Franchise Owners Of The Little Gym® International Elect Four To 2006 Executive Advisory Council

Appointment Will Help Maintain Voice of Individual Franchise Owners in Corporate Decisions

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA (Friday, February 17, 2006) - In a recent nationwide election, franchise owners of The Little Gym International (TLG) selected four of their peers to serve as members of the child fitness chain's Executive Advisory Council (EAC), a group of franchise owners designated to represent all owners' voices in front of the company's corporate executive committee.
The EAC consists of seven franchise owners elected on alternate years and convenes at least four times per year to review advertising materials, marketing strategies, course curricula and training updates and to convey concerns of the TLG franchise owner community to the corporate committee. Additionally, the EAC members participate in regular conference calls and other planning sessions across the country.

"The level of collaboration we're able to achieve between franchise owners and the corporate committee through the EAC is just another example of the enormous value we as franchisors put on our owners," said Bob Bingham, chief executive officer of The Little Gym International. "The new representatives are the crème de la crème of our owner base, and we're all very excited to work in tandem with them," he added.

Furthermore, while many franchise organizations put an emphasis on franchise ownership before making the transition to the head office, every member of TLG's corporate management either owns or previously owned at least one gym in the system, making them highly attuned to the franchise owners' perspective.

The newly elected members of the Council are:

- Jeff Freeman, a member of The Little Gym network since October 1993 who independently owns one location in Northwest Bergen County, N.J., and jointly owns two additional locations in Scarsdale and Bedford, NY. Freeman will open an additional location in Manhattan in the future and will serve a 2-year term;

- Al Ruthazer, a member of The Little Gym network since June 2002 who currently owns two locations in Danvers and Woburn, Mass. He will serve as an "at-large" member for one year;

- Stephen Cohen, a member of The Little Gym network since November 1992 who currently owns one location in Kent, Wash., and will be opening a second location in Auburn, Wash. later this year. Cohen will serve a 2-year term on the EAC;

- Mindy Broadley, a member of The Little Gym network since January 1997 who currently owns two locations in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Ariz. Broadley will serve a 2-year term.

"The Little Gym's global growth strategy calls for the development of 51 new locations in 2006 alone, and we hope to have 500 locations in the United States and 250 locations abroad by 2010," said Bingham. "With the double-digit growth we seen over the past eight years, our franchise owners will continue to play a crucial role in the success and growth of this organization."

About The Little Gym International

The Little Gym is considered the premier developer of motor skills in children worldwide. The company uses curriculum-based gymnastics, movement and other programs to promote coordination, balance, rhythm and flexibility, working with children between the ages of 4 months and 12 years. Younger children participate in classes with their parents, while older students attend classes on their own and add a greater sense of independence to the benefits they gain from the program. In addition, The Little Gym's programs have a proven track record of enhancing children's listening, social and intellectual skills, in short, laying the foundation for a lifetime of success.

Franchise opportunities are available throughout the United States and overseas; ideal franchise candidates will have net worths of at least $200,000, with at least $50,000 in liquid assets, and will possess some prior business management experience.

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