{{Short description|American recreation park company}} {{Infobox company | name = CircusTrix | type = Private | genre = | logo = File:CircusTrix Logo.png | founded = 2011 | founder = Case Lawrence | successor = Sky Zone | defunct = January 21, 2023 | hq_location_city = Provo, Utah | hq_location_country = | hq_location = | num_locations = 300+ | area_served = Global | industry = Recreation | products = Trampoline parks | brands = {{flat list| * Defy * Gravitopia * Planet3 * Rockin' Jump *Ryze }} | services = | market cap = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | num_advisors = | parent = | divisions = | subsidiaries = | website = [http://www.circustrix.com Official Website] | footnote = }} '''CircusTrix''' was an American developer, operator and franchisor of indoor trampoline and extreme recreation parks.<ref name="SacBee">{{cite news | last =Shallit| first =Bob| title =CircusTrix jumps into local trampoline market | newspaper =The Sacramento Bee| date =15 April 2016 | url =https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/bob-shallit/article72094047.html | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Clarion">{{cite news | last =Luter Floyd| first =Nell| title =Jackson metro area jumps into trampoline craze | newspaper =The Clarion-Ledger| date =12 May 2015 | url =http://www.clarionledger.com/story/money/business/2015/05/12/jackson-metro-area-jumps-trampoline-craze/27173057/ | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> The company operates over 319 parks<ref name="sky" /><ref name="ABC30">{{cite news | last =Miracle| first =Veronica| title =New Clovis location for Skywalk Extreme Sports Arena will house largest America Ninja Warrior course | publisher =KFSN-TV | date =25 August 2016 | url=http://abc30.com/society/new-clovis-location-for-skywalk-extreme-sports-arena-will-house-largest-america-ninja-warrior-course/1485135/ | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> in the United States, Europe, and Asia<ref name="Forbes">{{cite magazine | last =Templeman| first =Mike| title =Entrepreneurs Need To Jump Into The Exploding Fitness Industry | magazine =Forbes | date =21 March 2016 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/miketempleman/2016/03/21/entrepreneurs-need-to-jump-into-the-exploding-fitness-industry/2/#7e35c7fe42a3 | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> making it the largest trampoline park operator in the world,<ref name="Inc">{{cite magazine | last =Page| first =Bubba| title =Want to Snag Millennials on a Budget? Create Selfie-Worthy Experiences| magazine =Inc. | date =2 June 2016 | url=http://www.inc.com/bubba-page/want-to-snag-millennials-on-a-budget-create-selfie-worthy-experiences.html | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="DBNJ01">{{cite news | last =Park| first =Clayton| title =Battle between dueling trampoline parks shaping up in Daytona | newspaper =The Daytona Beach News-Journal| date =20 October 2015 | url =http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20151020/battle-between-dueling-trampoline-parks-shaping-up-in-daytona | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> the largest operator of extreme obstacle courses in the United States,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Garofalo |last1=Alex |title='American Ninja Warrior' Star Kevin Bull Signs Endorsement Deal With Obstacle Builder CircusTrix |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/american-ninja-warrior-star-kevin-bull-signs-endorsement-deal-obstacle-builder-2376771 |newspaper=International Business Times |date=June 1, 2016}}</ref> and the operator of the largest trampoline park in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandt |first1=Cornelia |title=Größter Trampolinpark Deutschlands öffnet in Duisburg (Germany's Largest Trampoline Park Opens in Duisburg) |url=https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/duisburg/superfly-in-duisburg-groesster-trampolinpark-deutschlands_aid-17608855 |publisher=RP Online |date=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=MÜLLER |first1=VERENA |title="Superfly": Trampolinpark an der Roermonder Straße ("Superfly": Trampoline Park on the Roermonder Road) |url=https://www.aachener-zeitung.de/lokales/nordkreis/superfly-trampolinpark-an-der-roermonder-strasse_aid-24713747 |publisher=Aachener Zeitung |date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>
The CircusTrix parks incorporate interconnected trampolines, soft foam pits, trapezes, slacklines, and ''American Ninja Warrior''-inspired obstacle courses.<ref name="SacBee"/><ref name="Mash"/><ref name="Fresno"/> In 2016, ''American Ninja Warrior'' competitor, Kevin Bull, signed an endorsement deal with the company.<ref name="IBT">{{cite news | last =Garofalo| first =Alex| title ='American Ninja Warrior' Star Kevin Bull Signs Endorsement Deal With Obstacle Builder CircusTrix | newspaper =International Business Times | date =1 June 2016 | url=http://www.ibtimes.com/american-ninja-warrior-star-kevin-bull-signs-endorsement-deal-obstacle-builder-2376771 | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> The company is based in Provo, Utah with additional offices in Los Angeles.<ref name="RBiz"/><ref name="DBNJ02">{{cite news | last =Park| first =Clayton| title =Work underway for Daytona Beach trampoline park | newspaper =The Daytona Beach News-Journal| date =18 March 2016 | url =http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/20160318/work-underway-for-daytona-beach-trampoline-park | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref>
Brands that fell under the CircusTrix corporate umbrella include Sky Zone, Rockin’ Jump, Ryze,<ref name="Mash">{{cite news | last =Tan| first =Alicia| title =South Korea will get its first 'American Ninja Warrior' recreation park this year | publisher =Mashable | date =13 June 2016 | url=http://mashable.com/2016/06/13/seoul-ninja-warrior-recreation-park/ | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> HighHeaven,<ref name="JFP">{{cite news | last =Helsel| first =Amber| title =What You Need to Know: High Heaven Trampoline Park | newspaper =Jackson Free Press| date =20 May 2015 | url =http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2015/may/20/what-you-need-know-high-heaven-trampoline-park/ | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> Skywalk,<ref name="Fresno">{{cite news | last =Maki| first =Sydney| title =Specialty gyms offer more than treadmills for Valley residents who want a challenge | newspaper =The Fresno Bee| date =30 July 2016 | url =http://www.fresnobee.com/news/business/article92674082.html| access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> 2Infinity,<ref name="Ledger">{{cite news | title =2infinity trampoline park set to open this month | newspaper =The Ledger| date =1 August 2016 | url =http://www.theledger.com/article/20160801/news/160809981| access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> Gravitopia, and numerous others.<ref name="RBiz">{{cite news | last =Thompson| first =Michael| title =Trampoline park may leap into Regency Square | publisher =Richmond Biz Sense | date =21 April 2016 | url=http://richmondbizsense.com/2016/04/21/trampoline-park-may-leap-into-regency-square/| access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref>
==History==
CircusTrix was founded in October 2011<ref name="Forbes"/> by Case Lawrence, a former attorney and real estate developer from Fresno, California. Lawrence got the idea for the company after visiting a trampoline park in San Francisco with his children. The first CircusTrix park, SkyWalk, was opened near Fresno in 2011. The second park, dubbed Defy Gravity, was opened in Durham, North Carolina in mid-2012.<ref name="SacBee"/><ref name="Beehive">{{cite news | last =Rawle| first =Chris| title =The Adrenaline Rush Of CircusTrix | publisher =Beehive Startups | date =26 January 2016 | url=http://beehivestartups.com/blog/adrenaline-rush-circustrix/| access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="TBJ">{{cite news | title =New extreme aerial sports arena coming to Visalia | publisher =The Business Journal | date =15 April 2016 | url =http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/sports-and-entertainment/22137-new-extreme-aerial-sports-arena-coming-to-visalia | access-date =27 August 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Over the next two years CircusTrix acquired, renovated and expanded other existing parks, increasing the number of locations to over 20 in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Luter Floyd |first1=Nell |title=Jackson Metro Area Jumps into Trampoline Craze |url=https://eu.clarionledger.com/story/money/business/2015/05/12/jackson-metro-area-jumps-trampoline-craze/27173057/ |work=The Clarion-Ledger |date=May 13, 2015}}</ref>
The company's exponential growth continued as they expanded the brand internationally by opening large, diverse parks in Europe and Asia under the Ryze brand name. In January 2014, CircusTrix announced that they would be expanding to the Asian market with a new trampoline park in Hong Kong. The park was opened in July 2014.<ref name="Mash"/><ref name="SCMP01">{{cite news | last =Nip | first =Amy| title =Hong Kong trampoline park to serve as 'springboard to the Asian market' | newspaper =South China Morning Post| date =21 January 2014 | url =https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1409890/hong-kong-trampoline-park-serve-springboard-asian-market | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="SCMP02">{{cite news | last =Choi | first =Christy| title =Trampoline centre Ryze proves a summer hit with Hong Kong youth | newspaper =South China Morning Post| date =21 January 2014 | url =https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1565201/trampoline-centre-ryze-proves-summer-hit-hong-kong-youth | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> The first European park was announced in September 2014<ref name="EEN">{{cite news | title =Trampoline complex to open this winter| newspaper =Edinburgh Evening News| date =11 September 2014| url =http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/trampoline-complex-to-open-this-winter-1-3538260 | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> and was opened in January 2015 in Edinburgh, Scotland.<ref name="STVEdinburghLaunch">{{cite news | last =Tulloch | first =Pamela| title =First look inside Ryze Edinburgh as trampoline park opens | publisher =STV| date =23 January 2015 | url =http://edinburgh.stv.tv/articles/307606-ryze-edinburgh-opens-at-ozone-lothian-in-dalkeith/ | access-date =27 August 2016}}</ref> By mid-2015, the company was operating 25 parks, most of which were in the United States.<ref name="Clarion"/> By the end of 2015, that number had increased to 28.<ref name="DBNJ01"/> Parks in South Korea, Hong Kong and Edinburgh opened between 2015 and 2016.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Simpson |first1=James |title=Ryze Trampoline Park '100% coming to Dundee', Says Boss after Latest Setback |url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ryze-trampoline-park-100-coming-dundee-says-boss-latest-setback/ |publisher=Evening Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tan |first1=Alicia |title=South Korea will Get its First American Ninja Warrior Park this Year |date=13 June 2016 |url=https://mashable.com/2016/06/13/seoul-ninja-warrior-recreation-park/?europe=true |publisher=Mashable}}</ref>
In 2016, new parks were opened or are planned to open in locations like Sacramento, California;<ref name="SacBee"/> Clovis;<ref name="Fresno"/> Seoul, South Korea;<ref name="Mash"/> Lakeland, Florida;<ref name="Ledger"/> Visalia, California; and others.<ref name="TBJ"/> Many parks began introducing ''American Ninja Warrior''-inspired obstacle courses, as well.<ref name="Fresno"/> In June 2016, CircusTrix announced that it had signed an endorsement deal with Kevin Bull, a frequent ''American Ninja Warrior'' competitor. As part of the deal, Bull trains in the company's parks and also appears in CircusTrix television and radio ads.<ref name="IBT"/> As of August 2016, the company operates over 30 parks in the United States, Europe, and Asia.<ref name="ABC30"/><ref name="Fresno"/>
By the end of 2016, CircusTrix had 40 parks throughout the world;<ref name="Fresno"/> by February 2019 the number had grown to 319 parks operating. In January 2017, CircusTrix closed a round of private equity funding with Palladium Equity Partners for a fee estimated to be upwards of $200 million.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kirsch |first1=Noah |title=Jump Man: How Sky Zone Went From Failed Extreme Sport To A $300 Million Business |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/noahkirsch/2017/06/20/jump-man-how-sky-zone-went-from-failed-extreme-sport-to-a-300-million-business/#acee94b7a904 |magazine=Forbes |date=June 20, 2017}}</ref> According to ''The Wall Street Journal'', the investment "represents the first significant move by private equity in the nascent indoor recreation sector."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/indoor-recreation-company-circustrix-lands-investment-from-palladium-1484084266|title=Indoor Recreation Company CircusTrix Lands Investment From Palladium|last=Kang|first=Jaewon|date=2017-01-10|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=2017-03-23|issn=0099-9660}} {{subscription required}}</ref> In March 2017, CircusTrix acquired trampoline park operator Rockin' Jump Holdings in a deal backed by Palladium Equity Partners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/2017/04/03/term-sheet-monday-april-3/|title=Term Sheet — Monday, April 3|website=Fortune|access-date=2017-04-06}}</ref>
In February 2018, CircusTrix acquired the Sky Zone chain of indoor trampoline parks and family entertainment centers.<ref name="sky">{{cite news | title =CircusTrix Pounces on Operator of Indoor Trampoline Parks| newspaper =The Wall Street Journal | date =1 February 2018 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/circustrix-pounces-on-operator-of-indoor-trampoline-parks-1517490000| access-date =9 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=CircusTrix Pounces on Operator of Indoor Trampoline Parks |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/circustrix-pounces-on-operator-of-indoor-trampoline-parks-1517490000 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=February 1, 2018}}</ref> After completing the Sky Zone acquisition, CircusTrix had a total of 287 facilities and nearly 16,000 employees worldwide, which made it the biggest trampoline park operator in the world.<ref>{{cite news | title =Provo's CircusTrix expands 'extreme recreation' empire| newspaper =Deseret News | date =1 February 2018 | url=https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900009190/provos-circustrix-expands-extreme-recreation-empire.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210062050/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900009190/provos-circustrix-expands-extreme-recreation-empire.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 10, 2018| access-date =9 February 2018}}</ref>
On August 22, 2018, CircusTrix celebrated the opening of their 300th park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neely |first1=Karissa |title=CircusTrix builds 300th park, Alpine Country Club enhancement project, New NFP VP |url=https://www.heraldextra.com/business/local/circustrix-builds-th-park-alpine-country-club-enhancement-project-new/article_dc4fcc74-65b9-58b4-b66b-0b69da297726.html |newspaper=Daily Herald |date=Aug 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=CircusTrix Builds 300th Park, Reinforces Leadership Role in Indoor Recreation Industry |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/08/22/1555251/0/en/CircusTrix-Builds-300th-Park-Reinforces-Leadership-Role-in-Indoor-Recreation-Industry.html |publisher=GLOBE NEWSWIRE |date=August 22, 2018}}</ref> The chain was recognized as Utah's second fastest-growing company in 2018 by Utah Business Magazine. CircusTrix was also ranked in the top 2,000 fastest-growing private companies on the Inc. 5000 list two years in a row.
On January 21, 2023, CircusTrix underwent a rebrand, sold off its European parks, and rebranded numerous parks to Sky Zone (parks located west of the Mississippi River) and DEFY (Parks located East of the Mississippi River).
==Parks== thumb|View of the main floor at CircusTrix's Ryze park in Edinburgh, Scotland. At one point, CircusTrix operated over 319 indoor trampoline parks<ref name="ABC30"/> in North America, Europe, and Asia.<ref name="Forbes"/> Most parks consist of dozens of interconnected trampolines, ''American Ninja Warrior''-style obstacle courses, soft foam pits, trapezes, and slacklines.<ref name="SacBee"/><ref name="Mash"/><ref name="Fresno"/> Parks also contain special dodgeball and basketball courts along with aerial skills and parkour sections.<ref name="JFP"/><ref name="SCMP01"/><ref name="SCMP02"/> Many parks also contain programs specifically for ''American Ninja Warrior'' training.<ref name="Fresno"/> Parks in the United States operated under a variety of brand names including 2Infinity, Cloud9,<ref name="RBiz"/> Defy, Defy Gravity,<ref name="SacBee"/><ref name="Beehive"/> Gravitopia, High Rise, HighHeaven,<ref name="Clarion"/> JumpJam, Jumpology, Planet3, Rockin' Jump, Ryze, Sky Zone, Skywalk,<ref name="Fresno"/> Superfly and others. High Rise Extreme Air Sports in Rogers, AR has been seen as a stand-out in the Greater Northwest Arkansas Region and a beacon of what CircusTrix aims to provide its guests.<ref name="Ledger"/> In Europe and Asia, most parks are branded as "Ryze."<ref name="Mash"/><ref name="SCMP01"/><ref name="SCMP02"/><ref name="STVEdinburghLaunch"/>
==References== {{reflist|2}}
==External links== *[http://www.circustrix.com Official Website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20161007103537/http://www.ryze.info/ Ryze Official Website]
Category:Trampolining Category:Companies based in Provo, Utah Category:Entertainment companies of the United States Category:Entertainment companies established in 2011 Category:American companies established in 2011 Category:Amusement parks in the United States Category:2011 establishments in Utah