Latest news with #NinjaWarrior-style
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Major US pizza chain Chuck E. Cheese is finally opening in Australia – but you'll never guess where
Forget Vegas – Australia's about to score its very own 'casino for kids', complete with flashing lights, arcade games and plenty of cheesy pizza on the side. In January 2024, mega American franchise Chuck E. Cheese announced it was heading Down Under – and it's finally revealed where and when! Chuck E. Cheese is just one of a growing number of American fast food giants popping up in Australia, with Wendy's, Wingstop and Auntie Anne's all having opened here in the past 12 months. With almost 600 locations in 18 countries worldwide, this will mark the franchise's first Aussie outpost, with its flagship set to open in Joondalup, Perth, on September 6. Founded in 1977 in California, the family entertainment chain has become a global sensation thanks to its winning combo of cheesy pizza combined with impressive arcades and next-level kids' parties. And its Western Australia venue will be no different. Located 25 minutes north of Perth's CBD, the 1,622-square-metre Joondalup store will be centred around the Adventure Zone – a huge multi-storey indoor playground featuring a six-metre interactive rock climbing wall, ball pit with inflatable boats, spider climb, giant spiral slide and Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course. Australia's first Chuck E. Cheese will also feature a Game Zone, boasting more than 100 arcade games, a light-up dance floor to bust a move and VIP party rooms where kids can score all-you-can-play access – plus surprise appearances from Chuck E. himself. And don't worry, parents – there are dedicated recharge zones just for you. After burning off all that energy, your little ones are bound to work up an appetite. Luckily, there's a full-service restaurant dishing up crispy wings, fresh salads, fruit and veggie platters – and of course, Chuck E. Cheese's signature cheesy pizzas. Really want to raise their sugar levels? Treat them to warm giant cookies, unicorn churros, Dippin' Dots and fully loaded milkshakes, too. Chuck E. Cheese's Australian debut is being brought to us by Royale Hospitality Group, which also franchises burger joint Milky Lane and steakhouse Outback Jacks. The Perth store will open on September 6 at Unit 3/7 Winton Rd, Joondalup. Doors will open daily from 9am, with closing times of 9pm from Sunday to Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You can find out more here.
Int'l Business Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
From Obstacle to Opportunity: How Jake Marshman & Conquer Ninja Gym Built a Movement from Grit, Culture, and Community
When Jake Marshman opened the first Conquer Ninja Gym in 2015 in a small space in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, few believed his idea would work. A gym centered on Ninja Warrior-style obstacle training? At the time, it sounded more like a novelty than a viable business model. But Marshman, an avid fitness enthusiast, contractor and fabricator, and serial entrepreneur, had a vision and the grit to see it through. Ten years later, that vision has transformed into a nationwide movement. Conquer Ninja Gyms now operates in multiple cities across the United States and is opening its doors to franchisees, turning what once seemed like a niche into a full-fledged community built on physical strength, character development, and something Marshman calls the 'Seven Pillars of Culture.' "I didn't set out to be on American Ninja Warrior ," Marshman states. "I was just drawn to the style of fitness; it was fun, creative, and unlike anything else. When I started, there were maybe a couple of gyms like this in the entire country." With a background in construction, Marshman built every obstacle in the first gym. Without a website or even a marketing plan, he relied on word of mouth and a few social media posts to announce the opening. Within a week, word spread quickly through local school communities. And by the second week, lines of people were waiting at the door. "That's when I knew I was on to something," Marshman says. "People were excited. It wasn't just about fitness; it was about challenge, excitement, and connection." Jake Marshman - Founder of Conquer Ninja Gyms Soon, Conquer Ninja Gyms became a destination not just for adults looking for a new way to work out, but for kids as well, a major shift from traditional fitness spaces. Summer camps, field trips, open gyms, birthday parties, and competitive events quickly followed, laying the foundation for a business model centered on both athletic performance and inclusive, family-friendly fun. While the obstacles and athletic challenges drew people in, what's kept them coming back and what's driven expansion is Marshman's unwavering commitment to building culture. At the heart of the Conquer philosophy are seven core values: Integrity, Courage, Commitment, Humility, Wisdom, Perseverance, and Growth. "We don't just train bodies here," Marshman says. "We're teaching life skills. Whether it's the courage to try a new obstacle or the humility to handle a win with grace, these are lessons that translate far beyond the gym." These principles, which now form the basis of the gym's curriculum and franchise training, were formalized with the help of a leadership expert who became a franchisee and helped shape the internal culture model five years ago. Coaches are trained to actively develop these values in their students, weaving them into classes, conversations, and conflict resolution. "Culture is built whether you build it intentionally or not," Marshman says. "So we decided to be deliberate about it." Conquer Ninja Gym - Bedford, Texas Each Conquer Ninja Gym is like a community hub. Marshman is passionate about designing each space himself, obsessing over flow, layout, and obstacle variety. Over the years, he's evolved the physical design from a DIY build to a refined third-generation model. But his hands-on approach and love for the process remain intact. "I still get excited about designing the next gym," he admits. "I love walking into a blank space and imagining how kids, families, or even athletes will move through it. That's where the magic starts." Even as the franchise scales, that personalized touch remains a cornerstone of the brand. Marshman and his team work closely with franchisees, not just on logistics, but on training them to lead with the Seven Pillars, ensuring that the mission doesn't get lost in expansion. The gyms welcome everyone from first-timers to aspiring ninja competitors. And while the sport itself has evolved from entertainment to serious competition over the past decade, the community ethos stays the same: encouragement, growth, and resilience through play. From that first whirlwind summer in Eden Prairie to a thriving franchise network today, Conquer Ninja Gyms' growth has been nothing short of, well, ninja-level. Marshman reflects, "We've had massive growth over the past 10 years. It's been a wild ride, and I've always been involved in every part of it." Now, in 2025, Marshman has not only built the ninja community through his gyms but also through his podcast . And he and his team are only opening the doors wider. The Conquer Ninja Gym franchise opportunity is officially live, inviting a new generation of owners to carry forward the mission of fitness, fun, and fearless growth. Because, for Marshman, it was never about obstacles. It's about helping people conquer themselves, inside and out.
ITV News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Overwhelming Jersey public support for £110 million Fort Regent plans, survey finds
A multi-purpose concert hall and a six-screen cinema have been voted the most popular features in the Government of Jersey 's £110 million plans to redevelop Fort Regent into a "premier leisure and entertainment hub". It comes after a large survey, commissioned by the Jersey Development Company, found there is widespread public support for the proposals. Almost 90% of the more than 6,000 residents, visitors and students who responded are satisfied with the ideas to transform the area. Accessibility from St Helier to Fort Regent was highlighted as a key area of concern, with 98% wanting improvements. What are people most excited about? Those who chose to take part in the survey were asked to answer a multiple-choice question on which proposed spaces they are most excited about. A multi-purpose concert hall came out on top after being backed by 71% of respondents, with a six-screen cinema ranking second at 59%. Bowling was championed by 46% of those surveyed, and a Ninja Warrior-style soft play, climbing, bouldering and sky trail rated at 43%. At the other end of the scale, just 16% were excited by a pump track - a type of track for high-intensity cycling and other wheeled activities. What else do people want? A swimming pool was the most requested new feature (8%), followed by calls to keep existing sports facilities (5%). Other ideas that were put forward include a roller-skating rink, go-kart track, casino, waterpark, nightclub, padel courts, and a ski slope. Did opinions change among different groups? Well, despite overall public support, only 28% of respondents aged 55 and over were satisfied with the plans - that is compared to 94% of students. Those with a higher household income were more likely to report being 'very satisfied'. On the proposed cable car from town to Fort Regent, more than nine in ten say they would use the service, with most prepared to spend up to £3 per trip. Jersey's Infrastructure Minister, Connétable Andy Jehan, says: "The response to the Fort Regent survey is nothing short of remarkable and sends a clear message: islanders and visitors are ready for this transformation. "With nearly 90% satisfaction across the board and even higher among our young people, it shows there is a strong desire for a new era at the Fort. "This vision has been shaped by the community, and it's encouraging to see such widespread support. We now have a mandate to move forward confidently, creating a vibrant, inclusive and accessible destination that meets the needs of future generations while respecting the Fort's historic significance." Lee Henry, Chief Executive Officer of the Jersey Development Company, adds: "This is an overwhelming response from the community and we look forward to working with the Government on advancing the regeneration of the Fort so that it once again delivers significant all-weather amenities for islanders and visitors. "Presentations were given to almost 2,000 secondary school students and the feedback was extremely positive, with fewer than 5% using the Fort today, and virtually all confirming that they would regularly use the regenerated Fort if this vision was delivered."
