January 24, 2025

Client Spotlight: Scoops Lacrosse

Meet Scoops Lacrosse

Scoops Lacrosse is redefining how young athletes discover the game. With a focus on boys and girls aged 3 to 8, Scoops introduces lacrosse in a high-energy, fun-filled environment. Founded with a passion for building confidence and coordination in kids through action-packed play, the brand has grown from local clinics in Boston to a nationally franchised model. Behind Scoops’ success is their unwavering commitment to delivering joy, skills, and smiles while instilling a lifelong love for lacrosse.

SMB Franchise Advisors: In a few sentences, describe what your brand does and what your company is all about.

Matt Belson (Coach Bels), Scoops Lacrosse: Scoops provides introductory lacrosse clinics for boys and girls aged 3 to 8. We focus on establishing a love for lacrosse at an early age by emphasizing fun.

A boy cheers during an outdoor Scoops Lacrosse session.

Kids are enthusiastic about Scoops Lacrosse.

Creating a Unique Experience for Young Athletes

SMB: What makes your service/product unique?

Pete McIntire, Scoops Lacrosse: Our classes are a high-energy mix of lacrosse, movement, and fun, where kids learn the game through action-packed games, dancing, and upbeat music. It’s an hour of skills and smiles designed to build confidence and coordination while keeping the fun front and center. And yes, we blast the best tunes the whole time!

Coach gives a high-five to a young boy during a Scoops Lacrosse practice.

Coach Bels builds confidence through connection.

The Road to Franchising: Why Scoops Chose to Expand

SMB: What inspired you to franchise your business?

Coach Bels: We’ve seen incredible success in the Boston region and have received countless requests to run Scoops classes around the US. We feel that franchising is the best way to bring Scoops to new regions and maintain the high quality of instruction and first-class experience for our Scoopers.

Partnering with SMB Franchise Advisors

SMB: Why did you partner with SMB Franchise Advisors?

Coach Bels: SMB immediately recognized the potential for Scoops and connected with our core values. That connection, combined with their best-in-class knowledge base, personnel, and network, set SMB apart from the other advisors that we interviewed.

Coach instructs a group of young kids holding lacrosse sticks during an outdoor practice.

Developing skills through hands-on coaching.

Franchise Growth

SMB: How many units did you have before SMB? How many units have you grown to since partnering with SMB?

Pete: Originally, we had 45 areas where we offered Scoops programs. Before our first franchisee signed on, we had expanded to over 60.

SMB: What are your long-term goals for your franchise? How big do you want to grow your brand?

Coach Bels: Our long-term goal is to bring Scoops to every state across the U.S. We want to reach as many kids as possible and make a meaningful impact on their lives through the power of lacrosse and play. We see a huge opportunity to take this nationwide and bring the fun back to youth sports, making Scoops a household name for smiles, confidence, and community!

Advice for Franchisors

SMB: What advice do you have for people looking to franchise?

Matt: Franchising can be daunting. There are unknowns at every turn, but remember that you know your business, and ultimately, you are going to be helping others learn it and have success running it. If you know your business and are diligent, all you need to do is have the right team in your corner providing advice on how to build your franchise system.

SMB: Is there anything else you would like us to share about you and/or your brand?

Pete: Lean on your team at SMB; there are not any bad questions.

Boy laughs with coach during lacrosse practice.

Building joy through fun!

SMB: If readers want to learn more, where should they go?

Pete: Learn more on our Franchising Website, or connect with us on LinkedIn, where you can find me and Matt.

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Interviewer: Kayla Mowery

Expert Review: Dawn Abbamondi