,” said Franks. “Having spent nearly six years with the organization, I’ve seen firsthand the impact our brands have on kids, families and franchisees. The opportunity ahead is tremendous, and I’m excited to help more entrepreneurs bring these brands to their communities while continuing to expand our impact on families nationwide.”